The Dark Side

Chapter 28 - Finally Ready

I chuck the rocks for the arrows in front of Jamie and with one exaggerated and annoyed sigh I cross my arms and sit down against a burnt-looking tree stump. The group exchange glances, before continuing to work, setting up the explosives and getting them ready. Although, one explosive has been left in the middle of the camp. The fire has died out already.

"What happened to you?" I hear Vincent ask me.

"Nothing." I say sternly, arms still crossed. I avoid all eye contact with everyone.

"Yeah, alright, Grumpy Ass." Vincent says. I look up and glare at him.

I notice Drew walking into the camp and I get up. "You're an idiot." I say, looking away from him.

"And, you're immature." He replies.

I sigh once again, "And, you're-" I begin.

"Oh my god! Shut up you stupid children!" Jamie yells, already annoyed enough.

I mock him quietly.

I see Drew walk over to Vincent, Conner, and Zachary and help them with the last explosives. I continue to sit against the tree. "Stop sulking." Jamie says from opposite me. I glare at him in response.

"Somebody's a little bit grumpy." I hear someone say, followed by footsteps coming closer to where I sit.

"Leave me alone, Conner." I groan.

I hear him sit next to me. "What did he do? Did he shove an I9's rotting corpse onto you?" He asks through chuckles.

"No, you stupid." I mumble.

"At least stop abusing people with your harsh choice of words." He says. I roll my eyes.

"He was the one being stupid about a stupid, tiny little cut!" I exclaim. Jamie turns to listen in.

"I heard you got injured. The Stranglers got you." Conner says. I nod like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "It sounded pretty bad. The wound I mean." He continues, "No wonder he'd be worried about you." I glare at him. "You do know that you could die from infection, right?"

"Well, I told him a million times that I'm fine, and then he went ahead and strangled me!" I exclaim.

"I didn't strangle you." Drew calls from where he is.

"Yeah, right." I call back sarcastically.

"He strangled you?" Conner asks sounding a little confused.

"No, I didn't strangle her!" Drew calls back again.

"Then, what did you do?" Conner asks, turning to him now.

"I-" Before Drew can barely speak I cut him off.

"You pinned me against the wall and pulled up my shirt forcefully." I say.

Everyone looks between me and Drew awkwardly. Drew's eyes widen, "It wasn't like that! I didn't do anything! She- Her injury is going to get infected if she doesn't let anyone help her. The stitches snapped-" He explains.

"No! The stitches never-" I begin.

"What?" Zachary exclaims.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Vincent yells.

"If I did you wouldn't let me help anymore! I need to take down this creature! I don't want anyone else to die! I'm sick of all of the death!" I shout angrily.

"But, if you don't get help, you could die." Zachary says.

"And, I couldn't live with myself if you died. That, is why I worried so much and kept asking if you were okay constantly." I turn to look at Drew as he speaks. He looks at the ground as he speaks. I feel a slight pang from his words. "It'd be worse if you died, Jess. Please just let us help you." He begs quietly, looking up at me.

"Only if you let me help take this bastard down for good." I say.

"Then you rest and let it heal." Zachary says. As if sealing a deal I nod and he holds out his hand for me. I take it and he helps me up.

~-*-~

Jamie stitches me back up after I go over to him. He still can't walk very well considering he was shot in the leg. After that I wrapped it up tight in bandages. I hope that this time the stitches won't snap again.

I begin helping everyone else set the explosives. One is set up in the middle of where we want them. Two more are tied to two arrows, ready to be shot. The bows are very sturdy and firm, so at least I'm sure that will work out. The rest of the explosives are set up where we will be leading the Stranglers.

A nervous vibe settles among the group. We're ready.

"What do we do now that we're ready?" Conner asks.

"The battle begins." Zachary says firmly, as if ready to take on every zombie in the world.

"Tonight." I confirm.

"As soon as the moon has completely risen, we make our whereabouts known to every person, zombie and creature in the area." Vincent says, checking the central explosive for the hundredth time. We all nod in agreement.

"But, we still have one tiny thing to work out." We all turn our attention to Jamie, sitting in the same position as usual, letting his injury heal, unlike me. "What do I do?" He asks.

Everyone is silent for a minute or two, thinking of something we could do about him. "Can you use a bow?" Drew asks from close by me.

"If I can make one, I can shoot one." Jamie replies, "I just need a little help to get to the place I can shoot from."

"I can help you. Just direct me towards where you want to shoot from." Conner says, walking past me and helping Jamie stand.

"So, are we all sorted?" Vincent asks everyone else. We all nod. "Let's just hope less people will die than I think." He says.

That's basically when I realised that there's a possibility that everyone here could get killed. My best friend, my father, and everyone I know. Even me.

~-*-~