Just Ozzie

Chapter 11

Peter looked up from Kayla and at us. "Where were you two!?!" He cried. "What's wrong with mommy!" "Help her!"

Ashley and I snapped out of it and put our weapons away then rushed to Kayla's aid.

When I got to her bedside, I looked her over. There were no bullet holes, stab wounds, or bites so what could be killing her? Why is she dying all the sudden?

Kayla put her weak hand over mine to stop my searching. I looked in her eyes with a worried look, she just shook her head at me.

"Its over". She said weakly. "I'm done". She slowly turned her head toward Ashley. "Ashley...please...take Peter into another room, I don't want him to see this".

Ashley eagerly nodded and carried Peter away. He cried even more and begged to stay in the room, Ashley had to drag him out.

It was just me and Kayla.

"Kayla", I said. "You knew all along...why didn't you tell us?"

Kayla chuckled and shook her head. "Because I didn't want to believe it myself". She said simply. "But the signs were obvious, I'm surprised you dumbbells didn't pick up on the clues".

"But if you could've told us what was wrong, we could've stopped this". My voice cracked. It was because I felt...hurt.

"Trust me",Kayla said softly. "There was nothing you could've done". "Even before the zombies, there was no cure for what I have".

I let out struggling sigh and looked down at the ground.

"I know you're not crying". Kayla said with a edge. I looked up from the floor and back at her. "Save your tears for when a better person dies". "Right now you need to be strong, strong for Peter and Ashley". "They need you more then ever now".

I nodded. Kayla coughed a couple of times.

"Ozzie", She struggled. "Promise me...promise you'll stop hurting yourself". "You have to mean it this time". "Promise me please".

I hesitated for a moment. I don't want to promise her that. It like taking soda from a kid with braces. Its not healthy for them but it's something they really enjoy. I could never bring myself to say no to her at a moment like this but I can't lie to her face like I did last time.

"I promise".

Kayla faintly smiled. "Thank you". "I know I don't say that enough but thank you for everything Ozzie".

She started coughing again. It was getting harder and harder for her to speak. She's running out of time.

"And Ozzie", Kayla continued. "Tell Peter that I love him". "And over all, tell Ashley..."

She stopped. I waited for what seemed like hours for her to continue but she didn't. She was dead.

Just then Ashley walked into the room. She gasped at the sight of dead Kayla. Ashley covered her mouth and shook her head.

I squinted my eyes at her to get a closer look and I found that tears were gathered in her eyes. Ashley closed her eyes and rushed out the room. I didn't want to be left alone in this room so I followed Ashley.

She sat at the kitchen table covering her face with her hands. I sat across from Ashley.

We sat there in silence for probably a hour. Ashley didn't move. I couldn't hear any sobs or smell any salty tears, that means Ashley wasn't crying. She was trying to hold it in.

I'm surprised Ashley is sad about Kayla's death. They always talked to each other with hatred. Ashley has known Kayla longer than I have, maybe Ashley was holding onto their history. They took each other for granted.