Zombies

XI

Ashley: 

The scream continued to ring, and I was soon aware that it was coming from within the car. After we were well away from the border camp, the car came to a slow.  “My shoulder!” I looked back, and saw Louise clutching her shoulder in agony. “Did she get shot?” Jerome asked, panicking. “Yeah, that’s why there’s a bullet in her shoulder.” Ryan grumbled. I pulled a clean towel from my leather bag, and handed it to her. “Here, try to stop the bleeding.” I said. Her eyes were filled with agonizing pain, and I felt a pang of sympathy for her. “What do we do now?” Jerome asked. “Not panic.” Mitch said calmly, throwing a bit of a disapproving glance at Jerome. “Did it go through her shoulder completely, or is there still a bullet in her?”  I asked. Louise moved the towel for a moment, and turned her shoulder so that we could see if it went through or not. Thick, scarlet liquid dipped down her shirt. “It’s all the way through.” Jerome announced, putting the towel back on her shoulder. I casted a side glance at Mitch. Louise was bleeding at unhealthy rate. “Okay, we keep going until we find a neighborhood. We’ll head southwest.” Mitch decided, turning his attention to the driver’s seat. I hated seeing him like that. His moves were mechanic as if he had been programmed rather than deciding for himself, and his face was horrifically emotionless. We drove for a little while until we reached a  lavishly styled neighborhood. “This looks promising,” I said, silently admiring the towering mansions. It was a gated community, but luckily, (for our sake,) the gate was ajar, so we could enter. “Pull into the first house we can get to.” Jerome pushily demanded. We pulled into a long, curvy driveway, adorned with a marble fountain. “I’ll check for residents.” I said, opening the car door. I brought my compound bow and quiver. As I walked in front of the car to get to the main door, I noticed a glint of emotion in Mitch’s face. Somewhere inside of him, there was still a little human. I knocked twice on the door and waited a moment. Moments later, I heard a loud thump on the door, that I recognized as the mindless banging of an undead. I didn’t know how many there were, and still didn’t trust myself with the bow, but I decided to crack the door open about an inch or so. Instantly, the creature threw itself at the door, forcing it open. The blow sent me hurling backwards, hardly catching my balance. The thing charged at me, and I swiftly fitted an arrow into my bow, pulled it back, and released in one fluid movement. Another one came hurling out before I could fit another arrow, and it lunged at me. I blocked it with my bow, and entangled it’s neck within the bow’s string. Suddenly, a bullet came whizzing past me and brought the creature crashing to the ground. Yet another zombie came shuffling out the door, although it was slower than the others. Another gunshot, and the zombie crumbled at my feet. I waited to see if any more were coming, but none did. I turned to see who had aided me, and I saw Mitch standing rigidly next to the car with the gun gripped tightly in his fingers. His eyes flashed with absolute terror. “I’m okay!” I called. I scanned over the crumpled bodies at my feet, and recognized they must have been the owners. One was wearing an expensive jacket with a diamond necklace, and one was also wearing a slick looking leather jacket, and a jewel encrusted belt. The other one looked like he was about ten or eleven. I wanted to feel sorry for them, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. At about that moment, Mitch came up to me. “That jacket would look good on you.” I smiled lightly, eyeing the leather jacket. I wanted to hear a comical response but he simply rolled his eyes. “We’re gonna scout, and Ryan and Jerome are staying with Louise, okay?” He explained dully. I nodded, and went inside to explore. “I’ll check the basement,” I volunteered, heading down the regal looking stairwell. “Alright, I got the upstairs.” Mitch responded, heading up the other stairway. I explored the depths of the basement, searching primarily for painkillers and bandages. The downstairs bathroom had a drawer with small bandages and even a small thing of gauze wrap. I explored on, and found a glorious collection of the finest wines. I picked up a bottle, and looked over it, smirking. I imagined indulging myself in rich liquor until the world dissolved with all my cares and responsibility. “Maybe someday.” I said quietly to myself setting it down, and continuing to explore. There wasn’t much more of interest, except a can of peaches. I met Mitch on the main floor. He had found some cleaning alcohol, a couple fresh towels,  and some large bandages. We explored the main floor briefly, and I found some bottled water and matches. I showed off my findings to Mitch, but his reactions continued to maintain mechanical. Frustrated, an outrageous thought came to me. I was determined to break his emotionless spell. I boldly strode over to him, and kissed him on the lips.