Zombie Apocalypse (GXG) *ON-GOING*

[== 26 ==]

Chapter 26: Soulmates

Nika's POV

"Is this the mall?" Allen asked as we pull up at the front of the familiar mall. Asher nodded letting him that that mall was the mall we left my sister in.

We all unbuckled our seatbelts and prepared our guns, I took a deep breath knowing I'll see my sister's body again but lifeless. Chelsea held my hand and lightly squeezed it showing me comfort. There was no zombies near our car but some of them were near the trees near to the mall. We all got out of the car and as we got out the aura of the place didn't seem quite nice.

Audric jumped out of the trunk with the tarpaulins and shovel passing them to the other two guys, Allen made sure to lock the doors because other survivors might try to steal it. Audric led the way where we came out the last time, which is the emergency exit leading to the pharmacy where we left my sister.

At first I thought the exit will be filled with zombies but no, it was only filled with broken pieces of glass and some pile of junk. We climbed up hoping to reach the door to the pharmacy, as we neared the door nostalgia hits me. I started to breathed a little heavier more than usual, I guess Ashley noticed because she moved closer to me and patted my back.

"If there are zombies inside, don't hesitate to shoot." Allen ordered. He readily aimed his gun as Audric prepared to open the door, fortunately there was none. When we all came in we were hit by a foul smell, I covered my nose and mouth to block away the smell.

Chelsea immediately reached out to her backpack and pulled out a lavender scented disinfectant spray. She covered her nose with a handkerchief as she sprayed the room with the disinfectant. I didn't want to peek at my sister's body since I knew I was gonna break down if I did, I was already tearing up I didn't want to show my sister that I was weak.

I sat down behind the counter, it was blocking my sight from my dead sister. I remembered her body was leaned up next to a medicine stand, I let out a shaky breath thinking of the last time I went here. I heard the clanking of shovels, and the sound of the tarpaulin being set down.

"Here, we'll lift her legs while Audric lifts her head okay?" I heard Allen say, I covered my ears not wanting to hear them take my sister to the tarpaulin.

I felt my heartbeat raise, I started to breathe heavier and heavier, tears started to well up in my eyes. My hands squeezed my knees as I tried to clam myself up, I shut my eyes closed trying to stop the tears from coming and I started to rock back and forth. Panic attack. I'm having a panic attack. I felt someone kneel infront of me and whispering things.

"Hey, hey, look at me. Nika." I heard someone call me but didn't look up. I wanted to calm myself down but I can't, the person in front of me cupped my face making me look at them. Green eyes stared back at me worriedly.

"Follow my breathing Nika, in and out, breath in and out..." Ashley continued to lead the breathing while I tried to follow her. She grabbed my clenched fist and slowly rubbed circles on my knuckles.

"It's okay, you're okay. I'm here, I'm not gonna leave you." Ashley softly said. I deeply breathe through my mouth, my breath was still shaky but my breath was slowly getting stable. I unclenched my fist letting Ashley to intertwine our hands, she softly smiled at me.

"Don't worry, your sister will get her peace." She carefully said. I nodded and took the last deep breath.

"I think the guys are done, let's go." She slowly stood up and held her hand out that I gracefully took.

I couldn't help but glance at the guys who were sitting down catching their breath after lifting the body. I looked at the tarpaulin and saw the left side of my sister's  face, I let out small gasp before looking away. Her face was decomposing, I clenched Ashley's hand trying to find comfort. She squeezed my hand lightly and looked at me softly.