Ladies and gentleman, here is my second try at writing a The Walking Dead fanfiction. My last one wasn't all too great, I'll admit. But this one I actually know what I'm doing with it, and where I'm going. So please enjoy, and please review! I will only post a new chapter after I get three reviews.
Thanks for reading!
Much Love - Julie
Screaming. Yelling. Cursing. Running. Breathing. Wheezing. Hard footsteps hitting the ground. These were all the sounds that were heard throughout during the world travesty. At least, these were the sounds that were heard from the living. Groans and grunts were mostly heard from the living dead; snarling and chomping were heard when they were feeding. No one knew why it happened, how it happened, or even how to stop it but the once beautiful and green world the United States was now turned into a dead, dark, and corpse-filled land. There was no more hope in this new world. There was no more happiness, no more joy, no more love. At least for Stephanie there wasn't. Before the world almost turned into a mirror image of hell, Stephanie Dimmick worked as a paralegal at a law firm. It was a job that she loved and worked her ass off to get. In a business where men mostly made the rules, Steph was determined to change those ideals and make a mark in history. And on the very day she witnessed her first 'Walker' attack, that was the day Stephanie was going to be promoted to be a lawyer. But the Gods had other plans for Stephanie, and instead she fought her way to safety.
After Stephanie ran from her work office, she managed to make it back to her parent's house. There, she saw they were already attacked by the same creatures she'd seen before – only they were dead. The brunette took sometime to mourn the brutal death of her parents before she raided their house; her father was a hunter and a great one at that. In the basement, he kept a safe of guns (that Steph knew the combination code to), a collection of knives that varied from pocket knives to machetes, and a bow and arrow. Grabbing a duffle bag, Steph gathered all the weapons she could before moving on. Fortunately for the brunette her mother was about the same size as she was. Digging through all the clothes in the dresser drawers, Steph found a plain white t-shirt and shorts to change into. Throwing the black dress she had on, Steph began to pack some clothes along with the guns - knowing she needed to get the hell out of the house before more creatures came. Stephanie began sprinting down the stairs and out to the front porch. Letting a small breath of air escape her lips, she was not thrilled to see a few creatures walking toward the house. Taking a quick glance at her car, Steph knew there was no way she could get to it in time; it was time to start shooting. Pulling out the rifle she stuffed in her pants, Stephanie began shooting them. With the very first gun shot, Steph noticed it attracted the rest toward her. "Fuck," the brunette whispered to herself. The young woman did not want to admit to herself what the world has come to, but there was simply no other explanation for it.
A Zombie Apocalypse.
Knowing her vehicle would be of no help during these times; she ran and made her way toward the barn where her horse was kept. Seeing Majesty, Stephanie smiled and continued her fast pace toward the animal. Noticing the flesh – eating monsters were still quite far from her, Steph began the process of putting on a saddle on her horse before placing the duffle bag on Maj, securing it. Hoisting herself on the brown beast, she tugged on the reins, indicating for her to gallop. The horse began pounding her hooves on the ground, allowing her to move with such speed and force, Stephanie almost let go. But they continued moving steadily away from all the hysteria.
It had been a couple months – or maybe weeks, or days … Stephanie wasn't keeping track – since the viral outbreak was causing mass hysteria. The streets were empty but filled with vehicles and corpses. Riding on the back of her beautiful Palomino horse, she took in her surroundings. Stephanie came up to the deserted, but most littered part of town. It seemed the zombies migrated when they realized there was no more food to chase after. Spotting the hospital, Stephanie decided to make a quick pit stop. Pulling on the reins, Stephanie brought Maj to a stop before hopping down. Shielding her eyes from the bright sun, she looked up to the building. Skeptical to go in, she grabbed her rifle and a hunting knife for reassurance. Fear coursed through her veins as she neared the entrance, the fear causing her heart beat to quicken rapidly. "You can do this Steph," the brunette whispered to herself. Pulling the door open and entering the building gave the woman an eerie feeling. As if someone was in the small hospital watching her, but she couldn't see them. Like the feeling one gets when walking up stairs in the dark. And instead of the feeling faltering, it only continued as she silently and cautiously walked through the dark halls. The power was gone throughout the building and most windows were boarded forcing the sun's bright rays out of the hospital. Stephanie hated the dark and she really wasn't fond of hospitals to begin with; it was the perfect horror movie scene.
Pushing those thoughts out from her mind, Stephanie stumbled into the nurse's station. Papers were strewn everywhere and the computer smashed on the floor. Being such a computer nerd, this broke her heart a bit to see it in pieces, but that feeling subsided as her eyes caught sight of a phone. Practically jumping over the desk, Stephanie picked up the receiver. No dial tone. As her hopes once again shattered, Stephanie leaned back in the chair wondering what the hell happened in the hospital. Just as her thoughts were about to get the best of her, a shuffling noise came from down the hall. Quickly but quietly getting to her feet, Stephanie readied her rifle and mentally prepared herself to run. How many were there? Had they gotten Maj? Panic began to wash over her as the shuffling grew louder and more into footsteps. Rounding the corner, Stephanie came face to face with what was making the noise – or rather who. Stephanie was surprised to see Officer Rick Grimes and quickly turned her rifle away from him as he held his hands up in defense. Wide eyed, Stephanie dropped her rifle and she took a step forward, practically falling in his arms. It was such a relief for Stephanie to see a familiar face – it was a relief to see another living being in general. And like a soda bottle that was opened after being shaken, the tears spilled off her cheeks as the two held each other.
"What's happening Steph?" Rick asked as he stroked her hair. "Where is everyone?" The questions only caused Stephanie's tears to continue as memories began to flood through her mind. Pulling away from the broken girl, Rick helped wipe her tears away.
"It's really happening Rick," Stephanie started. "It's a zombie apocalypse." Rick's body tensed underneath her before shaking his head.
"I need to find Lori and Carl." Slightly moving to stand, Rick used the wall as support while he began walking toward the nurse's desk. Wiping the rest of her tears away, Stephanie picked up her weapon and joined Rick.
"The phone doesn't work," Stephanie informed him as he grabbed the receiver. As if he didn't hear her, Rick tried to dial his wife's number but immediately grew frustrated and threw the phone. Slightly jumping from the loud sound that echoed through the hall, Stephanie put a hand on Rick's shoulder – providing comfort. Moving his hands around the desk, Stephanie moved to see what he was looking for – matches. Raising a brow at her old friend, Rick looked back up to her before mumbling to follow him. Looking around to make sure there weren't any zombies around, Stephanie quietly followed close behind Rick. She was curious to know why he was wearing a hospital gown, but Steph kept her inquiries to herself. Thinking back to it, Steph hadn't spoken to Rick in years; not since she graduated college and got a job as a paralegal. Sure they both worked in the Criminal Justice field, but Steph was much higher than Rick when it came down to it.
Leading them into a hospital room, Rick moved straight for the bed. It was then when Stephanie received her answer to her question. "Rick, you're bleeding," she stated, kneeling next to him. Moving the gown, Steph peeled off the blood soaked bandages. Hearing a hiss come from his lips, Stephanie couldn't resist rolling her eyes. After all the bandages were off, Steph then realized what had happened; Rick was shot in the line of duty. Lifting her hand to cover her mouth, Stephanie was surprised the wound looked as well as it did. "I'm sure I can find some supplies to clean this up," Steph offered. Rick shook his head.
"No need to do that, Steph," he answered her. Rick looked around the hospital room before pointing toward the drawers. "Care to fish me out some pants?" Turning, Steph stepped toward the drawers and grabbed a pair. Throwing them to Rick, the ex-sheriff winced in pain as he went to catch it. Noticing, Steph walked out of the room. Leaning forward to view where she went, he decided it'd be best to get dressed. After slipping the blue hospital pants on, Steph walked in with some more gauze and bandages. "Steph really, I don't need it."
"You, Rick Grimes, are as stubborn as a pig gettin' clean," she compared as she moved Rick's arm to give her enough space to bandage up his wounds. A few hisses and winces from pain and he was good as new – well as good as he can be. "Do you even 'member what happened?" The brunette asked as she helped her friend to his feet. Shaking his head, Rick rubbed his temple as he thought.
"Can't 'member 'nything to be honest," he confessed as they began walking out into the hospital corridor. Stephanie no longer questioned Rick since she figured he was going through enough. Still, she was curious as to how he was still alive after spending all this time in the hospital. Coming to an intersecting corridor, they turned the corner and immediately stopped. The image in front of them was one that Stephanie was used to, but she could feel Rick's body tense as he examined the dead nurse who's body was torn open – blood so old it turned dark brown. Turning away from the gruesome scene, Stephanie watched as Rick's color drained. Moving from her grasp, he began walking the opposite direction – Steph following close behind him. As he walked, Rick could feel panic rising as the walls revealed more and more dried blood. There were long smears of blood, hand prints, blood splatter, and what looked to be skin hanging from the wall. But what stuck out the most were the bullet holes – tones of them. In front of them stood a barrier – a door that led to the hospital cafeteria. Stopping where they were, they both brought their attention to the two-by-four jammed through the door handles while the handles were also chained and padlocked too. Painted hastily on the left door was a message: 'Don't Open!' And on the right door: 'Dead Inside!'
Rick walked toward the door, his curiosity increasing with every step he took. "Rick, I wouldn't do that," Stephanie warned. But he wasn't listening to reasoning. Putting a hand on his shoulder, the brunette carefully eyed the door. Knowing from experience, it was common sense to stay away from a warning but Rick was new to this new world, and he needed to learn. Just as Rick was about to touch the giant doors, it began to heave slowly outward as if it was being pushed from the other side. The two by four holding the doors closed together began to creak and the chain want taut. Flinching back, Stephanie grabbed Rick's arm and began pulling him away. But Rick wouldn't budge. Instead he stood in horror as pale, wriggling, fish-white fingers with torn fingernails probed through the crack. More fingers began to appear as the door began to be pushed toward them even more. Hearing faint grunting behind the door, that was when Rick began to back away, terrified. Stephanie pulled her friend faster with her, thankful his curiosity didn't murder them. Stepping by the elevators, he hit the 'up' button. "The phone didn't work Rick, what makes you think the elevator would?" Rolling his eyes at her, Rick grasped Steph's wrist and pulled her toward the stairs. Taking one last look at the cafeteria doors, Rick let out a disgusted grunt as the ghostly fingers continued to wiggle through the crack – trying hard to break through the door.
Stephanie held a hand over her nostrils as the smell of death flooded her nasal cavities. As the door shut behind Rick, the light vanished from the corridor, leaving them in total darkness. Within seconds, Rick fumbled out the match book he found and struck one. The glow was faint, but it was enough light to guide them through. The duo began moving forward into the black cavernous void yawning over them. The stench began to get worse with every step they took and Stephanie witnessed Rick take a step back from the smell.
The match went out and they were once again surrounded by darkness. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Rick struck another match. Checking how many he had left, a light panic rose in his throat as only three occupied the book. They began starting down the stairs carefully. Putting a hand on her head, Steph could have sworn she was receiving a headache from the fowl smell. Keeping her breathing in a staccato rhythm, she squinted her eyes and saw an 'Exit' sign on the doors in the landing below. It was a huge relief for the both of them to see the doors and they both quickened their pace. The match blew out once again just as they were almost to the doors. Finding Rick's hand, Stephanie guided herself to the railing. Hearing his footsteps continue down the stairs, Stephanie's fear immediately rose. "Rick, please light another one," she begged, frozen to where she was. Hearing her friend fidget with an object, she was surprised to see the faint glow of the match's flame. With a small smile, Steph joined Rick and pointed down toward the door. "We're almost there," she announced as she took the couple steps down. As she reached the lower landing, the stench was almost unbearable. Turning to the railing, they both peered down the stairwell shaft. There was an inky blackness below, impenetrable. Letting out a sigh, Rick held the dying flame to the last match in the book – catching on fire. Leaning over the railing, Rick dropped the lit match book. The flaming book plummeted down, fluttering like a firefly. Stephanie joined Rick at the railing, watching as the lit matchbook smacked a corpse's cheek. The flame died, and they were once again surrounded in pitch black darkness.