Channon Parson stood looking out the window of Waynesboro General Hospital with a less then amused expression. Rumors of a new and strange virus had been circulating through the hospital all day. No one in town had come to the hospital with anything out of the ordinary yet. Channon however, had a feeling that would change soon. Being one of the few doctors on call that night she had a strange feeling she would probably be pulling a double shift. Even though she wasn't a full doctor yet Channon was treated like one. Not too many people in Waynesboro wanted the job.
"Channon?"
She turned to see her brother Nick's best friend Phillip Blake looking at her with nervous eyes. Something about him seemed odd tonight. Channon had basically known him all of her life. He was the first person she had ever truly loved regardless of the fact he left her for his now dead wife.
"Phillip what's wrong? Is Penny ok?"
Phillip nodded stepping forward grabbing one of her hands and pulling her behind him. Channon stopped walking yanking her hand back. Something was obviously up!
"Whoa wait a second! Phillip what is going on?"
He looked around the fairly empty hospital before looking back at Channon's confused face. Surely she had heard of this crazy outbreak. How could she not have? All the doctors in the area seemed to be in a panic over it.
"We're gettin outta here. Nick, Bobby, Brian, and Penny are in the car. We gotta get outta here before it's too late."
Channon didn't seem to grasp the urgency in his voice. Instead she raised an eyebrow crossing her arms over her chest.
"Phillip are you going mad? I'm working here. I can't just leave. What is all this about?"
Phillip pointed at the TV across from the nurses' station that was showing images of the people infected with the virus. He couldn't think of a way to be nice to her about this. He didn't give a rat's ass if Channon was the only doctor in the joint there was no way in hell he was leaving her here. Nick would have a cow. Phillip sighed getting angry. Ever since Sarah had died he began having those strange feelings for Channon resurface. Now here she was basically saying he was nuts.
"Channon all this shit that's going on in the other cities. It's happening here now. I'm not leavin you here and letting you die. Now come on or I'll go get Nick."
With a final glare Channon quickly followed Phillip out of the hospital. She wasn't quite for sure what she was supposed to say to him now. It was clearly evident that he was losing his temper. Even though the two of them had plenty of award winning arguments she really didn't feel like getting into one tonight. Channon's temper was about as bad as his. Normally she would have been dismissing him and going on about her business but something in his eyes made her go along with whatever he had up his sleeve.
Once outside Channon noticed a woman she had examined not 2 hours earlier lying in the middle of the road.
"What the hell? Phillip wait a sec."
He turned but yelled for Channon to come back as she approached the stagnate body lying in the middle of the road. She brushed him off and continued to approach the woman that looked like she had been hit by a car. Channon slowly kneeled down touching the woman's neck for any sign of a pulse. All of a sudden the woman rolled over grasping a hold of Channon's hand attempting to bite her. Channon screamed trying to yank loose but Ms. Harmon's grip was too tight. The sound of a gunshot pierced the air and Ms. Harmon fell still when the bullet went into her head.
Channon jumped up as Phillip pulled her body against his. She looked down at the dead woman with wide horrified eyes.
"What the fuck was that?!"
Phillip frowned,
"What I told you about. It's here Channon and we gotta get out or we're all gonna die."
Phillip didn't say another word as he examined her wrist for any sign of a bite or scratch. Channon's green eyes looked at the now dead woman with a horrified expression.
"That's the scariest fuckin thing I have ever seen in my life! What are they Phillip?"
His blue eyes rolled up to hers with a careful expression,
"Their zombies Channon…just like in Night of the Living Dead."
Channon stood deathly still before looking at Phillip with a slight grin,
"So I guess it's not Michael Jackson appreciation day?"
That made Phillip smile. He rolled his eyes before pulling her with him. They walked in silence until they reached Nick's truck. He looked back at Channon with a nervous gaze.
"It's far from it. Now get in."
When Channon got into the truck she was automatically in her brother's arms. Nick's face was etched with worry as he checked his little sister for damage.
"What took so long? We were getting worried."
He asked Phillip who climbed into the driver seat and gave Channon an icy glare. Nick looked between the two wondering what in the world happened. He was used to Phillip and Channon having a love hate relationship. It was common knowledge to everyone in the vehicle, minus Penny of course, that Phillip and Channon had a thing a long time ago. The fact they still had feelings for each other but were too stubborn or afraid to admit it was also common knowledge.
Channon smiled at her brother,
"Just enjoying this mess Nicky."
No one said much for the next few hours. What was there really to say besides,
"Hey look our town has gone to shit and the worlds probably over."
After making a few random stops to looks for weapons or supplies that would last for a while Channon sat quietly beside Phillip looking out into the darkness.
"So where are we headed?"
She asked calmly. Phillip's eyes didn't waiver from the empty road ahead. He rolled his eyes at the question. As he was about to say something smart he glanced at Channon carefully. In the light of the full moon she looked beautiful. Whatever notion Phillip had to keep himself from falling for her was quickly going out the window.
"Wherever is safe. I don't really know where that is but I gotta keep Penny safe."
Channon nodded looking back at the little girl sleeping in her uncle's arms and smiled. The kid was all Phillip really had of Sarah now. As much as it hurt Channon when Phillip married another woman she couldn't hate Penny. The little girl was too sweet and too cute. At the moment Channon felt nothing but pity for the little girl. She had gone through more in the past 20 months then any child should ever have to go through.
Her attention went to Brian who was starring gloomily out the window. She wasn't for sure how he fit into this picture. Phillip and Brian Blake basically hated each other. As it was common knowledge of her and Phillip's feelings for each other it was also common knowledge that the two brothers' despised each other. Truthfully it was mostly Phillip hating his older brother. Brian didn't really hate anyone. Channon leaned closer to Phillip so only he could hear her.
"So what's with Brian?"
Phillip rolled his eyes angrily,
"I had to bring him along. It was for Penny only."
Channon nodded,
"I figured. Well I find you more charming anyway."
She liked the way Phillip smiled at that comment. He had one hell of a good looking smile. Phillip Blake was the only man that could make Channon's knees go completely weak. He eased his hand on top of Channon's keeping her close to him. For the moment, Phillip didn't care that Nick was in the back seat giving them a go to hell look that could kill someone.
"Well that makes my day a little bit more sparkly."
The following 2 days were long for everyone. Endless hours of watching bitters stagger around like drunken morons and trying to find a hideout to lay low at for a while to figure out a game plan. The goal was getting to Atlanta where there was supposed to be a safe zone. Getting there was the only problem. The interstates were jam packed as far as the eye could see which led to having to take back roads.
After about two hours of driving Bobby Marsh sat straight up pointing to what looked like a gated community.
"Hey Phillip how about we stop there? All those rich fuckers have to have shit loads of weapons and other crap layin around."
Phillip gave Bobby a dark glare.
"Language."
He said icily motioning to Penny who was looking at the seat in front of her with a distant gaze on her little face. Channon looked carefully at the child. She was worried the kid was going into some kind of shock. With a sigh she looked at Phillip,
"Phillip we really should try it. Penny's not lookin so hot."
His glare seemed to soften a little bit glancing at his daughter. She didn't look too good at all. These past few days had seriously drained her of any hope she had at being safe. He looked at Channon with a short nod before pulling into what was called, "Woodshire Estates."
All of the homes seemed to have that feel good rich Georgia vibe to them. Woodshire Estates was a golfing community that catered to the mostly extreme rich. No one in the vehicle had ever stepped foot in a home like this. The side of town they were from never even dreamed of living here. They knew damn well that it would never happen.
Phillip glanced at Channon carefully. It could have happened to her. Being a doctor meant she would be coming into money eventually. She may be the one story book care of someone from their community striking gold. If that had happened she would have probably forgotten who he was and married some rich asshole who would treat her like scum. Phillip shook those thoughts from his mind as he glared out the window. Something in him was slowly dying changing into someone he himself didn't know. Now there was this voice that seemed to constantly be speaking in his mind that wouldn't leave. It always seemed to make sense though.
"Yes she would get rich and not give a rats ass about you anymore. She would be some rich bitch in some huge house with kids that weren't yours."
Phillip tightened his hold on the steering wheel as Nick pointed to the biggest house on the block.
"That one looks good. It has a fenced in yard. If we can just keep away from those things we will be good for a bit."
Channon stepped out of the truck nervously as Penny grabbed her hand. The neighborhood was eerily quite. There was no noise whatsoever…no animals...nothing. Brian walked over beside her picking Penny up while everyone else scoped out the area. He glanced at Channon whose eyes looked at the well-manicured lawns with a disgusted expression.
"Well now we know how it feels to be loaded."
He said quietly. Channon rolled her eyes,
"I don't think we know the half of it."
She stepped away from Brian. He had never been one of her favorite people. To her, Brian was a bit of a wimp always clinging to Phillip for protection. Phillip meanwhile, walked slowly to the door.
"Well let's get inside before we get killed standing here ogling the place."
As Channon stepped into the house Phillip held an arm out keeping her from getting in front of him. He pulled the knife he had holstered to his hip out looking back at her,
"There's bitters in here. You brave enough to do this?"
Channon smirked,
"Really Phillip?"
He looked annoyed at the sarcastic undertone to her voice as he took her knife out. Brian stepped in coughing quietly. He had been battling a cold for the last few days and Channon had the feeling it would be turning into pneumonia soon. Her heart stopped as she heard the moaning coming closer. Phillip glanced at his brother.
"Take Penny and get in that fucking closet. Shit cough your fucking head off Brian but if you give that cold to Penny I'm killin ya."
Brian quickly did as he was told locking himself and Penny into a small hallway closet. Phillip looked back at Nick, Channon, and Bobby who stood ready to tackle whatever got in his way. In all honesty he would rather Channon be in that closet too but he knew damn well she wouldn't go. The girl was too stubborn for her own good. At time he loved it but right now it bugged the hell out of him.
Walking through the house as quietly as possible Channon looked around the living room with careful eyes. The room was well decorated with over stuffed couches and lots of home interior goodies that would make any southern bell of a wife proud. A low growl got her attention as a cold scaly hand wrapped around her arm. Channon spun sinking her knife into the skull of what looked like the lady of the house. The bitter fell to the ground with a thud as dark red blood oozed out of the gaping wound in her forehead. Phillip and Nick were looking at Channon nervously. She waived her hand signaling she was ok as a few more walkers came into the room.
The next few minutes were spent killing what was once the family that occupied the home. Channon stood next to Nick looking down at the dead bodies with careful eyes. Phillip had went to get Brian to help with getting the dead out of the house. Channon wasn't for sure how to react to all that just happened. Normally she was the one putting people back together now she was the one bringing them down. She felt her brother's hand wrap around hers as she looked up at Nick.
"You ok sissy?"
She nodded as Brian walked in looking sickly at the sight before him. He stood motionless before falling to his knees throwing up all the over tile entry way. Channon glanced at Phillip who looked annoyed now. She knew without a doubt he was regretting ever bringing Brian along. Bobby and Nick were snickering at Brian from behind her. The two of them didn't have much patience for Brian either. Phillip looked at his brother with anger in his eyes,
"Just stay here then. Bobby, Nick, and I can get it."
As they moved the bodies out of the room Channon looked at the photos on the wall. Brain had sauntered over to her.
"There all aren't here."
She looked at him with a frown,
"What the hell are you talkin about?"
Brian pointed to the family portraits on the wall.
"that little blond boy. He's not in there. Yall killed the mom, dad, and two sisters but there's not little blond boy."
Channon frowned taking in what he was saying as Phillip walked back into the room with Penny in his arms. She looked at Brian nervously. Surely he wouldn't be fool enough to start going off on the fact that there was some missing kid. Hell Bobby and Nick were searching the house for any other "guests" as they spoke. If the kid was here they would find him.
"Just drop it Brian."
She said quietly as Penny walked around the room. Her big blue eyes looked shocked at the size of the house. Channon smiled kneeling down beside the little girl,
"Say Penny I think there is a playground in the back yard. Would you like to check it out tomorrow?"
Penny nodded sadly. Channon gently touched her shoulder as she walked past Phillip who was looking out into the now silent street.
"Where you goin?"
He asked as he grabbed her hand. Channon motioned to her blood stained scrubs.
"I'm going to find me some clean clothes. One of those girls had to be around my size. If I'm not back in an hour send a search party."
Phillip reluctantly let go of her hand. Channon looked back at him with that sultry gaze that years before would lead to them being in bed in seconds. Fighting the urge to go after her he focused his attention on Nick who was yelling at him about the power still being on and food in the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, upstairs Channon walked into what was once a teenage girl's bedroom. The room was something out of any teenager's fantasy. A large four poster bed sat beside a large bay window overlooking the spacious back yard. The carpet felt new underneath Channon's now bare feet. As she looked around the room a feeling of loneliness and sympathy came over her. The poor girl that once occupied this same room was now dead…actually dead. What a sad thought being dead at only 17.
Channon undressed out of her blood stained scrubs as she pulled a pair of Levis and a light black sweater from the closet. This girl had more clothes then some department stores. Channon lay the clothes on the bed before sitting down in only her bra and panties looking at her feet. This was the first time she had been truly alone since all this mess started. She hadn't had time to mourn for all that was gone now. In the past few days she had lost everything that meant something…her parents, her job, and her home. For reasons unknown she couldn't cry though. Channon never was much of a crier. She was tougher than most men she knew. Nick always said she was 5 feet of concrete that couldn't be knocked down. The only time in recent memory that she cried was when Phillip broke things off with her and married Sarah. She wouldn't admit it to anyone though. Nick had been worried she was going to have a breakdown but she played her role of "not giving a fuck what Phillip did" so well she tricked her brother.
She wasn't sure how long she sat on the bed processing everything but a knock on the door broke her from her thoughts as Phillip stepped in. He looked at the nearly nude state with wide eyes before looking down.
"You ok?"
Channon laughed rolling her eyes,
"You can look Phillip. It's not like you haven't seen me before."
He looked up as she pulled the shirt over her head. Seeing her like this was driving him nuts. She was the girl he wanted and here she was half naked in front of him. Part of him was daring him to go get her while the other half just said keep your distance.
"Nick's worried about you."
He finally said trying to think of anything to say. Channon buttoned the skinny jeans with a snort,
"Nicky needs to chill. You worried about me?"
Phillip frowned.
"Not really. You can usually hold your own."
Channon didn't look too flattered by his response. She pressed her full lips together before starting to storm past Phillip. He quickly reached out grabbing her arm,
"Wait a second what the hell are you pissed about?"
Channon looked at him angrily,
"You just don't get it! I've spent the past 7 years trying to forget your ass and nothing I do helps. You play fucking head games better then Jeffery Daumer or some other psycho path. God damn it Phillip I'm fucking sick and tired of this!"
Phillips eyes lookd angry as he glared at her.
"you better watch it girl."
Channon started laughing like a hyena as she crossed her arms over her chest,
"Or what?"
He looked at little taken back by her response for a moment. Had she really just said all of that? If she was any other girl Phillip would have back handed her. But this was Channon…his Channon. The girl that was just as sadistic as him. Deep down he knew she still had feelings for him but she never would admit it. Now that she had was he ready for that? Before he knew what was really going on Phillip slammed her against the wall kissing her harshly. He figured she would kick him in the balls for that but her hands were wrapped in his hair deepening the kiss. Her body seemed to melt against his as her other hand eased down rubbing his now throbbing erection.
Right as he reached down to yank the off the shoulder sweater off of her there was knock at the door. Phillip growled angrily as he pulled away from Channon before Nick walked in the room. He looked a little shocked at the sight in front of him. Channon stood looking at him with a "Get the fuck out Nick!" look on her face. Her lips were bright red and swollen not to mention her new clothes were a disheveled mess. Phillip stood a few feet away with an annoyed expression on his face,
"What Nick?"
He asked angrily. Nick tried to remember what he had come up here for in the first place. Both Phillip and Channon had been gone a really long time and everyone was beginning to wonder what was up. Nick had an idea but he wasn't fully ready to accept that yet. The thought of Channon and Phillip back together kind of worried him. Not so much for Phillip but for his sister. He knew she had a hard time when they split the last time and he didn't want to see her hurt again.
"Bobby almost has dinner done."
Channon walked out of the room without another word to Phillip or her brother. She smiled once she was out of their sight. What happened in that room was a shock! She had never anticipated Phillip doing that but she liked it. If he wanted to play hardball she was more than willing to step up the pace.
Nick walked past her without another glance leaving her and Phillip alone in the hallway. He had her back against the wall before she could move kissing her like there was going to be no tomorrow. After a moment Channon pushed him away before turning around pressing her bottom against his now obvious hard on. He groaned feeling her against him. This girl was going to be the death of him some way or another.
"This is how you want it big boy? Well there's only one thing I can say about that…it's on."
Channon said in a teasing voice before pulling away and walking down the stairs without another word.
