This is early, but I couldn't wait to post it! Enjoy chapter 10 :)
*Bella isn't infectious. I have had some people ask whether Edward will catch it. But Bella isn't infectious. It the Originals, and the actual Zombies that are.
I found myself unable to sleep, so I stood up, pulling my boots back on. I planned on going for a walk, to get an idea of what the hospital was like. I pulled the heavy door open with a slight squeak, and stepped into the dark hallway. I could hear the soft snores of the others, as they slept on the beds I had hauled up earlier. Alone, might I add. My eyes flickered over the multiple doors, a feeling of intense loneliness growing in me. I sighed, and headed for the stairs.
I felt like letting go, just for a moment, so I sat on the banister and let myself slide down, a feeling of giddiness replacing the intense loneliness. I laughed freely, as the air whipped past my ears. I came to the first floor in minutes, and thumped into a pair of arms. I shrieked, as the momentary deafness had led to a lapse of concentration. I heard a slight chuckle, then a comforting voice filled the silence.
''Put her down Emmy'' I felt myself being positioned, so I could stand on my feet. I slid out of Emmett's arms, and my feet landed on the hard floor. I turned to face the two people, and Rosalie put her arms around me.
''I heard about what happened. I know you're not dangerous sweetie. I'm still here''
Emmett piped up ''Yeah! You, dangerous? Pft. I'm probably stronger than you. And I couldn't care less if you're part Zombie, alien, mermaid or Vampire. To me, you're Bella, and my beautiful Fiances closest friend''
''Thank you both, so much'' I looked at them both ''Hey! I am too stronger than you, big guy!'' He chuckled darkly.
''Bring it, Bellsy'' I started a bit at the name, but I already felt closer to these two and felt secure about being myself around them.
''You're on!''
''Arm wrestle?'' I saw Rose roll her eyes at us, and laugh. We walked to the waiting room, and sat between benches. I held my right arm out, and flex slightly. I heard Emmett scoff, and flex both of his arms, kissing his muscles, before grasping my small hand, in his overly large one.
''Three, two...One!'' He was applying immense pressure, I could feel that, but my slight, under muscled arm, wasn't moving at all. I glanced up at him, and I could see beads of sweat forming on his brow, his tongue stuck out in sheer concentration. I rested my chin on my other hand, and flicked my wrist half an inch. He lost momentum, and height.
''Fuck!'' I flicked again, and he lost two inches.
''Dude, no fair!'' I started applying pressure back, and within three seconds, his hand was flat out on the bench between us. I released his hand, and I grinned at him as he groaned and shook his hand out.
''Okay, okay. You're stronger than me'' He conceded.
''Thank you. Now, can I ask, what were you two doing out and about? Its not safe!''
''Rose couldn't sleep, and well, neither could I. We decided to go explorin'''
''Yeah, its my fault. I should've come for you, Bella. Its not safe'' She looked sorry, but she was right.
''Wake me next time, okay? I have a feeling I won't be needing sleep as much, so don't worry. Right, whose ready to continue exploring?'' I saw them both nod at me, and I couldn't help laughing. They both looked so eager.
''Lets go then...''
''...Where?'' Emmett questioned.
''Well, where do you want to go?'' He looked thoughtful for a moment, as Rose came to my side, and clutched my hand.
''Ooooh! I know! How about the operating theater thing!'' Me and Rose simultaneously rolled our eyes at his excited self.
''Well, lets go!'' Before we could leave the waiting room however, a deep, gutteral groan echoed. I sighed.
''Wait here'' I headed toward the noise, before either of them could follow me. I released my inner monster, and launched myself up into the ceiling lights, clinging to the beams, and swinging my body round, so I was balanced on the beams. I crept along, in a crouch, feeling my teeth sweep along my lip. Eh, I didn't feel them retract earlier. Oh well. I carried on, feeling myself become more in tune with my senses, and I detected two racing heartbeats, and could hear the slick sound of flesh on flesh. I suddenly felt like I was intruding, when...
''Jasper!'' I heard the voice of Alice, and I quickly turned on my tail and ran back to Rosalie and Emmett, feeling disgusted. I landed quietly on the balls of my feet, in a crouch behind them. I cringed as I stood up. They both turned to face me.
''Well?''
''Alice, and Jasper. That's all I'm saying'' I shuddered, and pushed them both forward.
I planned on getting obliterated later. I had alcohol left.
''So, what happened?'' Rose questioned. I knew she was talking about the journey here.
''I... Have no idea. Em braked, and I Edward fell sideways, and landed on me. Next thing, I'm growling and morphing. I'd just explained everything to them as well'' I felt shame bubble up again. I lowered my head. I felt a hand lift my chin up, and I was looking into Roses' violet eyes.
''Don't be ashamed. Its part of who you are! You're Bella Swan, Zombie extraordinaire! You have an animalistic side, that you can't keep hidden, under any circumstance. Embrace it; Its saved your life multiple times already!'' She folded me into a hug, and held me. Emmett leaned closer to me.
''Yeah, Bella! Besides, and don't tell Rosie this, but you look H-O-T, hot with those fangs!'' He stage whispered. I laughed into Rosalie's shoulder, and I could feel her laughter as well. I instantly felt better, and pulled back, wiped my eyes and smiled. My fangs appeared; I had learnt to do that at will. Emmett wolf-whistled, and got a smack on the back of his head from an exasperated Rose.
''Well? We've got an operating theater to explore! Lets go!'' I turned, and grabbed both of their hands and dragged them along, detouring past Jasper and Alice. I sniffed my way through the deserted corridor, as the pungent smell of cleaning chemicals, and blood entered my nostrils. I shied away at first, but as we got closer, I realized there was no avoiding it, so I just carried on.
I swung the double doors open, and the lights automatically came on, blinding us. I hissed involuntarily at the visual intrusion, my natural instincts screaming to defend myself. After blinking a few times, I regained my vision, and walked around the hastily abandoned room. There were medical instruments, and IV bags strewn around the room. There was a large, sticky pool of blood on the table itself, so someone was obviously stitched up in a hurry. I smelt something off, so I left those two to nose around, and I scurried off into the empty room to the left.
There was a body, riddled with bullet holes, and white eyes, laid spread-eagled on the tiled floor. I shirked back, the smell invading my senses. I cautiously stepped around, my eyes zoning in on a prominent bite mark on the poor persons neck. I used a finger, and lifted the top up. There was a gaping wound, obviously caused by the undead. I felt sympathy for this unknown person. Using two fingers, I lowered their eyelids, to show respect. I stood up, and said a silent prayer. I left the eerie space, and found Emmett looking at the medical tools with rapt interest. Rose was stood against a counter, her arms crossed watching him with a bemused expression.
''Ready?'' I could see sunlight filtering in under the door, from the frosted windows outside. I was anxious to get upstairs. Rose nodded.
''Awww! But I wanted to play'' His disappointment was palpable, but me and Rose laughed at him.
''Wanna see something cool, Emmett?'' That got his attention.
''What?''
''Stand up'' He did, and I picked him up, bridal style. He laughed loudly.
''This is awesome! I mean, I've always done this to Rosie, but I've never had it done to me!'' His smile was wide.
''Ready?'' He nodded, and I slung him round, so he was clinging to my back. I can only imagine we looked a comical sight. Five foot five me, supporting Emmetts Six foot five height. I picked Rose up, as I had held Emmett a second ago, and I set off, winding through the twisting corridors, until we reached the stairs. I took them two at a time, much to the delight of them both. Rose emitted a high-pitched squeal, to go with Emmett's grunt. I laughed with them, as we reached the top floor in minutes. I could hear that everyone else was starting to move, but Emmett refused to get down. He was such a child, but it was sweet. I helped Rosalie stand properly, as we walked through the double doors. I tried again to place Em on the floor, but his grip grew stronger. I pretended to groan with the effort, as Rose walked forward, shaking her head.
''Please Bellsy, just until we get food. Please?''
''Oh, okay then''
I carried on walking, highly aware that everyone, including my 'family', were in the room ahead. I gritted my teeth, and walked into the midst with an Emmett shell. Silence fell, and eyes turned in my direction. Emmett slid down my shoulders, kissed my hair, and went to get food. I felt my face flush red, as I followed him to the plates. I grabbed a bowl of whatever it was, and left the room, to go sit in my own, away from the accusing stares.
...
I sunk against the far wall, after four hours of non-stop pacing round, my food now cold and forgotten, the thought of eating long gone. I sighed, as I threw my head in my hands. I didn't let the tears fall, even though I could feel the familiar sting. I sighed, and stood up, to resume my pacing. I was so unaware of my surroundings that I didn't hear the footsteps approach my door, or the gentle rap of knuckles. I was only aware of the door opening, and Jasper's blonde hair appearing.
''Hey, Bella?'' His southern drawl captured my attention, and my head snapped up.
''Yeah? Oh. Come in'' I watched as he shut the door behind him. I could tell he was scared, but I didn't let on that I could sense that. I sat on the floor, as he sat on my bed.
''Are you okay? I mean, I bet you feel shut off, and let down. But you also feel ashamed of who you are'' I looked at him in amazement.
''How do you know?''
''I may only be nineteen, but I have already done a tour of Iraq, and its left me damaged. I got honorable discharge, due to PTSD. I'm scarred'' He rolled his top up, and I saw the puckered, raised skin of multiple bullet wounds ''I cam under heavy fire, and I got hit twenty-seven times. By all accounts, I should be dead. But every single bullet missed organs, arteries and major veins. The horrors I encountered have left me feeling worthless, and ashamed, because I was one of two people who survived that day. The survivors guilt eats at me every day, and I feel disfigured. I know, its not the same as you, but I know how you're feeling. You shouldn't feel like that Bella. No one should. You have a gift, so use it!'' He walked over to me, and wrapped an arm around my shoulder ''You were brave. Braver than I was. I would've kept this a secret, and hidden it from the world. You, you composed yourself, and opened up to four strangers. For that, you're a better person'' I rested my head against his shoulder.
Suddenly, everything seemed a bit better. And as I sat there, just being held by someone who should be afraid of me, I felt stronger. He was right, I should welcome what I am. Both he and Rose had told me the same thing. If only everyone else could accept me for being different, then maybe I'd be a happier person, with a healthier outlook.
After a while, we broke apart, and he left to find Alice. Memories of those two came flooding back. I went and rooted through one of my bags, picked out a book, and eyed my food bowl. I left my room, and started reading as I walked to the food room. I grabbed a bowl, and sat in the corner, turning pages between forkfuls of food. I heard everyone else file in, and I felt their stares, and I met each and every one with an even look. After finishing, I dumped my empty bowl into the washing bucket, and headed back to my room, still engrossed in my crime thriller.
I shuffled about, changing clothes, and hopped into the cold bed, snuggling up, pulling my legs against my chest. I turned my light out, and hoped for sleep.
A/N: Am I forgiven? I hope so. Anyway, let me know what you thought of this, and I'll try to reply.