Merritt- I can honestly say no review has ever made me smile as much as yours, thank you lol. I hope this chapter is not of a disappointment to you. I would also like to say before i continue that I just read John steinbeck's east of eden and it is by far the best book i have ever read in my life and has helped me beyond belief when it came to the earlier stages of this chapter. Well I hope you enjoy. R R Please!
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Everyone reaches a point in ones life where they are completely, utterly petrified. Not just scared, but scared for there life, for Nicole this was it. It's the one time that her fear had shocked her to the core, she could almost feel death's cold grip wrap its skinny pale fingers around her.
The RV had rocked up and down after Kale had just rammed its self onto a wanderer at fifty miles an hour.
Nicole did not regret her decision to leave the hotel to stock up on food, actually she rather embraced it. The cloud of responsibility had at times fogged up her youthfulness, she could never think for just her self but for everyone. The gnawing at her stomach did not let up, it churned with a distastefulness that could consume even the strongest of men. How if her mother was here she would make her eat a bowl of soup to calm her nerves. Funny though how it worked, perhaps it wasn't the soup so much as it was her mother's charm. She remembered the days when she first had started to open her eyes to the world, how the start of high school was equivalent of letting a fish go from its aquarium to the open lake. They had taught her well, her parents did. Her father was always the protective type, always chasing the boys away that showed interest in her. School was always easy, the grades had seemed to magically appear as A's to her, for her it was the gossip end that had drove her interest to the next level. The guys, yes the guys, even a part of her missed them in its own sick little way. She could remember the awful stares as they looked over at her lustfully as she placed her books in her locker. She avoided the football field like the plague for that reason and that reason alone. Every week someone would try and pick her up, but thankfully her stunning good looks was only surpassed by her sharp and charismatic brain.
She would test them, play with there heads. Most of them were as dull as a rock, a lot of them were so focused on getting smoked out that she her self could play them in her own little way if she needed. Josh, ah Joshua what a fool. The rumor around school started as just every other one did, that in a drunken stupor Nicole could not keep her hands off of him. Josh was like any other kid, tall and lengthy and was the schools back up quarter back. The girls didn't necessarily crawl all of him as you would think when it came down to the jocks, rather they laughed at him behind his back as he embraced the spot light that came with title of a foot ball player. He always hung around the same two friends, Andrew and Jeremiah. She got them real good. Jeremiah always loved to spread the rumors around school, he rejoiced in a good fist fight that was caused about it. His weakness was all to apparent, his heart was easy to toy with and for that she still could not but help but smile every time she thought of her days in school. She easily made Jeremiah fall in love with her, with out so much as laying a finger on him. Perhaps it was her charm that floated off of her, what ever it was the false persona that she protected with her self with struck, and struck hard. Within two weeks Jeremiah had viciously attacked Joshua in Nicole's defense, so bad in fact that Jeremiah had planned on killing him if it wasn't the PE teacher Mr. Oneal running to break it up it would of happened too. Jeremiah was sent to prison after that incident as he was proven guilty of attempted murder on his once good friend. Joshua, well Josh got his too in the cruel world that is karma. A freshman had turned up pregnant shortly before and after the fight the kid was proven to be Joshua's, he spent the rest of his life behind bars for a case of date rape. At least she had assumed it was the rest of his life, either way it did not matter.
She looked over towards Vince and her lips curled gently. Vince was good looking by her standards, rugged and from what she could gather rather educated. For the first time since she could actually remember she enjoyed spending time with someone of the opposite sex, her danger sense wasn't flaring up like an emergency siren and she couldn't help but to enjoy herself in his presence. He was protective of the little girl Heather and kind hearted, it was a shame they never met before this hell had happened. Thinking back on it she never really had any serious relationships before, never actually been truly intimate with someone, unless of course you count a few make out sessions. Everyone has there regrets , some worse than others. In all honesty though her one regret was never being in that serious relationship, never having that feeling of being swept off your feet. It was a feeling that she was unaccustomed too, and one she sorely wish she could feel.
"Alright everyone, get ready." Kale announced as he parked the car. Nicole had reached over and grabbed two pistols and made sure they were both loaded. She could not stop shaking in the fret of her nervousness. Granted she had faced the zombie epidemic with two guns blazing before, but never away from her sanctuary. If things went bad, all they had were each other and something did not feel right.
"You okay?" Vince asked noticing her uneasiness.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Kale opened the door and quickly fired hitting a wonderer in the head causing him to fall. Other than the one he had just killed they were rather alone out here, who would of thought, Hillsborough avenue to be deserted. The four quickly rushed inside the grocery store and did a quick look around. Some of the can vegetables were strewn out over the floor, sauces were spilled around and a vile stench came creeping over from the meat section that was decomposing on display.
"Anyone hungry?"
"Shut up Vince." Kale replied, Vince let out a small chuckle.
"Ill take that as a no. Okay lets each take a cart, me and Nicole will go one way, you and Amanda go the other." Taking affirmative action Vince grabbed a cart followed by Nicole and they started to head off towards the left end of the store. The store was barren with a creepy silence that seem to drip from the walls. The silence in a sense had unnerved Vince a little, trying to keep his ears open, praying that he did not hear something that was out of place. Looking behind him Nicole had brought her cart right behind Vince's and keeping a pace or two away. He had grown rather comforted by her presence, it was amazing to him how different she made him feel in such a short amount of time.
"You know, I cannot wait to grab a soda. I have this major headache that is screaming for caffeine." Vince spoke out loud trying to strike up a conversation.
"Oh, and what soda do you usually drink?"
"Diet coke, preferably. Pepsi taste to much like carbonation with water thrown into it. The taste is repulsive." Nicole grinned to her self. She had seen a soda cooler behind a few feet backwards, Vince must not have even noticed it. Walking back without being noticed she opened up the door and grabbed a can and shook it violently as an evil grin appeared on her face. Vince let his fingers trace the label of the canned corn, what he would not give for the chance to have a fresh hamburger right now. Reaching his arm completely behind the whole shelf he pushed all the cans he could into the cart. After every can that was thrown in he just simply started to walk up the aisle again.
"Hey Vince." Nicole said as she handed him a cold can of soda into his hands. Thinking to himself, he could almost taste the sweet dark liquid on his lips, only a short moment later he could tilt his head back and let the wave of refreshment overflow his incredible addiction and thirst. Tracing his index finger under the tab he pulled it upwards and was sprayed furiously by the cream colored foam spawning out of the can
"Woman!" He shouted in disbelief. Nicole shot her hand up to her mouth and try to stop her self from laughing at the ridiculous sight of a soda soaked Vince. Looking down at himself, his shirt was now a darker blue that its dry self had previously had been. Tilting his head up at her he had one thing on his mind that was all to apparent, revenge. Nicole did not waste any time, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her with Vince hot on her heels. Turning to the right she ran past two aisle's with Vince a few feet behind and catching fast, instantly she darted down another aisle. By the time Nicole had reached the half way mark Vince had caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Ah, so you think that was funny huh?" Vince said jokingly.
"Very." Turning around after the reply she looked Vince into his soft brown eyes. Time itself had seemed to stop to Vince. The aisle had turned from a hallway that stretched the length of the entire store to just the two of them. Letting his right hand up he slowly caressed her cheek, being as gentle as you would be with a new born child.
"God your beautiful." The words seem to flow out of his mouth. Nicole, felt her heart skip a beat, letting her hand roam she found what she wanted.
"Vince, your wet." With that she grabbed the squirt bottle behind her and aimed towards his head in squeezed. The water, lukewarm in temperature had found its mark, splattering all over his face. Reaching to the side of himself he grabbed a half gallon bottle and ripped off the cap and dumped it all over her.
"And you are in need of a shower."
"You ass!" Nicole covered in water instantly shouted. Vince looking at her soaked in water just started to laugh and was soon followed by Nicole.
"Arrrhh!!" A what seemingly a fresh zombie had burst through the dairy department. Vince would have guessed that he was a teenager employee. Realizing that by the time he would have the chance to draw his gun it would be to late, he charged forward and bent down and threw his shoulders at the teenager's legs. The zombie which had the name of Ryan across his chest flipped right over Vince and slammed on the ground back first. Reaching for his belt as Vince was getting up he quickly undone it, feeling it ripple across his waist as he pulled. As soon as it was pulled free Ryan was on his feet, whipping it at Ryan the belt had wrapped around his neck. Ryan turned around and looked at his hopeful meal, Vince grabbed the other end of the belt with Ryan's neck in between and gave a tug as he raised a foot and kicked Ryan in the face. His neck had instantly snapped, a split second later he collapsed on the floor.
"Oh my god!" Nicole shouted.
"Its okay Nicole, hes dead."
"No, your pants." Nicole announced as his jeans had dropped to the floor revealing his plaid designed boxers.
"Oh, shit." Vince blushed and quickly pulled his pants up and tied his belt around his waist making sure it was nice and tight. Nicole had raised her eyebrows for a split second and then decided to change the subject.
"We should finish up."
"Right." Both of them had started up and down the aisle making sure they grabbed anything that could be edible and drinkable. Rounding towards the side Vince looked in the liquor store, through the glass window that separated the two stores. Walking over to the door he tugged and was surprised to noticed it was opened. Walking over he quickly grabbed as many bottles of liquor that he could, after filling a basket and took extra care of bagging up a separate bottle of Vodka and Jack Daniels for him and Nicole later on tonight. For him, this little expedition was worth the celebration. After doing a quick tour he walked up towards Nicole.
"Where you go?"
"Ah, no where. Lets get out of here."
"Agreed." Nicole replied, a few moments later they had caught up to Kale and Amanda. Kale was completely smeared across the face with whip cream and chocolate syrup was squirted all over his back. Kale took a quick look at Vince.
"What happened to you?"
"Don't ask. What happened to you?"
"Don't ask." Kale responded. Giving each other a slight laugh they had all loaded up the RV and went back towards the hotel.
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After they all had loaded up the grocery's inside the hotel, Vince, Nicole, Michelle, Kale, James and Ashely and Nick all started to pass around the alcohol taking shots. Jokes were quickly spread through the small group. Nicole had rested her head on Vince's shoulder and allowed her self to smile at the general out look of things. Wrapping his arms around Nicole he was finally contempt at who he was with and there situation. Things that were once so complicated had just been simplified ten fold and quite frankly he could not of been happier. Michelle was gone, she was drunk beyond doubt before the last 5 shots. She had let her curiosity and anger get the best of her. She did not care for Vince the same way he did her, but did that mean he have to leave her completely alone. Could he not be just friends, didn't she at least deserve that? Granted she was extremely happy that he decided to risk his life for her the way he did, but at the same token did he have to act so childish when it came to his feelings for her?
She did not want to be with him that way, what she wanted was her friend, and damn it he was going to hear about it.
"So Vince, whats your problem?" Michelle asked, feeling the Jack Daniels crawl up her throat.
"My problem?"
"Yeah, how can you act like my best friend one minute and a complete stranger the next?"
"Do we have to have this conversation now, it can wait." Vince said starting to get aggravated, Nicole was getting tired having her head rest on his shoulder. Even though she was not asleep yet, he was quite happy with the situation and did not want to disturb her. Michelle have had enough, she was going to get her answer no matter what.
"Is it because you love me?" She asked in an arrogant tone, this had awaken Nicole up.
"You love her?" Nicole's head had risen from his shoulder and she stared him in his eyes.
"Michelle, my feelings for you have never changed." He started off saying but his eyes instantly caught Nicole who had gotten her self up and was walking towards her hotel room.
"Nicole." He said trailing off.
"Don't! Just leave me alone Vince." With that she walked up stairs making sure to slam the stairway's door. Vince felt his heart crawl up to his throat.
"Damn it!" Vince yelled and punched the wall with all of his might causing his fist to bleed.
"What the hell you want from me!? You want the truth? Fine you got it! Yes I do, I have always Loved you. I seen you go out with complete fucking douche bags just to pick you up from the slop they left you in! I have been there with you over and over again, just for you to stop talking to me as soon as someone meets your fancy. Yes, I do you love, more than anything. I left you alone so you could be happy, because every inch within my body was screaming at me to do something! I cannot allow my self to continue with this torture, and I finally find someone that i like and you fucking stop it!" Vince never had a drunken rage before, never had his drink was able to control his emotions like they were now. Whether he was in the wrong or not, to him it was something that must me be said.
"Am I allowed that same happiness that you so freely get?" Michelle was not used to men speaking to her this way, how respect seem to follow him everywhere he went. Perhaps it was the alcohol that was put in her body, right now she simply could not get over how attractive he was looking. Closing her eyes she leaned it only to feel something over he mouth. Vince placed his hand over it and gave her a cold hard stare.
"Your drunk, I'm going to leave before you do something you regret." With that he opened the door and walked up to the second floor and noticed Nicole sitting down in the hallway in her own drunken state on the verge of tears.
"Nicole." She walked in her room and slammed her door before he could reply.
"God damnit!"