Chapter 13 "Hope is Hopeless"
"Em, Wake up!" Paige shouted to still unconscious Emily while shaking her body.
"Check the pulse!" Spencer said.
"She is still alive. Come on Em, i know you are not this weak." Paige said in a hoarse voice.
In the backseat, a frustated Paige kept trying to make Emily wake up, while in the front Toby and Spencer faced with thousand of zombies who kept crashing their car.
"Toby, can you find another way? You can't break this car." Spencer said, obviouly panic with the situation.
"I'm trying Spence!" Toby shouted at Spencer while trying to controlling Paige's car. A horde of zombies kept trying to chase them.
"Watchout!" Spencer shouted.
A zombie has been crashed by the car and flying to their windowshield making a small crack in the window. Paige looked up from Emily when she heard the cracked sound.
"Toby, careful! We still need this car!" Paige yelled.
"They're everywhere, can't you see?" Toby shouted.
Paige rolled her eyes and turn her attention back to Emily, Toby kept driving forcefully and trying so hard to avoid those things and preventing from another crash that can crack their windowshield. Paige kept trying to wake up Emily.
"Emily, please..." Paige pleaded and a small tear pouring down from her eyes.
Paige opened Emily's stomach and it still bleeding even just a small puddle on the bandages. Paige leaned in and kissed her forehead, hoping that Emily will wake up. Toby finally managed to drive the car away from the zombie horde but it doesn't mean there isn't any horde like that again.
Spencer looked to the backseat and saw Paige is crying over Emily.
"Paige, i'm sure she is alright. Did you bring the antibiotics or her medication?" Spencer asked.
"Yes, i did. It's in her bag."
"You better gave her those, because we don't know if she is passed out because her disease or she is running out of blood."
Paige looked up to Spencer and narrowed her eyebrows. "She is not running out of blood."
"Then just give her the medication, she could be in shock or some kind of her disease that made her didn't want to wake up, she will be okay after that." Spencer said reassuringly.
Paige just nodded and searched the medicine from Emily's bag and fortunately found it. She poured the drugs to her hand and slowly lifted Emily so she can eat the drugs. She put it on Emily's mouth and pour the water so she can swallow it.
"C'mon Emily, i know you can do this." Paige said slowly.
Spencer looked concerned from the front seat, while Toby kept trying to drive the car carefully because some zombies still trying to chase them from behind.
"Any idea where we should go for shelter now?" Toby asked.
"I have a cabin at Pittsburgh, maybe we could go there?" Spencer said, not knowing that her cabin has been destroyed.
"No, me and Emily already went there and we stayed there for few days but when we got attacked so we leave it . Sorry, Spence." Paige said hoarsely.
"Oh, okay. I'm not get used to that cabin anyway." Spencer shrugged.
"What about Penn Hills? My uncle has a cabin there, well not really a cabin but we can stay there for a while, it's like 3 hours trip. Is that okay?" Toby suggested.
"I think it's fine, we need a rest. Emily will need some." Spencer said.
Paige nodded slowly, she glanced at Emily and stroke her hair. Spencer rubs Toby's shoulder to calm him down, Toby looks at her and smiled. Still it's a good thing that they survived the latest horde.
Finally, after moments of struggling from those things, they managed to enter the toll road, far away from zombies. Paige had fallen asleep with Emily on her lap still unconscious. Spencer had fallen asleep too, while Toby half sleepy keep driving. Even though he is feel really tired he keep pushing himself to reached his uncle's cabin, he checked the GPS and it said that they still 30 Miles away from the destination. He leaned back to his chair in tiredness when suddenly a figure appeared in front of the car walking slowly. Toby widened his eyes and slower the car, the figure didn't looked like a zombie or something like that, he couldn't figure out neither the figure is a man or a woman. The figure slowly wave their hands to Toby, he slower the car and looked up at Spencer.
"Spence, wake up." Toby Shakes Spencer's body.
"Umm, what?" Spencer groaned.
"Look at that, do you think they need help?" Toby said while pointing to the figure.
Spencer looked up and saw the figure stil waving at them. "I'm not sure."
"Keep your gun ready. I'll try to talk to them." Toby said as she push the gas pedal slowly.
"Should i wake Paige up?" Spencer asked.
"Yeah."
"Hey, Paige. Wake up." Spencer said as she shakes Paige's body.
"What?" Paige asked while she opened her eyes slowly.
"There is someone or something waved at us." Spencer said as she pointing the figure.
Paige narrowed her eyes. "I'm not sure they need help. Just drive." Paige said coldly.
"What? Why?" Spencer asked.
"I don't trust stranger. Emily should find a better place to stay until she wakes up."
"You sure?" Toby asked.
"Yeah, just drive. We should reach your uncle's cabin before dark cames in." Paige said as she relaxed her body.
Toby shrugged and then continued to drive the car and ignored the figure. Spencer stared at the figure who really pleaded for help from them.
"Paige, what makes you don't trust stranger?" Spencer asked suddenly.
"I once saved someone and she attacked me back. It's pretty traumatized me. I just don't want to feel the same thing again." Paige sighed.
Spencer looked at her sympathetically. "It's okay, we understand."
Paige put a little smile and began stroking Emily's hair again, Toby kept driving the car until they reached a bend on the hill, Toby slower the car and take a look around.
"I think we're almost there but why is everything looked creepy quiet up here?" Toby asked slowly.
"Where is your uncle's cabin?" Spencer asked.
"It should be right there, behind that big tree." Toby said as he pointing a really big tree on the end of the road.
Toby parked the car in front of the tree and grabbed his shotgun.
"Where are you going?" Paige asked.
"Checking. It's never been this quiet." Toby said as he get out from the car and made his way to the back of the tree.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Toby exclaimed. He peeked at the car and shook his head in frustation.
"What is happening?" Paige asked.
"I'll go check." Spencer said as she get out from the car and approached Toby, when Toby pointing something to her, she looked very surprised and she also shook her head, it made Paige's slightly concern about what was happening. Spencer quickly ran back to the car.
"What's going on?" Paige asked curiously.
"Do you have any tent or some firewood?" Spencer asked.
"I have some at the trunk, what's happening?"
"The cabin has been destroyed, however it's still useful since we can't keep Emily in the car much longer." Spencer said slowly.
"That's a bad news. You can take everything that you need in the trunk and let Toby handle that, after that you should help carry her outside, we should check the wound." Paige said quickly, slight of panic in her voice.
"Calm down cop. Alright wait. Toby! Help me set this all up!" Spencer shouted.
Paige stroked Emily's hair again and whispered "You are fine" on her left ear. Toby quickly pulled out a large fabric and some firewoods from the trunk and carried it carefully to the back of the tree. Spencer helped Paige carry Emily from the car to the back of the tree carefully and waited until Toby finished arranged the tent. Spencer and Paige put Emily on a cloth near the tent.
"Okay, so let's check the wound." Spencer said as she slowly ripped off the bandages on Emily's stomach.
"You know how to take car a wound like this?" Paige asked.
"Yes, i do. I took a medical class and first aid class for 5 months and i joined a scout so i know how to survive in this kind of situation." Spencer said slowly.
"I'm impressed." Paige said as she took a new bandages from a bag behind her and prepare the antiseptic and some medicines from the first aid box.
Spencer smiled and then she looked down after she successfully removed Emily's bandages. "Wow, this looks good, where do you learn to stitch? Emily must be very impressed to know this."
"Doesn't matter, so is there any kind of infection or something?" Paige asked, ignoring Spencer's question.
"No, i told you, it looks good, we better wrapped it before it really infected." Spencer said as she grabbed the antiseptic and the bandages from Paige's hand.
"Why she hasn't wake up?" Paige asked, leaned her face closer to Emily's
"She suffered an intractable pain, if she run out of blood like that it's the same thing as tired. Let's just hope that she will wake up somehow. But i'm sure she is gonna wake up." Spencer said reassuringly.
"I hope so." Paige said before she leaned in to kiss Emily's forehead.
Spencer glanced at Paige and then form a small smile. "Where did you found her?"
"Find who?" Paige asked, confused with Spencer question.
"Her. How did you end up together?"
"I was walking around a barn when i heard someone mumbling. I was curious to know who was it, and that was Emily. She was starving that day, i swear i could heard her stomach growling." Paige chuckled. "So, i offered her a help on food and the barn for staying."
"Wait, you said that you don't trust stranger, why did you trust Emily then?"
"I don't know about that but i felt something that i can't explain when i saved her that day." Paige admitted.
"Something? Like what?"
"Maybe something that you feel with Toby?" Paige said as she stroked Emily's hair again.
"Really? Wow, first sight, huh?""
"Could be."
"Hey, Cop! I need some firewood over here. Much of this already wet and can't be burn." Toby said as he finally get the tent ready.
"I don't know this area, why should i looking for it? Why don't you" Paige crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at Toby.
"I still have something that i need to take care of here, don't you see that?" Toby said, pointing a pile of dirt around them.
"Ookay, but you sure it's safe here?" Paige asked.
"Don't know yet. Just believe that it is save and you're alright." Toby raised his hands and tilted his head.
"Whatever." Paige rolled her eyes and then grabbed her gun and walked quickly through the woods.
Paige looked around to make sure everything alright before picking a few firewoods around the trees. There are only a few dry firewoods she can pick, that means she has to get inside the forest deeper and what she can think of is something bad going to happen there. Paige hesitantly walked inside the forest while raising her gun, her eyes wandering around the woods and her mind divided between keeping aware of her environment and spotting firewoods around the trees.
Paige slowly lowered her body to pick up the firewoods and tied it behind her back, never taking her eyes off from the surrounding area. She didn't realized there is something followed her not far from where she stood. Paige continued to walk quickly, whatever followed her now just a few meters behind her and she still didn't realized it. Paige sensed something is wrong and when she about to turn around, whatever followed her growling so loud, Paige quickly shot her gun at the zombie. Her eyes widened in shock when the zombie didn't die immediately after she shot his head.
"Holy shit." Paige mumbled.
The zombie grinned, showing his sharp teeth and shook his head, he looked at Paige like a lion looked at a deer. Paige's body freezed, she can't move, the zombie slowly approached her. Paige trying to find a power to pull the trigger, she closed her eyes, her anxiety start bugging her again. She felt something on her right hand and finally she find the power and pulled the trigger and opened her eyes, but what happened next really surprised Paige.
"No!" Paige said as she pulled the trigger again and shot it right on the zombie's brain, clearly exploding it to pieces.
She kneeled down and breathed quickly while she slowly lifted her right hand, a big open wound clearly visible right under her little finger. She shocked and examined it, The zombie had bitten me, Paige said on her mind. She shook her head in disbelief and started to cry.
"No, it's not happening." Paige said hoarsely, her eyes pouring down the tears like crazy. "It's not happening, i'm not bitten." Paige said as she kept looking at the wound which started to black.
She cried harder. "I hate you." She said to the zombie's corpse beside her. Paige who still crying decided to ripped off her shirt and wrapped the wound. She only have 24 hours or less before turning into a zombie. She grabbed her handgun and walked slowly to the direction of her car still collecting some firewoods on the way back.
You should tell them. No, don't tell them stupid!. Emily has to know. No, she don't. Paige debated on her mind. She rubbed her tears from her face and faster her steps.
Toby already set up the tent and Spencer spent her time watching Emily and talked to her, even she son't know if Emily can hear her.
"What took you so long?" Toby asked as Paige put down the firewoods and walked up to Emily.
"Am i go that long?" Paige raised her eyebrows.
"You go like a hour and half, why it took so long?"
"Really? I didn't realize that" Paige said, surprised that she was to busy crying earlier.
"And what happen to your hand?" Spencer asked.
"I accidentally stuck my hand on a branch." Paige lied as she kneeled down beside Emily.
"Okay, so Paige, the tent is ready do you want to help me carry Emily inside?" Toby asked.
"Sure, but you both have your own tent, right?"
"Yep, i'll get it ready after we put Emily inside." Toby said as he walked up to Paige and Emily. "Spence, make a fire." Toby said to Spencer.
"Okay, One, two three!" Paige counted and they both finally lifted Emily up and moved her to the tent.
Once they put Emily down, Paige thanked Toby and he left outside to set another tent. Paige silently started to cry again and lie down beside Emily. She stared at her girlfriend and stroked her cheek. "I'm sorry Em, maybe when you woke up, i will not be able to hold you, or kiss you." Paige whispered slowly.
"This wound is the end of me Em, my time is ticking. I think that is my last word. I want you to go to Seattle safely and just forgot everything about me, okay?" Paige whispered, tears started to make her cheek wet. Paige closed her eyes and leaned closer to Emily and pressing their lips together.
Paige was about to pull away when she felt her kiss getting a respond from her girlfriend. Paige slightly surprised but she didn't stop the kiss. "Em" Paige mumbled between the kiss.
Emily slightly opened her eyes and broke the kiss slowly to stared at Paige's brown eyes. Their eyes met. Paige chuckled in happiness.
"Em, you're up!" Paige exclaimed.
Emily nodded weakly and form a smile to Paige. "I think your kiss is a magical." Emily said weakly.
"Ssshh, go back to rest." Paige said as she stroked Emily's hair.
"You really did operate on me?"
"Yes, i did. I can't let you die like that. We have a mission, right?" Paige said slowly, clearly hiding her pain in her heart for not telling Emily the truth.
"Thank you Paige. I don't know what should i do to repay you." Emily said weakly.
"Sssh, just go back to rest. You don't have to repay anything, i'll do everything for you." Paige smiled.
"I love you." Emily said weakly.
Paige formed a wide smile. "I love you too." Paige said as she leaned forward to capture Emily's lips again.
"Hey, Cop, maybe you want to—" Toby's words were cut off when he saw Paige still kissing with Emily.
Paige quickly pulled away and smiled to the shocked boy. "Sorry, what's up?"
"Err—nothing just forget it." Toby said as he quickly turned around.
"Come on boy, what's up?" Paige said hoarsely.
"I just want to check up on you both. Wait a minute! Emily, you're awake!" Toby exclaimed.
"Yeah, she is awake and she needs a rest." Paige smirked while Emily just smiled.
"Alright. I'll go. We'll talk about our next plan tomorrow.' Toby said to Paige.
"Okay." Paige said as Toby left Emily and her alone.
"Paige, would you mind to cuddle with me? I think i can't sleep." Emily said weakly as she formed a fake pout.
"Of course i can." Paige said as she lie down again beside Emily and put her arm around the raven-haired woman.
Emily buried her head under Paige's head and put her arm around Paige's neck. Paige strong arm wander around her shoulder and she stroked it slowly.
"What happened to your hand?" Emily asked when she realized Paige's hand wrapped in a piece of cloth.
"Got stuck in a branch." Paige said flatly, clearly trying to forget it.
"Is it okay?" Emily asked worriedly.
"It's fine. Just go to rest Em." Paige said as she kissed Emily's forehead. Emily decided to just leave it and continued to cuddle with Paige.
On the other hand, Paige's eyes start to water, she can't do this, she can't leave Emily alone and she can't tell anyone about it. Paige decided to just sit there and enjoy the rest of her time with Emily, when she thinks it's her time for die. She will run, probably leave a note that she had been bitten, Paige silently start sobbing, she didn't want to wake Emily.
"I'm sorry Em."
Sorry take so long to post this. I ran out of idea somehow. Is it really the end of Paige? We'll find out on the next chapter! Feel free to PM or write in a review about your idea or suggestion for this story, i do really appreciated it. I can't promise the update soon, but you can make it quick if you have any idea for the next chapter :) Honestly, i started to lack of idea. So, leave e a review and Enjoy your day!