I remember Brad saying something about looking for Frank then everything faded. I woke for a few minutes at a time and someone gave me water from a bottle before I passed out again, coming to with a gasp.
"Easy, Bridget." Emily told me kneeling beside me before she set a hand on my shoulder. "You were having a nightmare."
"Where's Brad?" I asked, my eyes darting around the room. When I realized he wasn't nearby I tried to stand only to have Emily push me back onto the makeshift bed, shaking her head.
"He's going to come back, Bridget. Just relax and get some rest." Emily suggested and I quickly shook my head ignoring the dull ache between my eyes. "You're not going to get any better if you keep getting stressed out."
"But he's not with me and he said he wouldn't leave me." I protested and Emily sighed, helping me sit. "After Los Perdidos we haven't been apart."
"You really care about him don't you?" Emily asked and I opened my mouth to respond until Kate sneered at me and I narrowed my eyes at her, not even flinching when she held out her machete.
"He's probably a zombie now." Kate remarked and I growled under my breath, letting out an expletive that made even Emily blush. Shaking her head she took a single step towards me until Emily blocked her path. "Hmph just speaking the truth." She added with a cold smile before she walked over to another survivor I hadn't been introduced to yet, a man with piercing grey eyes and black spiked hair.
"Brad's fine and he'll be back. Just you wait and see. We survived one zombie outbreak and we'll survive this one too." I snapped, still glaring at Kate and Emily actually laughed giving my back a light pat.
"Don't take any notice. I heard about what you and Brad did, helping other survivors find a cure so we don't have to take Zombrex anymore." Emily asked and when I raised both eyebrows she smiled, pulling up the left sleeve of her jacket to reveal a scar just past her wrist. "Yeah I was one of the unlucky ones that got bitten. Thanks to you and your friends I don't need to take anymore shots."
"Too bad that this outbreak happened. I don't know a lot but apparently this virus is new and Zombrex doesn't work." I replied taking a shaky breath. "I can't believe it's happened again."
"Hey don't look so grim. We're safe here and Brad will come back. I'm sure of it." Emily said and I gave her a weak smile still unable to believe Brad had left me behind again.
"I kind of invited myself along even though Brad said to stay in our apartment. Wish I'd listened when he told me to stay behind." I burted out and Emily blinked as she climbed to her feet. Seeing her staring at me I sighed. "He's the one who brought Frank West here to find out about this outbreak but he wanted me to be safe. But I kind of asked a friend of ours to get me to the plane in time and, well, here I am now."
"So that was your plane that crashed in the food court?" Emily asked and I gave her a tiny nod not wanting to make my headache worse. "Wow. I'm surprised you ended up here without a scratch."
"Well I had a possible concussion not long after I arrived. Turns out smacking your head on the wall of a plane is a bad idea." I answered and Emily blinked at me. "Yeah I'm pretty accident prone. At least since I decided to travel to Los Perdidos."
"Why did you go there during an outbreak anyway?" Emily asked and I turned my head, not meeting her face as I took a deep shaky breath. "Did I say something wrong?"
"I was visiting my parents and...well they didn't make it." I explained, hurriedly wiping my eyes when my vision started to blur. "I really don't want to talk about it." I whispered and she sighed, giving my shoulder a pat.
"Sorry. I wonder if Brad's found Frank yet. He seemed determined to find that photographer." Emily answered and I shrugged, lying back as my head throbbed. "Do you need anything?"
"I'm okay just need a rest." I replied and she nodded, watching as I curled into a ball. "Head hurts." I added as I closed my eyes.
Right now Brad was dodging the fast infected, the crowbar in his hand smeared with blood as he raced for the door. Just as he reached the door he heard a scream and he spun around, only to be tackled by one of the fast infected. It let out a scream as it tried to pummel Brad's face who gave the infected a punch of his own, his arms covering his face to block anymore of its blows.
Lifting up its head the infected let out another high-pitched screech that had Brad seeing stars and his ears ringing, dazing him long enough for the zombie's mouth to dart forward aiming for his exposed throat.
In the split second before it tore his throat out a shot rang out and the zombie screeched before it fell onto Brad who pushed its motionless body off his, grimacing before he pushed his fingers into his own ears trying to stop the ringing.
Right as he did someone hurried over before they grabbed his left arm around the wrist, yanking a still unsteady Brad to his feet. "Whoa easy there." A familiar voice chuckled and Brad shook his head his vision clearing to reveal Frank who had a handgun clutched tightly in one hand. "Thought you could use some help."
"You thought right." Brad answered once the ringing stopped and Frank grimaced when Brad smacked his shoulder. "Next time don't just take off like that. I have enough trouble with Bridget not listening to me." Brad grumbled as he started to jog towards the door until Frank stopped him with a head shake.
"Bad idea, Brad. I tried that exit already and trust me you don't want to go there. Besides I found a side entrance. Follow me." Frank answered not giving Brad time to argue as he jogged towards the left side of the building. Shaking his head Brad followed at a quick pace and after clearing the zombies who wandered into their path they reached the door, giving it a tug to open it.
Revealing a clear path Brad followed Frank, his hands still clutching the blood-splattered crowbar. As they hurried through the passageway Brad couldn't help wondering how Bridget was then he shook his head realizing that getting distracted would get him killed so instead he just followed Frank hoping he knew where to go.
Thankfully they made it outside and Brad's jaw dropped at the sheer amount of zombies shambling around the area. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he looked at Frank who gave him a grin, waving towards a car parked just outside. Being as quiet as possible they made their towards it and Brad just stared when they reached what looked like a vehicle that some mad scientist had cooked up.
Deciding not to question exactly what it was Brad climbed into the passenger-side seat and once Frank climbed in, giving the Colonel a thumbs up before he revved the engine. Which just made Brad grip the dashboard hard enough to make his fingers white as he gave Frank a wide-eyed stare. Laughing, Frank shot away from the building and towards the ramp in the distance. making Brad a little curious as to where the former photographer had planned on taking them.
It wasn't until I felt a hand shaking my shoulder that I woke with a groan, my eyes fluttering open to find Emily kneeling beside me. Once she saw that I had my eyes open she gave me a tiny smile, helping me sit. "I have some good news. Brad found Frank and they're on their way towards the nearest safe zone." She told me and with a weak smile I started to rise until she pushed me back with a head shake. "You're staying here..." She began until she saw my eyes welling and Emily sighed.
"But what if something happens to them? I already told you that Brad's the only one I have left and if something happens to him..." I trailed off with a sniff hurriedly wiping my eyes when I saw Kate with a smirk aimed in my direction.
"Alright I'll help you. There's a vehicle parked outside the safe zone but I'm not sure you should be on your own. Can you even see out of your eye?" Emily asked and I just shrugged getting a frown for my trouble. "I can't believe I'm doing this but..."
Helping me to my feet she carefully led me through the shelter and as I limped along I stuck my tongue out at Kate who just waved her machete in front of her, aiming it at me as I walked past. Ignoring her I followed Emily as she led me down a flight of stairs, leading to a door.
As carefully as she could she pushed it open, peering out before she waved for me to follow her. Once outside I drew my jacket around me as the icy wind made me shiver and Emily nodded towards the car parked outside, a smashed front headlight and blood splattered across the bumper making me pause in front of it.
"Don't worry. It got me, Kate and Matthew here in one piece and Matthew's been taking care of it. He's a mechanic thankfully and the one who got us here when the zombies attacked our apartment." Emily explained as she pulled open the driver-side door, carefully checking the car was empty before she moved to the passenger-side door. "Okay so take a seat and we'll find Brad." She told me as I climbed into the car my legs trembling a little even from the short walk.
"Sorry to put you in danger like this. It's just I owe so much to Brad for finding me when I was sick with the zombie infection. He's the one who found me and gave me a shot of Zombrex. Without him I wouldn't be here." I said as she climbed into the car, closing the door quietly behind her. As I watched she dug around in her jacket pocket producing a set of keys with a quick grin.
"Brad's lucky to have someone who would risk her safety for him." Emily said as she slipped one of the keys into the ignition, turning the key to start the engine.
After she drove through the sliding gates I grinned at Emily who glanced at me for a moment, one eyebrow raised before she turned back to the windshield in front of her.
"What about you and Matthew? I saw that smile you were giving him before we left." I pointed out and she blinked, driving around a zombie that wandered into our path. "You like him don't you?"
"Bridget, he saved our lives. Of course I like him." Emily replied trying to keep her eyes on the road so she didn't slam the car into any zombies. During the silence that followed I rested my head on the back of the seat lightly drumming my fingers on the dashboard until she rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright. So I might have a tiny crush on him. But you have to promise not to tell him okay?" Emily answered and I quit drumming, giving her a grin despite my injuries.
"Cross my heart and hope to die...oops." I muttered and she laughed, carefully driving towards a ramp. "Poor choice of words."
"Yes it was." Emily replied as the car made its way up the ramp and I cringed as one infected got a little too close. Once the car ran it over and blood sprayed onto the windshield Emily casually turned on the windscreen wipers. "Let's not mention that we messed up Matthew's car."
"It's a deal. Hey is that Brad and Frank? Because that's the weirdest vehicle I've ever seen." I said, winding the window down a little so I could poke my head out. "It is them."
"Just stay calm, okay? I'll get you to them but I have to be careful. We still need this car in one piece." Emily promised and I pulled my head back into the car giving her a sheepish smile. "Good so just keep quiet so we don't attract anymore attention from the zombies."
Keeping as still as I could I watched as Emily headed after the car, at least that's what it kind of looked like, up the ramp leading out of the town. I clenched and unclenched my fists as she manoeuvred around the zombie hordes until the car slowed down a foot or so behind Frank and Brad who slowed enough for Brad to turn his head our way.
"Bridget? I told you to stay behind where it's safe." Brad grumbled, shaking his head as he climbed from the vehicle. "You never listen." He muttered as I climbed from Matthew's car, trying very hard not to get upset at the narrowed eyes he gave me.
"Bridget, I have to go back so I'll let Frank and Brad look after you. Here, take this walkie talkie so we can keep in touch." Emily called as she reached into a bag on the backseat. Digging around she produced two walkie talkies, handing one to me with a grin. "Now be very careful." She warned and I quickly nodded before she backed up, turning the car around and mowing down a few zombies in the process. After I watched her drive away I turned to see Brad staring at me with both eyebrows raised.
"You can't be serious." Brad grumbled, throwing his arms into the air as I limped over clutching the walkie talkie in my right hand. "Once we find somewhere safe you and I are going to have a serious chat." He told me and behind him Frank gave me a smirk. Shaking my head and not hiding the smile I followed Brad back to the vehicle, waiting for Brad to sit before I climbed onto his lap. "Just...hold on."
Frank drove up onto the very top of the ramp only to skid to a halt when we found the pathway blocked by several vans. Shaking his head, Frank climbed from the vehicle and I followed along with Brad who quickly grasped my hand. "Stay with me okay? I can't keep you safe if you run off." Brad whispered and I nodded, giving his hand a light squeeze that brought a faint smile to his lips despite how annoyed he clearly was with me. We made it to the top of the ramp only to find that the path had been blocked by cars and trucks.
"Wonderful." I muttered as I headed towards the nearest one only to jerk when something struck the side of my neck. Wincing I reached up a dart falling into my hands. I didn't have time to wonder why when Brad and Frank stumbled, sporting matching darts. I tried to call out in time to find I couldn't even form words and with a groan I fell to my knees on the icy road briefly seeing someone walking out from behind a truck before the ground rose up to meet me.