Ghoulia came in and confirmed that it was an antibiotic and that Manny would probably be okay. Kelly took a deep breath of relief, and gave the zombie a hug. Clawd smiled at her.
"It's nice to see a normie so worried about a monster," Clawd said. Ghoulia moaned her agreeance. Kelly glanced at Manny and noticed his frown. Maybe he was just pretending to be asleep.
"Don't let the grump hear you," Kelly replied rolling her eyes.
"Let's go get some fresh air," Monica said grabbing Kelly's hand. The sun was just starting to set and Heath was lighting the fire.
"Hey, do you want to go with me to get some water?" Clawdeen asked, walking up to them with a couple of buckets.
"Sure," Kelly said taking one from her. Her arm was still sore, but she was always willing to help.
"Yeah," Monica said taking another one. The three of them followed the path toward the waterfall.
"Laguna isn't back yet," Clawdeen said, "It's just weird how fast that medicine came."
"Yeah, something strange is going on," Monica whispered, "Now Simon has me thinking."
"What we should be thinking about is the other camp," Kelly said, looking around, "I don't want anyone else getting shot."
"Damn, girl. I totally forgot about that creep in the cage. He's been a real jerk," Clawdeen said, "He doesn't like us. He called Cleo a dusty old roll of toilet paper, and Deuce turned him back to stone."
"Well, I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Monica said, "He's probably with Vince and the hostiles. Do you think Brian is still alive? I mean, at least with him I got the vibe that he would never rape a girl."
"We should send someone to scout it out. See what's going down and all. I think Deuce should go. He's got a stone-cold stare that could fossilize someone before they can shoot," Kelly said, "Also, if we wait till my arms better, I can go. I'm good with a bow and arrow, and my dad used to take me hunting with him."
"We should probably check it out sooner than that," Clawdeen said, "The sooner the better, but Monica or Simon should go so that they can tell us who Brian is. Also let us know who is the good guys of the group."
"Well, honestly, I'm willing to bet that anyone tied up is probably one of the good guys. I'm pretty sure Vince took charge," Monica said, "But I can go if you want. I just don't know how much help I'll be. They laughed at me when I pointed a gun at them."
"Monica, they laughed because you still had the safety on," Kelly said shaking her head, "I'll show you how to use a gun before you go. We don't want to waste bullets, but you should try to shoot it once before you go."
"You don't think it should be Simon?" Monica asked, looking down at her shoes.
"Girl, you are a strong independent woman! You don't need a man to slow you down," Clawdeen said with a smirk, "But if you feel safer, I'll go with you. I have great hearing, so I think I could help."
Monica smiled at her, "Thanks! I mean, I need to be strong if I'm going to survive."
Kelly and Clawdeen nodded and they walked to the waterfall, filling the buckets.
"You guys should really stop sending Slo Mo for water," Kelly whispered to Clawdeen and then waved to the zombie sloshing the bucket of water he had as he moaned and turned around.
"Really we just have to keep the zombies moving so they don't get Rigor Mortis. That's hard to come back from with them," Clawdeen said nodding.
"Is that really a thing for Zombies, I mean it makes sense, but aren't they like- never mind. I mean they're nothing like the movie zombies we've seen," Kelly said with a shrug.
"Like Warm Bodies! I loved that zombie movie! I totally crushed on Nicholas Hault!" Monica said excitedly.
"Oh, or that musical! The Disney one," Kelly added, then turned to Clawdeen, "Not all movies about monsters are scary. Some are kind of romantic."
"Personally, I wish I had powers! I mean if I could swim the ocean, or make things grow, that would be so cool," Monica added.
"Well, yeah, but we got our flaws, too. I think almost everyone of us has something," Clawdeen said.
"Deuce seems really cool, what's his flaw?" Kelly asked.
"I probably shouldn't tell you but it's pretty obvious when you think about it," Clawdeen said, "I mean he's a great guy, but he can't take those shades off without turning things around him to stone. He's stuck wearing shades like all the time."
"Oh, I guess I never thought about that. I mean I know Heath's flaw first hand," Kelly said raising her eyebrows.
Clawdeen chuckled, "Literally, Ghoul!"
"Well, I think everyone has their own flaws, no one's perfect," Monica said, "Simon, for instance, he's super smart, but don't ask him to run a marathon."
Suddenly Kelly paused as a bucket came floating towards them, she could see movement in the sand, but nothing else.
"Oh, hey Billy," Clawdeen said. Kelly looked at her wide eyed.
"You have ghosts here?" Monica asked. Suddenly a boy appeared with a frown on his face.
"I'm not a ghost," he said, "Do you see me floating?"
"Sorry, Billy's not a ghost, he just turns invisible," Clawdeen clarified.
"Oh, well that's cool," Monica said giving him an apologetic smile.
"Actually, that's perfect!" Kelly said and turned to Monica with a smile.
"Oh, I know what you're thinking. I mean if they have the good guys tied up somewhere, maybe Billy can help them escape," Monica said turning to Clawdeen.
"You're right, Billy, you mind helping us out? I mean we still have to bring this idea by the others first," Clawdeen said.
Billy smiled and Kelly noticed Monica blush.
"Sure, I'll help," Billy said and gave Monica a wink as he passed. Kelly and Clawdeen gave each other a smile before letting out a giggle.
"I like you normies," Clawdeen said as they continued back to camp.
"Thanks, and thanks for getting me out. It's nice stretching my legs. That hut was getting kind of cramped," Kelly said.
"Well, I'm still cheering for team Man-lly," Monica said with a giggle.
"Well, maybe I'm pro Si-Mon… wait…," Kelly replied and then laughed.
"Nope, that's just his name," Clawdeen said with a chuckle, "That doesn't work, but maybe team Bill-ica works."
"OOOOhhhhh," Kelly teased giving Monica a little elbow. Monica blushed.
"Please, he is way out of my league. He's too good looking," Monica said shaking her head.
"Actually, I think he's with Scarah, but she's on the mainland somewhere," Clawdeen said, "Some of our couples got split up. But I agree, Billy is a looker."
"Meow, he is," Toralei said sauntering up to them, "You're getting awfully chummy with the help, Clawdeen. You know, Manny already has his horns in this one, but maybe they'll let you watch."
Clawdeen rolled her eyes, "Toralei! Not everything is about sex! We were just making some plans that sound sneaky and underhanded, right up your alley."
Toralei's head tilted and she purred, "I'm all ears."
"We need to sneak into the other camp, without getting caught. Monica is going to go, to help with the semi-good people. I mean, I don't know them well enough, but I know some of them aren't as bad as Vince and his goons," Kelly replied, not sure what to think of this strange cat girl.
"Yeah, so far we were thinking of taking Deuce, Clawdeen, and Billy," Monica said, "We can't bring too many people in case we get caught."
"Rrrawwr, count me in. It sounds like it will be fun," Toralei responded, "And you know I strike hard and fast. They'd never catch me."
Clawdeen and Monica both looked at Kelly.
Kelly shrugged, "Sounds good to me. I want to go, too, but Clawdeen says I shouldn't since I'm still healing from that wound."
"Well, for sure, the zombies will have to stay," Clawdeen said matter-of-factly. They all nodded in agreement. Toralei walked off toward the waterfall and they continued back to the camp.
The bonfire was bright and warm, with Deuce and Cleo sitting by it. Many of the other monsters were walking around, putting together a pot of something, cooking over the fire. It smelled good. They told Deuce their plan and Deuce agreed. They started making plans to head out early the next morning. Kelly sat by the fire eating, watching the monsters talking just like the kids would at her school. They mostly talked to everyone, though. Even though they were all different and had different likes and dislikes, she could tell they all got along. It was kind of clear that Toralei and Clawdeen didn't get along so well, but they were still cordial, no one tried to kill and rape the other. Was Simon, right? Were the real monsters the "normies"? Kelly chewed her lip, deep in thought.
"Do you see the difference?" Simon asked, sitting next to her.
"Definitely, they are more of a real tribe. They all get along and respect each other's opinion," Kelly said nodding, "Our tribe failed miserably."
"No kidding," Simon agreed, "I mean, even their nerds get respect. Deuce shot that guy with a taser, but he apologized. You better believe if it were me, I would have just been laughed at."
Kelly nodded her head in agreement, "And they were all worried about Manny. You can tell that they must have gone through a lot, and weren't totally accepted by us. I can't change people's perception of the monsters, but I can change mine. You were right, the real monsters were back at our camp."
"Yes!" Simon said jumping up and doing a funny dance, "You admitted it! I was right? Say it again! Say it again!"
"Don't push your luck," Kelly said shaking her head as she got up and walked back to her hut. Manny was sitting up eating a bowl of the stew that was made.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Kelly asked maneuvering behind him so she could lean her back against his.
"Better," Manny said leaning against her, "I never thought I would miss chairs."
"Or beds, I miss my bed so much," Kelly added.
"What about your parents?" Manny asked, "You miss them?"
"Yeah, they weren't bad," Kelly replied, "I really wish I hadn't gotten into it with them before they died. They were just trying to look out for me."
"Yeah, mine are still alive. They'd yell at me for talking to a normie like this. My dad didn't like normies," Manny said, he reached back and put his hand over hers, "We're going to make it through this, right? Maybe that's why they left us here. They want us to survive this pandemic."
Kelly turned so her cheek rested on his shoulder, and placed her other hand on his upper arm. Comfortingly she rubbed his arm.
"We'll make it through," Kelly whispered, "It seems we have our own problems here to worry about, but we'll survive."
"I hope so," Manny said quietly, "I hope so."