I've figured out when I will do updates exactly, that is why i'm uploading this chapter directly after the first one.
It will be every other Thursday. Next chapter will be uploaded after the new Adventure Time Stakes episode! (EST Time Zone)
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Chapter Two: Honey, I'm Home!
"Bonnibel! Where are you?" Finn called out through the empty halls. Bonnibel laid in her room, sighing to herself as her head pounded. She lifted herself from the padded floor and stood up on her sore feet. She just wanted to sleep, that is all. Being the leader of a group does come with sacrifices.
"In here, Finn." Bonnibel popped her head out of the door frame, waving her hand at the young boy to invite him inside. She takes a seat on one of the old desks as she rubs her nose bridge with her thumb and index finger.
"It is about tomorrow's trip. To you know, find more supplies and junk. Braco has been going on one of his rants again about wanting to come this time. He's saying junk like how he needs to," Finn raises his hands and creates quotation marks with his fingers, "protect his princess." Bonnibel groaned at Finns explanation. "Fionna tried calming him down, she's currently sitting on him to shut him up. She uh, asked me to come get you." Finn scratched the back of his neck. Bonnibel about snorted when she heard Fionna had to sit on Braco to shut him up. I guess it was just that simple to calm that boy down, and of course Fionna would think of something so adorable to Bonnibel.
"Ugh, why does he insist on calling me princess? That's bunk. Go tell her I'm on my way, I just need a second." Finn nodded as he backed away and jogged down the hall to the cafeteria. Bonnibel once again regains her balance on her feet. She slides her pistol into the back of her jeans. The group didn't have a lot of ammo left. They really need to find some soon or they could be in trouble.
When Bonnibel enters the cafeteria, she can't help but laugh at the sight. Braco, sprawled out on the floor with his face mushed into the tile struggling to break free. Fionna, sitting happily on his back with her arms folded, smirking at Bonnibel when they make eye contact. She tries her best to ignore the knots in her stomach as she approaches the two. She motions Fionna that it's okay to get up now. As soon as she stands Braco rushes to his feet, puffing out his chest.
"Fionna, go ahead and see if anyone needs help with anything, I can handle it from here." The blonde smiled at Bonnibel as she turned in the other direction and headed off. Bonnibel allowed her eyes to wonder, but not for so long before she realized Braco was probably staring at her checking out Fionna. "Braco, what the hell do you think you're doing? I have told you time and time again that you are not fit enough to leave this building. Where it is safe might I add? We hardly have enough weapons and ammo for Jake, Finn, Fionna, Phoebe and I. If you came along you would just get yourself, and others, killed." Bonnibel sighed as she looked at a rather displeased Braco. "You are not, nor never, coming on these trips with us, okay? I'm trying to keep you and everyone else safe. What would happen if you got hurt? It would be on me." Bonnibel was constantly lecturing Braco about this. Before they set camp in the school, it would be almost every day that Braco would injure himself or almost get bitten by the infected.
"But, Princess," Braco started.
"I am not your princess!" Bonnibel raised her voice. "Why can't you get that through your thick skull!"
"But I need to protect you, Princess!" Braco took a step forward itching closer into Bonnibels personal space. She was having none of that, however. She gave Finn a quick glance and nudged her head in Braco's direction, letting him know if he tries anything, handle him.
"I do not need your protection! I do not need anyone's protection!" Bonnibel yelled. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself so she would not yell again. She never really liked getting angry, but Braco really pushed her limits sometimes. "I can fend for myself, Braco. You're not coming with us. Never bring this up again." Braco looked down to his feet. He stood there for a few silent moments before nodding and walking away.
Bonnibel lolled her head back as she groaned at the ceiling. She allowed herself to fall back into the table behind her. Finn approached the leader, taking the seat next to her.
"You alright, Bubs?"
"Yeah I'm okay, Finn. Thanks. My head is pounding, though. I'm getting really tired of all this Braco nonsense. I'm slowly starting to regret the day we saved his ass from that hoard of infected."
"I'm sure everyone is. We've got a few pain pills left, if you need any." Finn offered.
"No, I'm good. No sense in wasting them on a migraine when a little sleep will do. I think I'm going to go lay down for a little while, make sure nobody disturbs me unless it's a life or death situation." Bonnibel pushed herself up from the stiff table, stretching her arms up as she yawned. She made her way back to her own room, slowly but surely. She removed the pistol from the back of her pants, setting it down next to her pillow. As soon as her head hit the soft cushion she drifted off into her slumber.
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"Bonnie! Bonnie! Look what I found!" The black haired girl turned to her friend, revealing a small frog that she had captured in her hands. "It's so cute!" She said ecstatically.
"Ewwwww, Marcy that's gross!" Bonnie said out loud, giggling at her friend's displeasure. Marcy started to chase her friend around the playground with the frog. "Marcy no! Don't touch me with that!" Bonnie ran around the slide and decided to go by the swing set. When she looked behind her, Marcy was on the gravel with water accumulating from her eyes.
"Owww…" Marcy groaned as she lifted her knee to her chest, examining her scraped knee. Bonnie noticed her injured friend and came running back to her.
"Marcy you're bleeding, are you okay?" She asked.
"Tsk, Marceline. You should be watching where you're going. You'll keep getting yourself hurt if you don't." A tall man approached the two young girls. He picked up Marcy and set her on his shoulders.
"I'm fine Uncle Simon, really!" Marcy giggled. "Can I keep playing with Bonnie?" Her friend smiled up at her and waved at Simon.
"I'm afraid not, dear. Your father called, he wants you home by dinner."
"Just a few more minutes?" Marcy pleaded.
"Say goodbye to your friend, Marceline." He gave Marcy a sympathetic look. Marceline was only six years old, but she knew her father wouldn't want her being even a minute late for anything.
"Bye, Bonnie. We can play again soon, I promise!" She smiled at her friend, waving goodbye with both hands.
"Don't get hurt again Marcy!" Bonnie waved back, giggling at the frown Marcy had given her. She watched as the man walked away with Marceline on his shoulders, not knowing that would be the last time she would see her best friend. At least, not for a while.
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Bonnibel slowly opened her eyes, grumbling to herself as she did so. She allowed her limbs to stretch out. Bonnibel sat up and scratched her head, thanking whoever was listening that her headache was gone.
"Feeling better?" A woman spoke up from the doorway. Bonnibel looked up to be met with her favorite blue eyes. She had been leaning on the doorway with her arms crossed, smirking at the blonde sprawled out on the floor. She gave Fionna a smile as she stood up from the floor.
"Much, thank you. How long was I asleep?" Bonnibel asked, hardly making out her final words before yawning.
"Through the night, you were pretty tired." Fionna entered the room, propping herself up against an old teachers desk. "We were actually getting ready to leave to go look for supplies, I figured I'd come wake you."
"Oh, really? I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting to be asleep all that long." Bonnibel grabbed her belt from a nearby desk and clipped it to her waist.
"Nah, you're good. I came in last night to check on you before I went to sleep. You were out cold. By the way, you talk in your sleep." Fionna laughed.
"I do? Oh man, that's embarrassing. What was I saying?" Bonnibel grabbed her hand gun and slid it into the holster on her belt. She then reached for her hunting knife and slid it into her boot, hiding the handle under her jeans.
"Oh I dunno, something about a frog I think? I could hardly hear. You almost ready to go?" Fionna smiled, pointing her thumb behind her back.
"Indeed, let me just grab my machete."
"Alright, I'll go round up the others, I'll meet you outside by the truck." Fionna waved as she left the classroom. Bonnibel soon found her machete, hooking it to her belt and made her way outside where she met up with the others.
Everyone was circled around the hood of their truck with a map of the surrounding towns opened up. When Bonnibel approached the group, they were speaking of new places to check for supplies.
"I'm just saying, we haven't checked that side of the town yet, maybe it would be worth a shot." Finn explained, pointing to a circled area.
"We haven't checked there for a reason, Finn. It is nothing but burnt down buildings and abandoned cars, we would have to get there by foot and it would just take too long. It would be a waste of time." Phoebe argued.
"Okay, but what about here?" Jake pointed to a town called Nepter. "We haven't even checked there yet, who knows what we may find. It could be worth a shot?" Jake looked around at everyone. They all seemed to agree by either nodded or shrugging their shoulders. All except Bonnibel, who looked almost shocked they even brought the name up. "Bonnibel, are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine. It's just, uh, are we sure we want to go there? Who knows what kind of dangers are there." Bonnibel stuttered, she felt all eyes on her.
"We'll never find out unless we go. I say we check the place out. It would only be about a forty-five minute drive." Phoebe spoke up against Bonnibels ruling.
"I'm not sure guys, maybe we shouldn't." Bonnibel scratched the back of her neck.
"And why the hell not?" Phoebe pursued. She rested her hands on her hips as she shifted her weight onto her right foot. "I feel like you're hiding something. Are you?"
"Phoebe, stop." Fionna cut in. Phoebe glanced at the blonde from the corner of her eye.
"Whatever." She scoffed. Fionna looked at Bonnibel, almost pleading her to talk about what's going on in her head about Nepter.
"Ugh." Bonnibel mumbled. "That's where I grew up, okay? I haven't been there in eight years, but I still remember everyone I knew there. I just wanted to avoid possibly… running into someone used to know." She sighed, leaning her body against the rusting truck.
"An infected with a familiar face." Finn almost whispered. "Man, I can't imagine seeing someone I used to know like that." Bonnibel knew if she was going back to her old town, she would want to go by her old house. Though most of her things would be long gone by now, due to raiders or looters, she wanted to see if some stuff was there. Maybe something to let her know that there is a chance her family would be alive? Or maybe her brother, the one her parents had forbidden her to keep in contact with when they kicked her out. She and Neddy were close, and out of everyone she missed him the most. Maybe going back to Nepter would be a good thing?
"Alright okay. We can go. We better get going if we want to get back to camp before dark." Bonnibel grabbed the map and rolled it up, stuffing it in the glove box of the truck. She hopped in the truck bed with Phoebe and Fionna as Finn and Jake took up the front seats inside.
Most of the ride there was silent, save for the small chit chat between Phoebe and Fionna, and every now and then Bonnibel giving directions to Jake as he drove. The closer they got to Nepter, the more she became familiar with her surroundings. She started to recognize landmarks, like the old abandoned farm house that kids around town would say was haunted. She never believed them, she thought the stories her peers would tell were just that – stories. She focused mostly on her school work. Her parents put so much pressure on her to be successful, to get straight A's, and not worry about a social life because the kids her age would influence her to do bad. Oh how her parents were so wrong. Though it did get easier for her when she got into high school, she was allowed a few friends.
When Bonnibel saw the old Nepter Water Tower, she knew they were going to cross the town line soon. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she might see or find while she was back home. She stuck her head through the back window, informing Jake to take a left when he reached the next traffic light, and to pull in at the gas station on the right. She mentioned to him about rummaging up some fuel, if there is any left.
When parked, Jake cut off the engine and everyone started to climb out of the truck. Bonnibel and Fionna stayed by the truck while the other three members either siphoned fuel out of some old cars or looted the store for any food or medicine.
"You alright?" Fionna asked a slightly distracted Bonnibel. She had been staring off into nothing. "Bonnie?" Fionna rested her hand on Bonnibels shoulder, which caught her attention.
"Huh? Yeah I'm fine." Bonnibel coughed.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Fionna gave Bonnibel that bright, warm smile she always does. Which of course drives Bonnibel crazy.
"Oh I was just think about this gas station. When I was little my father would always take me here every Sunday after church. I would get the same thing, a pack of bubblegum." Bonnibel smiled down to her feet. "Everything is just as I remember. Nothing has changed really, it's just empty."
"Why'd you leave? It seems like you used to love it here." That was it. That is when Bonnibel broke out into almost a roaring laughter.
"Oh god no. I fucking hated this place. It was a nightmare. My parents made it a nightmare. I left because they kicked me out. They tried so hard to make me this… perfect princess. Something that I wasn't. I loved science, I loved biology and chemistry and everything in between. They didn't like that, they didn't let me do that." Bonnibel scoffed at the memory of her parents.
"Is that why they kicked you out?" Fionna looked honestly confused.
"Oh, no. I went behind their back and applied a science university, and I was dating this girl at the time, but to my parents she was just my," Bonnibel used her fingers as quotations "friend." Bonnibel laughed to herself. "I got this letter from the college one day when she was there. We were in my room when I opened it and I about broke glass about how much I squealed. Out of the pure excitement I wasn't really thinking and I kissed her. Unfortunately for me my parents heard me scream and rushed into my room just in time to see it."
"Oh, geez. I'm sorry Bonnie." Fionna apologized.
"It's okay, it was such a long time ago." Bonnibel sighed, leaning her head back to look up at the sky. "Feels like forever ago, especially with how things are now. I actually used to live right down the street in this gated community."
"You wanna go?" Fionna gave Bonnibel a sly smile. Bonnibel quickly shook her head no while explaining that would not be a smart idea. "Oh come on, Bubs." Fionna grabbed Bonnibels wrist and walked off in the direction of her old house. She yelled back behind her to inform the others they were splitting up, telling them to be careful.
The power duo made their way down the street, walking a regular pace as Bonnibel looked around and admired all the old buildings she knew so well as a kid. She was thankful that no infected had been spotted yet, Nepter was a ghost town now.
The thought hadn't lasted long, and Bonnibel mentally cursed herself when they came across an infected body standing in their path. Bonnibel silently approached the body, slowly raised her machete and swung down on its skull. She cringed as the bone cracked and blood splattered across her cheek.
"Ugh, gross." Bonnibel removed her weapon from the fallen body, wiping off the dark liquid on its tattered clothing. She didn't dare look at the face, just in case. "Come on, we're almost there." She whispered.
The two girls stopped when they reached the entrance of the gated community. Bonnibel tried the gate but it had been locked. Of course they were going to have to climb over it, but they managed. Bonnibel watched as Fionna admired the houses as they walked by.
"Damn, these houses are huge. Your parents were rich?"
"Very. They owned a chain candy shop called Candy Kingdom." Bonnibel sighed. She remembered times when her parents would take her to their stores before they opened in the morning and allowed her to pick out one piece of candy on her birthday.
"Whoa, wait. I used to love Candy Kingdom. That's amazing your parents were the ones who created it. Were they going to will it to you after they passed?" Fionna quizzed.
"Hah, I wish. No, they were going to give it to my older brother, Neddy. He was their favorite." Bonnibel slowed her pace to a stop. She and Fionna were now facing a tall, black gate. Bonnibel took in a deep breath before pushing it in. "This is it." She said as they reached the front door. She tried the door handle, but to her luck it was locked. "Watch out, Fi." Bonnibel took a few steps back. She raised her foot and kicked down the door in one swift movement. She straightened herself out before walking inside.
The inside of the house just astonished Fionna. The twisted marble staircase leading upstairs, the beautiful, and very expensive, chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. She hardly had time to take in her surroundings before Bonnibel ran up the stairs, almost slipping on the marble. Fionna followed suit, almost slipping herself.
Fionna caught up to Bonnibel, who was now staring down a long hallway. Bonnibel took a deep breath and walked to the end of the hallway, stopping at the last door on the right. She turned the handle and was completely shocked at what she saw.
Her room. Her old room that she spent many nights alone in, was still there. Like it had been left alone for the eight years she was gone. Like nobody had even opened the door in that long. The pink walls, her dresser and nightstand, even her bed was still made from the day she left. Her desk, still scattered with notes and notebooks that she had forgotten to take with her before leaving. The only thing that was different was the dust that had accumulated over time. It was covering everything in her room. Which probably explains the sneezing fit from Bonnibel.
"They didn't… it's still here. Why is it still here?" Bonnibel asked herself. "Why didn't they use it as a storage room or something? Why would they just leave it here?" She was honestly confused, she was expecting at least things to be in boxes or really anything else but this. She was paying no mind to Fionna, who had been sitting on the abandoned bed reading a note she found lying there.
"Uh, Bonnie. I think you should read this." Fionna spoke up, still skimming over the page. When Bonnibel sat down next to Fionna, she handed the sheet of paper over so she could read it herself.
My Dear Bonnibel,
I am sure you are panicking just like us with the news of this infection. We don't know if you will survive this, or survive long enough to come back home. You may never have the chance to try. Your father and I know this is the end for us, we think it is time for our souls to move on. We don't belong here anymore. I wanted to call, believe me I did, but we lost power days ago. Ned left us, it's just me and your father now.
Your father doesn't know I am writing this letter. I just want you, no, I need you to understand that I love you and I miss you very much. I can only hope you can make it back home to read this. Everything that is going on has made me realize Bonnibel, realize that I have been wrong to you. I have many regrets in my life, but my biggest is letting you walk out that door six years ago. You are very smart, Bonnibel. You would have made a wonderful scientist. I am sorry I didn't support you, because I know I should have.
If you're reading this, I hope you're happy. If you never find this letter, well, then I hope you died happy. I hope this infection doesn't get to you. I love you very much sweetheart. You will always be in my heart.
Goodbye, Bonnibel.
-Mom xoxo
P.S. Please don't go in our room. You may not like what you see in there. It's for the best. I love you.
Bonnibel was trying so hard to hold back the tears from falling down her cheeks. She held them back as much as she could, but it was no use. The drops stained the note from her mother. She set it to the side while she whipped away the tears from her cheeks. Fionna put an arm around her friend and rubbed her back. She wasn't very good at comforting, but to Bonnibel that meant everything. The two sat in silence as Bonnibel cried. The only sound coming from small sniffles.
Bonnibel whipped her eyes once more with her sleeve. At least they died peacefully. At least they didn't have to become one of the dead that aren't really, well, dead.
"Thanks Fi." Bonnibel wrapped her arms around Fionna, allowing herself to give the girl a small squeeze with one in return. Bonnibel forced her body up onto her feet. "We should uh, get going. I think I've seen enough."
"Actually, can I talk to you about something? It's… Important." Fionna stood up, facing Bonnibel.
"Yeah of course, what is it?"
"I just thought that uh, it was only fair to let you know. Because I know how you feel about me and it wouldn't be fair if I kept it from you." Bonnibels face lit up. She felt the air around her get increasingly warm and her throat even drier than it already was. She knew, as much as she didn't want Fionna to know, she did. Bonnibel did not want to have this conversation right now, but there was no way out of it. "You just need to understand that me and," Fionna suddenly paused as her eyesight darted to the window. She walked passed her friend and cursed under her breath. "Someone is coming inside. We have to go."
"It's probably just one of the guys looking for us, what were you saying Fi?"
"Unless one of the guys suddenly grew their hair out and died it black within the last hour, no. We can finish this later lets go." Fionna grabbed Bonnibel by the arm and darted out of the room. Once out in the hallway Bonnibel tugged her arm free of Fionna's grip and stopped in her tracks.
"I have to see something first." Bonnibel turned around and approached a different door from before. She held her breath as she opened the door.
"Bonnibel!" Fionna half whispered, half yelled. Bonnibel ignored her friend as she entered the room and looked around. She knows her mom said not to, but she had to see for herself. She looked around her parent's bedroom to find nothing and she was suddenly confused as to why her mother told her not to come in here. When she turned around to leave the room, she heard a quiet moan coming from behind her. It happened so quickly. She didn't have time to fathom what had happened, except for one thing.
She was being shoved to the floor by an infected. She knew that face. She hadn't seen that face in eight years. It was her father. Her dead, diseased father trying to eat her flesh.
When she hit the ground, her head smacked against the tile, knocking Bonnibel out instantaneously.
