Later that night, Addison was on pins and needles ever since she got home. She changed out of her cheer uniform and into one of her many pastel pink outfits consisting of light pink pants and a slightly shiny pink jacket up top. Not the stealthiest attire for sneaking out at night, but it was all she had in her closet. She wished she had some of the zombie chic clothes she had seen some kids wearing around school, the darker colors would be much stealthier.
She slowly crept down the stairs, both of her parents were busy watching the evening news, so they didn't even notice her coming down. She tried to force herself to look like everything was normal as she calmly walked to the kitchen. She was pretty sure they didn't even glance up at her.
Once she got to the kitchen though, her heart started racing even faster, she had never even dreamed of doing anything like this before. But it was for Zed, and she would break any rule to spend time with him. Even all the rules, just like he said in his note. She slowly ever so slowly pushed open the back door. And then ever so carefully closed it again so it barely even made a sound besides the tiny click of the latch.
She was outside, in her yard, just after sundown. She had just snuck out. And all she felt was an intense mixture of nervousness and excitement. She crept around the side of her house, making sure to stay out of view from the living room window, and then just kept walking down the street towards the barrier. For the first time in her entire life, she was heading towards Zombietown intentionally. The place her parents always told her was much too dangerous for humans. But she didn't care, she didn't know what was waiting for her, but she knew who, he was all the motivation she needed.
A few minutes later, she finally made it to the cheerily painted concrete wall. She kept glancing around for signs of anyone else coming that could see her, but she never saw anyone. Until finally, she was at the main gate between Seabrook and Zombietown, and the painted concrete shifted into a rusty chain link fence. She could see some areas of light on the other side, but overall it was much darker compared to the Seabrook side. She shivered with nerves for a little bit, her parents and everyone she knew always said Zombietown was the most dangerous place in Seabrook, even though she knew that couldn't possibly be the case, she couldn't help her nerves from rising to the surface.
Until finally right when she reached the open gate at seven o'clock sharp. She smiled when she saw Zed walking up to her.
"Hey, you made it." Zed grinned down at her.
"Yeah, and I'm totally not freaked out at all," Addison replied, nervously playing with her hands.
"You're going to love this," Zed reassured her. "I promise, you have nothing to fear."
"I, I know I don't," Addison said, more confidently now that Zed was here, when she was with him, she always felt like she could do anything. "OK, let's do this." She happily grabbed his offered hand while he led her into Zombietown. Zed started explaining many of the interesting landmarks they passed along the way, including pointing out his own street, even though Addison already sort of remembered where that was.
Zed had staked out the gate for the past half hour, psyching himself out that even if Addison trusted him, there was no way she would actually come to Zombietown to see him. But thankfully his initial doubts had been proven wrong when she showed up right on time. He couldn't wait to show her as much of his home as he could. And really be able to spend time with her in public.
"And this is where it all started," Zed said reverently as he led her in the direction of the powerplant.
"You mean?"
"Yep, A little mysterious energy mixed with a dash of lime soda and Bamm! Zombies."
"Woah. Is it safe?"
"Addie, I would never bring you somewhere that wasn't safe, and please trust me. I really think you'll love this." Zed looked down into her eyes.
"I do trust you Zed. Always. I just wish I could show you how much I do in more than just the safe room or out here without anyone else around." Addison sighed.
"I understand why we can't, but someday soon we'll make it work. But come on." Zed pressed a button and the green doors before them opened to reveal an elevator. "My lady?"
"My, what a gentleman." Addison giggled as she stepped inside and Zed hit another button and the elevator started moving down underground.
They stepped inside and leaned against the wall while Addison studied some of the colorful Zombietongue graffiti covering the other wall.
But at the same moment, Zed felt another stinging shock go through his left arm. His arm had been sore ever since the first game nearly a month ago, and every game after made it worse and worse. The only time he didn't feel it was when he was zombied out during games but once his extra stamina disappeared, the pain came back. But he could deal with it. No pain no gain. And zombies had gained so much already. He couldn't stop now.
Unfortunately, Addison noticed, just like Zed noticed she was still somewhat nervously playing with her braid. He just hoped she wasn't nervous because of him. He understood that she probably heard a million horror stories about Zombietown since she was little, and the fact that she trusted him enough to show up was already a miracle. He wanted to prove to her she never had anything to be afraid of.
"Are you ok? You don't look so hot." Addison said, studying his grimacing face with concern.
"Ouch." Zed tried to joke and play it off.
"You know what I meant." Addison smiled at him, and lightly punched his shoulder, thankfully his right shoulder, otherwise, he probably would have screamed in pain and made her even more worried, because he couldn't lie to her anymore.
Zed stared down at the floor. "I have to mess with my Z-band to win games."
"Isn't that dangerous?" She started studying him even more closely, worry clouding her eyes and voice.
"Yes, it is." He admitted quietly, "Addison, if I don't win, then zombies will never be accepted, and we'll never be accepted."
"I know how that feels." Addison agreed quietly, to Zed's surprise she even pulled on her braid in emphasis.
Except for the first time she told him, she had never mentioned anything about her hair to him, even though Zed was curious. He had spent countless hours puzzling over what the real her looked like. He had never brought it up because he could tell how uncomfortable it made her feel about herself, even though she was always perfect in his eyes. He wished she could see what he saw whenever he saw her.
"So is your Z-band hurting you?"
"Yes, it is. Good days, I can barely feel my arm. On the bad days, my Z-band constantly sends out sparks of the electromagnetic pulses that make my whole arm sore and stiff." Zed admitted.
Addison gently grabbed his left hand again, her thumb gently running over his knuckles. "So does it hurt right now? Or is it numb?"
"A bit of both, the pain comes and goes, but I can feel your hand, and it helps brush away the pain." Zed smiled the tiniest of smiles.
Addison slowly turned his hand over to study his wrist, she could see the raw, red skin left by the constant shocks from his Z-band.
"Zed, I'm serious are you absolutely sure you're ok? Should you go to a doctor?"
"Addie, I promise I'm fine. And it's just one more game tomorrow. I can make it one more game. And I can't, the only zombie doctors are at Containment and they'll punish me for messing with my Z-band instead of helping me."
Addison looked up straight into his eyes without flinching away, entirely focused on him, still gently holding his hand like she was afraid to hurt him more.. "OK, then promise me Zed. One more game and that's it. Promise me. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I promise Addie. Tomorrow will be it. I'll tell Eliza to reset my Z-band and everything will be back to normal."
"So is that why you're so good at football, because of your zombie powers?"
"No, well yeah it is." Zed admitted, "I know it's cheating but you remember that first game, no one on the team wanted me there, and they were just letting me get trampled to the ground, and then Principal Lee said I had to win or it was back to the basement. I'm sorry. I know I don't deserve you."
"No Zed, stop." Addison still wasn't shying away from his eyes. "I can understand why you did it. I don't blame you at all." Only now she turned away from him and stared down at the floor. "I'm the one that doesn't deserve you, I'm too scared to be seen with you, to tell my parents about you. Because I'm scared of what everyone else will do. I'm not ashamed of you or anything, I swear, but I don't want anything to happen to you."
Zed put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. "Addie, I don't blame you at all. Seabrook is changing I promise. We will walk in the broad daylight someday. But for now, we can dance in the dark."
"What?" Addison asked as the elevator rumbled to a stop. The doors opened and music started blasting in. She couldn't believe her eyes, the entire room was both dark and brightly lit by lights and graffiti and absolutely filled to the brim with dancing zombies, all acting perfectly happy like none of them had a care in the world. Zed had brought her to a zombie party.
"Are you serious?" Addison smiled while she kept turning her head to try to take in everything.
"It's a chance to get loose and be ourselves!" Zed smiled back, even brighter seeing that all her nerves seemed to be washing away.
"So this whole celebration is for you winning football games?"
"It's more than that, it's a win for all of us. And we really needed a win." Zed said, leading her deeper into the Mash Pit.
Zed noticed Addison staring at one of the many murals, this one showing a neon green Z-band. "It's zombietongue. We have a rich language, twenty-three different words for brains."
"Woah," Addison laughed and joked, "So do you like a girl with braaaains?"
Zed laughed, he knew she didn't mean anything mean about it. And plus, it wasn't like it was possible for him to get mad at her, unfortunately not everyone agreed with Zed's sentiment.
"You know that's super offensive." Eliza marched over and glared at both of them.
"Oh," Addison glanced up at Zed nervously for a moment before facing Eliza. "No, it, it was just a joke. I'm sorry."
But instead, Eliza turned her annoyance to Zed. "You brought little Miss cheer boots to our zombie mash? A human? Here?"
"I trust her Eliza. How many times do I have to tell you Addison is different?"
Unnoticed by either Zed or Eliza, Addison flinched a little at his statement, even though she knew in her heart that Zed meant different in a good way, all her years of being told different was bad were hard to walk away from. And why she always had to hide.
All around them the creaking of rusty gears started clanking loudly.
"Oh, it's starting." Zed was about to run off before he stopped and turned to her once more. "Hey just find me if you need anything, but I have a job to do. I'll be right back I promise. You're going to love this."
"OK." Addison looked confused for a moment as many of the other zombies in the crowd started running to different places.
She turned to Eliza to apologize again, but she had disappeared as well, so Addison just followed the crowd in the direction Zed went.
A new song started playing over the speakers as Addison made her way to the front of the crowd of zombies. An open area started filling with steam and bright green lights so she had no idea what was happening.
Then suddenly as the music began to pick up. Zed jumped out of the steam and started singing and dancing, and in a way Addison had never seen anyone dance before. He and the rest of the zombies were using moves that showcased their supernatural abilities to the fullest, moving around in ways and motions that even Addison with her years of cheer training could have never even dreamed.
Welcome to Zombieland
It's a party go ahead everybody dance
Do the draggy leg
You surely can
Be a part of the team
Gotta wave the flag
Let your freak flag fly
Gotta stand when we pass by
Not your average guy but you know I'm fly
So alive just on a different side.
Everyone around her was having so much fun. She had never seen anyone ever in her whole life act as freely as this. In Seabrook, everyone was always so focused on acting perfect, even the fun things like cheer were always strictly controlled, and as for the zombies, she hadn't seen any of them act as free as this at school. They weren't afraid to show off exactly who they are.
Addison tried to keep her eye on Zed as much as possible but he was running around and dancing so much she would watch him for a while, turn around and he would be on her other side dancing up a storm. He looked like he was having so much fun. All of Addison's inner fears about being in Zombietown were quickly evaporating.
At one point Zed found her again but still kept singing.
Now we're all cool at first it was scary
And we can do a lot with a little
Call all your friends when you're caught in the middle.
Zed put his arm around her shoulder for a moment and Addison reveled at the closeness she felt with him.
And you should do the same like I do the same
You should be yourself it's the coolest thing
Then Eliza pushed between them and started leading her off away from Zed, but at this point, Addison was way past feeling any more nervousness of fear she was ready to join in.
I'm about to show you
What you gonna show me?
Guess nobody told you
Girl you don't know me
I'm about to put in work
Listen this is our turf! Zed sang proudly as they continued dancing, and now Addison was dancing right along with him. She never wanted this night to end as long as she was with him.
The song finally ended with a Bamm! Or another burst of steam from the ancient pipes and Addison just looked at Zed and everyone around her and couldn't stop smiling.
"That was so much fun. I don't think I've done anything like that before!" Addison cheered, hanging onto the fabric of Zed's maroon jacket.
"I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Zombie Mashes are literally the best thing ever. Down here, there's no one stopping us from being ourselves!"
"I know, I've never seen anyone dance like you and all your friends. I have to agree this is some of the most fun I've ever had."
"Well, don't worry, the party's just getting started," Zed promised her.
They kept dancing for a while, Eliza never let the tempo dip down too far. Unfortunately, while Zed could still dance, every step kept jolting his arm. As much as he didn't want to leave Addison for a moment, he also didn't want to worry her, so he just evasively told her he had to go do something quick and ran off to hide in a quiet corner of the Mash Pit.
He finally found a place without anyone else and leaned against the wall, holding onto his wrist. Ever since Bamm had ended the intermittent shocks had just been getting harder and harder to ignore, the only good thing was now his wrist was starting to go numb again.
"Zedski? Gruza?" Bonzo walked up to him and leaned against the wall, looking concerned.
"I don't know Bonzo. The Z-band hack really hurts, I can barely feel my wrist."
"Zorga?"
"I'll be fine buddy don't worry about it." Zed insisted, doing his best to force a smile on his face.
"OKZ." Bonzo nodded, but then like always he wrapped his arms around Zed in a hug.
"OW!" Zed screamed out. Bonzo's friendly action sending lines of pain shooting up and down his arm. "Ow, Bonzo, my arm." Zed gasped out, thankfully the pain faded away again once Bonzo let go.
"Zedski." Bonzo shot him a knowing look.
"I promise I'm fine Buddy, I just have to get through tomorrow and then Eliza can make my Z-band normal again."
"OKZ." Bonzo sighed, he knew when Zed wouldn't change his mind, so he stood up and gently patted Zed's other shoulder, but he needed to go find Eliza.
Addison could tell something was wrong with Zed. Even in their scattered moments of togetherness over the last month, she felt like she knew him better than anyone else. He looked like he was in pain, it was probably his Z-band that he was still trying to hide from her, but she wouldn't let him. So she tried to follow him, but quickly lost him in the crowd so she just walked through the Mash Pit looking for any sign of him.
She wasn't having much luck but as she was searching she heard a high-pitched voice, and she could have sworn it sounded like cheering. She followed the voice down a dark hallway to another room, the sound of the music quickly fading out behind her.
She walked into a new room, instead of the scattered green lights of the Mash Pit, this one was lit by the soft golden glow of hundreds of light bulbs, and standing in the middle of the room on a raised platform was a little zombie girl, that Addison thought looked familiar.
"I'm crazy! I'm cute! And a zombie to boot! I'm rocking! I smile! Zombies aren't vile! Yeah!"
Addison walked up closer to the tiny cheerleader. "That's some great cheering," she congratulated her.
But to Addison's dismay, when the little girl noticed her, she looked scared. "I wasn't doing anything, certainly not cheering." The girl dropped her homemade pom-poms behind her and scratched nervously at her wrist. "Please don't tell anyone."
Addison gave her best cheer smile though to try to sway her fears. "You're Zed's little sister right?"
Thankfully that seemed to do the trick as Zoey's eyes lit up in a flash of recognition. She walked over to Addison to sit down beside her on the edge of the platform. "You're Addison." She smiled back at her.
"Yep, I am." Addison nodded.
"My brother talks about you all the time, and I've seen you at all his games, you're the best cheerleader I've ever seen. I think he really likes you." She whispered, giggling.
Addison playfully glanced around too. "Want to know a secret Zoey? I really like your bother too. And you should always be proud to cheer Zoey. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"My cheer makes me happy."
"Me too." Addison agreed. "You're great at cheerleading Zoey."
"Thanks but, my pet Zander, doesn't seem that impressed." Zoey pouted, pulling a stuffed dog into her lap.
"Well, he should be." Addison playfully poked Zander's nose. "But I think you're old enough to have a real pet. Wouldn't that be awesome?" Addison grinned at her.
Zoey started to grin back when they both heard a voice coming up behind Addison.
"Stop teasing her," Eliza said, without any emotion in her voice, completely flat like she didn't expect anything less from her.
Addison turned around to face Eliza's glare. "You know they don't allow zombies to have pets."
"I didn't know that." Addison shook her head. "I'm sorry Zoey." Addison placed a gentle hand on Zoey's knee for a moment.
"It's ok Addison, I've been asking for a dog forever too. I know what the rules are, it's not your fault." Zoey's forgiveness and nonchalance with her world broke Addison's heart and she turned back to Eliza.
"I'm still learning that zombies aren't what I was taught, I mean…look at you." Addison attempted to send a friendly smile her way. She was rewarded with Eliza's glare morphing into an emotionless, but slightly confused expression, so she pressed on. "You're smart, cool, pretty." Addison listed off.
"You, you think I'm pretty." Eliza's smile cracked through her features, and she brushed a strand of her curly green hair to the side of her face.
"Yeah." Addison nodded. "You've got style Zom-bae."
"Thanks Addison, while I guess I normally hate the whole bland pastels you humans seem to be obsessed with, you're pretty too. Plus we all know what Zed would say in this situation."
"Addison is the prettiest girl on the face of the planet. But I'm still the cutest!" Zoey declared laughing, making both Addison and Eliza break out in laughter too.
"I know you still don't trust me, but I promise Eliza, the last thing I ever want is to hurt Zed or any of you guys. I know I was scared of you at first, but the last month of school and tonight and just everything that has happened just proves to me every day how wrong Seabrook is. I know it isn't perfect, but I can believe change is happening."
Eliza looked surprised at her statement, "OK, I agree, but what about your pompous shiny cousin? I doubt he's ready for change, that's why you and Zed are meeting here of all places right?"
"Yes, I want more than anything to be where everyone can see us, but we can't yet."
"Of course, you can. You should always be yourself."
"I know, I'm working on it." Addison thought back to her wig. Eliza didn't even know how much more she was hiding. But hopefully, things will change tomorrow. "But do you know about his football games?" Addison said evasively, she didn't want Zoey to worry.
"Yes, I do. I'm the one that did it, even though I warned him how bad of an idea it was, but I have to admit it worked. If you haven't learned this yet, Zed can be pretty stubborn, but don't worry I'll track him down tomorrow myself after the game and get him all fixed up Addison." Eliza said.
"Thank you, Eliza."
"What are you two talking about?
"Just your brother. We just can't wait to see the big game tomorrow Zoey. There's nothing to worry about." Eliza reassured her.
"OK." Zoey nodded. "Do you want to see another cheer?"
"There you are!" All three girls turned towards a new voice that entered the space to see Zed walk in, his eyes locked on Addison's sparkling blue eyes until he noticed who else was with her. "Zoey? What are you doing here?"
"Please, I'm not going to miss a zombie mash." Zoey replied.
"Zoey."
"Come on." Zoey stood up on her knees and smiled her cute eyes at him, which she knew always turned him into putty in her hands. Eliza, knowing what was about to happen just smirked at him. "Who's a good boy?" Zoey clapped her hands.
Addison was watching Zoey, and then turned her head with a mystified expression in Zed's direction to see what he would do.
Well, Zed knew he didn't have a choice so he crossed his arms and then barked. "Ruff, ruff." He trotted up to Zoey with his tongue sticking out. "Me."
"Good boy." Zoey patted him on the head, and Zed could hear Addison giggle beside him.
"Alright, alright." Eliza pushed Zed away and held out her arms to pick up Zoey. "I'll take you home. Zed has to make sure Addison gets out of here," she said with a smile.
Addison grabbed Zoey's pom-poms and handed them over. "A cheerleader always needs her pom-poms." Addison grinned and then turned to Eliza. "We should hang out Eliza. I really like your boots."
"Oh thanks," Eliza glanced down for a moment. "They're orthotic, I've got this draggy foot thing going on." Eliza laughed. And then turned to Zed. "She's cool." She whispered to Zed.
"Yeah, for a human right?"
"No, just cool, you guys look good together." Eliza finally admitted to him with a smile. Zed was shocked, he had no idea what Addison must have done, maybe it was just now that Eliza finally had a chance to get to know her, she knew what Zed did, that Addison was more than just a human or a cheerleader, she was Addison. And that was all that mattered.
Eliza was about to walk out into the hallway when Addison ran after them. "Oh, don't forget Zander." She handed him over to Zoey. And then finally Eliza made her way out of the room with a wave of goodbye from both of them.
Now that they were alone, Zed was once again all she could think about as he led her slowly around the room. She finally realized just how magical this place felt lit by the warm, golden glow of the hundreds of light bulbs.
"Wow, what is this place?" She asked.
"It's a zombie light garden."
"It's beautiful. Where are we going?"
Zed turned from the first step on the platform, offering his hand out to her. "For a walk in the park."
Addison took his hand as he led her around the winding tower, both feeling absolutely connected and safe, alone in this wonderful, magical place. Zed started to sing once again, and Addison didn't even hesitate to join in as they kept circling around each other.
I know it might be crazy but did you hear the story
I think I heard it vaguely
A girl and a zombie
Oh tell me more boy
Sounds like a fantasy
Oh what could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie
Two lonely hearts meet in the dark
Imagine it now they start a spark
You've got my attention what happens next then
Movies and long walks in the park
Hanging out anywhere we want
I like the way you're thinking I can almost see it
Someday, this could be this could be ordinary
Someday, could we be something extraordinary
You and me side by side
Under the broad daylight
If they laugh we'll say
We're gonna be someday
Someday Someday
We're gonna be someday
Someday Someday
We're gonna be someday.
They stopped at the top, barely a few inches separating them as their final notes faded into silence. Addison was looking up into Zed's eyes, and she saw nothing but absolute, heartfelt affection. She hoped he knew that was exactly what she was feeling too.
Zed was looking down into Addison's crystal blue eyes, looking even more beautiful in the light garden's glow. He had wanted her to come tonight so they could have some real fun, but also so he could hopefully show her that they didn't need to hide. He wanted to prove to her how much he cared about her, about all of her, inside and out, because he knew without a doubt, that she was one of the few people in this world whose beauty on the outside perfectly matched what was on the inside.
Neither could ignore the pull they felt toward each other. They both knew what they wanted to do, something they had each been dreaming about for the past few weeks, nothing would ever be more perfect than this moment.
Addison placed her hands on Zed's shoulders, and Zed gently held her around her back, and with his other hand, slowly reached up as if to caress her cheek as they drew closer and closer together. Addison closed her eyes in bliss, but instead of feeling his cool hand on her skin, she felt a slight pull behind her ear.
Her eyes shot open and she reached up with both her hands to cover her hair before he could see anything, He couldn't see it, no one could see it, especially not him, he wouldn't care about her if he saw it. She backed two steps away, wanting to put distance between them, even though that was the last thing she ever wanted to do. She wanted to hide because he couldn't see it. Couldn't see her.
"Zed," she whispered out. "Please, I'm sorry, I can fix it, don't look, I can-"
"It's beautiful." Zed interrupted her, looking straight into her eyes with the exact same look she saw moments ago.
Addison took a deep breath. She knew she could trust him. He was Zed. She could always trust him. She told him before and he didn't hate her. She knew he wasn't a monster, and maybe, just maybe to him at least, she wasn't a freak. He saw the real her, on the inside and he cared about her unconditionally, more than anyone in her family ever did.
She stepped closer to him again, and after one more moment of hesitation, slowly lowered her hands. She could just barely feel the natural strand against her neck. She was still scared, but the more she looked at Zed, the safer she felt.
This time Zed did reach out and gently cup her cheek with his cool hand. "You're beautiful," he said, never letting his warm, emotion-filled gaze leave her own.
Addison knew what she wanted to do, she moved her head, closer and closer, and Zed was too, they were just close enough to feel each other's breath against their lips when suddenly the golden glow from the light garden blacked out in an instant.
Addison and Zed both flinched away from each other, but their holds on each other tightened without them even thinking, as terrified screams started echoing around the powerplant.
"Zombies show yourselves! You're out past curfew!"
"Curfew?" Addison whispered.
"Come with me," Zed whispered to her, he started leading her back down around the platform and Addison kept a death grip on his hand, she had no idea what was happening and she was completely terrified, but she also trusted him without question. She was completely blind but Zed seemed to know where he was going so she followed him, trusting him to get her to safety.
After what felt like walking down several feet, Zed let go of her hand, and Addison couldn't help herself from freezing in place in terror. "Zed?" She loudly whispered.
"Don't worry Addie, I'm right here, I promise," Zed whispered back. She heard what sounded like him jumping down to the ground and then moments later, she felt two cool, strong but gentle hands lightly feel her waist before gripping her securely and lifting her down to the ground. She couldn't help the tingle that traveled up her spine at the close contact, breaking through her terror and confusion for a moment.
She latched onto his hand again and Zed started leading her through the darkened hallways, Addison felt like she was surrounded by the screams of the escaping zombies and the gruff, harsh orders of whoever was breaking up the party.
Zed turned a corner and Addison was two steps behind him when a flashlight suddenly blinded her, and like a deer in headlights, she froze instinctively, even letting go of Zed's hand.
"Zombie! Please turn around!" A somewhat familiar voice ordered.
In the light of the flashlight, she could just barely see Zed's face looking at her from around the corner.
"Addie."
"Go Zed, it's the Z-patrol I'll be fine. You go home."
"I won't leave you."
"You'll be in a lot more trouble than I'll be. Just go Zed. I'll see you at school tomorrow, I promise."
"OK. Goodbye Addison." Zed choked out, Addison could see in his eyes, that leaving her was the last thing he wanted to do, but Addison knew he couldn't get in trouble with the Z-patrol, nothing could mess up his final game tomorrow. But he followed her orders and sprinted off into the darkness.
"Zombie! I said turn around!" The officer ordered again.
Addison finally turned to face the officer, holding up her hand to block some of the glare from her eyes.
"Addison?"
She realized through the glare of the flashlight she recognized the officer. "Gus?"
"What are you doing here? This is a hotbed for zombie activity. It's not safe for humans." Gus asked her, his voice softening from the strict tone he was using moments earlier.
Addison just looked silently at the ground, there was no way she could even start to explain everything to him.
"Come on, let's get you home." Gus gently led her along, his hand placed comfortingly on her shoulder. As he led her back through the maze of the powerplant, she could see countless officers shining their flashlights all around, but thankfully the screams were silenced, and she didn't see any zombies in handcuffs or anything, she hoped everyone else made it out.
When they made it back to the surface, instead of the elevator, Gus led her up a rusty stairwell, he took her to his patrol jeep, shutting the door behind her. She waited alone for a few moments until Gus got in the driver's seat.
"Do you want to tell me what you were doing here?"
Addison shook her head, not trusting herself to speak or she feared everything would come rushing out.
"OK then, I already called the Chief. You know you'll have to be the one to explain this to your dad."
"Yeah." Addison sighed to herself. She didn't know she could get out of this mess now. Her parents would demand answers, and she knew they wouldn't accept the truth. She didn't know what to do. But as long as Zed, Bonzo, Eliza, Zoey, and all the others were safe at home, she would make it through this. She promised herself she would see Zed again tomorrow, no matter what happened tonight.