It's raining. I'm out of breath as I run down the empty streets.
"Zed! Zed! Where are you?!" I call. Zed's missing. When I woke up in the middle of the night, he was gone. In a panic I ran out of our apartment to look for him. I'm soaked to the bone and barefoot. My teeth chattering as I continue to run. I have to find him. Then I freeze.
"Zed." I breath in relief. There he is. Standing in the middle of the street. Soaking wet from. The rain. "Zed!" I yell to him. He's unmoving. I take off towards him. "Zed!" I yell again. Still nothing. Why does it feel like I'm not getting any closer?
Suddenly, I see them. The Zombie Patrol. My eyes go wide. "No." I whisper. "No!" I force my leg to push harder. I have to get to him. The patrol officers are cuffing him. "No! Stop! Don't take him! Please!" I exclaim in a panic. I manage to get closer, reaching out my hand towards him. "Zed!"
He turns towards me but it's like I'm invisible, his eye look pained and defeated. There's something running down his chin. Is that... blood? His hands are also covered. I'm frozen, eyes wide, as I look behind him. Laying in the street, blood pooling around, was my body. My head was turn away from me but I knew from the white hair.
Everyone believes he killed me. Even himself.
But it has to be an imposter. I'm right here. In the flesh.
"No. No! This isn't real! Zed! Please! I'm right here!" I exclaim, running up to him to touch his arm. Like a poof of smoke, he's gone. Everyone's gone. I'm standing alone in the rain.
"Zed!" I scream, sitting straight up out of my nightmare. I wipe my face of my tear stained cheeks and sweat covered forehead. I hug my knees up to my chest and bury my face in the blanket. "Oh god Zed. Please be ok." I cry into the fabric coving my legs.
XxX
The next day, I got the text from Bree, she's on her way. I'm busy packing up anything that I care about from this stupid, dull hospital room when Nurse Mia walks in. Abruptly stopping.
"Um, Addison? What do you think you're doing?" She questions. I don't give her much mind as I come folding my clothes and putting them in my duffel bag.
"Packing." I state simply. She raised a brow at me but just shakes her head and continues about her business with my chart and asking me her daily questions about how I'm feeling and pain levels. I'm polite with my answers and don't argue when she gives me some Ibuprofen for my slight headache.
I think I've gotten just about everything. Then, my eyes land on the picture of Zed and I that I had asked my mom to bring me after I woke up. That she bitterly brought I might add. I pick it up off the side table and run my finger gently over his smiling face. My throat constricting as tears threaten my eyes but a soft smile finds my lips.
'I'm coming for you Baby.'
About 15 minutes later, Bree comes walking in with her dad with serious expressions. I smirk and stand off the bed. "Are you ready Addy?" Bree asks.
"Absolutely." I say.
"I'm sorry, ready for what?" Nurse Mia interrupts.
"To be discharged, of course." Bree replies in a business like manner. Mia looks at her in shock and confusion.
"Uh, she can't just leave. Her parents would need to be here with her to sign the paperwork." Mia tries to explain but Bree's dad steps forward to address her.
"Actually, she can. She is over the age of 21, which means she is considered an adult, and is of sound mind, which means she can make decisions on her own behalf." He corrects.
"W-well, Addison isn't due to be discharged until she's finished with physical therapy." Mia stutters, grasping at straws.
"There is a thing called 'In-Home Therapy'." He sarcastically informed her. "Besides, she has been allowed, by your staff," he gave Mia a pointed look, "to walk on her own around the hospital. That tells me she's fully capable of common everyday activities. Therefore, you have no grounds holding her." Mia is flustered.
"I'm sorry, and who are you?" She asks.
"Her new lawyer. Now please, get her discharge paper ready." He requested. Mia frantically hurried out of the room. I rush up and hug Bree then turn to her dad.
"Thank you Mr. Harrison. I really appreciate your help." I thank but he shakes his head.
"No need to thank me. I'm tired of all this zombiephobia. And when Bree told me your side of the story, it's time to put an end to all of this." He said seriously. A spark of hope and confidence ignited in my chest and my face lit up.
"You'll help Zed too?" I ask with teary eyes. He smiles softly at me with tired eyes and nods his agreement.
XxX
Doctor Croft tried to come talk me out of leaving, asking me to reconsider. But I politely decline, signing my discharge papers and sitting in the wheelchair for Nurse Mia to wheel me to the front door, protocols of the hospital. Bree and her dad went to get the car.
"I know what you're going to do." Nurse Mia says quietly. I turn my head to look at her. "You're going to go see him." She continues sounding sad, like I'm going to die or something. "You don't have to do this." I close my eyes and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Nurse Mia, I appreciate everything you've done to help me. But you don't know me, or Zed. What happened wasn't his fault. He didn't mean to hurt me." I tell her kindly, trying to help her understand. "We were happy. We were in love. He would never purposely hurt me." Mia sighs.
"I know that's what you want to believe, Addison, but it's not what happened. The fact is that he attacked you and he can do it again!" She warned, fearful for my safety.
"No! He won't!" I yell. Anyone who might have been talking or making any kind of noise go silent. "You don't understand. And you never will." I tell her angrily and stare at my balled fists on my lap. "I'm being discharged, so my safety is no longer your concern." I end the conversation.
Mia is quiet the rest of the way to the front doors. I stand up out of the wheelchair as soon as she stops it and I glance over my shoulder at her, tears sitting in the corners of her eyes. I know Nurse Mia has good intentions but she doesn't understand.
Zed still loves me. I can feel it in every fiber of my being. He needs me. Just as much as I need him.
I turn back to face the door and walk out with my head held high, my duffle bag slung over my shoulder. Bree has the car door opened for me with a big smile on her face. I want to believe that she's happy for me, completely supporting me, but I know that's not the case. Same with her dad. I know there will be benefits for them from what I'm going to do.
To them, if I'm right and Zed hasn't actually gone completely crazy, the integration can be re-established. Meaning Bree can be with Bonzo again and her father will have a lot more work from the city. Not that I blame them. All of that is ok to want back. I hope it all does work out so that Bree and her family can be happy again.
I offer a smile to Bree and climb into the back seat, she follows me in and shuts the door.
"Please take me to Zombie Containment." I ask her dad, he nods to my reflection in his rearview mirror.
It's raining. The raindrops hitting my window as I stare out at the passing scenery. The car ride feels long and is very quiet, all of us consumed by our own thoughts. I can't help but think about how all of this has affected others. Everyone in Seabrook had interactions, friendships, with zombies.
Life was so much better when zombies were accepted. It's actually hard for me to believe everyone went back to hating zombies so easily. Maybe they hadn't. Maybe, like Bree, they were forced apart, unwillingly. This thought makes me uneasy.
Everything that happened is technically my fault. I've ruined so much from one little incident. And for a brief second, I wish I had died that night. I physically shake my head like it will chase the thought away. I can't think like that. Yes, the road ahead of us will be hard but we've fought through tough times before to be together. And we will do it again.
I can't be without Zed.
He makes life worth living. He's the light of my life. My whole world. It's been torture to be away from him these past 4 weeks. Or the other 3 months that I was asleep. My finger twitches on my lap. I can't wait to touch his face. To hold his hand. To kiss his lips. I've missed him so much, it hurts.
Suddenly, the massive building comes into view. I sit up and stare at it. It looks menacing and gloomy all at once. The tall barbwire fencing surrounding the whole thing, multiple times. Just in case. I must have audibly scoffed because I feel a hand, Bree's, gently grab mine that's resting on the seat. I let out a breath to try and relax.
I'm actually a little nervous to see him. I know I don't look the same. I've lost some weight from all the muscle loss, my hair doesn't seem as healthy as it used to, I'm sure I have bags under my eyes. What if he doesn't like what he sees anymore?
Deep down I know he would never judge me based on appearance, he's proven that many a time. But the irrational side of my brain makes me feel self conscious. I want so badly to be perfect for him again. The work I've done this past month have helped, but it will take a while to be back to normal.
"Are you ready Addy?" Bree asks gently, snapping me out of my thoughts. I realize the car has stopped and we are parked right in front of the main entrance, the giant lettering hung up the archway read 'ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT'. I gulp back the lump that formed in my throat and nod.
I step out of the car and stare at those intimidating letters for a long moment. As if I'm facing them down or maybe building up my courage to face whatever horrors are held within these walls. The image of Zed being locked inside flashes across my mind, scared and alone. I close the door behind me and march towards the entrance. A new fire lit in my stomach at the thought.
I reach for the door handle-
The sound of tires screeching makes me pause to look back. I see my mom and dad throw their car in park and jump out of the car as soon as it's stopped.
"Addison!" My father exclaims. I turn around to face them, a serious expression in place. "What are you doing?! You should be in the hospital!" Dad continues to yell, rushing towards me. Mr. Harrison steps forward slightly and, like my dad was just now seeing him, he halts.
"I'm sorry Mr. Davis, but there's nothing you can do to stop her." My dad narrows his eyes.
"Is this all your doing? What have you been filling her head with?!" Dad yells. Mr. Harrison frowned.
"The only reason I'm here is because I was asked. My only intention is to help her express her legal rights. Nothing more." He explains. My dad is left speechless. But my mother, on the other hand, doesn't pay him any mind. Bree steps in her way before she can get to me.
"Get our of my way Young Lady! I'm going to take my daughter home!" She demands, but Bree is unmoving, arms crossed with a defiant look on her face.
"You're not taking me anywhere Mom." I state firmly. Both of them stop fussing to look at me again. "I'm going in there to see him." I continue. My mother has a look of horror written across her features and my father looks desperate.
"Please Addison. Don't do this! You'll be killed!" He tries to persuade.
"You're wrong!" I scream. Everyone is silent as their eyes train on me. "Zed won't hurt me. I know it."
"What if he has another Z-band malfunction?! He won't be able to control himself like before!" My mother tries to argue.
"Oh that. I've heard rumors about the Z-bands." I start, glaring between the two of them, then specifically my mother. "I heard the zombies have been segregated again. 'Temporarily'." I air quote in my sarcasm. "Until the Z-bands can be 'updated for safety'." Then I glare at my father. "You aren't going to stop me. So I suggest you get a move on those updates to 'keep me safe'." I tell them seriously, turning to open the door.
There are a handful of patrol officers standing from their seats from the commotion going on out front. Mom and Dad seem to have practically given up as they follow in behind Bree and Mr. Harrison. I walk up to the duo of officers behind the desk.
"Please escort me to Zed Necrodopolous' cell." I request.
"Um, I'm sorry Miss Addison. But his sector is strictly prohibited for visitors." One of them denies gently.
Mr. Harrison clears his throat and speaks up. "Actually, I have a Court Order for Zed Necrodopolous' timely release." He informs, pulling out a folded piece of paper out of his jacket and handing it to the officers. "Given that this 'visit' goes well and Mr. Necrodopolous is in a reasonable state of mind, he is to be released from 'Zombie Containment,' for an insufficient trial or charges placed by the victim against him, in a timely manner."
I smile at that statement. Of course I hadn't placed any charges against him. Even after I woke up. Because he didn't mean it. It wasn't his fault. "Therefore, his holding in that sector is invalid and you will take her to retrieve him." He finished matter-of-factly.
The officers look past us, I assume, to my father, their Chief. He must have nodded his agreement because they gulp and collect their keys and tasers.
The walk through Zombie Containment was eerie and made my skin crawl. The only sounds were our echoing footsteps and muffled or distant groans and growls from various zombies locked away in here. The further in we walk, the more we can hear as we get closer and closer to the psychiatric ward of Containment.
Then, I hear it. A loud growl that sounds like a roar of protest. My eyes widen as my feet rush me past the guards leading us, as I ignore their confused calls to stop. I recognize that voice. I follow it.
Two more patrol officers come into view and are visibly surprised to see all of us approaching, especially me rushing towards them. One of them grabs me around the shoulders to stop me.
"Let me go!" I struggle, still too weak to break out of his hold.
"Why are you even here?!" The one restraining me asks in dismay. The other officers come up and whisper to them.
"We have to let them in. Zed Necrodopolous is being released."
"Um, you really don't wanna do that. He's in the process of having a melt down." The other officer stated.
"Why?! What did you do to him?!" I exclaim. That same officer looks at me. Gets a good look. And his eyes widen.
"You're her! You're alive!" He says in shock.
"Yeah, now answer the question! What did you do to him?!" I demand. He averts his eyes and I can see the sympathy behind them.
"We didn't do anything, just, were talking." He admitted.
"Talking?! What did you say?! Why is he screaming?!" I'm getting impatient with their answers.
"The truth. That he's a monster." The one holding me spat. I push him off of me with less force than I wanted. My eyes glaring daggers into him.
"How dare you. How dare you!" I spit back, pushing past them without much fight now from them. "I'll have your job for this! Mark my words!" I promise behind me. I can hear them go speechless behind me but the original two officers following behind me closely.
I can hear faint voices from further away. Why do they want to torment me? I'd rather they just leave me here to die. Alone. I curl into myself on my seat as the tears stream down my face. The sobs constricting my throat.
I can hear him crying, groaning in agony as I finally reach his door. I'm too short to see threw the thin glass window, but I know it's him. When the officers approach the door with the key, it confirms that I'm right.
The sound of keys makes me sit up, my back to the door. But I can't let them see him hunched over in defeat. I don't care if they see me cry, honestly I don't know why I care if they think I'm defeated. I am.
Maybe it's to try and spare Addy's name? To say they are wrong? I don't know. I don't turn around when I hear the door open. I just stare at the floor.
The door swings open and I immediately see his green hair. The only color in their dreary, dull room. Tears prick my eyes. He's facing away from me and hasn't turned around. I take a step forward. He's silent now. I had just heard him crying but he's trying to seem strong. I want so badly to rush forward and comfort him. But I know I need to be gentle.
"Zed." I whisper.
My spine stiffens and my eyes widen. That voice. Am I imagining things again? Did they really open the door? I spin around and someone who looks a lot like Addy is standing there. A happy smile on her lips, tears threatening her eyes. She is thinner than Addy. Her cheeks slightly sunken in, her entire body slimmer than Addy's. Dark circles around her eyes. I stand up.
I can't help my smile when I see his face. He looks tired, his eyes puffy from crying, and black veins creeping up his neck, but he's still my Zed. I take another step forward when he stands. But he flinches back. I hear the officer's keys clink together from their jolt of movement with his.
"Wait." I say, lifting a hand back at them.
I have to be imagining things. This is another trick from my brain. I look past her and the door in indeed wide open and multiple officers and a few other familiar faces watching me closely. My brows furrowed. Addy's parents are there? And Bree? Why would I be envisioning them? I haven't even thought about Bree in months. I look back at the girl in front of me. Her eyes. I stare into them.
I just wait for him. I'll let him come to me if it makes him more comfortable. I know this has to be hard for him. "Zed. It's me. Do you recognize me?" I ask gently.
Those, those eyes. Are so kind and gentle. Just, like Addy's. They are Addy's eyes. "Addy...?" I'm hesitant to ask. My voice too rough and deep. I hate how I sound.
I let out a relieved laugh as tears fill my eyes. "Hey Baby!" I greet, fighting back my tears but the smile never leaving my lips. I see him inhale a sharp breath.
It's her! It's her! She's here! I rush towards her and wrap my arms around her. She lets out the slightest pained squeak and I immediately retract. But she doesn't let go of me.
"It's ok! It's ok! Just be a little gentle." She assures, pulling me back to hug me. I hesitantly replace my arms around her and bury my nose in her hair. Taking in her sweet sweet scent.
It feels so amazing for him to hold me. I'm where I belong, in his arms.
"I've missed you so much." I whisper against his chest. He lets out a bitter chuckle and suddenly he's out of my arms. He's pulled away.
"Why would you miss me. I-I thought I killed you. You're not safe here." He says, his eyes refusing to look at me.
"Don't say that!" I stepping forward and hugging him again around the torso. Not caring if he wants it or not. He doesn't deny me and doesn't reply. "It was an accident. I could never blame you for what happened, Zed." I cry into his chest. "Please, don't let me go." He gingerly hugs me again, then his hold gets ever so slightly tighter as his body starts to shake from his own sobs. I run his back comfortingly, wishing my touch could just take his pain away.
This is my Addy. My everything. She's here. She's alive. And she forgives me.
"I still love you." She whispers. My eyes widen. I pull back just enough to bring my lips to hers.
Zed kisses me and I melt in his arms. I bring one hand up to the back of his neck, to deepen the kiss. There are no words to describe how much I've missed him. And I know he's missed me too. Probably more than I have.
I can't imagine the agony he's been put through. A single tear streaking my cheek. I refuse to break our contact to tell him, but I swear to myself that I will fix this for him.