Hey everyone! Long time no update? D: I'm sorry, writer's block has been getting the best of me, but a good friend helped me get through it. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE x]
Anyways, enjoy~
CHAPTER 4: Tunnel of Love
Déjà vu.
I awoke in a bed - yet, I wouldn't call it a bed - it was far from that. Much more like a weakened couch… in a trailer.
Moaning, rubbing the back of my head where the goose egg resided, I looked around the room, lying perfectly still. I barely moved and the couch squeaked shrilly.
"Holly."
My head turned out of reflex towards the noise, as Coach approached me. "Holly, you feelin' okay?"
I nodded, grunting as I rose up. He patted my shoulder gently, as if I was some precious Porcelain doll.
…I was, in a way.
"Where's everyone?" I asked. Coach shrugged with his lips in a tight line. "Out in the carnival somewhere."
"Carnival?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbows.
"We're at the carnival."
Instantly, I sprang up - hurting myself in the process - and ran to a window, any window. I looked out to see zombies walking around, standing still and screeching at birds.
"Jesus…" I muttered.
"Holls," Coach started, making me turn around to stare at him. I realized there was a deep red liquid beginning to drip down my neck from my injury.
I groaned, feeling light-headed. Coach walked to the door, grabbing his shot-gun. Obviously I was supposed to follow.
"But, my head-"
"There is a first-aid kit on the table." he said, standing by the door and waiting for me.
I trotted over to the table, undoing the locks and flipping it open, shaking a can of antibiotic spray up and coating the back of my head. Greasy hair was a pet-peeve of mine, but walking around attracting zombies with a bleeding skull was a death wish.
"Let's go," I said, closing the case and grabbing the fully-loaded shotgun as I leapt out the door behind Coach.
We were ready to fire, moving with the stealth and agility of special op forces. Zombies kept their distance, unaware of our presence. I was beginning to consider that the zombies here at the carnival were dumber than the ones in the mall.
In the distance I saw the lanky shape of a man in a white and blue hat. Ellis, I thought. Much to my dismay, I was beginning to grow some feelings for that guy.
"Hey, guys!" Rochelle said, running up to us. Nick was in step behind her. The smell of the horde was in the air, they were close.
"We gotta' get moving," I said, rushing the crew onwards. The snarls of infected grew audible in our ears as they rounded the corner, charging for us.
We were running, turning corners sharply and skidding across the pavement.
"Ellis, Holly, you guys go find a safe house. We're gonna' go get ammo." Rochelle said, as Nick, Coach, and herself split from us. Instantly, we were standing there alone, the smell of the dead left far behind us in the muggy Savannah dusk.
We looked around the place, scavenging for the next safe house. It was always equipped with one bed, one kitchen, one bathroom, and a shit-load of ammunition.
"So," I breathed as we jogged. Ellis looked at me, quirking an eyebrow. I didn't know what to say, I just wanted to get more acquainted with this Southern boy.
"So," he smirked.
I blushed lightly, turning my head to the side so he couldn't see. The saffron glow of the low sun in the sky stained our skin.
"This way," he said, tugging on my arm as we ran into the Tunnel of Love.
My heart thudded against my ribs; once a river, now a dried-up mess of squashed Solo cups and garbage.
"Why here?" I asked, as we turned down a tunnel. There was a dove boat that was derailed on its side. We both passed it in silence then he spoke.
"Because," he started, peeking around a corner carefully then darting down it. "We need to find a safe house."
"No, really?" I said sarcastically.
"God - Ellis, can we stop for a second?" I panted. We were weaving in and out of the Tunnel of Love for hours. Nothing was in there besides an untouchable bottle of Boomer Bile.
"No." The word came out dry.
"Well I'm stopping," I said, halting and hunching over, hands on my knees practically wheezing.
"Ugh," he mumbled, stopping as well and watching me hack my lungs up.
"Well, if I remember correctly," I started, thinking about when I used to frequent this particular carnival. "There is a safe house coming up."
Ellis nodded for me to follow as he started to walk again. I straightened up and follwed.
