Monster

Review Corner-

Kiki's-stories-of-awesomeness: Yeah, sure, it's all gonna be okay! In fact, this chapter has more humor than angst.

Harry-Flashman: Yep, cliffy. There are more coming up.

Guest: Wow. I don't know what to say to that... Thank you. You really inspired me. It makes me wish that you had an account, so I could talk to you.

EllisMckinneysGirlfriend13: Here's more! Like you wanted!

I'm SO SO SO SO SO sorry about the delays! You see, I went to Spain, only to find out I had no access to a computer or consistent wifi. So I got typing, and now I'm doing a mass update. I sent PMs to all my reviewers to let you know that there won't be an update, but unfortunately the guest reviewers (gNatfan, etc) won't know. I'm sorry!

Lana: I don't own- No. I'm not going to say I don't own it. Because I do! Ha! Never thought of that, did ya? No? Well-

*gets struck by lightning*

Ellis: Well, sorry about tha'. Ah guess there'll be no more chapters 'cause th'author's dead. Sorry, y'all.

Nick: What are you going on about?

Rochelle: Shut up, Nick. Now to the readers- The author to this fanfiction is now dead. Luckily, we have a defibrillator, so we'll revive her.

*uses defib*

Lana: OH MY GOD I DON'T OWN LEFT 4 DEAD 1 OR 2! Wait, what?

Coach: On with the chapter, folks!

Ellis: Oh, and there's a reference t'th'film Shaun of th'Dead, so see if any o'y'all can spot it! Review if you do!

Fifteen

My eyelids fluttered as I tried to open my eyes. Blinking against the harsh light, I sat up slowly, rubbing my head. I was laid on a bale of hay, rough bandages wrapped around my chest. Then I remembered what happened - I had been shot by Nick. I sat fully upright, wide awake now, and I swung my legs off the sharp straw bed. My bare toes touched the frosty floor, and I winced at the sudden cold.

"Where are my shoes?"

"Rochelle!" Zoey almost fell off her perch when she heard me. Practically scrambling over to me, her face was a beacon of relief. I smiled at her.

"I'm fine... But what happened after I blacked out?" Zoey paused before answering, and seemed to be choosing her words carefully.

"You were in critical condition, Ro. Nick blamed himself, and it was really his fault, so-"

"No, it was my fault!" I protested. "I was the one that jumped in front of him, anyway," I added quietly.

"I know," Zoey replied. "But he... Oh, what's the point in coating everything with sugar. He left, Ro, and I don't think he's coming back."

"What...?" I felt hairs rise on my arms and neck. "He... left?"

"He and Francis had an argument," Zoey admitted. "He shot Francis before leaving, but he's okay. It only grazed his shoulder. I sat up straight.

"Take me to him," I ordered. Zoey raised her hands and stepped back.

"I don't think-"

"Take me to him!"

"Okay, this way..." I felt bad for making Zoey suddenly anxious, but I was so worried I didn't apologize for my harsh tone.

"Thanks." She didn't look at me.

"It's okay. I know you're worried..." Zoey bit her lip, and glanced nervously at me sideways. "I've seen the way you look at him. It's okay," she added quickly when I frowned. "I don't think anyone else has. Nick certainly hasn't, and Ellis can't say anything about it. I think he loves me, anyway... Is that normal?"

"Is what normal?" I asked.

"I mean... Is he usually this love-at-first-sight when there's a new girl?"

"Oh," I laughed, ignoring the lancing pain that shot through me. "No. You're the first, I have no idea what's with him." Zoey laughed too.

"Okay," she smiled, then stopped. "Here we are. Behind the hay." I went quiet, the smile fading from my face. Francis was lying on his back, his features contorted with pain. Zoey's eyes widened and she ran to him.

"What's wrong?" I was confused. "I thought you said he was okay!"

"He was!" Zoey was bewildered. "Francis, can you hear me? What happened?" Francis turned his head painfully to face her.

"Nick..." he ground out, his eyes dark with barely contained fury. Zoey looked up, a similar flame in her eyes. She stood up, and stormed over to where Nick was sitting at the other side of the barn. I watched, devastated.

"What?" Nick snapped when she tapped his shoulder. When he turned, he slapped his full across the face. He blinked, but to his credit he didn't flinch.

"You shot him again!" Zoey's voice shook with rage. "Why?" Nick's eyes narrowed.

"He's useless and irritating. Better end it properly now before he ends up coming back as an Infected when he dies!" Zoey shook her head.

"No, Nick, it doesn't work like that! We're immune - when we die, we don't come back as one of them; we stay dead. It's not a cheap horror film! Get a grip!" Tears streaked down Zoey's face, and Nick hesitated. Then he raised his gun to aim at Zoey. There was a snarl, and then Ellis was there, knocking the gun from Nick's shaking hand. His head whipped round as he landed, eyes blazing, and he crouched to pounce on Nick.

"Stop!" I heard a shriek, and when it stopped echoing around the barn I realized that I had been the source of the yell, and now everyone was looking at me. I heard the howls of a Horde - they had heard the commotion. I picked up Nick's dropped pistol, and stood protectively over Francis. It was now or never - if I failed, he would die.

-Monster-Monster-Monster-Monster-

Francis groaned feverishly as I fired repetitively at lunging Infected. My bullets opened up their skulls, and blasted off limbs, but there were so many I couldn't keep up. I lifted my arms to shield myself, and when nothing came, I looked up. Louis was standing by my side, his dark hands steady around the assault rifle he clutched. Bullets ripped into the chests and torsos of the incoming Infected, and soon all that was left was shredded body parts and pools of blood. Louis' once-white shirt was spattered with blood.

"You've got red on you," I commented, and he smiled grimly.

"I think we all do by now," he replied, firing in short bursts at some stragglers.

"I'll bet there's somewhere in this goddamned place where there are people without bloodstained clothes." Louis gave me a long look, before shrugging.

"Maybe," he muttered. It was my turn to shrug, and I winced as my wound opened again.

"Idiot." Zoey was in front of me. "You know you couldn't have done that yourself, especially when you're the wounded guarding another wounded."

"Sorry," I mumbled, before my knees gave out and I was on the floor.

"Rochelle!" Zoey tried to catch me, but missed. My landing was soft, however - and Francis let out an unmanly shriek.

"Sorry!" I squeaked, leaping up. He clutched his chest, and breathed slowly, but he shook his head.

"Don't worry," he wheezed. "It's... okay, Ro." Zoey smiled knowingly, and began to walk away. She nudged Louis, and his eyes lit up with understanding. He followed Zoey, and I was left alone with Francis. I scuffed my boots.

"Are you alright?" I asked awkwardly.

"Well, apart from the fact that I've been shot four times, and its bloody freezing in this godforsaken barn, I'm fine," Francis replied nonchalantly. I kneeled next to him, and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Is this warmer?" I murmured, and I felt him nod. We stayed like that for a minute, and I let myself relax.

"Ahem." I jumped back, my face burning, to see Coach standing nearby.

"N-no, this isn't-" I stuttered. Looking at Francis, I saw his cheeks flushing as well; he was as embarrassed as I was.

"Do y'all want some space?" Coach asked sheepishly. "'Cause I can go-"

"N-no, it's okay," I began standing. "I was just leaving, anyway," I added when Coach didn't look convinced.

"Yeah," Francis put in quickly. "See you around, Ro - uh, Rochelle." As I left the corner of the barn, I could've sworn I saw a smile pulling at Coach's lips. I covered my red face, mortified.

"Damn."