SAFE HAVEN pt. 2 – MEMORIES
It was just another day on the job, getting coffee, filing the papers, and untangling wires… It wasn't how Rochelle wanted to do her new job. But it was a start. As Rochelle drank a cup of coffee, playing a game of Team Fortress 2 online, she got a call from her boss. "Rochelle Adams, to my office, please." The woman groaned as the others laughed. As she logged out, she walked to her boss' office. An older man with graying hair and brown eyes was sitting at the desk; he had nine fingers, missing one thumb. "Ah, good… Ms. Adams. Our team was to head to Georgia to study the Green Flu; however, Joseph got called in sick. Do you think you can fill in for him?" Rochelle's eyes lit up. "Oh yes sir! I would love too!" she gasped. Her boss smiled and nodded. "It'll be a week, so gather enough clothes for then and we'll see you then. Good luck, and be careful." He stated, holding his hand out. As Rochelle shook his hand, she nodded with a bright smile.
At home… A small apartment, Rochelle tossed papers on the couch, humming in glee. Her fiancée was cooking; he had braids, a small goatee, brown eyes, and a muscular build. "Well, someone's happy today." He smiled. "I'm going to Georgia for a week to report on the Infection! I know if I do well enough, I can get that promotion." She chuckled. Jacob laughed and turned to her, holding a pot with macaroni in it. "Great to here, Ro'." He said kissing her. As he drained the macaroni, Rochelle walked to her bedroom and started packing, listening to Depeche Mode. She was finally getting her first real report job. After fetching coffee for everyone, she finally gets an opportunity she always wanted.
After getting ready, Rochelle hurried back to the station the next day and from there to the airport. It would be a week long trip, but a 5 hour flight. To her, her luck was paying off. But it wasn't going to stay that way… When she got to the Savannah, she was helping set up the cameras until… It happened, one of the cameramen started coughing violently. "Jake, are you okay?" she asked. The man nodded but continued coughing. Eventually, his stomach began to bulge, much to her confusion. His face broke out in boils and his shirt almost ripped, unable to fit. "What the-!" Rochelle gasped, backing away. In front of her own eyes, Jake became a large bloated Infected. Without warning, he threw up on her, covering her head to toe in bile. Screaming in terror, Rochelle kicked him back and scattered for a weapon, grabbing one of the spotlights and swung it, knocking the Infected to the ground. She reached for something to wipe her eyes with and used a rag, looking as the bloated Infected stood, screams and howls were heard and in a panic, Rochelle used the light and smashed it on the Infected's head, the electricity from the light started frying it until he exploded. Covering Rochelle in more bile.
In shock, Rochelle turned and saw the door banging, eventually a hand busted through followed by a growl, a man popped his head through, but not a cameraman, his eyes were scratched out, his face red and small boils on his face. Rochelle panicked and punched it in the face. She started to hyperventilate; this was not turning out the way she hoped… In a mad scramble, she heard gunfire, the door opened and one of the reporters opened the door, he was a tall man with green eyes, orange hair, and around 6 feet 4 inches, he wore blue overalls with a black shirt and black; now stained with red combat boots. "Kevin!" Rochelle gasped; he was wielding a chrome shotgun and tossed her a Submachine Gun. "The entire building's taken over by the zombies. We have to get out of here." He stated. Rochelle, still in shock, nodded in agreement and followed him, as they left, she grabbed an axe.
"We have to get to the top of the hotel complex." He stated pointing to the top of hotel where a helicopter was landing. Rochelle nodded and readied her axe. As Kevin walked in, the two made a quick dash, killing any Infected in their path. Floor to floor, they hurried; it seemed to be going well until they got close to the top. They noticed a man lying on the floor, his muscles bulged. In confusion, Kevin went closer to investigate. The man started to growl and in shock, the two took a step back. The man stood and his entire body shifted, the bellboy shirt ripped off as his chest seemed to swallow his lower lips. In shock, Kevin grabbed held tightly onto a Molotov he grabbed earlier. "Rochelle, hurry and get to the roof!" he yelled. "Are you crazy Kevin!" Rochelle barked. "Yeah, you know me. I can't forgive myself if you died here." He muttered. Rochelle looked in shock, "Tell Jacob, I'm sorry I can't be the best man. Now go!" he yelled, pushing her to the door that led to the roof. He closed it and looked at the man who was still changing. "Bring it on, you big sonovagun." He smirked, running past it.
The man turned to Kevin and roared, trying to punch him. Kevin led him away and when the large Infected got close enough, he slammed the Molotov into its face and dived under it as it was set ablaze. In anger, the Infected waved its arms wildly and punched Kevin out the window. With a smile, Kevin looked up. "Be safe Rochelle… Be safe." With that, Kevin closed his eyes and held his arms out. On the way up, Rochelle ran to the rooftop, only to see the helicopter taking off. With her were three men yelling for it to stop. It was too late. The helicopter was gone. Cursing, she kicked a rock. "Just great…" she growled.
CHAPTER 2 END