[A/N] Pinned back Wings: Aww thanks! The scene made me giggle as I read over it. I'm glad you liked it! It's weird though, if I play as anyone, Ellis and Nick always want to heal me. xD
FreshZombieSlayer: Thank ye kindly. Sorry about the confusion, if you haven't figured it out, it's just Cal and Ellis speaking back and forth. I usually tend to do that in conversations.
I felt a hand shake me out of my sleep, which I was a bit annoyed at. I mumbled the usual 'Five more minutes' sorta thing, which earned me a push off the mattress.
"Agh! W-whaaa... Rochelle?" She smirked at me, holding her shotgun in both hands.
"Come one girl! You can't sleep all day ya know! Gotta kick some zombie ass." I let out a grunt as I stiffly got up and stretched. The pain has gone away and wasn't as severe as it was before. It was a relief, and hopefully it wouldn't came back for awhile. Walking out, I picked up my rifle from the table and reloaded it, getting ready before we leave. Things stayed quiet for a bit, the only sound heard inside was the shuffling of our feet and clicks of our guns. Someone behind me nudged me, and I turned around to see Ellis, grinning as usual.
"So how ya sleep Cal?" I couldn't help it but smile back.
"It was a great sleep. Though it was a stiff sleep, but all good." I said lightly, too busy cleaning my axe. He smiled at me once more and sat beside me. I was wondering what was up with him. For sometime he's been quite protective of me, or something. Maybe it's just me... It doesn't matter.
The safe room door opened and out we went into this tiny town. Or if you want to, call it a village. Either one works.
Mud men lingered around and attacked us, along with the other common infected. There wasn't much around, which was in a way a relief. We checked around for a Tank incase, since it was quiet... And to our relief we didn't hear a low grunt. I let out a sigh of relief and went along with everyone else. I began to think about stuff, like, what would happen once this is all over with? Like everyone else, I was sore, tired, and needed some sleep. My arms began to get weak and I couldn't really swing as best as I was able to when I first knocked Ellis down.
Ellis... I can't help but think about him at times. I can keep my feelings to myself, but not for long. Looking at him now, him and Coach were talking, laughing while clearing the path from infected. Rochelle and Nick were near each other, but not exactly 'close'. And here I am, lingering behind them. In all honesty, I really don't think i'll last long.
A splash underneath me caught my attention, and there was a puddle with my reflection.
I leaned over and stared in the murky puddle, staring at my face.
I had horrible bags under my eyes, but they were barely visible underneath some of the blood, which I wasn't sure was either mine or from the infected. Also there was a bruises, near the tip of my chin to another on my upper left forehead from my first run in with Ellis.
I didn't want to see anymore. I got up and tried to catch up with the group.
Let me just pray to whoever is up their that we'll make it alive.
"A LITTLE HELP HERE..." I jerked my body to locate the sound of distress. It came from Nick who was yelling for help, on the ground, shooting back infected. I got all the strength I had left and ran to help him, knocking zombies down with my axe. Clumsily, I got on my hands and knees, helping him up.
"Get up get up..." I breathed heavily, struggling to get him up. Everything was sore, and especially after the horde we had to face,
Oh boy, I needed some rest.
Nick got up, and brushed off his suit. I dug around in my pockets for some pills, but came up with adrenaline.
"Uhh... Here, take this. You need it." He let out a low cough, before looking at what was in my hand. Not even giving it a second glance, he turned his back on the object, and limped away.
"Keep it kid, save if for yourself." I let out a low groan. There was no time for this 'I'm tough' bullshit.
"Nick just take it. I'm not the one limping around like some crippled asshole. Take it, or at least hold onto it." He gave me a stern look, a bit surprised that I yelled at him. Nick took it and shoved it down into his pocket. Though I couldn't tell, I swear I saw a smirk on his face.
I can hold my ground down, and be a bitch about it too.
A safe house wasn't far away and we finally made it... Well, almost. Almost there. Rochelle helped a limping Nick, Ellis stayed behind me while Coach was in front of us, leading the way. "There's the safe house y'all." I let out a sigh of relief, glad that we are one step closer to New Orleans.
I can't wait, to see family there. Of course CEDA will be there, so I don't expect a easy time, but just as long as we get there, things will become better. The sound of a metal door opening caught my attention, as I was spacing out again.
Rochelle first brought Nick in, brining him to the table with supplies. Then came in Coach, who slightly limped, probably from his bad knee.
"What'chu waitin' for darlin'? Get in befo' them things start to come. " I noticed Ellis was behind me, holding the door. Snapping back into my senses, I rushed into the room, nearly tripping over my feet. The door shut behind, and I took a long breath in, then sat on the ground. The sleepiness started to settle in, and I tried to push it away, but it was impossible, seeing how all of us were sore and just wanted to catch some extra hours of sleep.
Nick cursed under his breath as Rochelle began healing him up. Ellis plopped right beside me, his back against the wall just like mine. I turned my head slightly to notice him looking over me. His blue eyes caught mine, then smiled, which caused me to smile meekly. Ellis nudged me slightly, trying to start a conversation.
"So.. We're gettin' close, huh?" I nodded, smiling even more now that he brought it up.
"I can't wait, I get to see Spencer, and probably even my family and friends." I turned my head at him to see Ellis stare at the ground. "Uh... What about you?"
"Huh?" He looked at me confused. I sighed.
"What are you going to do once we get to New Orleans? Any sort of family you are expecting?" Ellis stared at the ceiling now, thinking.
"Well, fer sure mah Momma... I want yuh to meet her her. Also, my two best friends, Keith an' Dave. Man, I can't wait! Hope they're all right though..." I placed a hand on his arm, trying to send a reassuring feeling to him. Yes, I understood how he felt. I was worried whether or not Spencer actually made it alive, or even my mom.
An arm was wrapped around my back, and it came to my attention that I was hugging Ellis, or vice versa. It was comforting, seeing as how Ellis was three times my size, and he was a pretty built guy... Working with cars... His muscles...
I stopped and pushed Ellis away, my face red.
"W-what's wrong Cal? Somethin' I did?" I shook my head, not being able to show my face to him.
"I.. Uh.. Nothing nothing! Umm... Just getting sleepy. Shouldn't we get ready before we leave?" Ellis helped me up, and we made our way to the table, beside Coach who was polishing his shotgun. My fingers were unsteady as I reloaded my weapon, from the lack of sleep I haven't gotten. After sometime, we opened up the door and stepped out to be greeted by a bright sun and infected. Instead of taking everyone of them out one by one, we decided to run through and hurry to the plantation house. Of course, there were couple of infected who had caught us, but we quickly put them down, before a horde came after us.
Running can take a toll on you, but gladly enough we made it to the plantation house, avoiding much attention as possible. We climbed up the ladder and faced a gaping hole on the ground. "Well then, who's gonna go first?" Nick muttered.
I stepped up, but Ellis ran ahead of me. I let this go and went after him, glancing around at the run down mansion. Vines grew in, wrapping it's leaves around the stairs, peaking out of cracks and walls. It was huge, which made me wonder who would live in this place. Then again, it made me realize that whoever did, didn't last long in here.
Scavenging through the mansion, we came up with more than needed. "Alright then, now to find that radio..." Coach muttered. There was a far off static voice outside, which was most likely the radio. Shooting any infected around, we reached the radio. Ellis picked up answering the guy.
" 'Ello?"
"Why hello there... Haven't heard another voice in days. Where y'all at?"
"We're at tha' Plantation House."
"Well alright then, i'll be there in a few. Hold on tight till then." Ellis then turned to all of us, slightly smiling.
"Alright y'all, tha' man's gonna be here ina bit. So let's all go and get ready 'fore more a them things come and get us." A slow unsettling feeling rumbled in my stomach.
Either it was the fact that I was hungry or that I had a feeling that something soon was going to happen. Either or, I just wanted to leave out of this place.
"LETS MOVE! C'MON NOW!" The mansion became packed with infected, roaming the insides and tearing it apart. Everyone was left weary after fighting the Tank... And it was no simple task since we were stuck inside.
I stood beside Coach who was panting heavily. Any moment now the boat should be here, and we'll be taken to safety. Oh if only time can move by faster.. If only...
Now we were all outside, taking a slight break from shooting. The horde has stopped... Letting us catch our breaths. But this wasn't a good sign.
"Everyone heal up, I know what we're expecting..." Nick huffed. Ellis came and tapped me on the shoulder, holding a bottle of pills. I couldn't help but smile since, well, he had this goofy look on his face.
"Take these, ya gonna need them darlin'."
"And what about yourself?" I questioned.
"Naw, I got mahself a med kit. I'll be all fine. Don'tchu worry." He winked at me before turning to check on Coach. I shoved the pills in my pocket, and began reloading my gun.
The ground started to tremble, which made me drop my clips. Then it all came in an instant.
"TANNNNKKKK." A big slab of concrete landed beside me, making me land somewhere near the bushes. Bullets flew, and roars filled the air, something I wasn't ready for yet.
"Fuck fuck fuckkkk... I am soo not ready..." I muttered as I grabbed my rifle and began shooting off infected.
"Cal!" An arm grabbed me pulling me aside.
"Ellis? Where's everyone else?" He was breathing heavily, loading his pistols.
"They're somewhere out there. Fightin' tha' Tank. I was lookin' for ya. Try ta stay close. Virgil should be close." He helped me up and picked off infected one by one. From behind a bush there was another Tank, parting away the horde to get to us.
"Ya ready Cal?" I didn't know whether to scream 'HELL YES' or shake my head in fear. So the only logical thing I did was take out a molotov I've had and throw it at the beast.
The monster roared in pain and limped to us. After some time, running around, the Tank perished and fell with a thud. Me and Ellis sighed a breath of relief. Nick, Ro, and Coach joined us and we all were happy to know that we've made it. The gate doors burst through, and a loud voice boomed over a microphone.
"HURRY UP NOW. I CAN'T WAIT MUCH." We all scattered and quickly ran to the boat. Just as the boat came, so did a horde, and oh look... A Tank.
I lingered a bit behind to shoot off the horde. Rochelle helped Coach as he limped, Ellis and Nick ran off ahead.
"Come on Cal! Get in the boat!" I ran, only to be spat on by a Spitter.
"Oh fuck!" I cried as I slipped on the Spitter goo and landed on my bandaged arm. The wounds on my arm weren't fully healed, but at this rate, they weren't going to be healed.
Nick jumped off the boat and carried me to the boat, just in time before the horde got me. "Kid you gotta stop getting left behind like this. We can't leave you for dead." I chuckled a bit. He was like the funny uncle who takes care of you.
Once on the boat, Virgil drove off, and we all cheered in celebration for leaving this place. One step closer to New Orleans. I was so excited, I couldn't contain it. I wanted to cry, but I held on strong.
Now to enjoy this small cruise...
[A/N] I know it's been awhile since I updated, by heeeyyyyyyy. I'm still alive. I wasn't expecting to update anytime soon but someone sent me a message via tumblr and they liked my story so much. So I decided to update. There you go lovely Anon! Now. Things should be picking up in Hard Rain and The Parish. I'll be working on the next chapters pretty soon. School can be such a burden. But i'm close to graduation so, yes.
Critiques and reviews are appreciated. (:
P.S... The title of this chapter is suppose to be the fear of swamps. But since I couldn't find the scientfic word for it, I'm using the fear of water. Just an FYI.