[A/N] Thanks for all the lovely reviews. Now for some replies:
Pinned back Wings: I appreciate the critique! I rushed a bit with the last chapter since I wanted to move things along with the area and get onto Hard Rain. Yes, there will be a couple more chapters after The Parish. But I won't say more than that. Thanks!
groovehbeanz & WhimsicalBreeze3897 & moonwolf 123 : Thanks! I'm updating as much as I can!
Water smacked the sides of the boat as it made it's way through the river. I lied my head on the floor, scratching at the peeling paint on the side of the boat. Nick and Rochelle went into the captain's quarters to talk to Virgil, the man who rescued us from the plantation. Coach dug his way through some food that Virgil left out for us. Ellis leaned his back against a wall, sleeping. Coach must've caught me eyeing at Ellis or something, because there was a 'psst' that reached out for my attention.
"What's wrong Coach?" He let a low chuckle as he handed me a snack bar to munch on.
"Girl, I see how you look at that boy. And I see how he looks at you." I let out a nervous laugh, and began nibbling on the snack bar.
"There's nothing on between us Coach. That I'm pretty sure of." This comment earned another chuckle from the big man. I gave him a questioning look, he shot back a smirk.
"Cal, if there's one thing I know, it's romance." I scoffed as he said that. The idea of romance in the middle of an apocalypse is stupid. Who has time to be all lovely dovey when there's flesh eating zombies around waiting to eat our insides?
"Look, now I ain't know if you are inta' that sorta stuff. But girl, I see how the fella looks at ya. I'll just tell you that much." I stayed quiet picking at my snack bar. Coach nodded at me before getting up to go speak to Rochelle and Nick who came back from taking to Virgil. I couldn't tell if Coach was trying to be nice or honest. Ellis is a nice guy, sure. But me and Ellis? It'd be like a rich snobby cheerleader hooking up with the social outcast in high school. It was a comforting idea to me, seeing that maybe possibly... I was liking it? But the guy possibly has a nice gal back home waiting for him or something.
"Alright, listen up." Nick walked in with Rochelle behind him. I nudged Ellis from his nap and pointed in Nick's direction.
"Ahem... Virgil is willing to take us to New Orleans... But he's low on gas. So we'll have to make a quick pit stop somewhere to get some gas. So rest up for now, and we'll be heading out soon."
I let out a sigh. It was going to be a bit hard resting for me. I'm so close, yet I feel so far away... What if Spencer is dead? Eaten alive by a zombie, or CEDA killed him thinking he was infected? It was my fault, I should've went with him rather than hiding like the coward I am. Ugh this is all so stressful, I need to rest up before I go and fetch more gas, but these thoughts are driving me and crazy and this goddamn burn is itching like hell.
Rochelle must have noticed me itching or something. One moment she's chatting with Nick, the next she's beside me holding my arm.
"Stop itching and let me get a good look at your arm." She sweetly asked. I nodded and watched as she unraveled the wore out bandages. Rochelle scrunched her face up, which I took as a sigh that my arm wasn't in good condition...
"I uhh... Haven't had time to really to change them or anything..." I mumble sheepishly. Honestly I really forgot about the wounds. It was the least of my worries.
"Oh man... Cal if you don't change these bandages or at least check em, you'll get a nasty infection!" I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, trying to hide my face. Rochelle sighed and pulled out fresh new wrappings and gauze. I watched intently as she wrapped my arm, taking her time and treating my arm as if it's a precious artifact.
She lightly patted my arm and gave me a smile. "All done, now you better take care of that arm missy. Don't want to lose it do you?"
I felt like a child swaying his head side to side, looking up to his mother. Rochelle let out a small laugh, "Go get some sleep. Soon we'll go and run that errand for Virgil and then be on our way to New Orleans!"
Once Rochelle left to go speak to Coach, I decided to take her advice and get some sleep before going off to get gas for the man. Just the thought of getting closer and closer got me excited. Going home... With Spencer and my mom... Away from those flesh eating monsters. I lied back and let those thoughts comfort me. Maybe i'll finally get some decent sleep.
A hand grabbed my shoulder and shook me a bit. My response was to swat the hand and mumble to that hand 'give me five more minutes.' The hand's response was to flick me in the ear.
"Ouch! Hey!" I got up quickly to glare at Nick who let out a low chuckle.
"Wake up kiddo. We got to go and get gas." I rubbed my ear as I grabbed my rifle and scowled at Nick. I didn't take long to pack, all we really needed was our guns and heath pack.
Walking out and facing the harsh sunlight, I saw that there was an abandoned fast food joint. Some groans and hisses notified me that there were some infected roaming around.
"Signal at me when ya'll get the gas." And with that Virgil drove off. We all looked at each and went head first into the Burger place. Shooting off a couple of infected, we found more weapons, health packs, and pipes.
"Hey ya'll, found some pipebombs 'ere!" Ellis handed one to me quickly before going off to grab Boomer bile. None of us really thought about grabbing much supplies since we thought the nearest gas station shouldn't be far.
"Oh you gotta be SHITTING ME..." I heard Nick shout afar. Me and Ellis being the only one left in the burger joint, we ran off to regroup with the rest to see what was the issue. A big flashing sign that read 'NEXT GAS 2 MILES'
"Aw man..." Coach muttered.
"Well, there's no point standing around groaning. C'mon guys, just 2 more miles ahead..." There was a drip of water that landed on my cheek. Looking up I saw dark clouds heading over here. Great, first no gas and now a storm, what else can go bad?
"Does anyone hear a Witch?" I mentally slapped myself. This wasn't going to be easy at all.
[A/N] Sorry for the long wait. So much has happened now. I started college a couple of weeks ago and now i'm on the hunt for a job to help with bills. Well... Anyways, i'll try my best to update. I haven't forgotten about this story and i'll try to get back to my other TF2 story. Critique and reviews are always welcomed. Also... I might see if I can draw a picture of Cal and post it up somewhere. Whether it be on my deviantART or tumblr. Thanks for your patience guys!
p.s. If you're confused by the name of this chapter, since it means 'fear of riding in cars/any vehicle', I consider a boat to be a vehicle and I couldn't find a technical name for the fear of boats.