Chapter 68:Reset

'To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.'

Becca's heart was pounding as she stood in the hallway of the second floor. She could hear the alarms going off, indicating someone or something was messing with the wiring. She didn't even have to ask who it could be. It seemed to be their MO.

She heard the bomb going downstairs. She saw the smoke coming out of the windows. Joel and Ellie were downstairs the last time she saw them. She started to shake as the fear consumed her.

Please let them be okay. Please. She kept whispering to herself over and over, hoping someone was listening.

She took a deep breath to gather her courage as she gripped the railing to slowly walk down the stairs. She could barely see in the dark. Anyone could come upon her at any moment and she wouldn't realize it until it's too late.

She took her pistol out of the back of her pants and cocked it. She reached the bottom of the stairs and pressed her back against the wall. She could hear people talking in hushed whispers and the voices of the patients panicking, wondering what's going on.

She wanted to scream out for Joel and Ellie, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself, knowing anyone could be watching or listening. She was afraid not only for herself, but for her family as well. She didn't want harm to come to them.

She reached the end of the corridor and slowly made her way over to the nurses' station. She opened the drawer as slowly as she could not wanting to make any noise.

She sighed in relief when she found the flashlight. She turned it on and walked out from behind the nurses station. She shined the light down the hallway and frowned when she saw a few of the nurses running back and forth to the patients room. Without electricity they wouldn't be able to properly take care of their patients. Their machines, as archaic as they may be are useless to them now.

Did anyone even think to have a fucking generator in a hospital?

Becca peeked into one of the rooms, sighing in relief when she saw one of the younger patients named Charlie. She was a six year old girl lying awake in bed holding tightly onto her stuffed animal. She was a beautiful little girl with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. She was a replica of her mother. She knew her mother very well.

She had been shot in the leg during the town hall shooting. Becca stayed with her as much as she could, knowing she lost her parents in the shooting as well. She recounted to them how she saw her parents being shot dead in front of her. The only reason why she survived is because she hid under her father's lifeless body and played dead. She admired the little girl's bravery and ability to think maturely at such a young age.

She was clutching a stuffed teddy bear to her chest as she looked up at her in fear.

Charlie's bottom lip started to quiver as tears filled her eyes,'What's going on, Miss Becca?' She frowned,'Are the bad men here to shoot us again?'

Becca's eyes filled with tears as she heard the pure fear in the little girl's voice. No one should be afraid to die. Especially a little girl. Children shouldn't know this kind of violence. They should cling onto their innocence as best they could.

Becca walked over to her bedside and sat down next to her, running her hand through her hair,'The bad men aren't going to hurt you again. I won't let them. Do you understand me? You're safe here with me.'

Charlie nodded slowly as she clutched her stuffed animal,'I'm afraid of the dark.'

'I know.' Becca sighed as she handed her the flashlight,'I need for you to come with me. Okay? Can you be brave for me? I'll be with you. I promise.'

Charlie blinked her eyes up at her and frowned,'You won't get shot?'

She shook her head and swallowed the lump in her throat,'Not if I can help it.

Becca didn't feel right lying to the girl, but she didn't want her to be frightened. She was already scared enough for the both of them, but she couldn't let the little girl see that. She needed to be strong for Charlie.

She wondered if this is how Joel felt when he first came upon Charlie. Would she end up adopting her too? If they survived all this they would have a fully house like the fucking Brady Bunch.

Becca looked over her face and held her hand out,'You ready to go?'

Charlie nodded as she slid off the bed. Becca helped her into her slippers as she tightly grabbed her hand.

She bent down and cupped her cheek,'When we get out there I want you to close your eyes. Okay? Don't look at anything but me if you have to. Understand? Just pretend we're in a castle and we're princesses trying to escape the dark tower. Just like the book I read to you. Remember?'

Charlie's eyes widened and she nodded enthusiastically,'Can I be the Queen?'

Becca nodded and gave her a small smile,'You can be anything you want to be.' She held her hand as the little girl grabbed her stuffed animal,'This way, my lady.'

Charlie giggled when Becca curtsied. She grinned at the little girl. At least she could take her mind on the brutality happening outside this room.

Becca held tightly onto her hand as they made their way out to the hallway. She looked down at Charlie, seeing her eyes closed. She took her pistol out again and aimed it in front of them. She didn't want to take the risk of anyone finding them.

'Becca! Becca! Where the fuck are ya?!'

Her eyes widened when she saw figure running down the hallway towards them. She sighed in relief when she heard the familiar voice and figure. It was her husband.

'I'm here!' She yelled out,'At the end of the hallway!'

Joel ran towards her and she could see the relief elucidated on his face. He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, sighing against her neck,'Jesus Christ you scared the shit outta me.'

'I'm sorry. I was on the second floor when it happened.' She held onto him tightly, whispering,'I needed to check on Charlie.'

Joel narrowed his eyes as the jealous and more possessive side took over,'Who's Charlie?'

'I'm Charlie.' The little girl gave him a tiny wave as she looked up at him warily,'Your Miss Becca's man. That's what Evie says.'

Joel snorted as he looked down at the little girl,'I am Becca's man. Her husband.' He crouched down to her level, frowning when he saw the cast on her leg,'You having trouble walking, kid?'

'It hurts.' Charlie gave him a small nod,'But Mr. Peter said I'll live to see another Disney movie.'

Joel looked up at Becca as she smiled sadly. He couldn't see any parents in sight or any relatives, which only meant one thing.

He sighed as he stood up and leaned down, whispering in Becca's ear,'We're collecting kids like Pokémon cards.'

She snorted and shook her head,'I never said anything about taking her in.' She shrugged,'If it needs to come to that point than she's staying with us.' She shrugged,'What's one more kid?'

Joel chuckled as he stroked her hair,'You planning on creating a soccer team?'

'Now that you mentioned it.' The smile fell from her face as her eyes met his,'Where's Ellie and Lizzie?'

'They're safe with Evelyn and a couple other nurses. We secured them in a locked room. Ain't no one getting in there without getting shot at. I made sure they had enough bullets too.'

Becca nodded and gave him a small smile,'That's my man. They're here aren't they?'

Joel nodded solemnly as he looked over her shoulder, making sure no one was coming their way. Enemy or otherwise,'Yeah, but they haven't struck yet.' He looked down at Charlie and sighed,'We should get her to a safe room with everyone else.'

'Good idea.' Becca nodded,'She doesn't need to see this.'

Joel bent down and picked Charlie up,'Let's go and see some of your friends, huh?'

Charlie shook her head as tears filled her eyes,'My friends got shot. They went to heaven with my kitty cat.'

Joel closed his eyes momentarily and sighed as they walked down the corridor. He wanted to rip their throats out for what they were doing to them. He didn't care what they did to him. They should leave the women and children out of it. They were innocent.

They reached the room and he knocked on it, letting them know it was him. The door opened revealing Ellie.

Her eyes widened when she saw them. Charlie was excited to see her friend. She waved enthusiastically and gave her a toothy smile with some of her baby teeth missing.

'El!' Charlie exclaimed excitedly,'Me and Miss Becca pretended we were in a castle! I got to be the Queen.'

Joel turned to Becca and smiled softly. She was a good person. She was going to be an amazing mother. He couldn't think of a better woman to start a family with. She was already a great mother to Ellie.

They walked into the room and Joel sat Charlie on the bed. He walked over to his wife and placed his hand on her shoulder, whispering, 'I need to find Harold. We don't even know how many of them are out there.'

Becca nodded as her eyes searched his face,'There's an underground tunnel beneath the basement of the hospital.'

'I know.' He shrugged,'I was there.'

She rolled her eyes and sighed,'Not those tunnels. It's a tunnel that leads to the cemetery. We transport the dead through those tunnels. We don't want the patients moral to go down. I think they went in through that way.'

Joel smirked as he cupped her cheek,'Have I told you I love you?'

She cocked her head to the side and returned his smirk,'You might have said that to me once or twice. It'll never get old.' She leaned up and kissed his cheek, whispering,'I love you too.'

Charlie held up her flashlight to Joel proudly,'You can have this. I don't need it.'

Joel took the flashlight from her and smiled gratefully,'Thanks, kid.'

He slid the flashlight into the back pocket of his jeans. He leaned down and gave Ellie a kiss on the cheek, whispering so only she could hear,'Don't let mama do anything reckless.'

She nodded and smiled softly, whispering back,'I won't. Don't do anything reckless either.'

He clicked his tongue and winked,'Me? Reckless? Never.'

Ellie rolled her eyes as Joel walked over to Becca and gave her a quick kiss, whispering,'You gonna stay put while I'm gone?'

'I can't just stay here while my patients need me.' She shook her head,'You knew when you married me that I was a nurse and would do anything to help someone if I could.'

He wasn't thrilled with the idea of bringing her with him, but she was safer with him than being left alone.

He snorted and nodded,'A blessing and a curse.' He held out his hand and sighed in indignation,'Come on then, Mother Theresa.'

Becca looked back at Ellie as Joel opened the door,'You hold down the fort while we're gone.'

Ellie nodded as she held tightly onto Charlie's hand with Lizzie and Evelyn sitting beside them. Becca and Joel felt secure in leaving Ellie alone with them. These weren't just people they trusted. Ellie was a hell of a good shot. She's saved their asses a time or two.

They walked out of the room and Ellie made sure to lock the door behind them. She pushed a table in front of it for good measure.

Evelyn looked over at her and cleared her throat,'The table isn't gonna help. Nothing will.'

Ellie felt a chill run down her spine as she heard the tone of her voice. It sounded foreboding and…threatening. She was too sure of herself.

Ellie heard the rifle being cocked and she slowly turned around, seeing Evelyn standing there aiming a gun at her,'Drop your weapon. Now.'

Ellie slowly placed her gun on the floor and carefully slid it over to her. She held up her hands in surrender, feeling foolish for putting so much faith and trust in Evelyn. She was a respected member of the community. She was a really great nurse. She was also fucking psycho.

'You're one of them?' Ellie shook her head confusingly and frowned,'Why would you do this?'

Evelyn rolled her eyes and sighed as if she were annoyed she had to explain herself,'The vaccine is going to make the world it once was before. We will be able to be free again.' She smiled widely,'Francis is gonna change the world. We'll forever be indebted to him.'

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips,'The vaccine doesn't work, dipshit. It just makes them worse.' She shrugged,'Are you gonna kill me now or what?'

'Ellie!' Lizzie's eyes widened in horror,'Don't say that.'

Ellie sighed as she looked over at her girlfriend and the frightened little girl. She needed to make this right. She just didn't know how.

Evelyn laughed as she kept the gun pointed at Ellie,'Once Francis gets here he'll start the procedure. All we need is you and your precious little Becca and it'll finally be complete.'

Ellie was too afraid to ask what that meant. She didn't want to know. She's already survived one vaccine attempt. She didn't think she would be so lucky the second time around. They would make sure it was done right this time.

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Joel held tightly onto Becca's hand as they made their way down the hallway.

'Where are we going?' Becca frowned,'I have to get back to work.'

'I'm taking you to Peter.' He squeezed her hand reassuringly,'I won't ever get in the way of your job, honey girl. I know how much ya love it, but these are different circumstances.'

'I know.' She shook her head and sighed,'I absolutely know the risks.'

Joel's eyes widened as he saw Francis standing at the end of the hallway. The emergency red lights illuminated him in an eerie and ominous glow. Over ten guards stood at the end of the hallway. They were completely outnumbered.

Joel gently pushed Becca to stand behind him as he glared at the older man,'Where's my pussy ass of a brother? Get himself killed already?' He narrowed his eyes,'He couldn't shoot a target if it was standing right in front of him.'

Francis chuckled slightly as he slid his hands into his lab coat,'He's safe and sound. I'll let him know you send him love.'

'Where's Betsy and Maria?' Becca stepped out from behind him,'What have you done with them?'

Francis rolled his eyes and sighed,'Your little friends are safe…for now.' He took a deep breath as he walked closer to them,'We can do this one of two ways. The hard way or the easy way. You can come with us Becca or I have my guards shoot you dead. I'll also give Evelyn the go ahead as well.'

Joel felt the rage burning him from the inside out as he glared at him,'You son of a bitch!'

Francis feigned a look of sadness as he pouted,'Hey now. My mother was a wonderful lady. Baked the best apple pie out of all Kentucky. You insult me you also insult your wife. It was her family too.'

Becca gritted her teeth in anger as her hands balled into tight fists at her sides,'You're not my family.' She placed her hand on Joel's shoulder,'This is my family.'

Francis clapped his hands and laughed,'Love. What a beautiful sight to see. You're like your mama. Head in the clouds and always dreaming.'

'Better than scheming like you.' Becca seethed.

Francis took a step closer to her as his eyes stared down at her belly,'You either leave with us or he dies.'

Joel could see the contemplative look on her face and he shook his head,'Don't do it, Rebecca. Please don't do it.'

She ignored his words and took a deep breath as she stared up at her grandfather,'If I agree to go with you. Do you promise not to hurt him?'

Francis placed his hand on his heart and nodded,'I give you my word.'

'Which is nothing but shit.' Joel sighed,'Please don't do it, Becca. Please.'

Becca turned to him and frowned as tears filled her eyes,'You're not dying over me.' She looked at Francis,'Can I tell him goodbye in private please? You have guards pointing their guns at us.' She shrugged,'We're not going anywhere.'

Francis sighed and nodded reluctantly,'You're lucky you're my granddaughter. You have one minute.'

Francis walked back to his guards as ge impatiently waited for them.

Joel held her face in his hands as tears filled his eyes,'You can't do this. I won't let you. Please don't do this.'

Becca looked over her shoulder at Francis, whispering,'He won't kill me until the baby is born. He's keeping me here until the council comes. I trust that you'll find me.'

He nodded as his eyes searched her face,'I'll tear this whole fucking place apart if I have to.'

Becca leaned up and kissed his lips, whispering,'You better come for me or I'll look real stupid hyping you up to the guards.'

Joel snorted and nodded,'I understand what you're doing, but I don't like it.'

'Neither do I.' She kissed his lips as Francis called out her name impatiently,'I love you. I'll see you soon.'

Tears blurred his vision as he rubbed her belly,'I love you too.'

She gave him one last lingering glance before walking over to her grandfather. One of the guards grabbed her arms and it took everything Joel had in him not to know him the fuck out.

'Get your fucking hands off my wife, you prick.' Joel gave them a deadly glare, making sure they knew he was serious,'I don't care if you kill me or not. You touch her again and I blow your brains out.'

Francis's eyes widened and his eyes twinkled with mirth,'Fighting for your woman. How romantic. It makes me all fuzzy inside.' He nodded to his guards,'Let's go.'

Joel watched helplessly as Becca was escorted away. He understood she was buying time for them. They wouldn't leave the hospital. Francis had everything he needed to carry out his plans. They didn't have to underground anymore.

Harold turned the corridor and he seemed surprise to see him. He frowned when he saw the grave look on his face,'What happened?'

'Becca went with them because they were going to kill me.' He shook his head,'She did it as a distraction. They won't have her leave the hospital.'

Harold's eyes widened and he shook his head in disbelief,'You think they'll kill her?'

Joel saw the look on Harold's face. He probably thought he was a coward for letting his wife go like that, but he didn't need to explain himself to anyone. Especially regarding his relationship.they operated on a different wave length than most couples. They've been thwarted into unfortunate circumstances ever since they met.

Joel cocked his rifle and took a deep breath, 'Ready burn this morherfucker down to the ground?'

Harold smirked and nodded, cocking his own rifle,'I thought you'd never ask.'