A door closing made me open my eyes and as I rolled over, closing my eyes I shivered. Unable to get warm I opened my eyes again once I realized I was alone in the bed. Frowning I sat rubbing at my eyes when I started to think I had only been dreaming until something made me lean over the edge of the bed.
Finding my bra and underpants tossed on the floor I smiled to myself, slipping out from under the blanket and as I set about retrieving my clothes and Dale's I found myself humming.
Dale opened the bathroom door walking slowly into the bedroom to find me kneeling on the floor. He stopped, watching me with his head tilted to one side as I ran my left hand under the bed.
Once he saw me grin pulling my hand back he chuckled once he saw my grey pants in my hand along with his shirt and the shorts he'd gone to bed in my bra and underpants already draped over my arms. I didn't even hear him moving closer to me though I jumped when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder and I spun around, coming face to face with Dale a faint smile on his face.
"You scared the life out of me, Dale." I complained and he just chuckled softly, planting a kiss on my forehead when I crossed my arms, our clothes draped over my arms. "In case you're wondering I went looking for my clothes and yours. Unless you want to walk into the dining room with no clothes on I suggest you behave yourself." I added, pushing the shorts and shirt I found on the floor into his arms.
"I was just joking around, Megan." Dale protested and I snorted, the sound reminding him of an encounter with a illama in the veterarin office. "Thank you for finding my clothes."
"It wasn't easy. How did your clothes end up under the bed?" I asked Dale, bending to slide on my underpants and Dale just stared at me not answering under I straightened. "Well?"
"Were you saying something, Megan?" Dale asked and I sighed, rolling my eyes as I pulled on my bra. "I was just thinking."
"I can guess what you were thinking about, Agent Cooper. Never mind it wasn't really important anyway." I sighed as I pulled my top on over my head bending to slide my grey pants on over my legs. I finished dressing looking back at Dale who was still standing there with his clothes in his arms and I shook my head. "Dale, are you going to just stand there naked?"
"You're right, Megan. How about I meet you in the dining room in say...," He looked over at the clock noting that it was nine-thirty in the morning, "Twenty minutes?" He offered and I nodded, walking past him though as I soon as my fingers brushed the doorknob his arms wrapped around my waist.
"Dale, I'm never going to able to get dressed at this rate." I pointed out and he chuckled softly somewhere near my left ear kissing the base of my neck before he released me.
"I was afraid that you would disappear if I let you go." Dale apologized and I nodded, standing on my toes and he cracked a smile when I lightly brushed my lips against his forehead.
"I don't plan on going anywhere, Dale." I promised, still smiling as I opened the door and he watched with a faint smile as I step out into the hallway. Once the door clicked behind me I leaned against it unable to believe that we're together before I finally head back to my own room to take a shower and get properly dressed.
Properly dressed in a suit and tie Dale looked up from his spot in the dining room of the Great Northern Hotel a slow smile creeping onto his lips when he saw me heading his way, a small smile on my lips as he took in the sight of me in my shirt, hoodie and jeans. As soon as I reached the other side of the table he straightened, heading my way and I couldn't help a slight blush as he pulled out the chair for me. "Thanks, Dale." I said once I was seated and he nodded, returning to his own seat.
"You're welcome, Megan." Dale replied, waving Trish over so we could order. Once she left Dale cleared his throat and I blinked at him somehow already knowing what he was about to say once he opened his mouth. "I know you don't want to be reminded but we need to talk to Harry about...what happened to us." Dale said and I nodded, chewing my lip.
"I know, Dale but I just wanted to spend time with you before we had to go through the graphic details. Besides I doubt Harry will believe us even if this is coming mostly from your mouth." I answered, glancing down at the tablecloth.
"You know they'll believe you too, Megan. But we'll talk about this later in the sheriff's department." Dale agreed and I let out a breath, focusing my attention on my breakfast instead of the second zombie apocalypse I'd faced.
After breakfast we left the Great Northern Hotel and as we headed outside to Dale's waiting car I couldn't help a shiver. Noting the way I keep wringing my hands together Dale offered me a small smile. "Don't worry, Megan. I'm sure that with a little work we can convince Harry that everything we witnessed happened."
"Yeah that doesn't fill me with a whole lot of confidence, Dale. Still at least we have that audio recording." I replied and he gave me a nod, checking his pocket just in case. The drive back to the sheriff's department was quiet and it gave me time to think about what had happened during the town's zombie apocalypse. Though I found my thoughts wandering back to the previous night and early morning and Dale glanced over at me in time to see a slilly grin on my lips.
"You're not thinking about last night are you?" Dale teased and I cleared my throat trying to pretend that the trees outside were suddenly very interesting but Dale could still see my smile. "Megan, you really need to focus." He scolded and I let out a snort, giving the FBI agent a smirk.
"I'm sorry, Dale but it's a little difficult to concentrate when I'm looking directly at the man I spent the last few hours with in his hotel room getting very close." I replied and he coughed, giving me a quick smile as I settled back against the seat. "Still they were the best hours I've ever spent with a man."
"Even before Raccoon City?" Dale asked and I nodded after a pause, my smile fading when he pulled into the parking lot. "Megan, just remember I'll be at your side no matter what. I remember every detail of what happened to us."
"I just hope we can stop what happened, Dale. I don't think I can face that again. Raccoon City was a terrible loss and if I have to face another tragedy like that again..." I trailed off, swallowing and Dale sighed. Once he turned the engine off Dale leaned over pulling me into a one-armed hug which I returned, unable to stop my shoulders from shaking.
"We're in this together, Megan. Just trust me okay?" Dale told me and I raised my head, unashamed to feel tears running down my cheeks. Giving me a nod he gently wiped my eyes with his thumb, kissing my forehead.
"With my life, Dale." I replied and he blinked, breaking into a smile when I rested my head on his shoulder.
After a few more minutes of silence I reluctantly left the vehicle, looking towards the building in front of me with a slight frown though as soon as Dale followed me I steeled myself forcing myself to relax.
"You can do this, Megan. We have to convince them for the good of Twin Peaks." Dale said, steering me towards the building when I tried to back away from it. Not one of my proudest moments but with Dale guiding me I managed to make it inside though as soon as I saw Sheriff Harry and Deputy Hawk I started to tremble, breathing harder and both men paused in their conversation staring at me as Dale quickly draped an arm around my shoulders.
"Deep breaths, Megan. Just remember why we're here." Dale told me and I swallowed, the urge to turn and run away incredibly strong. "You trust me don't you?"
"O...of course I do, Dale." I stammered and he gave me a tiny smile, keeping me upright as I dug my fingernails into my palms hard enough to leave marks. Not that I noticed as I stared at my friends. "Okay I can do this. Sheriff Harry, Deputy Hawk I...we have something we need to tell you."
"Coop, what's going on?" Harry asked noting that Dale still had his arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Megan, you don't look very good." He added and I just shrugged, shuffling towards the conference room with Dale's help.
Sitting on a chair closest to the door I waited as Dale took a seat beside me, glancing at the closed door before he slowly shook his head at me. "I'll stay here." I promised and he nodded at me, watching as Harry and Hawk took their seats near us.
"Now what's this about, Dale?" Harry asked and I chewed my lip looking at Dale who stared at Harry.
"This is about a dream I recently had and a city called Raccoon City." Dale said, taking his tape recorder out of his pocket and once he set it down on the table Harry cleared his throat.
"Coop, a dream? What exactly does this have to do with Raccoon City was it?" Harry asked and I nodded, not caring when Harry gave me a raised eyebrow. "Isn't that where you said you drove here from, Megan?"
"Yes it was, Harry. We came to warn you that Twin Peaks is going to end up like Raccoon City if we don't stop it." I explained and Harry frowned at me as I dug my fingernails into my palms again. "You need to listen to us even if you think I'm crazy."
"Megan, why do you think Twin Peak's in danger?" Hawk asked and I groaned, rubbing at my forehead wincing when I touched the bump on my forehead before I turned to Dale.
"I told you they wouldn't believe us." I told him but Dale shook his head, more determined to convince his friends that the dream we both shared was true. "It's going to happen again."
"Harry, I know this will sound crazy but you need to listen to this voice recording I discovered last night." Dale said, leaning over before he pressed the play button. I had already listened to the recording once before but I still couldn't ignore the sound of Dale's voice as the zombies tore at the barricades keeping the few remaining citizens alive.
Even though I knew what was coming hearing the zombies tearing apart the barricades and the screams of people I had befriended still made me shiver and after a pause Dale wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders. "It's okay, Megan. We've already survived this." Dale soothed but I shook my head, fighting back tears as the recording cut out.
"We didn't, Dale. I was infected and you had to put me down before I turned. Then the zombies finally broke into the Sheriff's Department and tore everyone left alive to pieces." I reminded him and he nodded, looking towards Harry and Hawk who stared at the tape recorder with wide eyes.
"Before you start arguing that we're lying we shared the same exact dream except mine ended when Dale had to shoot me." I told them, standing up when Harry fixed me with a frown. "Don't start saying that you don't believe us. I died and woke up back in my hotel room with this still on my arm." I added, pulling back my sleeve before I thrust my bitten wrist close enough for Harry and Hawk to see the bite mark left by a zombie.
"How is that possible?" Hawk asked and I sighed, glancing down at my wrist for several seconds as I gathered my thoughts.
"I tried to barricade the door while everyone was busy and I paid the price. One bite is a death sentence and it'll happen just like it did in my...in our dreams if we don't stop it now." I explained, looking towards Dale who nodded at me a small smile on his face. "Please we need to stop it now...before Twin Peaks pays the price."
"Harry, I know how crazy this sounds but Megan and I watched most of Twin Peaks change into monsters. Even I didn't want to believe it until I heard my own voice on that tape, my last thoughts as the zombies ripped their way into this very building." Dale spoke up and I watched as he stared at Harry and then Hawk. "I remember trying to help a survivor flee the hospital only to see her run right into a horde of those undead. I tried to save her but they just...tore her apart." When I saw Dale swallow I reached over and he looked over at me as I squeezed his hand.
"I saw terrible things during my city's destruction and then Twin Peaks..." I trailed off taking a deep breath. "Even if you won't do anything to save Twin Peaks I will. We need to stop Jim from getting anywhere near that corpse of David Bell. I know his name because we found it out but by then it was too late to stop the infection." I added when Harry opened his mouth.
"Say I believe both of your stories. How do we stop this infection from spreading?" Harry finally asked, dreading the answer and I just gave him a weak smile as Dale nodded.
"Find Jim, he's the morgue attendant who works at the hospital and quarantine him. He's our patient zero." Dale answered and I nodded, feeling better than I had in days since I crashed the stolen army truck just inside the city. "If he's already infected Jim will have a scratch on his hand most likely. That's how it started I'm sure."
"We can't just lock Jim up, Megan." Harry sighed, running a hand over his face when I narrowed my eyes at him looking towards Dale for help who actually nodded. "Well actually we can keep him for eight hours but...oh this is crazy."
Realizing that Harry wasn't going to listen I started to pace the room, my heart beating wildly at the thought that the previous few days would happen again and this time I might not wake up.
Seeing my shoulders trembling and my eyes on the floor in front of me Dale cleared his throat looking towards Harry when the sheriff rose from his seat. "Harry, please listen to Megan. I know how this sounds but we need to stop this virus." Dale insisted but Harry just shook his head still not believing a word and I rushed forward as he started to head for the door blocking it before he could leave the room.
"Harry, the first time I survived it with a handful of people but the nightmares caused me to crash that army truck when I refused to sleep. The second time I ended up getting bitten by a zombie and I had to beg Dale to put me down before I changed completely." I said, my voice cracking when he frowned at me. "I can't survive this a third time." I whispered and Hawk looked towards Harry with a slight frown as my arms settled at my sides.
I stood there for long enough to see Harry looking towards Dale who sighed, already knowing that my words were having no effect. Once I realized that he didn't believe me I started to sniff, hot tears of frustration running down my cheeks. "The town's going to die and you don't even care. To hell with you and Twin Peaks. I'm getting out before I end up as one of the undead." I growled at him, turning out as I yanked open the door I didn't see Dale's eyes staring into my back.
I made it as far as the car-park before Dale grasped my shoulder and I spun around, tears streaking my face as I glared at Dale. "Megan, you're just going to run away? After everything we've faced together?" Dale asked and I sniffed, shaking off his arm before I stepped back.
"We're going to die and all because Harry's too stubborn to even try to help us. You heard him back there, Dale. He doesn't even care about us so we should just get out while we have the chance." I replied, silently wondering how I was going to escape on foot until Dale tilted his head staring at me.
"You honestly think he won't help us?" Dale asked and when I nodded, wiping at my watery eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie he gave me a weak smile. "Megan, would you leave just to save yourself?"
"You and me but...yeah. No one's going to help us so why even try? I'm terrified and even after we let Harry and Hawk listen to that recording he just ignores the danger. What am I supposed to do now? I wanted to save us all but..." I trailed off, swallowing the lump in my throat as more tears slid down my cheeks.
"Then we'll find Jim and quarantine him ourselves." Dale suggested and I managed a weak laugh at that and he smiled at me, walking forward until he could rest a hand on my shoulder.
"You know how much trouble we'll be in for doing that?" I answered in a small voice and he nodded, walking me back towards the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department though as we reached the double doors Harry stepped outside followed by Hawk. "Now what do you want? Here to make fun of me again?" I demanded, not caring that I was still crying as I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Megan, just calm down for a second and listen." Harry said and I coughed, finally nodding my head when Dale gave my hand a quick squeeze. "After you stormed out I spoke to Hawk and everything that you and Dale told us."
"I had a dream this morning about people breaking into the sheriff's department. People with bloodied faces and missing limbs. I didn't think too much about it until Agent Cooper played that recording." Hawk replied and I felt my heart beating rapidly as Harry looked at Dale. "Something did happen but we must have forgotten about it."
"It was the same for me. I saw people I've known for years trying to break their way into the building behind us. I heard a gunshot coming from near the cells at the back but before I had a chance to check it out the people outside managed to break in. I woke up sweating from that dream." Harry answered, looking towards me when I stumbled back only prevented from falling by Dale's arms.
"S...so you two believe me now?" I stammered and Harry nodded as did Hawk, both men looking at me then Dale. "We have to get to the hospital now or Jim will start this all over again. We have to hurry."
"Just slow down, Megan. We'll go in my truck." Harry offered, not liking the color of my skin or the way I was sweating. Even with Dale's guidance I nearly fell as he helped me into the back before Dale and Harry climbed into the driver and passenger-side seats.
"I just hope we're in time." I whispered, buckling my seat belt as Hawk climbed into the vehicle beside me.