Twenty - One |

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Twenty – One |

With the sun hanging in the air, and the carriage that was being pulled by two horses much larger than both Baby and Beast, I was wondering where all the zoms that should be in our path where. Not to mention, as Cici and Leorah sat on the front of the storage carriage, that forced Landon and I to march at the front of the horses and the back of the carriage. I was at the back, Landon at the front. He seemed to have some sort of riffle where I was stuck with a glock. I wondered if that was Alana's doing or his. Didn't matter, I'd rather use my knife in any situation.

"How long until we're there?" I called.

Cici's head popped out slightly, and she smiled at me, "A few days, but we should be back long before Jax and Cam. Hopefully, the weather says nice – I'd look with a tan eh?"

I laughed, shaking my head at her jokes. A juttered moan had me tensing, and quickly slinking along the side of the carriage towards the front. About a hundred meters ahead of us, the stumbling zom was making its way towards us. I watched Landon, he moved towards it raising the rifle.

However, it didn't go off, instead, he smashed the butt of the gun into its face. With an airy moan it fell onto its back. Moving closer, I could now see the features of the zom. Gaps for eyes, and gashes from all over its body. Landon moved towards it again, smashing its brains out with his rifle long after it stopped moving. Long after its brains were splattered across the barren dirt path. I couldn't look away from his barbaric beat down.

Then, as if nothing happened he stood, brushing astray locks of hair from his face and his cold brown eyes sliding over to me briefly. The air was quiet, I was sure even Leorah and Cici were watching the man carefully after that.

"Let's go, I want to find shelter before the sun goes down and it'll be a real pain if the horses get eaten before we get supplies to bring back," he merely stated before beginning to walk back on the way.

And that's how our travel went for the rest of the day. Until the dirt path became a pavement ones and trees became abandoned houses. Once again my guard was up and a sinking feeling in my gut didn't help how I felt. But, I couldn't help it. This was the exact places dad told me never to venture to. Houses meant life, and life now meant death. We shouldn't be here.

"We'll rest here for the night. We'll take turns guarding the horses outside while the rest of us go inside and eat and sleep," Landon ordered.

I chewed on my lip nervously, this sounded like a fucking stupid plan. Whoever made him a general needed to be shot. If Jax was here, I was sure he'd kick Landon's ass. My feet planted as that man floated back into my thoughts.

Jax.

I wondered if he was safe, and anxiety built inside me when I considered the possibility he might not be. Cameron too. Those men were dear to me, and I refused to even think of a world that they weren't in.

"Mira?" A soft voice that brought me comfort, had my eyes raising to Cici, "are you ok?"

I merely nodded. I could admit I was tired and even though the plan was shitty, I was tired. Just as well too, because I wasn't in the mood to argue and I was sure he wouldn't do anything stupid while witnesses were around.

I followed Cici and Leorah inside, Landon had taken the first shift which was also lucky. I wouldn't dare sleep around him. We took base in what looked like a cute little blue house. One that had a dissembled white picket fence, and shattered windows. Pulling out my knife, I carefully crept up the porch and tried the front doors knob. With a click it pushed open and I made my way inside.

It looked as if the family had got up and disappeared mid meal. A pot, bowls and plates were still on the beautiful, dark oak table – long covered with dust and dirt. Even the living room looked in pristine considering. The only thing out of place was the glass from the shattered windows.

I lowered my gun and peered up the stairs towards the second level in the house. Behind me, I could hear Leorah exploring the ground floor with Cici. I slowly, and gently crept up the stairs, the sound of soft swaying making me freeze.

Upstairs, the hall was dark and quiet, brown carpeting stank the room of dust and musk, and there was three doors upstairs. Slowly, I pushed open the one closest to me, and I sighed taking in the bathroom. It had bright yellow walls, and white tiles with a painted pink tub and sink. Lines made it clear the water long ago shut off.

I crept back into the hall. Moving to the next door, pushing it open. This room had more of the dusty, musky carpeting, with a large bed and dresser – clothing was thrown everywhere. On top of the dresser, sat dried up men and woman's deodorant, as well as photo frames. I couldn't help but pick one up and study it.

A red headed woman had her arms thrown over a man who had bright, happy eyes. They both did, bright smiles too. On top of the man's lap was a small, brown dog and I let my eyes drift over to the other photos. They all consisted of the man and woman, or the dog. No doubt they were the couple living here.

I put the photo back onto the dresser. My mind was wandering away and I couldn't help but wonder if I'd one day have such a happy relationship. A dark chuckle slipped from my lips. Even if I did find someone who'd love me despite my secrets and my truths, we'd still be living in hell.

Sorrow curled around in the bottom of my stomach and I wished I could cry over it. I wish I could scream, and sob over it. But, at the end of the day, I couldn't change the past, and I could only accept the future. I was no hero of this world. I was only a dead woman with too many secrets. A Thump jolted me back to reality and my head shot up to look around the dark bedroom. Finding it still empty, I left the room – closing the door tightly shut behind me.

With one empty door left, I pushed it open slowly. A hiss threw me off guard as I stumbled back. I threw my hand up to protect myself I waited. With seconds going swiftly by, I lowered my hand and peered around. The hall was empty still, and the new door still open.

I peered into the room – looking for the source of sound. Instantly, I recognized the swaging, knotted hair and sunken in pigment-less face. Hanging from a noose, a zom I could clearly tell was the red-haired once happy woman swung gently over a tipped desk.

I looked around the office, everything seemed neat and tidy besides the desk. I'm sure she had hung herself, to escape this world only to be revived right back into it. I sighed softly, pulling out my knife and taking a step towards her. It was a wonder she could still move. Her skin stuck tightly to her bones but was so dried out she looked like a skeleton with a human face painted on.

She moaned – the sound came out as airy as dust and I shook my head. There was no point in throwing myself into danger over it. She was clearly harmless and even if she somehow managed to escape the rope that probably held her for ten years, I doubt her body would be able to move. I noticed the door had a lock in the knob so, I locked the door before shutting it behind me.

When I got back to the living room, Leorah seemed to had already prepared food: canned fruit and beef jerky, with a bottle of wine. I only hoped it came from Wolf Cove. We sat on the floor in front of the couches and ate making small talk. After, Leorah went into the kitchen to wash our dishes leaving me with Cici.

I awkwardly looked down at the ground not knowing what to say. I didn't want to ruin our relationship but, I just didn't feel the same way about her. I didn't love her the same way she loved me. She sighed softly, drawing my eyes up to her bright blue eyes that were locked on me.

"I'm sorry – for kissing you I mean. I shouldn't have done that – I know you like Jax," she mumbled.

My eyes widened and I was sure my face burned, "W-what? I do not like Jax!"

She chuckled, "Uh huh, sure."

"I don't!" I couldn't help but laugh.

We grinned at each other, I could already feel the ties of our relationship molding and fixing. It made my heart flutter, and I couldn't wash the grin off my face. Her grin faltered slightly, and I frowned.

"You just don't like me, I get it Mira; and it's ok. I just, I don't want to lose you. Your friendship means everything to me," she said softly, her eyes dropping.

My arms shot out, and I pulled her into a hug, "We aren't friends, we are sisters, and I refuse to lose any more family members."

"Sister zoned?" She teased, hugging me back, "Thank you Mira. I'm happy to be your sister."

"We should head to bed and get some sleep before we have to switch with Landon, I'll take over after him but you two should get as much rest as possible," Leorah said warmly.

We pulled away from each other and Cici nodded. Soon, Cici and I were drifting off in to sleep. And, in my sleep, like I did all too often; I dreamed of horror and blood.

The room was dark, no matter how many times I blinked my eyes wouldn't adjust.

And then, in a bright flash the lights were on. Too bright. The white walls and white tiles were too harsh against my weak eyes. I blinked away tears, looking around the room. I was strapped down to a hospital bed, a gown covering my little legs.

"Daddy?" I called fearful.

A dark chuckle, "Try again Erin."

Doctor Eric Maxwell.

My eyes widened, the fear suffocated me as darkness ebbed in the corners of my eyes. I pulled desperately at the leather straps with no luck being free. I didn't like Eric, he hurt me and right now I knew he was going to hurt me again.

"Stay still sweetie," he purred all too sweet.

I once trusted that sweet tone, now I knew it was all a trick.

"Please," I whispered begging Daddy to come back.

"It will be over soon little one," he spoke softly.

And he was lifting one of those needles again, injecting it into my skin. Machines connecting to my body began to go hay wire, and darkness engulfed me as it felt like acid had been injected into my heart.

I screamed.

Jolting awake, I realized it wasn't me screaming. It was Leorah. And then, it was cut off – hot, wet gurgling in the screams place. A zom had bitten into her throat. Cici was screaming in horror now, the zom's attention switched over to her and I paused.

Red hair.

"Cici get back!" I screamed, lunging at the zom who stumbled towards Cici.

We fell onto the ground – away from Cici. The zom falling on top of me, teeth gnawing towards me. I screamed in anger, shoving it off me. My hand grabbed at my pocket, finding the handle of my hilt. Pulling it out, I didn't hesitate to bury it into the zom's head. She fell almost instantly.

I was breathing heavily, Cici was at Leorah's side. A futile attempt to help the woman who was already dead. My eyes drifted to the zom, guilt shoving straight into my heart. It was my fault she was dead, I didn't realize she could have somehow gotten free after so long. Perhaps smelling us gave the zom an extra boost? My eyes fell onto the noose still around her neck and they narrowed. No, it hadn't been broken – it had been cut.

"What happened?" Landon asked calmly, walking into the room.

Cici ran over to him sobbing, "Leorah's dead!"

As if thoughts slowly merging and the truth falling into place my eyes slid carefully to Landon. I instantly took note of the knife poking out of his pocket. My fists balled, pure rage filling me. I was going to fucking slaughter him.

"Cici, come here now," I ordered slowly.

She looked over at me confusion blurring through her sorrow, "Mira?"

Landon took a step towards her, and I already had my gun out trained on him. He stopped instantly, a smug grin stretching onto his face.

"Cici move!" I snarled.

She cried out, scrambling over to me, "W-what's going on?"

"He let that zom free, he killed Leorah."

"N-no! H-he couldn't have," she gasped.

We stared at Landon, he merely snarled, "You know, I was going to leave Cerci alone. But with such a bold statement, I can't now. You stupid bitch."

I could feel her tremble beside me, I clicked the safety off the gun, faintly outside I could hear groans and moans in the distance. It seemed Leorah's screams summoned every zom in the area. We had little time.

"You're acting real smug for being in your position," I bit out growing impatient.

He laughed, "You're acting pretty cocky yourself Erin Mira Brooks – or maybe more accurate subject zero."

I froze, a cold chill running from my head straight down to my feet. I could feel my eyes bulge out of my head, my mouth dropping. I felt like I was under water, I couldn't breathe – I couldn't move. Cici was talking – asking for answers that I couldn't give.

Only one thing mattered: if he knew then so did others in that town.

I couldn't go back.

"Mira snap out of it!" Cici slapped me across the face – hard.

I blinked, my eyes narrowing at Landon. He moved towards us, I pulled the trigger – missing. He shoved me back, onto my ass then grabbed Cici by the hair. Tears dripped down my face as he pulled out his knife with the other hand.

"No! Please!" I screamed.

His knife moved as the world slowed, the knife was pushed into Cici's ribs. I screamed, just as knock at the door brought everything to a halt. Landon's eyes slid towards it – the moans and groans of the dead were getting louder outside. The horses let out cries and with the gruesome sounds that followed I could only assume they were gone. We were all trapped now but I didn't care. I needed to help Cici – she couldn't die.

The door swung open, only a zom didn't walk in, but a man. I blinked at his shaved head, and silvery eyes. He wore a leather jacket – a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. On the back of his right hand, the number 02 was tattooed boldly.

He did a little salute, "Yo."

Landon's eyes turned to slits, he dropped Cici and I lunged to catch her, "who are you?"

I blocked out their conversation, my hands pressing desperately on the stab. She coughed lightly, her eyes were wide with fear and tears. I begged her to be ok, but she stilled in my arms. Her chest stopped rising.

"No!" I screamed begging any god who'd listen.

Please. I needed her to be ok, I needed Cici. I couldn't see anything, my own tears were too much, I sobbed deeply, trying to shake her awake. She couldn't be dead.

"Please!" I cried hugging her tightly.

She was already growing cold, she was already dead. I could do nothing but sob. The heart wrenching sorrow clawed at my insides. My throat burned but I welcomed the pain. It hurt – my heart hurt so much I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move, I couldn't save her.

"Cerci," I wailed.

The moans were too close now, something grabbed me and I spun screaming. Silver eyes watched me carefully, the mysterious man had grabbed me. He glanced at Cici then over to me, grimacing.

"We need to go or we will be next," he hummed.

I shook my head crying. I couldn't leave Cici, I needed to take her with me. I needed to save her. He pulled me away from her, I struggled, "Let me go! No! NO! CICI! CERCI WAKE UP!" Oxygen seemed to leave my lungs, blurs of tears and emotions clung to me – depriving me from sanity.

"Shut up!" He hissed.

Then all there was left in the world was complete and utter darkness.

I welcomed it, at least it numb the pain growing in my heart. 

*** 

Just a  quick note: please don't mad, it had to happen for reasons you'll find out eventually. Also, it was really fucking hard to write this chapter because, as I was doing so the thoughts of my own sister floated into my mind. Although, this would never happen with my sister because: 

If anyone dared fuck with my sister they would be dead. 

Also, Cerci isn't Mira's blood relative but I'd like to remind you love is a powerful thing. Relationships are held together by love and, relationships all take different forms. Also i really do feel bad so I'ma do a double update.   

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