Page 23 of Making Haven
Before I can think better of it, I head back into the house I’m staying in. I pick up my sword from where I’ve been storing it beside the bed. When did I start feeling comfortable enough not to walk around with it outside? Fuck, I’m not prepared to think aboutthatlittle revelation right now.
With my weapon in hand, I head back outside, making my way towards the fence that circles this entire neighborhood. I’m going to prove to myself that I can still take care of myself. I can take on a zombie and live. I can do this.
I’m not some helpless human stuck at the mercy of Lawrence. I don’tneedhim to take care of me. I don’tneedhim, period.
I need to prove to myself that I can do this on my own, that way my staying here is because it’s my choice, not because it’s necessary for survival. There’s a difference in my book. I’m not going to sit here and use Lawrence as my protector. I have to be able to contribute to this place.
“Here we go,” I whisper to myself. Then I look down at the little shadow I’ve accidentally brought along with me.
“You stay back, sweetheart. They’re not gonna be able to get you if you stay back.” Her Majesty sits down in the grass, staring up at me with giant green eyes, blinking slowly. “Good girl.”
Just like Lawrence explained to me, there’s little jingling bells every so often hung in the trees. The noise brings all nearby zombies to the area, making them easy pickings to take down. Thankfully, there’s only a couple at each point, otherwise the amount of them might be too overwhelming to kill them safely.
The first location has three zombies and I easily call out to them, bringing them away from the tree and towards the fence. With the fence between us, I make quick work of sticking my sword through the holes of the fence, the end of it going straight through their foreheads and through their brains. A hit to the brain always kills them in my experience. They fall to the ground in a heap.
I wrinkle my nose. In the last few weeks, have I really forgotten how awful these decaying beasts smell? Have I lost my edge? Have I gotten this unprepared?
Once the last zombie is down, I move further around the perimeter. I want to hit every location before the sun sets. I want to have it completely done before Lawrence can ever step outside. Plus, the zombies are always lethargic while the sun is still up.
At least I haven’t lostallsense.
I get through two sections just fine, my sword dripping with congealed blood and the scent of death. My chest is finally starting to feel lighter. I can do this. I can be a part of whatever is going on here. I don’t need to beprotected.
God, I don’t even know why I’m struggling with this. I know I’m more than capable of surviving. I’ve been doing so for the last two years, but now that I’ve been here for a few weeks, I’m feeling all sorts of insecure about my own survival skills.
I refuse to be a burden to Lawrence. I refuse to let him take care of me. I need to prove to myself that I don’tneedhim so that I can finally admit to myself that Iwanthim.
As I make my way to the back of the neighborhood, the very opposite side of the gate we usually use when we’re leaving the area, I hear a deep growl. This one isn’t from an average zombie because no, this can’t just be simple, can it? I grip my sword in my hand, keeping it at the ready.
There seems to be three regular zombies, all crowded around the bottom of a tree, trying to reach for the bell that’s just out of reach. The thing that leaves me breathless with fear and trepidation is the werezombie in the group. Its body is larger than the other three, spit drips from its fangs, its eyes red with bloodlust.
I feel bad for it a little bit, wondering what it must be like to be stuck in their animal form, turning into a monster with nothing to do to stop it. I don’t feel bad enough to stop myself from killing it though.
I whistle, getting the zombies’ attention. I’m hoping to take them out first before having to deal with the zere. That thing will be a pain in the ass to take down on its own without thinking about fighting off these regular zombies at the same time.
Maybe coming out here alone was a dumb idea.
I push my doubts to the side, knowing they’ll do nothing but weigh me down. I need to focus on the here and now. I need to be on my A game.
The zombies lift their heads, their lifeless eyes turning my way. My stomach turns with anticipation as they lunge in my direction. I shove my sword through the hole of the wall, striking the first zombie dead within seconds. I yank my sword back with an audible squelch.
I’m about to do the same motion again when the growl that’s been in the background grows louder. The zere has noticed my presence. It looks hungry and I’m not so sure this fence is going to stop it. Its movements quicken, growing more and more aggravated and aggressive the closer it gets to the fence.
Fuck.
Like it can read my mind, the damn thingleapsover the wall. Fuck, I didn’t even think it could do that! It lands behind me and I’m really wishing I had at least told Lawrence my plan. He doesn’t even know I’m out here. I’m all alone.
Her Majesty gives a valiant hiss at the zere, swiping at its leg before taking off in the opposite direction. Good. At least one of us is going to get back safely.
I can’t feel relieved, not yet, because the zere is coming towards me, not even stopping to acknowledge Her Majesty’s attack. It only has eyes for its next meal; me.
“Fuck,” I manage to hiss out, swinging my sword. Thank every fucking god out there that I managed to keep it sharpened and ready. As I swing, the zere puts up a hand, trying to catch the blade. That was a mistake as I take those fingers clear off of its hand. A few less things it has to maul me. Perfect.
I pause for only a moment, enough to see how that strike has affected the damn thing. Of course, it doesn’t even slow it down. My heart is in my throat and my heart constricts so tight that I can barely breath. This is it. This is how everything ends. I’ve worked so hard to survive and it was all for nothing.
I take another swipe at him, aiming for the meat of his neck but he’s too quick, diving down out of the way. Before I realize what’s happening, I’m taking a step back, and then another, desperately swinging my sword at him but never hitting its mark.
My sword sinks into the meat of its shoulder just as my back hits the fence. I know within seconds, the zombies outside the fence will be on me, grabbing me from between the links. The zere in front of me moves forward, sliding itself even further on my sword, not caring about the pain, only that I’m trapped. I have no where else to run and it’s ready to claim its prize.
