No Longer Dead

It happened.

We've all made those jokes, but now... its really happened.

When the world as you know it changes, and the dead are no longer staying dead... ...

What will you do to survive?


((Don't use character sheets unless asked. ))

Shane

Hell.

That's what everything is now. Only a week ago, I had woken up on an old bed in my old room, not suspecting a thing. Everything went to hell in just a few hours.
I was never a fan of crowds. I would be the guy to stay back at parties. Just...watch everyone, rather than do anything. But now that the world is so empty, and now that everything I know has died...I kinda miss people.

At least I have Kaylee and May. My own little family. And as far as I know, we are the only living ones left.

All three of us sit on a motorcycle, Kaylee taking the rear with little May squished between us. It is a tight fit, but it is better than nothing.
I glance back at Kaylee to make sure she is still there, and can't help the tiniest of smiles.
Kaylee...

She and I have been in the same class since first grade, all the way to high school. She has barely noticed me. We talked a few times, when we bumped into one another. But we were barely more than strangers.
...I admit that I've had a crush on her. I mean, she was one of the most gorgeous girls in school. Hard not to.

Though, even though we don't really know each other, this last week...we've grown closer than ever. We now depend on each other. Trust each other. We need each other to survive.

And if surviving means riding on a motorcycle through the countryside with a hot girl...then hey, that's fine with me. Gives me something to focus on that's not hordes of walking dead ambushing us at every corner.

Then there is little May. Kaylee and I came across her on our second day of survival. She was just this little girl, crying over her father's corpse. It made me sad...but I suppose I should get used to it, considering the situation.
Zombies were trampling toward her, attracted by the sounds of her loud sobs. Kaylee and I couldn't just sit around and watch her get eaten, so we managed to nab her and get her out of there. A little girl might hinder us a bit. But what were we supposed to do? Leave her to die? I don't think so. This world needs all the survivors it can get.

Besides...I've grown fond of her.

I focus on the dirt road. The wind blows through my light brown hair, while my sharp green eyes dart around, taking notice of our surroundings. There were a few stumbling undead aroundus, trying to follow the sounds of the bike, but not able to move fast enough.We are just in some backroads, next to the city. We can not go directly into the city for fear of getting torn apart. But we'll have to get supplies soon enough.

I skid to a halt next to a large barn and cabin, then get off the bike. I hold out my arms to help May get off the bike.

"All right, guys," I say, gesturing to the sun. "We don't have long. Can't stay out at night. So this place is our best bet for now."

Kaylee


What do you do after you watch everyone you love die? Your mother torn to shreds by the teeth of the dead, and then rise again. Her eyes are no longer live, her words consisting of moans and groans.

Her only wish... to kill you as well.

What do you do then?

I guess... you survive. You find the one you can trust with your life, or have to because there's no one else alive, and you stick by their side. You protect them from the dark, and cold nights when you don't think you'll be alive to see the morning.

And you don't let them see your pain, because that would mean admitting you're not as strong as they believe you to be.

Shane... he was such a person. Never had I realized he was worth fighting for, with running with to survive, to trust with my life. But... I was wrong. I guess I just didn't know what was hidden behind the silence.

"Doesn't look to bad." I muttered, taking May's hand as she reached out with her other hand to grab Shane's. "Better than some places we've ended up at so far."

Once she was down I hopped off myself, reaching for the gun at my side with a bit of anxiety. I knew all to well how calm it could be... before they just popped in.

Shane

I nod, then take May's other hand. I give her hand a light squeeze, as a sort of reassurance, then let my other hand pull the fully loaded pistol out of my jean pocket.
I notice how Kaylee takes out her own gun, and can not help a sudden surge of...well, I do not know how to explain it. Protectiveness? Yes...I am protective of these two. They are all I have.
"I'll go in first, Kaylee. Cover my back," I say, shooting her a glance. It's not that I don't trust her to go first. I just...I don't think I can handle losing her. Not now. Not when I have lost everything else.

I then look down at brave little May.
"And you be careful," I say, adding softness to my usual monotone voice.

I gently tug our little group closer to the house, my eyes darting around for any of the undead. As long as we stay quiet, they will not be attracted. All their senses are dead. Except for the hearing.

I can't help feeling nervous. Feeling the same way I have for this entire week. Constantly on guard, never able to relax. It sucks.

Kaylee

I nodded, walking towards the house with a bit of nervousness. Pausing by the door, I carefully placed my ear close to the wood to check for any sounds beyond what I could see. After a moment I gestured back at the others, turning the knob and edging the door open.

Peeking inside, I didn't see anything so I figured it would be good enough for not. Still on the edge, I started inside, eyes darting around warily as I searched for a light switch to flip.

"Seems okay," I whispered, not wanting to alert any of the dead if there happened to be one around. "Nothing out of the..."

I paused, not finishing that sentence.

Was there really any ordinary anymore?

Shane

I make sure to enter first, gun at the ready, face set in a cold determination. At first I was hesitant to shoot. But these people are no longer...people. No more hesitation. Just a bullet to the brain if these things ever come near my group.

I do not lower my gun. I keep it pointed as I look around a corner, finding a basic living room. Papers strewn everywhere. Blood splatters marring the previously white carpet. A dead body rotting in the corner, its flesh torn to peices. In the body's arms was cradled a tiny thing, and I had to walk closer to see what it was.

What I feel next is pure horror. A terrible, draining feeling. In the corpse's arms lies an infant. A dead one, but still...a baby. It looks up at me and lets out a pathetic moan, its flesh decayed. I quickly turn to May.
"Hey...you go with Kaylee, okay? See if you can find food," I say, the look up at Kaylee.

I have to kill this thing. This...baby. Even if it is just barely a child, it is no longer human.

And I will not let anyone, or anything harm Kaylee and May. I'd rather die.

Kaylee


My eyes drew to the figure he'd just looked over, and I bit my lip, having a faint idea from the noise, why he was sending us out of the room. I might have stayed, if it hadn't been for May. Little May, the only thing that seemed to keep us going like this at points, keep us sane. We had to protect her, there was no way we could allow her to see anything, if we could help it, like I could imagine he was going to have to do in a moment.

"Alright. Come, May."

Taking her hand again, I led May into the other room. My eyes were immediately drawn to the figure sitting at the table in the corner. Frowning a little, I glanced down at May who was staring at it with wide eyes. She hesitantly looked up at me, and I saw her lip tremble just slightly. After a moment she tugged at my sleeve, and I bent down as she whispered something in my ear.

"Kay.. is that.... is it...a..."

I shook my head, slightly unsure as I looked back at the figure once more.

"I dunno May.." I whispered back, letting go of her hand. "Stay here... I'll check."

Shane

I slowly put my gun away. I stare at the undead infant, determined, but...scared.
Yes. I will admit it. I'm so scared, I might shit my pants at any moment.
But I refuse to show it. I have to stay strong. For May. For Kaylee...
Though I am calm and collected on the outside, I am screaming on the inside.

I look around and pick up hardcover book, and advance toward the baby. A gunshot might attract more. Or scare May.

".......I'm sorry," I whisper as I bend down, allowing the facade on my face to fall for the first time in a week. Instead of a steely hardness, my expression probably seems more tired, terrified, and sad.

The child reaches up an arm, its tiny fist waving in the air as it tries to grab me.

And then, without another word, I bludgeon its head with the book. Over and over. Blood spurts on the wall. I hear a tiny, unnatural groan. Then the child's suffering ends.

I stand once it is over, then set the book to the side. I stare at the scene for a small while and recollect myself, my face resorting back to what it was before. Emotionless.

Kaylee

"...sir?" I asked quietly, not sure what to say.

My hand rested on the gun, prepared to pull it if need be. I'd rather call all those in the area down on us than have May get bitten from my stupidity. The figure seemed to move a little, but didn't completely respond. Frowning a little, I relaxed slightly, if it were one of them... surely it would have done something more...

"Sir? Are you alright?" I took a few more steps towards it, wrinkling my nose as a smell registered.

Please don't let it be...

Shaking my head I reached forwards with my hand, touching the person's shoulder. A small gasp echoed from May behind me as I did, and the figure immediately spun around to face me. It's cheeks were lack and sagging, blood seeping from the edge of its mouth. The flesh on its face had started to decay slightly, and there was an empty look in its eyes. I went to stumble back, May's scream tugging on the edge of my thoughts. I wasn't fast enough though... a second after it turned I felt a searing pain towards the top of my arm, a moment before my gun raised and I fired at the creature's head.

I didn't know if I hit it, the pain taking over my senses for a moment...

But... at least it let go.

Shane

I wipe the blood off my hands, and finish just in time to hear a terrible, bloodcurdling scream. The scream of a little girl. The scream of...May.
Shit. No. NO. Why did I leave them alone? Damn it. I should have just tossed the baby out a window.

I suddenly feel panic coursing through me, fear that little May's
life might end.

Or Kaylee's. Beautiful Kaylee. It started as a crush, but this last week it has grown into something more. I realize that I am falling for her, and falling for her fast. I guess that's what being in a situation like this does to you. Makes you pay more attention to the people you are near, which makes it easier to care. Caring is bad...if I care, and Kaylee gets killed, I'll be broken.

I run as fast as I can towards the sound of the scream, just in time to see Kaylee shoot at one of those creatures, knocking it over.

I go to it and stand over it, then aim my gun at the head. I shoot it. Blood splatters. I shoot it again. Can never be too safe. Then once more...just for scaring May.

I look over at May and Kaylee. "...You guys okay? Any bites? Did he hurt you?"

Kaylee

I shook my head, glancing at May who looked slightly scared, and confused at my answer. I bit my lip, and stepped towards her before kneeling in front of her. May instantly threw herself in my arms, and I hugged her tight.

"No telling Shane.. okay May?" I whispered, making sure Shane couldn't hear me.

May sniffed, her little hands digging into my back in response. "O-okay, Kay.."

That taken care of I stood and turned to face Shane again, tucking my arms around myself to cover the blood I could feel dotting my arm, but making it look as if I were just scared still.

"We're fine... just a little shaken up."

I couldn't tell him that I'd been bitten. Being bitten meant become one of them... That couldn't happen. I couldn't become... my eyes flickered down towards the dead creature. I couldn't become one of them...

There was too much at stake.

Shane

I watch them carefully, then put away my pistol.
"If you say so," I say. I reach out a hand and brush my fingers gently across Kaylee's cheek, but then let my hand drop, just as fast.
I feel tempted to hug her. Maybe later. I am afraid that if I wrap her in my arms right now, I won't want to let go. And little May looks exhausted. Let her sleep first. ...hugs later. Maybe.

This little scare made me even more determined. Determined to keep them safe, and by my side. At all times. Determined to tell Kaylee how I feel. I've already grown enough balls from the zombie killing. Telling a beautiful girl I like her seems like nothing now.

"Anyway. Place looks clear. There's a single bedroom and the kitchen, then the living room. Not too big. And all the windows and doors are already shut."

I crouch down besides May. "...and you should get some sleep, sweetie," I say, back to the soft tone I always use with her.

Kaylee

I shivered just a little at the touch of his hand, guilt flooding into my mind at the small lie that could lead to huge consequences. It was one thing to lie about whether or not I'd eaten when we had barely enough food for the all of us, it was another to lie about whether or not I'd been bitten.

But how do you tell someone that you were going to die? That you would rise again and would rather they shoot you now then allow that to happen?

You.. can't.

I watched as May nodded, latching onto him so she could plant a small kiss on his cheek.

"Oh-kay, Shane." She murmured, and I could see her eyes flickering back to me, and could only imagine what the little girl must have been thinking.

"I'll show her to a room," I offered, wanting to locate a clean shirt to change into, to cover any suspions he may have harbored, as unlikely as it was.

Shane

I stand, holding May. I then nod slowly to what Kaylee says, and hand May over. "She can have the bedroom. You take the couch. I'll have the floor," I say. Yes, I am giving the six year old the bed. But she is precious to me. Precious to both of us.

I watch Kaylee for some time, looking her over. She didn't seem fine...she seemed different. I know her now possibly more than anyone else has. We've had many sleepless nights together. A time where we could just talk. And whenever she does happen to sleep, I...hold her when nightmares come. She has not noticed yet. But it seems to comfort her.

I go over to a closet and carefully open it, gun at the ready, just in case. But no one is there. Just some old quilts and a few pillows. I grab two blankets and a couple pillows, then put the softest blanket on the couch for Kaylee, and another on the floor, right next to the couch so that I can stay close to her. Protect her.

Kaylee

I held May close, trying not to react to the way she tensed up the moment he handed her over. She may have agreed to pretend that hadn't happened, that I hadn't been bit, but she knew. She knew...

"Alright." I muttered, starting towards where the bedroom must be. My hand was ready to reach for the gun.

Inside the other room I laid May down on the bed, carefully smoothing her hair back and looking her over as she stared at the blood dotting my torn sleeve with a bit of fear.

"Shh...it will be okay. " I whispered, tucking covers around her then exploring the room further, checking for any dead before walking over to the closets and rummaging through them.

Locating a clean shirt only a bit too big for me, I slipped it on, tearing fabric from my old shirt to wrap around the swollen, red wound festering on my arm. Quickly moving the sleeve of my new shirt down over it, I walked back over and murmured a few reassuring things to May, knowing she believed none of it, before walking back into the other room to join Shane.

"... there's clothes in there about your size as well.." I informed him, as if meaning that he should change as well. "It's about time we found something that fits..."

Shane

I set the blanket and some pillows up on the couch for Kaylee, then make myself a little bed on the floor. By the time I am done, Kaylee enters.
I nod slowly, staring at her. "Okay," I say, walking over to the room May is, already tugging of my dirty, blood stained shirt.

I enter and rummage through some old farmer clothes. I manage to find a plaid shirt and some jeans that are slightly bigger than my size. I also find a belt.Though, it feels odd changing into someone else's clothes. Someone who was a stranger to me. Someone who is now most likely dead...

I move into the closet and change my clothes, buttoning the shirt and tugging on the oversized pants.

I then sneak out of May's room and go over to Kaylee, finishing setting the clasp on the belt and watching her wearily.

"Sure you're okay?"

Kaylee

I nodded, settling down on the couch now that he was back in the room.

"Yeah, just got a little freaked out is all." I muttered, watching him with careful eyes.

If I told him... what would happen? He would have to... he'll still have to.. but.. I can't.

"It's... been a long day." I muttered lamely, laying back on the couch and tucking my arms up under my head, the short, brown hair kinda greasy to my touch.

...perhaps a shower later.

...if there was a later.

Shane

I nod slowly, but do not say anything else. Yeah. A long day. Quite the understatement. Started this morning locked in the back of a semi. Spent the day riding a motorcycle, then scavenging for gas. At least we weren't attacked too much today. Guess I'm grateful for that.

I slowly walk over to the couch and sits on it. I then grab her firmly and put my arms around her, wrapping her in a tight hug, my body slowly relaxing comfortably against her.

...and that's it. No big words, no encouraging speech. Not another silent night with us just staring.
I hold her close to me, and whisper in her ear. Just little things like "We'll all be fine, and "I'm here for you."
Not too sure about the first one. But the latter is spot on.

Kaylee

Eventually, I managed to fall asleep, my dreams quickly turning dead and fever ridden.

I couldn't stop myself. Shane was bleeding, bleeding so much, but yet my hands continued to strike out, teeth tearing into his flesh. It was as if my hands weren't my own, and they just continued to destroy one of the few things I held close anymore.

Then.. his eyes started to close, the noises of pain died away... and there wasn't anything left.. nothing left for me to hold onto.. but.. my body didn't seem to care, eyes drawing up to the whimpering figure in the corner of the room. Then.. staggering to my feet I started to lurch a-

Jerking away I fell from the couch, gasping desperately for air as my hair swept out infront of my face, clinging to my sweat covered forehead. I barely managed to choke back a harsh cough, muffling myself and glancing up, hoping that I hadn't woke Shane.

Shane

I must have drifted off, because when she awoke I had to force my eyes open, my vision somewhat blurry.
She had jerked awake, though my arms are still around her, causing me to also fall off the couch and onto the messy pile of blankets I had thrown onto the floor before.

I almost land on her, but manage to catch myself so as not to squish her. I frown and sit up, staring down at her. I gently swipe some of her greasy hair out of her eyes.
"You're okay. Just another nightmare," I murmur softly, knowing how she must feel.
For I have been plagued with many nightmares also. Why I don't sleep often. Everything seems too chaotic. My dreams are constantly haunted with gorey images, family and friends getting torn apart. My little sister feasting on my mom. My best friend Brutus being bitten, and then turning on us. Me having to shoot him. Blood everywhere.

It's like I shouldn't even bother to care anymore. Because, frankly, the chances of us getting out of this are slim. I should just isolate myself so I don't get hurt...or at least I thought so. It turned out to not be that simple.

Instead of becoming a total loner, I have these two. May and Kaylee.
And yes, I care for them. I know that if something happens to them I'll probably be broken, but I guess it's worth taking the risk. Worth having someone to talk to, someone to hold to keep your own sanity. So yes...even though having them both makes me worry, makes me scared, or gives me more nightmares, I appreciate having them here. More than they know.

Kaylee

I force a smile at him, trying to still my trembling as I did. It didn't help that I felt as though I were burning up, each breath I took catching in my chest. He couldn't know that though, I wasn't ready to tell him, I couldn't.

After all, maybe I had time. Brutus.. he hadn't lasted long.. but... maybe I could...

"Sorry," I muttered, pulling myself back up on the couch, attempting to stifle another cough. "Didn't mean to wake you."

Shane

I slowly rise, sitting on the couch next to her. She seems different. Maybe she caught a cold.

...of course, as soon as I thought this I considered the possibility of her being bitten.
No way. I protect her. Keep an eye over her. There is no way she could get a bite without me knowing, and if she did, she would tell me...right?
I don't want to think of that happening. So I keep those thoughts to myself.

"It's okay. I don't sleep much anyway," I say with a shrug. "You need a drink? There might be water here."

Kaylee

I should tell him, I mean... he's... him. What if something happens after I turn all the way? What if he finds out that I didn't tell him before I die? He would be hurt... emotional hurt is sometimes worse than physical pain...

But once again... how do you tell someone that you're dying? That your turning into one of them?

Especially when it's your fault. When it was your own stupidity that caused it. I could have asked from further away, had my gun pressed to the thing's back instead of reaching out with my hand. If I had done any of that... if... all the ifs continued to run rampant through my mind. If... if... if...

If I told him.

It would change everything. Not just a few minutes from now, not later when I was dead and it didn't matter anymore... but right when the words came out. Would he be stunned? Hurt? I couldn't know... and I didn't want to. I didn't want to see the horror on his face, the understanding of what that meant. When Brutus was bit.. we didn't know what would happen at the time. We thought he was fine, I mean, he'd been bit.. but... he was alive. He was breathing. He wasn't trying to eat us or anything like the dead were doing... so he was fine.

He wasn't fine. He died.

He died. Then he came back. He came back like everyone else in this freaking messed up world. This world that shouldn't exist. This world that sent that poor six-year-old screaming from her dreams where she has to watch her dad die again and again, protecting her from this cruel reality.

I.. I couldn't do it. I may seem brave... but you know what?

I'm a wimp. When the hero came out... it wasn't me that stepped into the spotlight... it was Shane. Wonderful... courageous... will-full...
Shane.

"Please..." I muttered, settling back on the pillow he'd laid there what seemed like days ago, but I knew at the most had been a few hours a faint smile working onto my lips. "That would be wonderful..."

That cough was fighting to get out.. but I didn't let it. I could fight this. Maybe if I just tried... if I wanted it enough...
I wouldn't die. They needed me... I needed them... it couldn't end like this.

Shane

I continue staring at her for a while, then slowly nod. I slide off the couch and head to the kitchen, making sure to kick the dead zombie from earlier as I passed him, and actually blowing off a little steam by flipping it off. Damn things ruin everything. ...First my mom and sister. Then Brutus. And I have yet to find my dad, who is probably relaxing in his mansion.

Part of me hopes that he's dead, though. Would be better then seeing that he is alive, and then watching him die later. Like my mom and sis. Holding that phone helplessly while their screams bursts through the speaker...I don't want to feel helpless like that ever again.
I rummage around and find a water bottle, then make my way back to Kaylee and place it in her hands.

Kaylee...

I then go back to blankly staring at her. Yeah, she probably finds it creepy. But if there is one thing I've learned from all of this, it is that you have to treat every moment as your last. You never know when someone close to you will die.
"Kay..." I mutter, placing my hand over hers.

Time to man up, Shane. Just tell the girl you like her already. Stop dawdling like an idiot.

Kaylee--

After he left the room, I curled in on myself a little bit, allowing one small tear to rise to my eyes before quickly wiping it away as a cough erupted from my chest. Straightening myself once again, I worked to push myself back under control as he entered the room. I knew I wouldn't be able to hide it long, even then I wasn't sure if I could handle the last moments without telling him. It was just... we'd already been through so much... together.

Now we were going to be separated, by something more permeate then just a wall like right now.

When he came back, I had to fight to just keep from bursting out into tears, feeling as if all the emotions I kept pushing back were fighting to get free at once. After the bottle was in my hands, I stared at them for a few moments before raising my eyes to see him looking at me. A bit of fear struck me, the unreasonable idea that he knew running through my mind.

Then he spoke, the tone assuring me that it was something else... something that I had no clue what was. Not saying a word, I watched him back, my eyes encouraging him to continue as my fingers played with the lid of the bottle.