Francis and Zoey part 8

The chirping of birds, sunlight on my closed eyes, it seemed like a normal day for me. I could have missed one of my classes, and been calling my friend for the notes. Opening my eyes to the harsh sunlight, and looking around the cramped safe room the horror that is reality slammed down on me. It was enough to make me bite my lip and curl up in a ball on my side. So many things had happened to me since the infection had started. I had lost my family, my friends, everything. Stiffling a groan, I sat up and stretched. Bill was already awake and smoking his first cig of the day. Louis and Francis were still fast asleep, and neither Bill nor I felt the need to wake them.

Smiling at me slightly, Bill gestured for me to sit next to him. Sneaking around my snoring friends I sat down beside him. He stared out into space as though I wasn't there. "We'll be at the compound and safe zone by sun down." He told me. I nodded. We had seen the dwindle in infected and a few signs that pointed to an army base where we could find shelter and a new home. Bill looked over at me. "Don't worry, we won't leave you when we get there. Your one of us, and one of our friends." He said, patting me on the back. I guess the worry had been clearer on my face then I thought. "Bill?" He just grunted. "When we get there, do you think it'll be different? Do you really think there will be people there? I mean, everytime we find a "safe place" that promises shelter, it's been over run. I just want it all to end finally." He just blew smoke out. "Zoey, it will be different, and even if it's not, I promise you this, we will find peace some day, and the four of us will find it together."

I hugged him and stood up to begin gathering up  what little food we would have for that morning. Sneaking around quietly, I tried to keep from waking Francis and Louis. Smiling at the sleeping Francis, I glanced over at Bill. The Vet just shook his head with a small smile. I blushed and kept working. Finally, Louis rolled over with groan and sat up. "Good morning." I said cheerfully. "What's so good about it? I feel like a damn train ran me over." He said, rubbing his chin. "Sorry." I said, handing him a cup of weak coffee. Francis must have heard the noise we were making because he finally showed signs that he was still among the living. Sitting up, he cast a glare at us that could have melted steel. Swallowing, I shot him a feeble grin and spun around to finish with breakfast. Sadly, all that we had were a few peaches and a couple of snack bars. Tossing them to the guys, they nodded in thanks. "Zoey?" Louis asked. I opened my mouth to reply when suddenly, out of no where, the ringing sounds of gunshots filled the air.

Snatching up our weapons, we eased the door open. A group of men dress in army clothes were making their way to where we stood, shooting down infected as they went. "Thank the Heavens we're saved!" Louis cheered, waving at the men. Cautiously they made their way towards us. I felt a hand grab my shoulder and I was pulled behind Bill and Francis. Bill mumbled something to Louis that caused the man's face to go grim and step in front of me as well. Raising my eyebrow at Bill, he just shook his head at me, grim faced.

"Hello!" I heard a man call. "It's nice to see that there are other survivors." Louis called back at him. "I'm John, and this is Chod." A man replied. I couldn't see them at all. "I'm Bill, this is Louis, and this is Francis." Bill answered. "Do you have anyone else with you?" John, I assumed, asked. "Yes, one other person, but it's a girl. Her name is Zoey. She stays with us."  Francis said with a small snarl. "Let's see her." Chod said. I poked my head out from behind the guys, keeping close to Francis. He wrapped a protective arm around me and held me close. "She stays with us." He growled. The two men glanced at each other and then back at me. Swallowing, I nevously smiled at them.