Chapter Eighteen

Bye Bitches

Melody's P.O.V

Hundreds, if not thousands of them had piled up against the walls of the hospital.

Their screams joining together to create one deathly shriek in the night.

Nothing was ever easy. And I was foolish for thinking that this would be. There were so many things that just didn't make sense. Why were they all at the hospital? Couldn't they just go away for a few hours and give us a fucking break? From the top floor of the hospital a man leaned out of a window, looking down at the group of infected. He disappeared inside for a few moments before quickly returning with a long black gun. He held it still before shot after shot he began firing it. Each bullet hitting an infected. I turned to Alan

"Why aren't they just climbing up the buildings?" I asked. I didn' understand why they weren't. In the city they had been climbing the sides of all buildings, it was the reason they blew up the tower.

"They're stronger once they've fed." He stated absently as he watched the infected mull around. I didn't bother asking how he knew that. He seemed to notice a lot of things that I didn't seem to pick up on. Obviously I wasn't nearly as attentive as him.

The entire horde seemed fixated on breaking into the hospital. their decaying fists slammed against the walls and windows, demanding entrance.

I looked around the walls of the large hospital building, but I couldn't see any way that we could get in without the infected noticing us. It was obvious that the military had drawn the horde of infected towards the hospital when they arrived. And then attracted more of them when they began shooting at them from the windows. I felt like dropping to the ground and crying. We had no weapons and our hope was diminishing. at least mike was.

There was nothing I wanted more than to just give up. To not have to deal with any of it anymore would have been bliss. But I couldn't give up. Not now, not when we were so close. All we had to do was get inside the hospital and then we would be safe. We would have the military and we would be safe. Of course at first I didn't believe that at all but I had to convince myself that it was true.

"Maybe if we get soldier boys attention he'll help us?" Robyn suggested, poking her finger to the man leaning out the window.

"How are we gonna do that without alerting the infected?" I asked, taking my arm away from Robyn now that I was certain she could stand on her own. We all shared glances before we averted our gazes to the ground. We had nothing.

"We could throw a rock at him?" Alan proposed. I shook my head.

"I doubt any one of us could throw that high." He slumped his head in defeat.

"Maybe if we wave our arms he'll see us?" Robyn suggested, giving us a demonstration by waving her arms in the air before quickly lowering them at Alan's scowl. I shook my head again.

"We'd have to get too close to the infected for him to see us." I grabbed a tuft of my hair and pulled on it in frustration. If we didn't get into that building by morning the helicopter would come and go without us. I sighed in agitation, a noise that sounded more like a growl. I scrunched my face up in stupidity, how could none of us think of it?

"Backdoor." I stated. They both looked at me before smiling. Well, Robyn started dancing as best she could with her injuries. It looked more like she needed to go to the toilet. Her red dress, ripped and torn somehow managed to look like a fashion trend on her.

Together the three of us crept through the park and down the side of the hospital. My feet dragged against the ground as we walked. Stray ambulances lay abandoned across the road, providing us with places to hide from the infected. As we crouched down against the side of an ambulance the pain in my left leg flared. I bit down on my lower lip to prevent myself from whimpering in pain. I motioned for Alan and Robyn to go ahead of me. As they crept past they both looked reluctant to go. I sat down against the ambulance and stretched my leg out in front of me. I tried to massage the pain away but that only influence it to grow stronger.

Realizing that the pain wasn't going to go away anytime soon, I stood back up and crept towards the back of the hospital. I found Alan and Robyn crouched behind a dumpster near the backdoor and quickly joined them. I peeked my head round the side of the large bin and was satisfied to see no infected in sight. Although the moans of the infected on the other side of the building kept me alert and fearful. Quietly, I limped towards the door and pressed my weight against it, expecting it to open. It didn't. I peered inside the small square windows only to find a mountain of furniture piled up against the door. I slapped my palm against the bricks and cursed silently. I went to the nearest door beside it and wasn't surprised to find the same result. Alan and Robyn peered inside and both cursed at what they saw.

"Looks like the military aren't too focused on helping people." Alan muttered, looking back at Robyn and I. I shook my head, not wanting to believe that. Unless they were unwilling to help us after what happened at the Q.V.B. I looked down the building, but it didn't look like there were any pipes we could climb up. Walking further away I peered around the corner of the building. I smiled and fist pumped the air. It was a large block of one of those air ventilator things. If we could somehow climb up it we should be able to reach one of the windows.

I gestured for Alan and Robyn to come to me. Still not wanting to risk talking I pointed towards the air ventilator. Alan nodded his head and walked towards it. he kneeled down beside it and cupped his hands together.

"Mel you go first, then we'll help Robyn up and then I'll climb up." He explained as I put my foot in his hands. He pushed me upwards as I grabbed onto the edge, struggling to pull myself up. My arms began to shake as I heaved myself over the edge and lay still on its surface for several seconds. I looked down at my palms and wasn't surprised to see them bright red. Pushing myself upwards I looked down over the edge to see Robyn grumpily taking off her high heels. She threw them up to me without notice. I shot my hand out and just manage to grab them.

As Alan pushed her up I grabbed onto her hand and pulled her towards me. She gasped as her stomach was pressed against the side of the building. Noticing this Alan pushed harder as I pulled with all my strength. I managed to pull her up onto her feet as she clutched onto her stomach, a fresh stream of blood flowing from the bullet wound. I began second guessing whether this was a good idea or not. we still had to climb through the window, although that didn't look to be nearly as high. I watched as Alan took several steps back before running and jumping, the tips of his fingers just managing to grasp the ledge. I grabbed onto his wrist and pulled him up as he used his other hand to pull himself over.

While he lay still catching his breath I walked over to the nearest window and tried pushing it open. It creaked under the pressure of my palms but refused to move. Frowning I looked back at Alan and Robyn. Without a word Alan trudged towards me and took one of Robyn's shoes from my grasp. With the heel pointing outwards he smashed it against the window. A large crack shot up the middle and with another hit it shattered. The screams of the infected followed almost instantaneously. I stepped away from the window and watched as they all began shambling around the corner of the hospital. They wouldn't be able to get to us if they couldn't climb, but I didn't want to take any chances. I jumped up onto the window sill without the help of Alan and tried to ignore the shards of glass digging into my hands and arms. I crawled through the window into the room and brushed away as many shards of glass as I could.

Together, Alan and I both helped Robyn through the window. Once she was inside the room I helped her sit onto the patients bed. I sat down beside her and watched as Alan climbed through the window, cursing as a stray glass shard stabbed into his palm. He sat down on the opposite side of the bed and dug the glass shard out of his palm, a small trickle of blood falling down his wrist. I couldn't help but smile as a flicker of hope and happiness ignited within me.

"We made it," I sang, leaning back down onto the bed. Robyn began playing with the IV machine as Alan wiped his bloody hand on the bed sheets. Pushing myself away from the uncomfortable bed, I stood up and walked towards the door. The hallway was lit up but none of the rooms were.

"Where do you think the military will be? Top floor?" I asked, staring down the hallway. Trepidation seemed to take my voice as it shook at every word. The relief I felt was still accompanied by a definitive pang of fear. Doubts clouded my mind but it wasn't enough to drown the inkling of hope that fought against the sadness and agitation.

"That's where we saw soldier boy ain't it?" Robyn asked, getting off the bed and joining me by the door. Her face contorted in agony as she walked towards me but she quickly composed herself. Alan walked past us and stood out in the hallway, looking in either direction.

"Stairs are this way." He stated, pointing down the hallway. We walked down towards where he pointed, Robyn's slight puffs of pain the only sound surrounding us. Hopefully once we found the army men they would be able to help find us what we needed to help Robyn. Every room we passed was empty. I expected to find patients and doctors running around frantically, but there was nothing. It felt unusual for a hospital to be so quiet and still. We reached the stairwell and walked up the multiple flights of stairs until we finally reached the top. Out of breath we all paused outside the door before finally throwing it open. Robyn stepped in front of me, blocking my vision from looking down the hallway. I looked over her shoulder and saw one of the military men at the end of the hall, holding a radio up to his lips. His back was facing us as he stared out a dirty window.

Robyn ran towards him, bouncing on the balls of her feet, laughing as she ran. At the sound of her running the man turned around, a look of panic and fear deforming his face. He dropped the radio to his side and gripped his gun, holding it out in front of him he fired. My screams were soundless compared to the blare of the gun. The bullet flew from the barrel, straight into Robyn's chest. She fell backwards, a scream of agony flowing from her plump lips.

My movements seemed so slow as I struggled against Alan's hold. I broke free of his arms and ran towards Robyn. Ignoring the pool of blood slowly spreading around her, I fell to the floor beside her. I looked up at the man, a look of horror seemed to hold him in place as he realized his mistake. A sob wracked my body as I looked back down at her. Her shaking hands, covered in blood felt for the wound. A cascade of tears fell from her large eyes. Mindlessly I grabbed her hand in mine. Her lips began to quiver as she tried to stutter out words. Alan kneeled beside me and brushed the hair from her face before he stood up again and walked around us. I leaned in closer to Robyn as tears of my own began to fall.

"Y-You gotta su-survive girl." She stuttered as blood began to form across her lips. I squeezed her hand tighter as she coughed violently.

"Don't worry bout' m-me." Her breathing became short and ragged as she tried to continue. I tried to control the shaking of her hands by gripping them tighter in mine, but it was useless. "I love you Mel Mel." A sob surged from me as I told her I loved her too.

"B-bye bitches." She smiled as she let her head fall back against the floor, her eyes slowly shutting. Her breathing short and raspy until it finally slowed to a halt. I choked on another sob as I felt for her pulse but found only silence.

My head fell down as I tried to repress the tears. My chest heaved as I clamped a hand over my mouth. My whole body shook as tears blurred my vision and stung my eyes. I could barely hear myself calling her name. Begging her to come back.

I was numb.

I could barely breath properly as I choked on my own sobs. I pushed myself away from her. Away from her body. My back hit against the wall as I stared at her. That's all she was now. A body.

I didn't fight when Alan pulled me up off the floor and into his arms. I stood still as he embraced me, unable to move, unable to function. I felt his lips move as he mumbled words into my ear. But I didn't hear them.

As he pulled away from me it was if all my senses were returned. I could feel the blood dripping from my hands as tears fell from my chin. I could hear a hushed conversation down the hallway between two military men. And I could see Robyn's body, lying in a pool of her own blood. A stab of emotion punctured my being as I stared down at her. I couldn't leave her there. Not on the floor, not like that. I grabbed Alan's shoulder.

"We have to move her." I whispered. He looked at me sympathetically before nodding and gently picking her up in his arms. I followed him as he walked into one of the rooms and lay her down on one of the beds. Silently, he caressed her cheek before he left me alone in the room.

I stood still for a moment as I looked down at her. Somewhat expecting her to jump up and start laughing. But I knew that wasn't going to happen. I was never going to hear her laugh again. Never going to see her smile. Never going to roll my eyes at her refusal to go anywhere without a pair of high heels. I shut my eyes as I felt another sob overtake me, gasping for air I stepped towards her and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked so peaceful with the beautiful small smile that adorned her lips. I kissed her cheek as fresh tears began to fall. I cried silently as I stood up and gently pulled the bed sheet out from under her. I threw it over her and quickly fled the room before the blood began to seep through.

I barely responded as Carl ran towards me, pulling me into a tight embrace. He muttered apologies to me over and over as he cupped my cheeks in his hands. I stared back at him lifelessly, unable to muster the strength to speak. He frowned at me before stepping away and gesturing for Alan and I to follow him. He said something about taking us to the Lieutenant, but I barely paid attention to him. As we walked down the hallway my stare was intently focused on the man who shot Robyn. Stubble covered his pale chin. His lips were thin and sharp, quivering. His nose was large but slightly askew as it lead to his dark brown eyes that looked back at me sorrowfully.

I wanted nothing more than to hate him. But my body wasn't capable of it. We continued to follow Carl as he lead us into a large square room. Four more men were leaning against the dirty and cracked windows around the place. One man stood in the middle, surrounded by four desks that were covered in paper. The man was hunched over one of the desks, his face pressed close against a large radio that was emitting a string of static.

"Lieutenant?" The man turned around at the sound of Carl's voice. His eyes grazed over Carl before lingering over Alan and I. He had a very round, clean shaven face. His eyes were wild balls of grey that matched the short grey hairs on his head.

"Who the hell are they?" He asked gruffly, jabbing a fat finger at Alan. I looked over at Carl who seemed slightly taken aback by his tone, but nevertheless held his ground.

"They're survivors sir. They managed to make it out of the city alive." As I looked at Carl I noticed the dried specks of blood that were spread out across his white shirt and face.

"Well that's commendable," he muttered "boys in the tank didn't even make it." He shook his head as clear disappointment etched itself into his features.

"Well, I hate to tell you but you're both going to have to go back outside." My eyes widened as my stomach dropped.

"Sir?" Carl exchanged a worried look with Alan before looking at me.

"There's no room on the chopper for them." The Lieutenant replied, turning back towards the radio and clicking it off.

"But you said back at the Q.V.B that you would call in more choppers!" Alan exclaimed, his fists clenched shut as his eyebrows furrowed.

"That was before the fucking massacre!" He roared, slamming his fist down on the desk. "Do you have any idea how many asses I had to kiss just to convince them to send one chopper?" He whispered, staring only at Alan.

"We're not leaving!" Alan hissed, his face twisted into a deadly scowl. The Lieutenant sighed before pulling a gun from his belt and pointing it straight at Alan's forehead.

"Sir! What are you doing?" Carl exclaimed as he pulled out his own gun. I stepped away from the desk instinctively as Carl raised the gun to the Lieutenants chest. He swiftly moved the gun from Alan's forehead to Carl's.

"I have no room for traitors on my team boy. Either you're with me, oryou're with them." He spoke the words slowly as he wrapped his finger around the trigger. Carl stared at him intensely for several seconds before lowering his gun and stepping towards us. He sighed gravely as he shook his head at the Lieutenant.

"Let's go." He said, placing his hand on the back of my shoulder and gently guiding me out of the room. We walked back down the hallway where I saw the man responsible for Robyn's death. He looked at us strangely as we walked past. Carl lead us into one of the patients rooms and slammed the door shut after us. I slumped to the floor in the corner of the room and watched as both Alan and Carl began pacing around the room, muttering curses as they went.

"This is bullshit! He can't just turn us away like that!" Alan roared, throwing his fist against the wall. He pulled it back and winced in pain as blood began to cover his knuckles.

"Alright, stay here. I'm gonna go see if any of the others are gonna help us." Carl left the room as Alan continued to pace, throwing a glance at me every few seconds.

I still felt numb as I played with my fingers. I stared into space as I watched Alan march back and forth. The blood on my hands had now dried. I stared at my fingers for several moments before I began scratching away the blood. I could hear voices shouting down the hall but I didn't focus on them. I didn't want to hear what they had to say. Alan stopped walking and stared down at me. His blue eyes fierce with an internal battle as he opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it. He sighed and turned around, leaving the room and quietly shutting the door on his way out.

I wanted to ask where he was going, but I didn't. I couldn't. I couldn't speak, not yet. I slowly pushed myself off of the ground and walked over to the window. I watched the infected below as they tried to break into the hospital. More seemed to creep out from the darkness of the surrounding streets, adding to the magnitude of the group.

My body shivered at the idea of going back out there. But we weren't safe anywhere. I realized that now. Even if we did get on the helicopter we wouldn't be safe. We would never be safe again. And I would never be happy again. The door of the room creaked open, a stream of light creeping in from the hallway.