Page 28 of Surviving Her

Oh, Christ. It’s clots! The blood’s coagulated!

The creature’s brain was hit, and its body collapsed on top of her, twitching grotesquely as the last remnants of life, if that’s what it could even be called, drained away.

Eliza tried desperately to take a full breath as she moved away from the corpse. She was covered in brown blood, her skin slick with the foul-smelling fluid. Her cheek stung where the creature’s teeth had touched her flesh. She raised a trembling hand to her head, her fingers coming away wet and sticky. Achunk of her hair was missing, torn out by the zombie’s violent grasp.

I’m alive. Somehow, I’m still alive. But I’m going to turn…I think it got me.

But where was River?

Eliza struggled to her feet. Her legs felt weak and unsteady beneath her. She only had one goal in mind: she had to find River. She had to make sure she was okay. Ignoring the pain that radiated from her head, Eliza staggered through the old apothecary, her eyes scanning the darkened aisles for any sign of her lover.

“River? Riv? Riv?” she called out, her voice feeling hoarse. “River? Please! Where are you?”

A faint sound reached her ears—it sounded like someone in pain. Eliza’s heart rate quickened as she followed the sound. She could sense the physical discomfort of her breath exiting her body. She rounded a corner, still shouting the younger woman’s name.

And that’s where she found her. River was slumped against the back wall, her face pale and wet with sweat. Blood dripped from a gash on her arm hung as it hung limply at her side. Eliza’s stomach twisted in knots at the sight of her. A cold, suffocating dread settled over her like a shroud.

“No, no. Were you bitten, too? No, no…” Eliza murmured, rushing to River’s side. She dropped to her knees and reached out to touch River’s wound, tearing a piece of fabric from her shirt to make a tourniquet. “River? Hon? Can you hear me? Please, say something. Say anything, Riv. Anything.”

River’s eyes flickered under her eyelids before opening slightly. She looked at Eliza, a faint, weary smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “What do you mean…bitten? Have we been bitten? Fuck, no,” she whispered, her voice weak and strained. “You look okay, doc.”

Tears pricked at the corners of Eliza’s eyes, her relief almost overwhelming. “I’m fine,” she lied, brushing a strand of wet hair from River’s forehead. “You’re the one I’m worried about.”

River winced as she attempted to straighten up, a low sigh escaping her lips. “That…damn thing,” she mumbled. “I swear it came out of nowhere. This place was all clear. I…I think I killed it, but…then another one made a grab for me. Did I break my arm or something?”

Eliza’s fear for River’s safety was making her feel lightheaded. “Don’t look at your arm. Listen. Is there a store cupboard or something I can lock you in? I need to put you somewhere safe for a while,” she said, her voice shaking. “Can you walk?”

River nodded weakly, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “Lock me up? No, don’t do that, honey. I’ll manage. I can get wherever you need me to be. I can come with you,” she said, her determination clear even through the pain.

Eliza carefully helped River to her feet, supporting her as they stumbled toward the exit. Every step was agony for Eliza, the pain in her head intensifying with each movement, but she pushed it aside. All that mattered was getting River to safety.

The town was eerily silent as they emerged from the apothecary, the streets empty and still. Eliza’s eyes darted nervously around, half-expecting another zombie to lurch out of the shadows at any moment. But the only sound was their labored breathing.

“I need to find somewhere to hide you,” Eliza said, her voice hushed as she scanned the surrounding buildings. “Somewhere I can barricade you in, just until we’re both able to move properly again. I’ll go get help.”

River’s face was tight with pain, and Eliza could see the effort it took for her to stay upright. Blood continued to drip from the wound on River’s arm, and Eliza felt a surge of panic rise withinher. She couldn’t lose her—not now, not when the weight of her feelings had only just begun to settle in her chest.

“Why do you keep saying that? Are you scared of m-me? It…it wasn’t a bite, d-doc. I fell while I was f-fighting them. I wasn’t b-bitten. Promise. Let me come with you,” River stuttered.

Eliza shook her head as she pointed to a small, single-story building across the street. The windows were boarded up and the door looked sturdy enough to hold back any potential attackers.

Eliza bit her lip, weighing the risk. It was a gamble, but she knew she didn’t have many options. With River in this state, she needed somewhere she could rest. And more importantly, River needed to hide…from her.

“Alright,” Eliza said, adjusting her grip on River. “We’re heading over to that building. We’re going to make a run for it. On three. Ready?”

River nodded, her jaw set in grim determination.

“One…two…three!”

They bolted across the street, Eliza practically dragging River along as they sprinted toward the building. Each step sent fresh waves of pain through Eliza’s head, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through, her only focus on getting River to safety.

As they reached the door, Eliza kicked it open with all the strength she could muster. The door gave way with a loud crack, and they stumbled inside. Eliza quickly slammed the door shut behind them. She leaned against it, her chest heaving and her heart pounding in her ears.

For a moment, the world spun around her, her vision darkening at the edges. She fought to stay conscious, forcing herself to focus on the sound of River’s breathing beside her, the warmth of her presence grounding her in the moment.

It’s happening. I’m changing.

“Eliza…” River’s voice was weak, barely a whisper, but it was enough to snap her back to reality.

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