Page 51 of Ash
“Continue that thought fucker,” he warns. “And you’ll never have sex again.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “She came at me!” I state and go to point at Janie when I notice she's now behind me. “What are you doing?”
“Oh my God!” she gasps as she pulls down my hoodie neckline. “Atlas, he’s been bitten.”
Atlas drops his paper towel roll. “And you were not going to tell us?” he breathes out, his voice going hoarse. “You were going to let the infection spread? I have a wife, man…a wife with a baby on the way.” He whispers and shakes his head before looking up at the ceiling. “Just close your eyes and think of your happy place. I’ll make this quick.”
I flip him off and go to get up, but Atlas tackles me to the ground. “Get off of me, you hippo!” I grunt, while he fights me to see the bite.
“Shhh! Just look at the flowers!” he coos while gripping my hoodie and ripping it over my head. He cheers in triumph as he holds it up like a trophy.
“Holy fuck!” His eyes go wide. “A zombie really did bite you!” I shove him away while hopping off the floor.
“Thanks, big mouth,” I mutter to Janie, who has her shit-eating grin on.
“So, who is she?” Atlas chuckles while tossing me my hoodie. “I thought you didn’t do biting.” I shrug uncomfortably.
“I don’t usually, it was just kind of a qui–” I stop as my eyes land on my sister walking slowly out the back, her face is red and tear stained. I can see the wet spot on her pants, and she looks like she is losing her ability to stand upright. She’s relapsing.
“Indy, okay,” I say as I grab my bag. “This is enough. You need to go to the hospital,” I state firmly, and I’m about to help her out when her legs give out, and she falls. I watch as Derek, who had been grabbing some ink, drops the bottle as he reaches out and catches her, pulling her to his chest.
“Are you alright?” he breathes out as she shakes her head.
“Pink day,” she cries, and Derek looks at me in confusion. I know what that means. She needs the hospital. I walk over and lift my sister up, carrying her out of Hel’s and to my car.
“I’m sorry, Ash,” she sobs, and I try to keep myself calm. Is this because she’s always out working now? In the heat more? In public more? I feel so helpless and it’s weird because all I want right now is Sunday to be here to tell me it’ll be okay. For her to rationally explain the plans and to calm me down.
“It’s alright,” I say as I get her in the car. “Let’s just get you some help.”
* * *
Sunshine: knock knock
I stareat the unanswered text she sent me three hours ago. I want to text her, to call her, to have her make me feel better. But that’s not her job. She has a job, and a kid. She doesn’t need to be trying to heal some part of me.
I stare at my sleeping sister and let out a tired breath as I stand. I need an energy drink or something if I’m going to be up all night. Leaning over the bed, I kiss the top of Indy’s head before walking out of the room and down to the gift shop.
“Ash!” I freeze when I hear her voice. I turn and see Sunday jogging up to me. She has on a brown, baggy, off the shoulder sweater and dark red leggings.
“Sunday? What are you doing–oof!” She collides into me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me into an embrace.
“Is Indy okay?” she asks after a second, before pulling out of the hug all too soon.
“She will be. How did you know I was… Oh, Janie?” I roll my eyes as she nods. “Well, she’s asleep and probably will be for most of the night, so I don’t think you’ll be able to talk to her.”
“I didn’t come to talk to Indy.” Sunday’s voice is so soft and sweet. “I came to check on you. You didn’t respond to my text, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Why?” I laugh but stop when I see the almost hurt look on her face. “Fuck, that was a dick move. Sorry.”
She waves her hand. “It’s fine, I just…” She lets out an exaggerated breath. “Boy, this is awkward again.”
“No, no, no,” I say as I pull her in for another hug. “Not awkward. Thank you, I really needed this. It means a lot to me that you got a ride all the way from the apartment to come see me.”
“Well, not the apartments. I was just a few blocks away, actually.” I frown and look down at her.
“What are you doing around this area, this late?” She shrugs nonchalantly.
“Job interview.”
