We walk in and are checked for bites on our open skin. No weapon check. I frown and follow Chessie, Jesse, and Percy inside the hotel. Too bad it wasn't the hotel Chessie and I were staying at. We could have our room and not have to share. We are ushered into a hallway with  paper signs. One way is medical treatment. Another is bedding. A third is elevators. We first go for bedding and we each grab a cot and pillows. Then all 4 of us rush through the crowds to try and get our own room. We find a room on the third floor in the front of the building, deciding not to go too high up. We lock the door behind us. Then we move the TV in front of it. We turn on the news. A different lady comes on the screen.
"This is an apademic. The infected are officially named zombies." The lady goes on to tell us about not getting bit as I think of how silly the name is. But I guess it's the truth. "The only way to kill them again is to damage their brains. The scientists are working on why. The government has only made one action, since the virus seems to be contained on North America. Guns and other weapons are now fully allowed to any that has the money. Good luck America." We all stare at the television. Gun rights never concerned me. Now I'm kinda scared. What if lunatics and sociopaths get guns? I shiver.
"Well then me and Mae are setting up the rest of our weapons. Sorry, we don't have extras." That's a lie. She takes out 2 big belts and slings 1 over one shoulder and under the shoulder. She puts the bigger machine gun and her rifle on the back of it. Then she does the same for me with the other belt and guns. I remember the Swiss Army knife, the switch blade and the other knives she bought. I discreetly hand her the Swiss Army knife. I don't know why she isn't sharing with them.
"Just stick with us and you will be fine." I smile reassuringly at them and Chessie ignores us. There's a knock at the door. Then a moan. Then a bloodcurdling crunch. Then pounding on the door.
"Please let me in! My brother was bit before we came in and he turned," sniffles and sobs. "That was him. I promise I'm not but you can inspect me. I have 2 Derringers." Whatever the hell those are. I look at Jesse and Percy. They seem uneasy. I then glance at Chessie. She looks grim. Chessie surprises me and starts to move the TV. The guys quickly help her while I stand useless and uncomfortable.
"Mae come help me." I nod gratefully. We move the TV as quickly as we can and step back. Chessie unlocks the door, not a knife in hand. We all step back farther as Chessie looks out in the hallways. She grabs someone, tugs them inside, and closes and locks the door again. We hear more moaning, groaning and pounding.
"We should kill it." Percy says. I look at the person Chessie now is hugging tightly. He looks the same height as Chessie and looks like a stick. He has dirty blond hair with bangs almost completely covering his green eyes. And he has like a billion freckles that stand out against his slightly tan skin. He looks a little older than us. He's crying in Chessie's arms, whose holding him in shock.
"I'm sorry this happened to you. It will be okay." Chessie murmurs, more caring than I've ever seen her. Well I've only met her today. But it was an eventful day to say the least.
"So what about the zombie?" Percy reminds us. Chessie shoots us a glare while the boy cries harder.
"I'll do it." Chessie says and sighs. "Go get comfortable on the bed. I'll be back." She says the the guy, then us. Chessie grabs two of the knives from the belt, making sure not to reveal the others. "Someone open the door for me and close it when in out. I'll shout for you to let me in. And no matter what- don't look through the peephole. Or come out." The last 2 parts sound eery. Jesse takes door duty. I gulp as the door closes behind her. This girl is confusing. The moaning increases and I head a swear word. It sounds like there are 2 zombies now. I pray to god it's not Chessie. I hear fighting, a door open, and slam a minute later. "Open the door." Chessie slowly walks in, nothing left in the hallway not even blood. The knives are gone, probably back on the belt. Chessie locks the door and goes to the boy while the rest of us drag the TV back in place. It's hard work.
"My name is Austin. I'm 17." We all repeat our ages, I discover Percy is 47.
"What's Austin doing in Upstate New York. I thought it was down South." Chessie wiggles her eyebrows as we all start laughing, Austin more so than the rest of us. He is left gasping for breath. Jesse is almost as bad as him. "So what are the sleeping arrangements?" We all quiet down. There's 4 small cots and 2 double beds and there's 5 of us. No one answers. "I think the beds would be more comfortable. 3 in 1 bed, 2 in another?" We all nod in agreement. Chessie plops down on the middle of a bed. Percy lays on the edge of the other. I quickly sit on the edge of the bed Chessie picked. Jesse crawls into the other bed with his dad. Austin looks unsure. So Chessie pats the place to her left. Austin crawls in. I leave my bag at the end of the bed next to where Chessie already left hers and put my belts there. I see Chessie's peaking out of her bag. Chessie looks at me and pats the place on her other side. Every one is exhausted and I quickly fall asleep.