Getting into the alleyway, Mark turned around and looked at Suzie. He was concerned about her. He noticed the blank yet depressing face she had. His shirt could cover her small body until the middle of her thighs. Her short brown hair was completely rough, unlike the previous smoothness. They bruised both her wrists and ankles.
It was tough for Mark to see her in such a way, and the most heartbreaking thing was her eyes. Even though she was able to converse with him properly, it was like talking to a dead person. The only emotion she was feeling is fear and despair at that moment.
He clutched his hands. The only thought in his mind was 'If I was sooner, she wouldn't be like this' the self-blame he was taking in was enormous. In the end, he could only bring her into a hug and pat her on the back. After a while, he got on the bike and motioned her to do the same. She nodded and slowly got on. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his back.
Turning the engine on, he checked the time and noticed it was already half-past one. He slowly went out of the alleyway and on to their destination. He promised David to meet him at 2 and it would take him at least 45 minutes to reach there from the school. He could not be late and started to zoom through the streets.
He suddenly realized Suzie's appearance and thought to stop by near any clothing shop and also a small general store. After 15 minutes of driving on roads with zombies with Suzie on his back, he noticed a clothing store. He slowly stopped and as he did; he took out his sword and sliced the zombie, reaching for Suzie from behind. The face was cut horizontally in half with blood gushing out.
He motioned her to get down and made their way inside once she did. He gripped the sword tightly and made Suzie walk behind him just to be sure. Entering the store, he noticed it was a tiny store and was mainly for women. He noticed there were only 3 zombies inside, one by the counter while the other 2 mindlessly roaming around.
The nearest zombie was the one near the cash counter. He looked back at Suzie and motioned her to stay quiet and remain there. He crouched down and went towards the zombie. The zombie couldn't notice Mark as it was looking towards another place. Once he reached the counter he made quick work of it and went for the other two in the store. The other two were easier as they were constantly moving.
After finishing both of them, he looked at Suzie and found her still staying at the place he asked her to be at. He went to her and said, "You can come now. I killed them. Choose something better to wear." Suzie nodded as she slowly walked inside.
Mark stood near the entrance, leaning on the wall, looking at her. She slowly picked a simple shirt and comfortable pants to wear. He saw her removing the shirt right where she stood and quickly said, "Go inside the changing room." pointing at the rooms in the corner.
Suzie, who heard him, shuddered and nodded. She held the pair of clothes and went into the dressing room. Mark exhaled as he noticed her shudder when he pointed at the changing room. He couldn't think of any way to make her normal again. Her present state of mind was like how he was before the zombies occurred. She doesn't know what to do and is almost at her limit.
After a while, she came back with his shirt in her hand. She looked really cute if not for her lifeless eyes and no emotions on her face. It looked like she could still do things on her own without any help.
He took the shirt from her and wore it before making his way out of the store. He noticed a zombie near the bike and cut it down immediately. Getting back on the bike, both of them continued to the meeting point. There were still 20 minutes' worth of the journey ahead of them.
Mark increased the speed of the vehicle to make up for the lost time. He ignored most of the zombies in the path and if it became tough; he cut them down with his sword, which was tough to wield a bike with one hand.
They could finally reach the meeting point, and Mark noticed his jeep at the end of the street. David was standing outside while leaning on the door talking to Ray and Jacob, waiting for them. Mark exhaled in relief, noticing they were still here.