Author's Note: Finally got this finished. Hopefully I won't take this long to upload Ch16. Hope you enjoy and more to come ^_~

Chapter 15

I made my way back to the North Plaza, fear had set in but I wasn't sure whether Mel would be alive or… My mind couldn't get off the image of her as a rotting corpse hungry for human flesh, it was stuck like a bad dream that I couldn't wake up from. After a pretty easy journey back I ran into the store next to the camera shop and saw her lying on the floor, unmoving. Jesus, I didn't know what to do so I just stood there staring at her seemingly lifeless body. "Shit," I muttered under my breath. It was ironic at that moment I wished I'd asked her to stay with me. Not wanting to cry I started laughing unable to stop. Kneeling down next to her I saw her skin was starting to turn pale, I didn't care if she was turning or not.

Account written by Otis

Frank was outta there like a shot when Brad told him that Mel wasn't around. I was worried too as was Rebecca, the thought that the poor woman could turn into one of those things was just ridiculous. Kinda sad me saying that considerin' I'd seen tons of my friends and colleagues change from just one bite. "If he comes back with her, she's getting taken care of. Understand?" Brad told me and I have to say I agreed, to an extent. Jessie came in and I was told to leave as the professor had some secret information to share. I knew that old bastard was bad news from the second Frank brought him back. Sighing I nodded to Brad and went back to my post watching carefully as Jessie told Brad what she'd learned.

Account written by Rebecca Sullivan

By that point I was no longer worried about Kent, that freak could've burned in a fire and I wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Actually that's a lie, deep down I was worried but at the same time I knew he was using me for a buzz. The thrill excited him, guess that's why he was so into 'the finer things in life'. Aside from my confused thoughts of Kent I was concerned about Mel and Frank. That sounds strange I know but I already considered them friends along with Otis. Then I thought about my Dad, I didn't want to admit it but my old man had been right about everything. I should've stayed at home then I wouldn't have been stuck in this mess. Don't get me wrong I still hated him in fact even as I write this I hate him. But at least I'm woman enough to admit I was wrong and he was right on this one. Laughing silently to myself at the thought I went to check see if there was anything left to eat here.

I couldn't believe it, she was still breathing. My heart was beating fast the moans of the zombies could be heard but I blocked all that out as I held Mel's wrist. Then a horrible thought set in, this was what happens before they turn. I was certain the pulse would stop dead then she'd grab my arm and take a chunk out of it. But no it kept going strong and I was growing hopeful for Mel once more. Well more hopeful as I was almost certain she was going to turn sooner or later. She made a few sounds then sat up, my fear set in once more till I saw she looked fine apart from her pale skin. "Hey, what happened?" she asked looking at me with those pretty blue eyes.

"Looks like you passed out, probably from lack of food or something," I told her only half lying. She bought this and nodded saying she had felt hungry before she fell unconscious. "I'll go get you something, stay here." Mel nodded and sat down on some boxes in the centre of the room. At that moment all I cared about was her not my big scoop just her. Sorry if all this is sounding mushy and out of character but that's how I felt. Sure I'm not perfect but I'm not a complete asshole either, most of the time that is.

Excerpt from the diary of Melissa Barnaby

20th of September

I wasn't sure what the hell had happened to me, I'd blacked out but somehow it felt like a lot more was going on. I noticed the slight change in the colour of my skin; it was a lot lighter than I remember. The noises of the zombies could clearly be heard and I started to worry about Frank once more. He hadn't said anything after I woke up so I guessed something must've happened. Shaking my head I stayed where I was feeling the chill, I wondered if it'd been that cold when I first came here.

After a quick run to the supermarket I came back and was relieved to see Mel hadn't moved an inch. Putting on a happy face I handed her some stuff and helped myself to some chips. We ate away then, in total silence. Mel coughed once as she bit into the apple I handed to her. Immediately I turned on my worry mode but she got over it and continued eating away. I checked my watch curious of how much time had actually passed and was surprised to find only about an hour had gone by since I'd left the security room. It'd felt longer somehow, maybe it was all that panicking I was doing.