Gunther walked into the the church to find Doc and the Reverend chatting away, thick as thieves. The old man noticed the broken chair parts and rope pieces all over the floor.
“Shit,” the deputy said. “He try to eat you, Rev?”
“No,” the preacher replied.
“Hell with it then,” Gunther said as he took a seat at the table. “Pour me one of those.”
Miles, a human once more, came in, all wrapped up in his blanket. It was a bit singed but extra toasty from the fire. He sat down next to Gunther, who in turn, took the Reverend’s bottle and poured the boy a shot.
The kid stared at it. “Am I old enough?”
“You killed more zombies today than I did,” Gunther said. “You’re a man.”
The boy took a sip and instantly sprayed it out of his mouth. “What the?”
The adults laughed. “I didn’t say it was tasty,” Gunther said. “It’ll put hair on your chest all right.”
Gunther pondered that statement then upon remembering that Miles was a werewolf, added, “Not that you need anymore.”
Sarah entered in a daze. She sat down at the table, making a point to stay far, far away from Doc. His eyes remained a ghastly sight.
“Miss Sarah,” Gunther said as he poured another shot and slid it towards the bride. “Not that I want to turn you into an alcoholic but if ever there was a time to turn to the booze to help get you through, this might be it.”
“No,” Sarah said as she slid the drink back. “I’ll be seeking penance for the rest of my days for imbibing earlier and I cannot allow myself to sin any further.”
“Suit yourself,” the Reverend said as he helped himself to Sarah’s drink.
“While we are on this subject, Reverend, I must say your behavior throughout this entire ordeal has been less than holy,” the bride said.
The Reverend sighed. “Miss Sarah. Despite my internal doubts, I have lived a pure life, a penchant for liquor being my only weakness, one which I have done my best to atone for. I have helped my fellow man, put many lost souls on the right path and yet here I am, trapped in a zombie infested nightmare.”
Sarah scowled. “I have yet to lose my faith.”
“Are you sure?” the Reverend asked. “Cowering in the corner isn’t exactly a sign of a person who is sure the lord is going to swoop in and save her at any moment.”
Sarah stood up. “Well, I never!”
“Perhaps you should,” the Reverend said. “A life of faith has gotten you the same place it has gotten me…nowhere.”
Sarah stomped her foot and stormed off, only to stop abruptly. “All of my prayers have brought me Rainier Slade,” the bride said. “The bravest, toughest man in the entire West. He will see me through this. I’m sure of it.”
The bride found a pew to sulk in silence in. The Reverend reached for the bottle only to find Gunther’s hand on his.
“We all got a part to play in this, Rev,” Gunther said. “And a preacher that can’t lift people’s spirits aint of much use to anyone.”
The Reverend’s face flushed with embarrassment. He put the cork in the bottle. “Duly noted.”
The good doctor felt a hand on his shoulder as the scent of a familiar perfume wafted through his nostrils.
Annabelle had just entered the room and was surprised to see her companion not tied to a chair.
“You’re free and you haven’t bitten anyone,” Annabelle said.
Doc kissed Annabelle’s hand. “I wouldn’t count yourself safe though, my dear. You look so ravishing that I should very much like to consume you for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Every one at the table let out a collective groan.
“A word?” Doc asked Annabelle. She consented and together they walked toward the open door frame, finding a spot to speak in private.
“Dearest, I must present you with a difficult choice,” Doc said.
Annabelle’s bright eyes were fixated on Doc, waiting for what he had to say next.
“The safest option for you would be to accompany Miss Lassiter and seek refuge with the Indians,” Doc said. “I haven’t the slightest clue of what my condition will bring and the possibility that I may lose control and attack you is quite real.”
“I’ll take the chance,” Annabelle said. “I won’t leave you.”
“Selfishly, I hoped you would say that,” Doc said. “As I am not welcome in Miss Lassiter’s party due to my condition, I intend to press on eastward. My Miracle Cure-All may be a failure, but I will still pursue my dream of spreading news of the curative properties of cocaine to the world. If you come with me, I shall protect you with my dying breath and if we make it to Boston, we will catch a vessel to Britain and begin our new lives together, free of this zombie infested continent once and for all.”
Annabelle’s eyes welled up as she wrapped her arm’s around the doctor. “Oh Doc. You had me at cocaine.”
To her surprise, Doc pushed her away. “But my dear, you must promise one thing.”
“Anything.”
“If I am overcome by my condition and become a wretched beast, you must save yourself and put a bullet directly into my brain.”
Annabelle frowned. “I couldn’t possibly.”
Doc stepped back. “Quite understandable. Very well, my dear. Then with regret I must insist that we end our courtship at this time…”
“OK!” Annabelle cried.
“I must hear you promise my dear,” Doc said.
“Fine,” Annabelle said. “I promise to shoot you if you become a zombie.”
“Lovelier words have never been spoken,” Doc said. “If you’ll excuse me now, I must have a word with the Marshall.”
Bookshelf Battle 