A Hoard Between Us

This was the most beautiful wedding that anyone had ever seen. A beautiful chapel that was decorated with perfect traditional themes. Things that were perfect for the traditional man and woman. Just like Mary and Joseph. The pair had been dating ever since they were fifteen years old. Neither had a fight or anything of that sort throughout their picture-perfect relationship.

They were the perfect couple.

So, when Joseph proposed to Mary. It wasn’t a surprise that she had said yes to him to anyone that knew them. They had anticipated this moment for the past fifteen years. And now here it was. All of them were dressed in suits and dresses. Everyone in perfect pastel colors. The ring bearer wore a small suit that matched the groom. While the flower-girl dressed like the bride. A younger cousin was holding her veil as she walked down the aisle with her father on her arm. Who was smiling with pride as he walked with his only child down towards her future husband. Abraham couldn’t be prouder of his daughter for marrying Joseph. Of how the younger man had asked for his daughter’s hand before giving her the ring.

Even her mother, Judith. She was immensely proud of the lovely couple. As were Joseph’s parents, Cornelius and Eloise. Who stood to the side as they watched Mary and Abraham walk down the aisle.

When they reached the altar, Abraham moved to his rightful space. Turning slightly to look at their friends and family. All of which were happily in attendance. Well. Almost all of them were. If anyone had been paying any attention to the groom’s older cousin, Delilah. They would have noticed that she wasn’t in the room at that time. You see a couple of days ago, she had been bitten by another person on her way home from work. The man had been bleeding from the eyes and nose. As well as his mouth. And he was obviously not well when he bit Delilah’s arm. Tearing a chunk out of it. Running away before the police could stop him. Before anyone could stop him.

Delilah had gone to the hospital. She had the injury treated and was given medicine for the wound. Which she took as she was told to. Despite what she did, it did nothing for the injury she had suffered. As the illness that she had contracted has no cure as of late. Then again. Zombies aren’t exactly something that most people in the modern day are prepared to handle.

If they had the slightest idea that’s what she had. Then they would have done what needed to be done.

Now Delilah has unpeacefully passed in the church’s bathrooms. Her body lay on the ground for a few seconds before unsteadily getting to her feet. Eyes opening but no longer were of the beautiful smart woman. She lumbered out of the bathroom as silently as she had slipped into it. No one noticed she was coming until she opened the doors leading into the chapel. A few people gasping and screaming as they took sight of her. Wearing her soft lilac bridesmaid dress covered in her blood. Hands are somewhat covered in it as well. Skin was paler than it had been previously. As she lumbered towards the altar, people tried to stop her. They tried to ask her what was wrong. None of them managed to stop her for long as she walked.

Right until her mother grasped her shoulders as she asked what happened. That stopped her for a few seconds. Until she bit her mother’s face and tore off a huge chunk of it. People tried to stop her as she tore off pieces of her mother’s body. Turning on the people that tried to stop her. Biting them as well. Tearing off more pieces as everyone else tried to flee the chapel. Bride and groom included.

Everything devolved into chaos as they ran in different directions. The bride and her family went in one direction. While the groom and what was left of his went another. Soon as they felt they were safe, they tried to locate the phone. Mary found it first. She hurriedly dialed 9-1-1 and told them what was going on. Telling them that one of her bridesmaids was sick and attacked people. That they needed help as the situation had gotten completely out of control at the church they were at. They told her that they would be there within twenty minutes. And to lock the room that she was in. Quietly, she agreed then hung up. Looking to her family, she stated,”They said they will be here in twenty minutes. They also said to barricade the doors.”

“Help me push the table against the door.”,she ordered. Getting to the buffet table and pushing it towards the door. Her father and mother helped her immediately. While the rest of her relatives looked on in silence.

Meanwhile the groom and his family were still running. The injured had turned into what Delilah had. Each of them rose to their feet before chasing the groom and his family. As they tried to flee the scene and find a way out. Once they had, they piled into their cars. Without any hesitation the other wedding participants fled the scene. Only the groom and his family hesitate. Joseph stared at the doors leading to the church. Watching the bloodied creatures lumber outside towards the parked cars. He wanted to leave. To go anywhere that these…these things were. But his soon to be wife was inside there. Trapped possibly. He couldn’t just leave her. He had to save her and the rest of her family. Looking to his father, he informed,”Dad. Take my car.”

“What? No, no we n-“”Please! Mary and her family are still there! I must help them get out!”,Joseph demanded. Giving his father the keys as he grasped the door. Determined to get to his future wife. Grabbing his son’s shoulder, Cornelius stated,”I will help you retrieve them.”

“Da-“”I must. I will not allow you to go alone against those things!”,he stated. He looked at his father. Seeing the determination in his eye. Glancing over at his mother in the back seat, he handed her the keys. Calmly, he asked,”Mom. Will you leave if we don’t come back within fifteen minutes?”

“I…yes. But only to get help.”,Eloise answered. Tears welling up in her eyes as she watched both her son and husband leave the car. Both men running towards the chapel of bloodied monsters. Holding the keys tightly in her hands as she silently prayed for their safety. As well as the safety of her future daughter-in-law. Heart heavy as she sat there.