Survival

Not him...

Jenny looks up at me. Her eyes are red and her face is wet. My heart sinks and my stomach becomes queasy.

“They got Charlie...” she sobs.

I throw up immediately. No! Not Charlie! I push Bing out of my way. I drop down on my knees next to my fallen friend. Tears come to my eyes.

“Charlie...” I whisper. A tear splashes onto the ground. Charlie's hand twitches.

“Alex...” he croaks out, “I'm sorry...”

“For what?” I'm confused. Why would he be sorry?

“For-for letting you down...”

“Letting me down?!” I'm astonished, “Why would you ever think you let me down? You saved our lives! You saved Bethan's life! I'm more proud of you than I've ever been proud of anyone ever!”

A weak smile appears on his face. His skin is slowly changing colours and it is beginning to rot.

“When I...when I change...don't be afraid to kill me. It won't be the real me. Don't even think twice, okay?” He touches my hand and grabs hold of it. I nod.

“Okay...Thanks Charlie. You've done a lot for us and it means so much.”

He gives me one last smile before he lets go of my hand. His whole body tenses and he lets out an ear drum ripping scream that sends chills down all of our spines. His eyes roll back and I unsheathe my blade. I take in a deep breath and close my eyes, a single tear sliding down my cheek. I slam the blade down and the scream cuts off. Silence fills the air as I remove the knife and put it away. I get up and start walking. I pick up a backpack on the way out.

“Let's GO!” I yell hoarsely. My voice cracks. I hear footsteps start up behind me. I hop over the wall into the dark streets.