Delirium - Fire & Ice Trilogy Skylar Book 1

Chapter 10 - Paranoia

Ringing, a phone was ringing. They all searched for their phones even though they knew it wasn't them.

"Who's that" bugged George looking suspiciously at each of them.

"Can't be mine" Skylar insisted "mine died ages ago." Oliver shook his head showing his silent phone, he was surprised he still had battery life though he rarely used it compared to the others. Farren too shook her head as she adjusted her bandage, something clear and sticky was running down her arm and it was really worrying her. All eyes turned to the trees and fear once again threatened to consume them, each grabbing some kind of weapon they raised them readying to attack.

After a tense moment the phone rang off and silence resumed, though unsure the group slowly moved away deciding to leave whoever it was as they were.

Stood alone Annie was well hidden by the trees, she hadn't expected her phone going off though found herself staring at it instead of answering or ignoring it. She waited until the group had fully passed her before falling into line with them. George nearly screamed when he finally saw her making Oliver smile though Skylar was less impressed, she had hoped that Annie was long home but when had she ever been that lucky.

"Right then" expressed Oliver looking around the group "dare I ask how far left?" He breathed deeply feeling his whole body ache and groan, he was tiring quickly although he couldn't tell if it was from the creatures bite or just plain exhaustion. Skylar dug out the day nav which took mere seconds to connect, she was quite surprised that it did given there was no major settlement in sight.

"According to this we've still got, oh" she uttered then stopped and looked directly at Oliver with slight concern. He took a look at the device and groaned loudly to which Farren took to mean bad news, Annie naturally didn't react and an ever curious George wanted to know more.

"What, what is it, will you tell me" he pestered not letting it go.

"We're still a long way from our destination" she sadly informed him.

"We better get moving then" he declared then marched off, Skylar had to smile at his determination. As usual Annie followed without a word, Oliver watched her with growing concern.

So off they went with Skylar in the lead, George beside her and Annie sauntering behind. Oliver himself had slowed down, his usual march was now the same speed as everyone else and he was looking tired. He knew it wasn't just natural exhaustion hitting him, whatever had been holding back the virus was now breaking away and he was feeling it big time. George seemed just as lively as usual though something was bothering him.

"Something's dribbling down my ankle, is that normal" he moaned to Oliver who looked way out of his depth, instead he called to Skylar. Despite her efforts to console his worry he wouldn't let it go.

"Come over here" she stated sitting him down on a short wall then she inspected his wound. The other three took much needed rests especially Oliver who was growing paler and had a tremendous headache. Removing the bandage Skylar gently touched George's wound with her finger, it was bone dry except for a tiny slot where a clear liquid oozed out.

"What" George uttered impatiently.

"Strange, very strange, the same thing happened to my wound" she informed then looked up at Oliver, "it must only happen with certain people." George looked at her confused, though Skylar herself didn't understand it enough to explain it to him. Instead she wrapped another bandage around his wound. "That's all I can do for now George, I don't understand why we don't seem to be affected by this virus where others do. Guess we need more research huh." Slowly nodding George jumped off the wall and rushed on.