One Drop Of Blood

7

I yawned and woke up when I heard Diesel bark. He was scratching at the door so I opened it, assuming he wanted out. He ran down the hall and down the stairs, I sprinted behind to keep up with him. I checked outside before moving the shelf to let him through. Instead of sniffing around or going to the bathroom like I thought, He ran towards the building across the street and started growling at it. I tensed up and grabbed the knife from my pocket. Is there a bloodshot in there...?

"Come on boy, back off..." I called to him quietly but firmly. I don't want him to get hurt. We should probably warn the others just in case it's a group of them. He kept growling and jumped on the door, trying to get in. I ran up to him and grabbed his collar, pulling him away from it. He started to bark at the door aggressively, spit dripping from his mouth. Suddenly he nipped at my hand causing me to fall back, before he ran into the door. The door flew open with a loud crash and left a dent in the wood.

I ran after him shouting his name, He was already halfway down the hall. I caught up with him in a back room where I saw him barking at a figure. I readied my knife incase they attacked but stopped when I saw them on the defensive instead of offensive.

"Diesel! Back off!" He looked at me and tilted his head but did as he was told. The man had a scruffy beard and several scars on his body. He had a dirty, beige coat that hung just above his knees. He had jeans with one of the pant legs stained with blood, and brown combat boots. He was tensed up with his fists out but relaxed once Diesel retreated.

"Thanks! I owe you!" Despite his look, his personality was quite bubbly. "Too bad he doesn't like me, I love dogs." He crouched down trying to lure Diesel over but he just growled at him. "So, are you all alone out here? I'd hate to think someone as young as you got left behind." 

"Yea, It's just me and Dies." I don't know what propelled me to lie but they way Diesel was acting told me it was the right thing to do. A look of what seemed like annoyance flashed on his face for a second before it turned to a look of pity.

"I'm so sorry... Why don't you come with me? We can look for help." He walked towards me and extended his hand. He didn't limp though. Which means that blood wasn't his own.

"What will we do if we run into the bloodshot?" I looked for any sort of reaction from him.

"I wouldn't be able to fight too well so we'd have to run, I can carry you if needed." He's a horrible liar. He seemed to notice the suspicion on my face. "This isn't blood so you know, I stepped into a mud puddle by accident!" Before all of the horror I had faced, I would have believed him, especially since now it was dry and brown. His shoes though seemed to be clean though, aside from scuffs, and it wasn't on his other leg. But if he wants to lie, two can play at that game.

"Thanks! I didn't know what I was going to do!" His face seemed to relax but not in a calming way. More like the face of a hunter after he knew his prey had been captured. "I have a few supplies we can go collect! Come on!" I quickly ran ahead out the door. Diesel ran down the hallway but I stopped, leaning against the wall. I heard the mans heavy footsteps walking towards me and saw his shadow get closer to the door. As I saw his toe pass the doorway, I jumped up, swinging my kitchen knife at him. He jumped back and yelled in pain as I missed my target and dug it through his shoulder instead.

I let the hilt go and started to dash in the other direction Diesel had went. We burst out of the building together and ran across the road. I heard the man shouting from behind me along with face paced running. suddenly the shelf blocking the entrance to the other building opened and Ray stepped out.

"Harvey what's wrong. I heard yelling." Ava came out behind him holding a 10 pound weight which she held above her head, ready to swing at someone.

"The- There's a guy trying- not good!" I tried to explain as I ran out of breath. He looked up and his eyes widened as the scarred man stepped out of his building holding the gory knife in his hand. The blood was gushing down his shoulder. Ava ran towards him with a yell and swung the weight at him. He easily side stepped it, causing her to lose her balance and turn to the side. He stabbed the knife into her arm quickly then pulled back with a lot of force and a squirt of blood. She screamed in pain as she dropped her weapon and gripped at her arm.