Embers

Chapter 2

"Heyyyy, Ally. What do you want to do today?" Jackson greets me in an embrace, on my front porch.

"How about we go for a walk to the park? I know it sounds boring but there is not really much else to do, now that we're stuck in the city." I sigh.

"Mmm nah, I've got a better idea," He smirks, "get in the car."

I follow him into the passenger seat of his 1984 Volkswagen beetle and he turns on the radio. The Rolling Stones is playing loud in my ears, and despite my hatred for the band, I ignore it, for Jackson's sake. There's a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as he bops his head to the beat. I am almost drawn away from reality, until we arrive at our destination.

I look out the window and see a buzzing city, as usual. There are cars driving everywhere, and skyscrapers so tall that it hurts my neck to look at them.

"Really Jackson? You're taking me into the heart of the city? This is the place I've been trying to get away from. It's the same thing everyday and to be completely honest, I'm sick of it!" I sigh deeply but nevertheless, open my car door.

"Wow, Allannah, what happened to not judging a book by its cover? Follow me... please?" He begins to jump out of the car and I follow him reluctantly. We walk up to the tallest skyscraper of them all and begin to make our way inside.

"Now, this place is filled with offices, so as long as we act normal, we can pretend we work here." He grins and I just raise my eyebrows at him, but follow, nevertheless. We casually walk into an elevator, and when we're finally alone Jackson pushes the button of the top floor.

I am still really confused, as to what we're doing, but I would trust this boy with my life, so I continue to play along. We reach the top floor and walk down a couple long hallways until we reach a supplies closet. He opens the door and allows me to follow him, before closing it behind him. I am beginning to get a little scared now.

"Jackson!" I hiss, "What are we doing?!"

"Shhh! You'll see."

He pulls a step ladder from the corner and places it against the wall. He cautiously climbs up the ladder, step by step, and starts to unlock a latch on the roof. A small door opens, above us and Jackson begins to climb out, into the fresh air.

"Come on!" He coaxes and offers me a hand as I follow him onto the roof.

"Oh my goodness!" My jaw drops as I look down off the building, " no, no, this is not smart Jackson!" I begin to retreat off the roof but he grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"You're gonna be okay, just sit here, and tell me what you see."

"I see cars. Lots of them. Buildings, houses, roads, people, a few trees here and there. I see the city, Jackson, what else?" I laugh and roll my eyes at him.

"You're not looking far enough. Look into the distance."

I look as far as I can until something catches my eye, "Is that-?" I gasp.

"Yes it is," he smiles, "the wall that separates us from the infected. The wall that keeps us in the city. And look beyond that, Ally."

"I see forests, filled with trees and life! A real forest, Jackson!" I stand in awe, "When was the last time we saw one of them?"

"Five fricken years ago, that's when!" He laughs, and for the rest of the day we enthuse about life before the virus. We day-dream about where we would be right now and we frown over the fact that that's not a reality.

"Thank you, so much, for taking me there, today. I loved it." I say as we pull up in my drive-way. I give him a crooked smile, and in return he flashes me a perfect, white one.

"My pleasure." He looks me straight in the eye.

I'm about to open the car door, when I realise that Jackson is starting to lean in towards me. What the f*ck? I restrain from saying, but a million thoughts are running through my head at once. Before I know it his lips are centimetres from mine and I feel like a deer in headlights. I am frozen, and all I can manage to spit out is, "W-what the f*ck?!"

Wow. Great using your words, Allannah.

He opens his eyes, shocked (not as fricken shocked as me!), and sits back up straight. "What does it look like I'm doing!?"

I don't even know what to say, it's like my jaw is locked in place and my tongue is paralysed. We have been best friends since birth and not once has he tried to pull a move on me. I mean, he's not a bad looking guy, and I love his personality, but just not like that.

"I'm sorry Jackson, I love you, but just not in that way. You're my best friend!" He just looks down and doesn't reply, so I take that as my cue to leave. He drives off as soon as I exit the vehicle, and I couldn't be happier to get inside.

I look at the time; it's 6:00. Mum should be well and truly home from work by now. She has had to work on weekends ever since my dad, well... you know. She is a scientist, who helps find cures for the virus. I'm about to call out for her, when I hear the sound of her voice coming from her bedroom. It is hushed and she sounds stressed about something.

I sneak up to her room, and press my ear against the cold, wooden door.
"No! ... I can't do that!... All we need are some live under 18 infected people, and then I can do the testing necessary...there's no promises, but there's a good chance of finding the cure... Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow... Bye." I hear her put her phone on the table, and there are so many thoughts going through my head at once.

What a day.