Of Men and Monsters

Three: Rash Decisions

Farrow carried Jayde as I lead us to the next safe room. We were halfway there when we came across another group of survivors.

Raine, who used to be my supervisor, until she got demoted.
Ten, a former MTF officer turned researcher. They had a reputation for being a leader. Ten is a good friend of mine.
Martha, an older woman in her 60s who works as a secretary.
With them were three people I didn't recognize.

We all walked into the next room before talking.

"Is anyone injured?" Farrow asked, immediately sending a person over to me.

"What's wrong?" I began preparation, cleansing my tools and already laying things out.

"Animal bite." The guy winced.

"How long ago?" I assessed the damage, seeing that most of the skin was unbroken, and that it was really mild.
"Half an hour ago."
"Seriously?" I shook my head. "It's not even bleeding! Nor is it inflamed." I wanted to smack him. "When is the last time you had a tetanus shot?"
"Last year." The guy looked confused.
"Look kid, I can clean it and bandage it. What the hell, anyone can do that! It's basic first aid. And you have the audacity to ask for my help with it while we are in the middle of a goddamn lockdown?! People like you piss me off." I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and pinched the bridge of my nose.
I felt the gaze of literally everyone in the room on me.
"If you aren't out of my sight when I open my eyes, I will give you a real reason to seek medical attention." I listened closely and heard the frantic steps going away from me.
I waited a second longer before opening my eyes and I put on a smile. I ignored all of the comments about me and I turned back to the majority of the group.
"Anyone else?"
----

We kept moving, and I quietly talked to Martha. We were chatting about nothing in particular.
Martha has been here for as long as anyone can remember, and to most of us she is like a mother.

"So Zara, are you ever going to get married and have kids?" Martha caught me off guard.

"I hope I'll get married one day, but I don't think I'll ever have children." I looked at the ground and did my best to seem more sad than I actually am. "It's just been harder since Gwen." I mentioned her and felt real sorrow and longing.

"I'm sorry, sweetie." Martha did her best to comfort me without touching me. Anyone who really knows me knows I usually hate being touched.

"No, it's okay Martha." I composed myself and put on a smile. "Having kids probably wouldn't be a good idea for me." I pulled down the sleeves of my turtleneck and adjusted the strap of my satchel, not thinking about it as I did so.

"We all know Z doesn't have the patience for raising children. Besides, this place won't allow it." Farrow pointed put the obvious.

"Martha, you won't have to wait long for a wedding. Jayde and Farrow are obviously made for each other." Ten tried their best to be reassuring.

Martha and I laughed quietly at Ten's comment.

I looked over to see Raine chewing out Farrow and Jayde, and I walked over.

"-and I can't believe you two had the audacity to find that bitch, Withers, before you tried to find me. After all I've done for you?!" Raine was speaking rather loudly.

I cleared my throat, and then tapped Raine when she didn't respond. She turned around and glared down at me.
"Hey, Raine, I suggest you shut up." We had both stopped and faced each other.
"Oh really? What are gonna do about it?"
"Oh please, you're just pissed because I got your job."
"So what if I am?" She was yelling now.
"Are you trying to get us all killed?"
"As I said before, what are you gonna do to make me shut up?" I felt my hands ball into fists, my nails making little crescent imprints into my palm.
"I can ask you nicely, or I could use force. It's your choice." I listened closely, hearing something farther off coming closer to us.
"I doubt you have the guts to do anything, Withers." I heard the footsteps coming closer, at a faster pace.
I shushed her, and when she didn't comply I pulled her to knees and held the knife from my pocket to her neck. I didn't know what I was doing until I did it, and I got the same feeling as I did back in the break room with 049. It scared me.
We all listened for the noise, and sure enough it was still there, coming closer. Raine's eyes widened as she finally noticed why I was trying to get her to shut up.
I leaned in, whispering quietly.
"You have two options. Die here or listen to my orders. I am going to take the blade off of your neck and you can decide." I released her, folded my knife and turned to the others. I signaled for them to keep going, but to be quiet.
I nodded to Ten, as they knew what I was going to do.
I watched as Raine walked away with the others, and they turned the corner.