Halo | 18+

chapter five

- AURELIA JONES -

Rumours used to spread like wildfire in middle school.

If someone hooked up with their friends boyfriend, by second period the other schools in the neighbouring towns already knew.

And I guess that's what happens with virus's too.

I shouldn't be twenty-one years old, fighting for my life in a town with no people.

I should be attending college, and parties, and hooking up with guys. Not sleeping tied to a tree in case I get attacked.

This shit was too much.

I blinked open my eyes, immediate pain shooting through every inch of me.

My skin burned, my body was hot, but I was so cold at the same time. I remembered what had happened just moments ago, realising I was still lying on the ground covered in a bunch of ruble.

"Ollie?" I coughed.

I managed to get myself to my feet, eyes wide as a massive fire spread throughout the house.

"Ollie!" I screamed, waving my hand to clear some smoke, "Ollie where are you?" My head was light and feathery. My spine had tingles. "Oliver!" I screamed again.

My throat was dry from yelling. I couldn't see anything.

I don't even know if there was a way out of here.

Large pillars of wood broke off from the floor above me, crashing down in the path in front of me. Now I really was trapped.

"Come on Aurelia." I mumbled to myself, looking for any chance of a way out.

My eyes were burning from the smoke and it was going to take a long time for me to breathe properly again if I ever got out of here.

"...Aurelia?" I heard my name in the distance, a faint calling.

"Ollie? Ollie is that you?" I jumped back into action, getting to my knees as I crawled beneath the burning building.

"Ollie where are you?" I scream-cried, begging for him. I was so hot, so tired. My throat hurt, everything hurt, actually. Every limb and joint.

I was about to close my eyes again and have a quick rest, but I felt something wrap around my wrist. I wanted to fight back, but I was far too tired to lift my head from the position it was in.

Maybe I should open my eyes, see whats going on.

It sounds like it's going fine. Just a crackling fire, nothing else.

Sounds nice.

+ + +

"... Without the newcomers, probably a weeks worth, two at best." Somebody was whispering.

"Two weeks? At best? Surely we have more than that?"

Who is talking so loudly? Why is everyone talking in both of my ears? It's giving me a headache.

"We ran out of venison last week, we've got four rabbit hide and a pigeon until our stock is completely out."

"Not even low, just out?"

I lifted my head. Ouch, that hurt!

"Hey, Aurelia, you're awake!" Someone said quickly. I felt a gust of air right by my head and struggled to open my eyes, seeing a very worried, very guilty looking Oliver.

"Hey!" I said with a croaky voice, "You're okay." I smiled.

He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles, "I'm so sorry Lia, so fucking sorry. I'm- fuck. I don't even know how it happened." He said.

With all the strength I could gather, I held his face with my hands, "I'm just glad you're okay. I don't care about me." I shook my head. He smiled, "I thought you'd made it out as well, and I looked for you and- you weren't there."

His voice was soft.

I nodded, "I'm okay, you're okay. Nothing to worry about now."

That was the biggest lie, but for right now everything was fine.

"Where are we?" I questioned, looking around. It was almost a hospital room, but operating outside of a bedroom. The walls were bedroom-y, but there was a hospital bed, whiteboards, a cart full of medical supplies.

Tweezers, sewing kit, sanitiser, scissors, scalpel... the works.

"Who's place is this?"

The sheets pooled around my feet, bunching up and creating a large dent in the duvet, "Did you tuck me in? Is that why half the blanket is in Africa right now?" I teased.

Ollie rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm gonna go get Ange and let her know you're awake."

The sound of my best friends name perked up my ears, "Wait, Ange and Ariel are here?" I asked. He nodded, "They've been here the whole time. This is where I've been trying to take you."

"Be right back." He winked.

I was alone, again. In this makeshift hospital bed, looking over the city.

It was, disastrous. Half of the buildings I used to walk past everyday were no longer standing. They'd been tagged, set on fire, broken, kicked.

The glass had replaced for cardboard, and the doors had been replaced for barbwire.

It was a madhouse.

"Oh my God, thank the heavens that you're awake! We have been worried sick about you!" Ange swore, practically sprinting into the room.

She hugged me tightly. "It's good to see you too."

+ + +

By the end of the day, I was up and walking.

Nothing too serious, just minor abrasions on my back, a few broken ribs, and a lot of bruises.

Did I also mention a concussion and having to use an inhaler from the amount of smoke I inhaled? Yeah, that too.

"Okay, here." Ariel said, "Drink this, and make sure you finish at least half, or the meds will kill you. Literally."

I wanted to laugh at her seriousness, but she's a trained medical physician, I don't want to risk it. "Yes Mom." I smirked.

Ariel and Angel hadn't left my side since I woke up. Making sure I was okay, wiping my ass when I needed to pee. I truly am grateful for them.

"Do you guys know where we are?" I asked.

They looked at each other, "We're not supposed to tell you, but-" Ange quickly got up and closed the door, pulling a seat so she's closer to me.

"We're at The Citadel."

I nearly choked on my beans.

"Excuse me?" I shouted, "Shh, keep your voice down!" She hushed me, "We're at-"

"Yes! We're- at The Citadel. Keep it down."

I chewed, very slowly before swallowing. "Why." Is all I could say.

"Apparently your friends Rez and Ollie- live here."

I put the fork down, "I need to speak with Ollie, now. Like, right now." I hyperventilated, "Someone get me Ollie."

+ + +

Dun dun dun...

Are you guys excited to meet the one and only Jace? I know I am...

Goodluck readers Xx

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