End Of The World

Encounter (Ch 4)

My ear was filled with a loud ringing noise. My head hurt a lot, and so did my lower stomach. My legs were still sore from all of the running. I could hear some distinct conversation close by, but I couldn't keep my eyes open. The air was filled with the aroma of light, fresh, calming green tea. An unknown voice whispered something I couldn't understand.

¨Hey can you hear me?" The voice questioned.

I push my eyelids open slightly. I could only make out black curly hair. I could only assume it was a boy or a man who had just spoken to me. I Jolt up and force my eyes fully wide. The walls were made out of wood and the atmosphere was warm and cozy but I wasn't feeling so. I turned to see who spoke to me and was surprised to see a boy around my age maybe slightly older. His hair was dark and curled and his eyes were ember green. His skin was as pale as a ghost but was red near his nose and cheeks.

¨Who are you and why have you kidnapped me!" I demanded. I move closer to the wall pulling the blanket closer to me. I mean this guy could be trouble. He is a stranger after all. I was hesitant and jumpy due to the nature of the situation.

The boy was startled " Look, I didn't kidnap you." He explained. ¨ Well, technically I guess I did" He trailed off as he put the cup of tea on the nightstand.

He added " And I don't think you should be the one asking the questions here." The boy started to interrogate me "So what were you doing on this private property, also why haven't you been in the round-up yet?" His intense stare was hard to look away from as he spoke.

¨Umm I didn't know this was private property and I accidentally forgot about the roundup this morning.¨ I stuttered, the words barely came out of my mouth. I couldn't tell him that I was "infected" and wasn't allowed in the roundup.

¨How could you forget such an important event like a roundup" he scoffed.

The air was stiff; it felt like it was getting harder and harder to breathe as he questioned me more.

"I don't have to answer your questions" I bleated. A sharp pain came from my lower abdomen. As I let out a groan.

"Oh sorry about that" He sneered.

Confused, I ask him "Sorry for what?"

"For shooting you what else?" He smiled. His tone was cocky and I could tell he cared less that he had shot me.

"YOU SHOT ME?!" I screamed. That would account for my lower abdominal ache. I raise my shirt slightly to see the bandages covering it. I absolutely did not believe I was shot at; instead, I figured I had fallen and got hurt.

"Sorry, I thought you were infected from my point of view". He expressed. "But, let's not change the topic here.¨

¨Im leaving!" I quickly jolted off the bed as the pain came rushing up my abdomen. It was the feeling of being stabbed in the same spot multiple times. The pain was too much for me and I fell down to my knees grabbing onto my stomach. 

The boy gently grabbed onto my arms and pulled me up. I hated how vulnerable I was right now. I push him away and headed for the door. Limping since it was hard to put pressure on the left side of my body. It felt as if that one side had gone numb. 

The boy came pacing behind me "Hey!" he shouted "Where are you going?"

I ignored his question and started going down the wooden stairs. The wood created a creaking sound with each step I took. The place smelled like a forest and burned wood. It reminds me of the Christmas cabin I would go to. My vision began to blur, but I could still see Mom and Dad at the bottom of the steps. The house was suddenly illuminated with Christmas lights, and the aroma of warm cocoa filled the air. But as I went down each step, it became increasingly difficult. Everything was so dazed and hazy that I could feel my hands start slipping off the railing. two hands held around me and started to help me down the stairs.

My eyes opened to see it was the boy I push away from his grasp and headed for the front door. 

"Woah, where do you think you're going?'" He blurted.

"I'm going back home" I replied as I tug the knob of the front door.

"Wait" he sighed "Let me help you with your wound at least". 

I look at him and his eyes spoke sincerity. Maybe I should just let him help me with my wound. Ugh, but he's the one who even gave me this in the first place. But I won't be able to survive long with this untreated.  I look at him and nodded without saying a word. 

"Ok great, well make yourself comfy because it's going to take a few days for it to get better" He Mentioned and headed for the kitchen. I sat on the living room couch and laid my head on the armrest. 

A few hours later I woke up to the smell of hot broth. My eyes flutter open as I sit up on the couch.

"Look who's finally awake" He joked. The boy placed a bowl of soup on the table. " Do you need me to feed you too?" He grinned. 

In that moment I really wish I could punch his jokster face. "No thank you, I'm sure I can do it myself." I verified.  

The night went on, as usual, it was gonna be hard spending a few days with this one-of-a-kind guy. Dear God, how the hell am I going to live with him for the next 3 days?

Continue reading to see what happens next ;)