Darker Days

Chapter One.

Monday, September 4th 2017.

The alarm was going off. I heard it, I just really didn't want to wake up. It's 6 in the morning, waking up this early should be illegal.

"Astrid, wake your ass up!" My mother says as she pulls my blanket off.

"Come one, five more minutes." I groan and roll over as she turns my lights on causing me to sigh, "Alright alright, I'm up." I groan and sit up wiping my eyes.

"It is your first day of senior year, you can't be late." She says as she walks out of the room.

I stretch as I stand up out of my bed. I walk into my bathroom and turn my shower on, brushing my teeth as I let the shower warm up. After about 20 minutes i hop out, drying my hair before going to find what to wear. I grabbed a pair of black leggings from my dresser drawer pulling them on, I then throw on a black tank top and a dark blue long sleeve over top of it. I then brush my hair, put on Chapstick and run downstairs, grabbing my socks on the way down and my bag.

"Still grouchy?" My mom jokes before handing me a plate with eggs and toast

"I'm just tired." I yawn before taking a bite of my eggs, "You working late tonight?" I ask as I scarf down my eggs.

"I don't know yet, depends if the hospital needs me, but I am running late." My mother says as she walks over kissing my head, "Have a good first day, and for gods sake Astrid don't be late, you have your own car so there is absolutely no reason for you to be late! I'll text you if I'm going to be late tonight." She says as she rushes out

"Yeah yeah love you!" I tell as I hear a muffled 'love you' back as the door shut

I sigh, finishing my food before rinsing my plate off in the sink. I then grab my travel mug and get coffee. I put my socks on then my black knee high boots before grabbing my bag, mug, and keys and head for the door. I get into my 2017 Honda Civic and call my friend Luke.

"Hey, what's up?" He says through the phone

"I'm leaving my place now, you ready?" I ask as i back out of my driveway

"Oh shit, yeah!" Luke says as I hear him rush around

"See you in 15." I laugh as I head towards Luke's place

Luke and I had been best friends since the 4th grade when he moved to Cherno, basically inseparable since we met. He's a good dude and was there for me during my parents divorce and so much more. Glad he's been with me so I was never alone. But after the 15 minutes I pull up in front of his house and see him rushing down the driveway towards my car.

"Fuck, I shouldn't have stayed up till three in the morning." Luke groaned as he got into my car

"You need to learn how to put the game down." I laugh as I head towards the school

"Yeah yeah." He says and looks at me, "You ready for senior year?" He asks and I just shake my head no but before I could speak a news broadcast came over the radio.

Good morning and happy Monday, we are here to let you all know of a new sickness that has broken out, don't be worried though just take precautions.

And with that it was over, I looked at Luke who laughed.

"Something fun to start senior year with." Luke laughed and I just rolled my eyes pulling into the school.

I park the car and turn it off. I look at Luke and my phone starts buzzing, my mom texted me.

"Knew that was coming." I say and get out of the car, grabbing my bag from the backseat

"Your mom working late?" He asked and I nodded as we walked into the school together.

We walked past a girl I knew, Kiersten. Her eyes were red and puffy and she had skin sores on her arms as well. I stop and turn to her.

"Kiersten are you okay?" I walked towards her as someone grabbed my arm pulling me away, I look back seeing Luke and I's other friend Abby.

"She has that disease, don't go near her." Abby says as she drags me away into the crowd of people. "I don't even know why she came today." Abby says with her arms still interlocked with mine

"Should we tell someone? Like a nurse or something?" I ask as we get to our lockers where Luke was waiting

"I'm sure her first class teacher will send her away." Luke says as he opens up his locker

I nod and open mine up, putting my stuff away besides my notebook and pencils. The three of us chatted for a bit as the bell rang. Abby and Luke went to there first period class which was math and I headed to English. I sat in the back corner of the desk and watch everyone walk in, one of them being Kiersten. Her eyes looked more dead and they were glossy, she sat two desks in front of me. I watch as people avoid her and the teacher, Ms. Roswell walked in.

"Good morning class, happy senior year. I don't know how long this'll be an in class school year as this outbreak is apparently bad." She started by saying as she looked around the class her eyes had fallen on Kiersten, "Jesus Kiersten, you look awful! Uh I need two student to take her to the nurses office asap." Her eyes wander the class, "Astrid and Brad, take her there and come straight back." Ms. Roswell demanded

I sigh as the three of us stood up, Brad and I let Kiersten exit the class first as we trailed behind her. Half way there she started staggering and fell to the ground.

"Shit Kiersten." Brad said as we both rushed over to her side

I grab her arm then looked at Brad.

"She is so hot to the touch, I'll run to the nurses office and grab her quick." I say jumping up and sprinting, I swing the door open and the nurse stares at me.

"Astrid what.." But before she could finish I grabbed her hand and dragged her out and down the hall where Brad was holding Kiersten, "Oh my is she okay?" The nurse asks as she kneels down and then Kiersten looks up, her eyes completely glossed over and her breathing was heavy and uneasy.

Next thing I knew she turned her head over and bit into Brad's forearm, he screamed as a reaction and pushed away from her, blood was everywhere. The nurse pushed me back, causing me to land on my ass as I pushed myself away.

"Help!! Help us!!!" I screamed as class door swung open and teachers pop there heads out

Gasps could be heard all over as Brad was bleeding out and Kiersten was trying to attack the nurse. I felt like I couldn't move till a pair of arms wrapped around me, pulling me up to my feet, I looked back and seen Luke who was dragging me away. I watched as Abby sprinted to us and followed us as more students peered out of the classrooms and chaos began. Teachers tried to calm students down until Kiersten bit into the nurses neck. My eyes widen and Luke picked me up carrying me outside to the parking lot. Students were rushing around going to there cars or anywhere they could. Luke put me down at my car.

"Can you drive?!" Luke asks and I nod as we all, including Abby get in my car.

"Where should we go?" I ask as I start the car

The radio was broadcasting about how a breakout has started but I couldn't even think straight. I put my car in reverse and backed out of my parking spot and sped off towards my place.