Infection - Part I

Chapter 15.

The car drove out of town and entered onto a national road.

With Valerie in the backseat, she looked at Griffin who drove the jeep. Beside him, on the passenger seat, his friend - whatever he was, had his head laid on the window of the door.

No words were spoken, not even the radio played. Just the sound of the engine running was what filled the car.

From time to time, Griffin would glance up and at the rear, seeing the reflection of Valerie. 

Minutes later, Valerie found herself resting her head, just like the man in front of her, against the door. She fell asleep.

Her mind replayed fragments of the moments she witnessed back in Artull. She felt as though she was back in the police station. Back with Lisa and Monica.

But before she could delve any further into what her mind portrayed, she got woken up by the sudden breaking of the jeep.

She gasped, looking at Griffin. Hearing her, he looked back, their gazes meeting. "We stopped..." she commented, before averting her eyes elsewhere. Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. "W-where are we?...". 

"Petrol station. I need to refuel the jeep so it can get us to the capital," Griffin responded. "It might take a few, so feel free to get out... stretch your legs or whatever.".

Valerie didn't need to be told twice. Opening the door, she stepped out.

The rain had stopped and the clouds gave way to the slightest hue of orange across the scattered sky. Sunrise... it was nearly time for the sun to peek over the horizon.

A weak gust of wind sent a wake of shivers through Valerie, reminding her of the dampness that remained from the rain back in Artull.

To her right, a streak of white caught her attention. Turning her gaze there, she saw a small house. The front door was ajar.

Furrowing her brows, she decided to make her way toward it. But she didn't make much progress when a voice stopped her. "Hey... Where are you going?". Turning around, she saw Griffin's buddy emerge from his seat and approach her.

"There's a house there... I think I saw someone go inside it," Valerie responded. "I want to see if everything is okay.". Her gaze moved to Griffin as she noticed him looking away from the slight commotion both she and his bud caused. "Besides... while he is refuelling, I might as well make use of my time.".

"We're in the middle of nowhere..." he started. "I doubt there is any living soul out here.".

"I'd say otherwise..." Valerie responded, pointing toward the house nearby. "I just saw someone go in there...".

"It looks run down... abandoned," he began. "Who knows what's in there...".

"Well..." she started. "There's only one way to find out.".

However, behind her, he followed. She was aware of this until a few seconds in, she stopped and turned around again. "I am more than capable of doing this on my own...".

"Never said you weren't," he replied. "However, I might as well make your company, otherwise I'd be standing around the car, doing nothing.".

Valerie eyed him for a second more before she allowed her face to relax ever so slightly. "If that's the case... Alright then.".

And with that, Valerie continued walking. "I don't think I got your name...".

"Devon... Devon Chalestier," he responded.

"Chalestier?..." Valerie repeated. "I don't think I've heard of that surname. Ever. Where are you from?".

"It's an old surname from Iarterre. However, I was born in Failin and then raised in Armull, Lailin," Devon replied.