Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

2) Crank Discrimination

The Right Arm camp wasn't bad. They had a few tents set up. Some were slightly open, showing something to cook with or medical tools or just basic things you would have in a room. Some had small pots and pans on makeshift stoves. Some had maps neatly folded or thrown about as if they had been used in a children's game of frisbee. To be honest, it was better than I could have ever predicted.

Maybe they don't suck as humans and up not being the downfall of millions this time? That would sure be nice, but I'm not putting money on it. I wouldn't be surprised if they got us all killed in two hours.

“It's a pain to put up and take down, but we're almost done doing that. We’re almost out of stops,”Sonya explained.

“What a wonderful way to live,”I said under my breath.

“It’s going to be a late night, but we're always prepared for that now, ever since someone named Teresa-”
Before she could finish her sentence Brenda collapsed on the ground. With her lips now completely blue and the way every other part of her was devoid of color, it was a shock she had lasted this long. Whether it was pleasant or not, that was up for debate. Not because I want her dead. I don't care about anyone to wish that on them.

Just because it probably sucks to see someone you love and care for in pain.

“Brenda?”Thomas asked, kneeling beside her. With their leader, a man named Vince, pushing him out of the way, we watched as he rolled up the ankles of her jeans, revealing a dark, far from healing, bite.

“Why did you bring her here!? She could ruin everything!”He yelled at Thomas. Feeling Aris’s eyes travel to me, I slightly moved away from the entire group, internally calculating how fast I would have to run to get out while I still had a beating heart.

“Please? I said I could help her,”He explained. False promises. Gotta love those.

“There's only one way to help her now,”He stated, clicking his shotgun and pointing it at the unconscious girl. Damn. He can't even wait for her to say some last words? Or talk to her friends? I thought that I was cold, but she's literally knocked out and going to die without ever knowing. Surely, he can wait?

“Stop! She deserves to say goodbye!”I demanded, putting myself in front of her.

“She's a Crank!”

“But she still has human in her right now! How would you like it if you didn't get to say goodbye before someone killed you!? You wouldn't, would you!?”

“You think you know better than me!?”

“No. I know I do. Your little group has more blood on their hands than almost anyone else. You're second on that list, and if you're going to add more, make it fair.”

“That was years ago. Things are different now,”He insisted.

“I'll believe it when I see it.”

“You are seeing it. Now move,”He ordered, glaring at me. With me glaring right back, we stared each other down until he cocked his gun again, tapping it against the dirt. Stepping around me, he walked over. Understanding that he wasn't going to hear me out (not shocking), I went to just leave. I've seen everything that I need to.

“Wait!? We can save her!”a woman screamed, making me turn around to see her shoving through him and standing in front of the girl. Putting the gun over his back, he repeated that she was infected.

“We have Thomas. We can save her,”She sort of clarified. With everyone glancing at him, we could see the discomfort from a mile away.

“If you're sure,”He agreed.

“I am,”She said firmly, picking her up and carrying her off while nodding her head for Thomas to follow. Delusional, kidnapped boy may have actually helped her. Who saw that coming?

“Y/N, go,”Aris suddenly urged, trying to push me forward.

“No,”I said firmly, digging my heels into the ground.

“Y/N-”
“Don't. I’ve got this handled.”

“Death is not handling it. Now you say something or I will,”He threatened.

“Fine,”I folded. “Do you have enough cure or whatever for two people?”I asked as three people carried the girl off.

“You're one too?”Vince complained, his disdain for me far from hidden because of that look in his eyes. I knew all about that.

“To be fair, I was going to leave. I just got a little distracted when you tried to shoot us with the big, shiny, pretty guns that you should let me have,”I explained, not caring to say anything else.

“You don't look infected,”He remarked.

I really don't appreciate your Crank discrimination,”I said, crossing my arms as I looked him up and down.

“You look fine,”He repeated.

“Yeah. I feel great too. Especially with this,”I deadpanned, showing my very much Crank infected torso. “You know what? You're right. I was never bitten and scratched. How silly of me.”

“Y/N-”
“Do we have enough for her?”He asked Mary.

“We do,”She nodded.

“Oh damn. I guess I can't shoot my brains out today,”I mumbled to myself, walking to some random tent.

I just hope she doesn't kill me (which may just be very probable because of five seconds ago). That would be a ridiculous way to go.