WITHERSICKNESS [MCSM INFECTION AU]

Chapter 67: Minus one

“How can it come back!?” Jessica kept questioning. “I don’t know.” Lukas answered, quickly getting some of his stuff together. He didn’t have much. Just a jacket, quill, bandages, and his book. Everything else he was wearing. “I-it just doesn’t make sense. It had been gone forever!” Jessica continued.

“Got everything?” Lukas asked, putting his stuff in his inventory. “Yup!” Jessica answered, tapping her small messenger bag. It wasn’t ‘pretty looking’, but she didn’t care. No one did. “I’m surprised about Jesse coming out alive and well from talking with Olivia. She seems a bit more anxious than normal.” Jessica pointed out.

“Same here. Hopefully, she won’t be too much of a problem. Or Axel and her don’t get into any more fights.” Lukas hoped, Jessica nodding in agreement. “C’mon, let’s go and meet the others downstairs. The Witherstorm might be on our tail now.” Lukas answered, walking out of the room with Jessica following.

***

They reached downstairs, seeing the others gathered downstairs. “I wish that THING stayed gone.” Ivy pointed out, referring to the Witherstorm. Olivia noticed Jessica and Lukas. “There you guys are, I’d honestly thought you guys weren’t going to come for a second.” Olivia replied, trying to joke around, but her tone wasn’t showing it.

“We were just getting our stuff together.” Jessica answered. “Anywho, anyone got a plan on where we could go?” Ivy asked. “We can always go to the Order’s temple.” Jesse suggested. “Jesse, you said there was a shit ton of infected there last you knew.” Axel pointed out. “But it might have cleared out.” Jesse added.

“I think our old safe space might be safe.” Lukas added. “We can try that.” Ivy shrugged. The others had already gone out when Jesse was about to, before seeing Olivia staying still, fidgeting. “Aren’t you coming?” Jesse asked. “N-no... I think it’s best if I stay here.” Olivia replied.

“Olivia, you can make a change. You can still redeem yourself.” Jesse said. “I’ve caused too much damage already. I-I don’t want to hurt anyone else.” Olivia answered. “Olivia,” “Just go.” Olivia demanded. “I’m not leaving without you.” Jesse added. “Jesse, just go without me.” Olivia repeated.

Olivia turned around, going to go up the stairs where Jessica and Lukas came down. Jesse gripped her sleeve. “Olivia, you’re my-” “LEAVE ME ALONE!!” She pushed him back hard, making him fall roughly to the ground. He winced in pain. “Olivia,-”

“DON’T YOU GET IT!? I CAN’T BE CURED, I CAN’T BE SAVED! I’LL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE! JUST LET ME DIE!”

She stormed up the stairs, furious. “Jesse!?” Lukas called out. Lukas rushed over to Jesse, seeing he was on the ground. “You okay!?” Lukas immediately questioned, helping him up. Jesse was too lost in thought. He just wanted to help. He just wanted everything to be back to the way things were. He sniffled. Lukas could tell what he was thinking, seeing Olivia storm upstairs.

He hugged him tightly. “C’mon, you can tell me everything if needed.” Lukas replied. Jesse followed him, dragging his feet. He wanted to try to get everything back to what they were. But he could see that wasn’t possible anymore. Jesse had hope, hope that Olivia would be able to be helped, that everything would be fine.

But everything had been crushed to bits. Right in front of him.