CHAPTER 1. Endearing

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"I love you."
...
It all came rushing back.
I hated the world. It wasn't normal, my parents told me, to feel this way. I couldn't help it, though. It felt natural, satisfying, even.
People were the worst, honestly. I hated the way people stared at me wherever I went. I could say that, however many times, to try and get me to believe it myself, but it wouldn't be true. No, it's more the way they didn't notice me I hated.

   That was before the epidemic started. I watched it as it escalated on the news, but it all seemed so surreal. 'Lock your doors, barricade your windows, and pray.' The news reporter had said. The feeling of dread settled in my stomach as I watched my parents frantically board wood to the windows and doors, layering them. We hid in our basement, as if that wasn't just as creepy and unsettling. Adrenaline probably blurred a lot of this situation, seeing as I don't remember it too much. The house lights were off, and we sat in the dark of our basement, the glow of the television embodying the room in its entirety.

   The one thing I do remember, was how the
basement smelled of mildew and something..rotting. Nobody came in the basement, it was forbidden. My stomach hurt from the smell alone, nerves building up as my parents clutched each other. Oh, right, I forgot to mention, the news didn't tell us what exactly the epidemic did. Of course, I know about it now. It was a virus, a drug, some people had taken. The side effects were brutal, morbidly so. Unlike normal drugs, this turned your body into something un-human, seeping into your very being and taking control of your body. Your body would start to rot, beginning as a subtle ache in your chest. Being in a small town didn't help us, really. Within minutes, loud banging encompassed the house. I don't know how I knew, but I knew. They had gotten in.

     Somehow, they had broken through our barricades, beginning to search for residents. At the time, I didn't realize it, but this would be the last time I'd see my parents. My father, who barged drunkenly around town and through the house, with his burly reputation for attacking people in a drunken state. My mother, who was the most patient of all, dealing with raising children and a disturbing man altogether. I realized I had forgotten about someone. My older brother, Teo. He'd been at school when this started, meanwhile I'd convinced my parents to stay home.

   A deafening thud filled the house, shaking it slightly. Multiple voices yelled out, as feet trampled inside and gunshots were fired. "Is anyone here?" A voice yelled once more, coming down the stairs. My mother was quick to shout back. "In the basement!" She spoke, fumbling on her words and standing quickly. My father and I followed her motion.
   
    Quickly, we rushed up the stairs,
encountering masked men with rather large guns. I eyed him up and down, cautious.
"We're going to ask you to comply and come with us silently, ma'am." The largest of the men — presumably the leader, spoke. My mother nodded, my father following behind her. Suddenly, one of them cuffed me, lifting me in the air by them. My wrists were red and raw, strangled in the metal.

   "What do you think you're doing? Put her down!" I heard my father yell, slamming his hand against the wall. I flailed, swinging back and forth to try and kick the man holding me.
"This is protocol. All teenagers are to be sent to the camp for testing." He spoke with a grunt, his stoic expression hardening even more. Jeez, I didn't know that was even possible. My mother matched his gaze, frowning. I also had never seen her do that, either. My face shifted into that of a grimace.

   My mother screamed, abruptly at that. I flinched, as she tried frantically to attack the men. "What is she?! A rabid dog? Eugh!" One man spoke. At that, she practically roared. Okay, that's another weird thing I'd never seen till today. Suddenly, her skin began to morph, her height increasing. My jaw dropped, and my father stumbled back, clearly not processing what was happening. What was once my mother, stood a green, larger, rotting looking..woman? At this point, I couldn't tell. She roared once again, flinging herself at the man holding my cuffs. Shouting, so much shouting, was happening. My ears rang, as bullets shot at what was once my mother. One shot a tranq at her, causing her to stumble and fall. All at once, silence ensued. The shouting and chaos had ended.

   The rest of the day was a blur. A large truck sat outside my house, and I was dragged towards it. Opening it, I held in a gasp, instead exhaling sharply. A crate full of teenagers..no, kids and teenagers sat, handcuffed the same as I. My throat felt heavy, I could hear a little beating in it.

    I was thrown in with the rest of them, and quickly sat up. Glancing at those around me, I noticed something. They all looked frantic, their eyes practically bulging out their sockets.

What was happening?

prologue to perspective.

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⏰ Last updated: Aug 18 ⏰

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