The Afflicted

Chapter One: Tahlia

Every creak in the house put our hairs on end. Every step was a risk. Every step brought us closer to the afflicted.

"Tahlia," Lucy whispered, "Search that room, I'll search this one, you know the drill,"

I nodded silently and walked through an open door, with my backpack, pocket knife in one hand and torch in the other. I swept into the room, looking for any signs of movement. Assured no one was in here, I took a double take of the room and realised I had hit the jackpot, I was in the bathroom. I rummaged through the cabinets and put all the medical supplies and anything else of value into my backpack.

Lucy and I both went out to scavenge for materials our group could use. It was suicidal but we both did it anyway for a number of reasons, number one reason being that we were both the quietest and quickest when it came to this; a vital skill in scavenging.

As I zipped my bag and turned to walk out, a scream broke the silent atmosphere – it was Lucy. I picked up my knife, promising myself to get a better weapon than what I had on hand.

Lucy was in what seemed to be a master bedroom. I gaped at Lucy as I saw her trying to fight off two afflicted. I picked up an object on the floor, a hairdryer, and threw it one of the afflicted. It looked up at me and seethed with rage. With my knife, I stabbed it ineffectively in the arm, proceeding to hit it in the face. I was neither athletic or strong but I managed to kick it down, however Lucy was struggling to fend for herself.

Bites were visible all around Lucy's hands and her shoulder and neck dripped with blood. The afflicted that Lucy was trying to fight off continued to hover over her as she collapsed.

I jumped from behind to attack the afflicted  that still had Lucy pinned to the floor. I pushed the creature into a wall and kicked it from behind. I noticed the alarm clock on the bedside table and flung it at the afflicted's head.

I don't remember how many times I had to hit it that spot. I barely even remember what the two afflicted looked like. All I remember was the look of Lucy's face. Her scrawled blonde hair soaked with red. The twisted image of pain in her eyes. The haunting realisation that Lucy is dead.

Unable to process anymore, I turned away and picked up both Lucy's and my own backpack. Running awkwardly out of the house with tears soaking my face. I was at the end of the street and waited seven minutes before Bridget and Dave arrived in a old subaru.

"Where's Lucy?" Bridget asked, eyebrows furrowed with concern.

I shook my head and watched their emotions. Bridget sighed and looked down but Dave just stared at me, almost emotionless. His eyes began to glass behind his glasses. I was sure he would almost start to cry but instead he turned his head and stared right ahead into the distance.

It was supposed to be a simple thing, there weren't meant to be any issues. Everything was supposed to go to plan. Everything always goes to plan. Lucy dying was not part of the plan.   

While Bridget got back into the driver's seat and Dave into the passenger's seat, I slipped into the back silently with both Lucy's and my bag by my knees.

Wordless, we drove to meet with the others.