Infected.

Chapter Two

"I want- no, need, help." Shane sat in my seat and lay down the gun. From the corner of my eye, I could see Ghost ready to jump at the open chance. 'No.' I mouthed.

"See this?" he continued, pointing out the gruesome arm wound. "I don't know what happened to me. I woke up sweating and my arm was tingling. But Keller, you're a nurse and a witch. You must be able to help!"

"Okay. Well, I'll see what I can do. Jinxx, Ricky, and Andy, go in my room and grab every medical and Wicca book you see. Ryan and Balz, get the herbs and oils. Ashley and Jake, there's a big box of medical tools and supplies in the very back of Ashton's closet, get it all." I rattled out commands.

"Yes ma'am."

"Damn, that many books?"

"Why in a kids' room?"

 Random questions were spat as the boys scurried to their assigned duties. Chris, Ghost, and Angelo stood by my side, waiting to be ordered around. For not even knowing these guys for 24 hours, they're all so sweet! I thought to myself.

"Can one of you get me a lamp and find my gloves in that box?"

 As I examined the wound, I realized this was terribly off. No scratch or bite; oozing burnt blood, this was literally burning him alive!

"Is it eating his flesh that fast?!" Ricky inquired.

"We're all gonna die!" Someone, I think CC, yelled.

"No." I gulped. "It's burning him from the inside out. The further it gets, the more muscles and cells it kills off."

"What the-" Ashley began.

"-fuck is going on?!" Balz finished the thought. Ignoring it, I demanded them to skim through books for any possible diagnosis or cure.

************************************

After several attempts at both scientific and Wiccan theories of healing, I'd only managed to slow the process. It was now to the tips of his fingers and above his shoulder after an hour. His cries of pain grew as burnt blood boiled from his crispy flesh.  I held back tears as best I could.

"Keller; get away." Shane whispered. Sweat consuming his reddened face. His features grew horrid and tense as his eyes dilated and flooded with a new color. Deep, maroon red. I backed up and said, carefully minding the living corpse in front of me, "Guys; get Ashton and leave through the back door. Someone grab the box and books too." Shaking. Fear is now consuming the calm demeanor I had previously maintained.

"What's wro-" A loud gurgle cut the sentence short.

"Go!" I yelled, and dove for the knife rack.

Some left with Ashton in tow, while a few grabbed the requested items. I had no time to waste. Shane had risen from his seat and began limping my way. Okay, just breath Kell. You've practiced for self defense! "Shane. Just; listen to me. You're body is being controlled and you need help!"

Ragged breaths and deteriorating skin were the only response. He continued forward and swiped at me furiously. I blocked one of his swipes, narrowly avoiding my face. I was at a good advantage until he somehow managed to get the upper hand. Drool and ashy skin landed on my chest as he pinned me down. C'mon Keller! Fuck! The knife is just right there! His mucky breath was making me choke and my mind was getting clouded. He leaned closer, the internal fight obvious in his eyes. Before I knew it, teeth were ripping at my collar bone and tearing the meat and veins. Blood spurted in all directions. This is it. Damn, you didn't make it far at all! Loser.

I faintly saw a blurry figure ripping Shane from atop me, screaming unidentifiable words. "Ghost?"

***********************************************************

Can't breath. The water is filling every crevice and hole in my body. My lungs becoming water balloons. Expanding until they're ready to burst-

"Kell? Kell, please wake up!" A child's voice brought me back to the light. My eyes fluttering open. It was my baby, Ashton. He let tears fall as he held my hand. Ghost stood above him, eyes watered and hands running through his hair.

"Wh- what h- happened....to me?" Something was restricting my breathing, slowly but surely decreasing. Ghost took a deep breath and stated the worst.

"Well Keller. I'm just gonna flat out say it. You were bitten.. And nowyourdyingwethink."

"And what?"

"And; we think you may be dying. Not sure yet. I mean, it's nasty, but nowhere near as bad as that douchebags' was in the same time." He replied.

"Help me up?" I politely asked. He held out one hand to grab mine and hoisted me up.

"There. Where ya goin' to?" Ghost questioned.

"Mirror. Get me a pair of gloves, a surgical mask, and the scissors and tweezers."

"What? No. You'll hurt yourself even worse!" He flipped out.

I lifted a perfectly waxed eyebrow. "Who has the master's degree in nursing?"

"I can't let you do that Keller." Before he could grab me, I slammed the bathroom door shut and locked it.  "Keller!'' He screamed once before I heard his footsteps receding. Good. No I can get to work. I searched for replacements and found a pair of purple rubber gloves under the cabinet and peroxide, alcohol, and tweezers amongst the other things.

I pulled off a piece of fairly rotted skin and placed in a piece of tissue I had grabbed earlier. I just hope I have my microscope with me...

Banging shook me from my thoughts. The tweezers and a bit of peroxide were close to the wound as Chris nocked down the plastic door.

"Well, fuck! You could've knocked!" I flailed my arms in drama, careful not to drop the sample of skin.

Chris gave me a 'are-you-fucking-kidding-me-right-now' kind of look. I simply shrugged my shoulders and made my way through the crowd of hotness. " 'Scuse me boys."

"Whatcha got there?" Andy poked over my shoulder curiously.

"Skin. I highly advise you not to get that close to me. After all, we aren't sure if i'm turning or not." As if in sync, they all took a step back.

"Uh oh. But, I held you like five minutes ago. Dude, I might die a zombie..." Ghost trailed off. Ashton looked down at his hands and ran, screaming and waving his hands in the air to the bathroom.

"Don't forget Germ-X!" I yelled back. I wasn't freaking out too much because I'm nearly certain the only way it can spread or contaminate another being is by saliva or bodily fluids. Has to be. But whatever the reason, I'm not stumbling around and trying to eat the people I love....yet.

"Ricky, would you be a dear and see if my microscope is packed in the supply box?"

"Sure." He turned around and started rummaging through the miscellaneous items. "Here it is." He grunted, having slight trouble in lifting the heavy equipment.

"Thanks, love." I grinned. As I adjusted the sizes and measurements properly, I announced the most important thing to come to my mind. "Fuck." I mumbled. "Okay..Umm, Ricky, can you do me another favor please? I need you to get my phone from my pocket and dial 'Chey', 'Jeanne', 'Danny',  'Ash', and 'Jet'. Tell them to meet us at the Wal-Mart in town and leave immediately. No contact with anyone else." He quietly obliged and sat in the seat opposite the mini table. Chris scooted in next to me. CC and Balz on the other side, at the ready with tools and masks. The others either sat on the floor Indian style or left to do their own thing. I noticed Ghost had become intrigued in what I was doing, from his view on the floor.