The Changed Ones

Eighteen

"No way!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Oh my god!" Lily said.

Marzia immediately tried to run over to Felix, only to keep being pushed away by guards.

"NO! DON'T KILL HIM NO! PLEASE!" Marzia cried.
"And risk another infestation that could possibly spread around the world? I don't think so!" The soldier exclaimed.
"Well maybe if we can wait for a cure..." Mark added.
"THERE IS NO CURE!" The soldier screamed.
"The only way for a zombie outbreak to end is if we kill all the infected!"
"Maybe he's immune to it?" Lily asked.
"You think I'm falling for that shit?" The soldier asked.
"You don't understand! I love him!" Marzia cried.
"We all have loved ones that were in that city during the crisis... How do you think we feel, huh?" The soldier asked. "You gotta suck it up and move on!"
"You may think it's that easy but it's not!" Jackie explained. "I had to kill my own boyfriend when he became infected!"
"That's part of life in these situations, honey!" The soldier explained.

Just then, the soldiers forced Felix to his knees and placed the gun to the back of his head.

"NO!" Marzia cried. "PLEASE DONT HAVE IT END THIS WAY!"
"What other way do you want it to end, huh?" The soldier asked.
"Something where blood doesn't spill all over the place!" Marzia explained. "Something where we don't all end up going crazy!"

The group of soldiers looked at one another and then they nodded. The soldier with the gun pointed at the back of Felix's head lowered it. Everybody took a quick sigh of relief but then watched as the soldiers grabbed Felix and put him in one of the tents where the soldiers slept. They then handcuffed him to the bed to make sure he wouldn't escape.

"W-What are they doing?" Lyndze asked.
"I have no idea..." Malakai said.

Marzia then went over to Felix.

"Felix, are you alright?" Marzia asked, still crying.
"I'm okay... I guess." Felix answered.

Marzia then hugged Felix tightly.

"How did you get infected?" Marzia asked.
"One of the zombies came in while we were fighting in the theatre and it scratched me." Felix explained.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Marzia asked.
"Because I knew either way I was screwed..." Felix answered.

Suddenly, a soldier came in with what looked like a tray of needles. The groups eyes widened as they saw them.

"They're going to lethally inject him..." Dayna said. "Like they do with prisoners on death row."
"That was the better solution?" Lucy asked.
"Hey... I don't think I could bare to witness another shooting..." Jackie explained.

The soldier then went over to them.

"We'll give you all a few minutes." The soldier explained. "The sooner the better."

The group then headed over to the bed where Felix was at. Mark knelt down next to Felix.

"I'm sorry that this had to happen, man..." Mark explained. "Especially since we just got out."
"Hey, it's not your fault this had to happen." Felix explained.

Jackie went over to Felix and hugged him tightly.

"Tell Sean I said hello up there, will you?" Jackie asked.
"Of course." Felix nodded.

Lucy then went over to Felix.

"Thanks for all the help out there, you did great!" Lucy said, smirking a smile.
"Thanks...." Felix said. "Although I think you're the main reason we're out of that hellhole, so thank you."
"You're welcome..." Lucy nodded.

Just then, not even a minute later instead of a few, the soldier came back in.

"I have to ask all of you to leave..." The soldier explained.
"C-Can I stay? Please?" Marzia asked. "Felix is my boyfriend..."
"Alright..." The soldier nodded.

The rest of the group then waited outside of the tent. Marzia looked over at Felix. She was beginning to get emotional.

"Please don't cry..." Felix said.
"I'm sorry..." Marzia said. "I just feel bad for what I did..."
"You did nothing bad Marzia." Felix said.

Marzia smirked a small smile. She then leaned over and kissed Felix one last time. They then both gripped each other tightly.

Then, the soldier put an I.V. On Felix's arm, he then grabbed the first needle, stuck it through the tube and injected what looked like an anesthetic on his arm. A few moments later, Felix's eyes closed.

The soldier then grabbed another needle.

"W-Wait, I thought that was it?" Marzia asked.
"That one just put him to sleep..." The soldier explained. "This next one will stop his heart..."

Marzia then bit her lip, trying to hold everything in. Just as the soldier was about to inject the fluid into Felix's body, he looked at Marzia.

"I'm sorry this had to happen." The soldier said. "But it's what has to happen in order to permanently get rid of the infection."
"Well..." Marzia choked. "We all want it gone as much as you guys do... Even if it means losing somebody."

The soldier then turned back to the needle and began pressing down on the top of it, letting the fluids from the needle go into Felix's body. Marzia then watched as Felix's chest began to slow down, eventually coming to a stop. Then, she could feel his grip releasing on hers.

Tears began strolling down her face as she kissed his hand one last time before having to leave the tent. As soon as she was outside, everybody went in and hugged her as she let everything out.

"It's okay..." Jackie said hugging her. "I'm here for you, since you were always there for me."

Marzia looked at her and nodded.

"Thank you..." Marzia said.

Another soldier went up to the group.

"We've arranged a small area for you guys to sleep at." The soldier said.
"Why can't you just get us out of here?" Lucy asked. "Like away from the city and back into the actual world?"
"We've been told to keep an eye out on you for the next few days. You'll be free afterwards." The soldier explained.

The group then nodded as the soldier lead them to another tent where beds were already set up for them. Even clothing and some snacks were provided for them.

"It's been a pretty rough day..." Mark said. "I think we should all get some sleep."

The rest of the group nodded and laid on their beds. Thankful that they were in real beds again, and that they had people looking out for them this time.