Infected.

Chapter Six

"Here we are!" Danny had made excellent timing with our trip to Arkansas. The time now is 7:03 a.m. The sun was just peeking above the horizon. I smiled as it brought back a memory I treasure above all.

"Okay Ashton. Just loosen your arms, and focus on the ball." This boy. He had begged me for the past three weeks to teach him baseball. I've been so busy with work at the hospital that I never had a spare second. Now, I stood about twelve feet away from him, preparing to pitch the baseball.

"Ready?"

"Yeah. I got this!" He answered confidently. One thing he was never short of: bravery. I threw it with a bit of force. And to no surprise, he hit it over the electrical fence. Automatic homerun. I cheered him on and jumped up and down the a buffoon. "Woo!" He danced on the home plate made from thin wood.

"That was amazing baby!" I gave him a bear hug and he broke my heart.

"Yeah. I just wish mommy and daddy would have been here." A single tear fell from his chocolate colored eyes.

"They are. You may not be able to see them, but they were right next to me, cheering you to home base. They're so proud of you." I forced back my own flood.

"You're my hero now. They're my angels. They like to watch over us and keep us happy. Huh?" His face lit up with joy.

"Definitely."

That was the day we both realized we didn't have mum and dad anymore. We had to stay together for each other; no one else would save us besides ourselves. I held up my favorite necklace from years ago. "For good luck. We love you Freckle Face."  Dad had always called me that, I had a lot of freckles and my skin was tan. I was truly alive back then. May be strange, but ever since then, I refused to stay in the sun- to be healthy. My skin had grown a sickly white, my eyes were dull and sunken in. I nearly killed myself. Thankfully, Chey, Ash, and Jet had decided on a surprise visit. Once they saw my condition, they kept Ashton and helped me back to what I am now. Better. Not perfect, but better.

"Okay. We need to stop at an ammo supply store and a gas station. At the ammo store, get good, easy to carry weapons and refills. At the gas station: gas, a map that has all the main highways and road ways, and for Ricky and Andrew's sake, cigarettes." Ash made sure everyone was on track and didn't get distracted. We eventually found a weaponry supply shop on the corner of and abandoned street. It seems this place was hit earlier. But how could it spread so fast? Balz stood next to me and smiled.

"So what kind of weapon do you prefer?"

"Bow and arrow." I answered automatically. I knew that weapon. It was silent and fierce. And felt more self controlled to me.

"Nice choice. I like my hockey stick. But I don't think it stand against these hard headed shits."

"Why not try a sniper? Or a tomahawk?" I mentally suited him with each weapon stated.

"They both sound good. We'll see what's left." He said nonchalantly. I grabbed my Kershaw knife and exited with utmost caution. Balz was flanking my right and Ghost on my left. Once inside, we split into groups; the place was that huge. I couldn't deny the scratching feeling of negativity surrounding me. Something isn't right.

"You feel that?" I whispered to Balz and Jeanne. They both shook their heads no. Ok, i'm overreacting then. We continued to the selected places. I chose a black bow with eagle feathers hanging from the bottom tip and sleek black arrows with silver tips. Balz grabbed a sharpshooter rifle with three boxes of ammo and a double edged tomahawk. Jeanne grabbed more pocket knives and a 9mm pistol with extra ammo. We're set. I motioned for the exit and we were heading out. We met everyone outside; Ashley looking disturbed.