Broken World

Chapter 21

       For the first time since the apocalypse started I awake by myself. I then realize that Kellin's already awake and rubbing my back.

       "Morning, sweetheart," he says.

       "Morning, Kellin," I say, and as soon as I say it I let out a huge yawn.

       "Yawns are really viscous when they attack, aren't they?" he asks with a smile.

       "Yeah. I should probably go check on Calvin. I'll be back," I say. I sit up, and my back cries out in agony. I collapse back to the floor.

       "You okay?" he asks concern laced in his voice.

       "Yeah. My back's just sore," I groan. I attempt to get up, and this time when pain shoots through my back I ignore it. I walk to the bathroom before I go to see Calvin. I do my business and brush my hair. I then walk out and go to see Calvin. I feel bad for him. When I get there he's wide awake and groaning.

       "Hey, Calvin, you need something?" I ask.

       "Pain meds. Please give me them. I beg you," he groans. I dash for them and grab the bottle.

       "How many have they been giving you?" I ask.

       "Two. Can you, please, get me some water too?" he asks. I go and grab a bottle of water. I remove two pills from the bottle and hand him the bottle of water and two pills. He downs them quickly and looks at me gratefully.

       "Thank you so much. They haven't come in this morning, and I don't blame them. I saw what you all were doing yesterday, and it was crazy," he says.

       "It really was crazy. If you don't need anything else I'm going to go collapse again because my back is killing me," I say putting my hands to my back.

       "I don't need anything. Go relax and take a break for once. You've done so much already," he says with a smile.

       "Thanks I guess," as soon as I say that I turn and stumble from the room. When I get back to the room where I've been sleeping I collapse and curl into a ball. I feel a hand gently touch my back, and I wriggle towards the hand's owner. The person wraps their arm around me, and I feel myself slipping back into sleep. My eyes snap open as a scream rips through the building, and I shoot upwards. Kellin sits up, and I jump to my feet. I run for the door all pain forgotten, and when the scream escapes the person again I follow it. I soon discover the scream is from a girl, and why she's screaming is terrifying.

       "That's my mom! That's my mom!" she screams pointing out a window to a female azom.

       "Hey, shh it's okay," I say trying to comfort her. "I know it hurts now, but you'll be okay."

       "No it won't! Our parents are dead or have disappeared, our friends are dead, and there's no safe place!" she screams and starts sobbing. I wrap my arm around her like a mother would. I try to turn her away, but she rips free and starts running for the azom. I grab her arm and restrain her. She fights with all her might, and Kellin runs up and grabs her as well.

       "Here, I'll make it all better. I'll make sure she's in a better place," I say drawing my knife.

       "No, no, no, no, no, NO!" she screams and slaps at Kellin's arms. Her last scream was so loud and powerful I'm surprised it didn't rip her vocal cords. I run out and stab the azom that was her mother. The azom lets out a wretched scream, and I cover my ears. I drag her out of sight and leave her. When I come back the girl is on the floor bawling her eyes out. I try to comfort her, but she shoves me away and runs off. At this point a crowd has formed watching the scene. I look around at all the sleep and pain filled faces. They also have a bit of sympathy there.

       "Someone stay with her please. I don't want to see a suicide," I say. A girl turns and follows the bawling girl who just lost her mother. I rub my back and dismiss the crowd.

       "You did the right thing, Delilah," I hear the voice and hardly believe he's here.

       "Did I really, Max?" I ask turning to face him.

       "Yeah, you did," he says. He looks around, and then he leans in and kisses me. "I still love you," he whispers before wandering off. I hate how distant he's grown. I hear Zoe walk up, and I turn to look at her face. She smiles, but I can tell it's fake. She pats me on the shoulder.

       "That was the right decision. Also, I'm sorry about Max. He's been distant from me as well," she says with a sympathetic smile. I nod, on the verge of tears. I should've never done this. I should've told him when we were at camp that I had a boyfriend. I feel the tears well up, and I turn to run off to the bathroom, but I'm stopped as someone grabs my arm.