Infected.

Chapter Twelve

"Balz?" The throbbing picked up in my arm, pressure building. "C'mon, this hurts."

He blinked and met my eyes. I gasped. No longer were his eyes a normal shade, they were maroon red, only tiny splotches of brown remaining. "You're not leaving me."

He began to cough. Blood dripping from the corners of his mouth and spraying on the light blue sheets. I jerked the sheets down, viewing his torso. Creeping, thread like ashy skin was nearly reaching his sternum. Through his coughing fits I can clearly hear the sizzling of fresh skin every second.

"Dammit. Jeanne! Ricky! Ghost! Somebody, get your ass in here!" I scream to the top of my lungs.

Ghost enters first, tailed by Ricky and Jeanne. Jeanne reaches the bed. She spits out orders to Ghost and Ricky. "Ghost, stay right here and hold his head up. Wipe off the excess blood from his mouth and be sure he doesn't choke. Ricky, haul ass downstairs and get the girls and the box of books and herbs. Now!" Ghost politely scooted me out of the way and got behind Balz, propping him up and wiping the blood away. Ricky left at break neck speed, thump-thump-thumping down the stairs. Jeanne was alarmingly calm, doing what she knew.

"Keller, you know more than me. Come work on him, please. And i'm no doctor with a million certificates, but even you sacrificing yourself won't save him." But I have to try something. Anything! Ding!

  I rushed into action and grabbed the medical instruments, working diligently on the burning skin. The girls burst through the door and circled the bed. Ricky, Ashley, Andy, and Ryan speed walked in, arms full of equipment and supplies. "Okay. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. But if we all put in some blood, we can kill off the bad cells. Its like re-infusing his body with new blood and flushing out the Infected." The room seemed to grow lighter in heart as everyone gathered around in pure excitement and curiosity.

   A few hours later, Balz was neatly bandaged and sitting on the loveseat in front of the coffee table. We'd all cut a thin line on our palm and benefitted to Balz' wellbeing. Immediately after, we noticed little differences: skin color returning, skin slowly healing, and energy returning. Chey and Ash were the most ecstatic that I didn't have to give up my life. 

   Ashton walked in with Chris behind him. Ashton held out a Ouija board to me. "Keller! Show Chrissy what you can do!" I lifted my brow at Chris' new nickname. He rolled his eyes and grinned. I took the Ouija board and scooted off the couch, landing perfectly in front of the coffee table. Balz leaned forward, his hair falling in his face.

"Umm, well. It's not the smartest or safest thing to do, Ashton. Particularly at this point in time baby." I patted his curly head gently and looked around the room. Some nodded their heads vigorously, others remained unfazed.

"How about we turn on the generator for a bit and watch a movie?" Ash piped up, slapping TJ in excitement. He flinched and scooted away a fraction.

"Okay. What do you think?"

"I guess so." Ashton said disappointedly.

  Ash went to the hall closet and brought back three DVD cases. She sorted through them and slumped her shoulders. One case was empty. "Okay then. Our choices are: the original Dracula, or a biography of-" she gave the cover a disgusted look and stepped to the window parallel to the entrance door. Easily pulling open the triple lock, she threw the DVD into the swaying grass fields. "Justin Bieber is shit on an ugly  stick."

Balz, Andy, CC, Jinxx, Jake, and Ryan burst into simultaneous laughter.  I shook my head and repressed the giggle. "Bela Lugosi it is, then!" Chris happily announced.

   Half an hour into the movie, I'm lain cozily next to Balz. Chris sitting on the floor directly in front of the  family couch, Ashton resting his chin on Chris' head from the couch. Ashley and CC cuddled together sharing a blanket and popcorn. Ricky, Chey, Ash, and TJ claimed what was left of the couch. Ryan, Ghost, and Andy were piled to the right of the room, Jeanne, Jet, Danny, Jinxx, Jake, and Angelo taking the other half. What a strange, non - blood- related family we are....