The Omega Virus

Chapter 4

-Chapter 4-

“Mercy! For heaven's sake, say something!” He demanded. Strange noises came from every direction, assaulting me...but nothing seemed to register. Another muffled voice mumbled something, but that didn't make sense. It seemed foreign to me. So I say nothing, for my mind seems dead, unable to form coherent words. As I squint into the sun I moan when I see the gun. Then I look up and see his eyes, clearly, more focused than anything else around. His eyes have grown large with terror and something else—like something has shattered into a million unrecognizable pieces inside him...like he would like to take that precious gun of his and point it to his own head.

“Say something! Anything!” He begged, so very desperate...yet still he bravely cocked the gun. It is well aimed, and even though his hands are trembling wildly, I have no doubt whatsoever that his aim would prove true.

Moaning I tried to open my mouth again. He stepped closer, the gun moving closer to my head.

“L-l-lower your gun, m-my d-dear old Noah.” I managed to finally speak, my mouth feeling like it was full of mud. “I'm alive Callum.” I added as I saw him hesitate.

He let out a long breath. “Thank God.” And just like that his gun was lowered. He knelt beside me and held me tightly in his arms. I let him. It felt so good and so safe, that I almost forgot the anguish of my turbulent dream—or whatever it had been. Closing my eyes, I savored the wonderful warmth that filled me. His touch sent fire through me, confirming that I was indeed alive—and breathing, and for just a moment I wanted to let myself love him...like I surely would have if this world was not in fact a living hell so void of love.

“So, she's okay then, yea?”

My head snapped up at the intruding voice, causing ripples of pain to reverberate through my brain. My vision became blurry, but there in the bright mountain sun stood a skinny figure. Her voice managed to be timid and defiant and absolutely condescending all in one.

“So then, we can stop with the theatrics and move on already, yea?” Again, that condescending tone—minus any trace of timidity.

Callum gently propped me against a rock, then stood up slowly and walked deliberately to the insolent stranger. His expression was as cold as ice, and for a moment I almost felt sorry for the woman...almost.

“Miss Roth, if you don't like our 'theatrics'--as you put it—you are free to leave.” He said using his gun to point to the rocky, mountainous, dirt road.

She scoffed. “The world is ending, and you're busy playing at love, two incredibly immense fools.” She said as if he hadn't spoken.

He blinked, then lifted his gun and aimed it with steady hands at this belligerent 'Miss Roth'.

“Shut up.”

“We should have left her, now she'll only hinder us. She's clearly unwell.”

“There is no 'we' or 'us', Miss Roth.” His voice was frigid as he cocked the gun.

“You make me sound soooo very old, dear old Noah, so just call me Alexa.” Her tone was sugar coated and drizzling in seduction as she took a step toward him.

I winced.

Callum moved closer to her until his gun rested on her forehead.

“You have three seconds to leave. Three, two--”

“You wouldn't.”

“He would.” I said through a gasp of pain and got up slowly and with a grimace started walking toward them.