Godead

XVII

"Poor Jonny. What'd those mean old men have to shoot him for, anyhow?" Sara asked sadly.

"...I don't know, honey. It looks like the whole world's gone crazy," Blair replied. Sara then sighed, turning to Misty.

"...You haven't gone pale yet. How come?" she asked.

"...I—I don't know. I don't think I'm like the three of you, though," Misty replied, referring to the other children. Sara then fell silent.

"...I used to be pretty like you," she said somberly. Blair frowned.

"You're still pretty, dear," she said. Sara shook her head.

"...No," she replied, turning to the car as she soon looked to her own reflection in the window, her short white hair blowing in the wind as her dark eyes stared back at her. "I don't even know what happened. I was just watching TV with mommy and daddy when suddenly they slumped over the couch and fell asleep. Then I started to feel cold, so I put on a sweater. That's when I noticed my face in the mirror had gone pale," Sara said, sounding slightly scared as she touched her reflection.

"...Did you try to wake your parents?" Blair asked.

"...Yes. I tugged on their legs, and that's when mommy and daddy woke up. They kept moaning, and walking around the house in a daze. I went outside, and that's when my neighbor Travis came over, saying the same thing happened to his parents. We didn't know what was happening, so we went to the park and met up with Jon and some friends, and not long after, you guys showed up," Sara explained.

"...I see," Blair replied. As she finished refueling the van, Claude and the rest returned to the car, getting inside as they soon drove off into the night.

As they traveled several miles down the road, the sounds of an approaching vehicle came from behind. As the group looked back, they spotted a rusty sedan gaining on them, rolling its window down as a gun poked out. As the strangers suddenly opened fire, a bullet broke through the back window, striking Sara in the head as she fell to the floor.

"Sara!" Blair exclaimed, looking to the rear view mirror.

"Damn! Who are these people, now? Another militia?" Claude asked, peering out the window as the car drew near.

"Keep your heads down!" Blair shouted. As Travis searched for his hunting rifle, Abby cringed.

"...Damn these bastards. That bullet could'a hit Claude!" she said, grabbing Blair's M16 before climbing back. She kicked the door open, gritting her teeth as she raised her rifle, spraying a volley of bullets moments later. As she pelted the oncoming vehicle with rounds, she grinned, riddling it full of holes as it started to swerve. "Kya, ha, ha! Bleed, mother f*ckers!" she screamed wildly, the approaching car spinning out before crashing into a ditch.

As Abby cackled at the wrecked vehicle from a distance, Claude frowned, somberly looking to Sara along with the others. As Blair reached the city limits, she pulled over, stopping as Claude and Travis carried Sara's body outside, laying her in the center of a clearing.

"...Poor girl. We should bury her," Claude said.

"...I agree. We don't have a shovel, though," Blair replied.

As the five contemplated what to do, Sara's eyes suddenly shot open, body sitting up as she sprung to life. The others watched in shock, startled as Sara rose to her feet.

"Sara!" Misty exclaimed.

Sara said nothing, however, staring straight ahead with a blank expression.

"Sara! Thank goodness you're alright! We... thought you were... dead...?" Blair said, hesitating as Sara slowly marched forward, arms outstretched as she listlessly stared ahead.

As the group watched her approach, Sara stopped, suddenly twitching as her body started to shake.

"...H... Heh... Help... me...!" she whispered, voice strained as the others watched in fright.

Suddenly, Sara's pupils went wide, eyes bursting open as a pair of antennae shot through them. As the others stepped back, a high pitched hiss filled the air as Sara's head ripped from her shoulders, the body of a giant black centipede crawling from her neck. The others watched in shock, stunned as the massive insect tore out from Sara's body. It looked over, hissing as it swiftly began to approach.

"Damn!" Claude yelled, readying his axe.

"Yuck! Not another bug!" Abby exclaimed.

As the creature fast approached, Blair cringed, suddenly raising her M16 before opening fire. As her shots lit up the night, Travis took aim, shooting his hunting rifle as the centipede shrieked. As bullets tore through its body, the insect screeched as it suddenly collapsed to the ground, the others watching as it slowly bled out in front of them. As the creature lay motionless, Claude looked down, shielding Misty's eyes as he noticed Sara's head impaled by its antennae.

"...What... the... f*ck," Abby said worriedly. "...Why did that thing just burst outta her like that...?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.

"...I don't know, Abby," Claude said.

"...That ain't gonna happen to us, is it?" Travis asked.

"No way," Blair said sternly.

"How can you be so sure!?" Abby asked nervously.

"Abby...," Claude said. "I... I'm sure you'll both be alright. It didn't happen to Jon, after all, did it?" he asked. Abby and Travis fell silent.

"...Well... I guess not...," Abby replied.

"...You'll be fine. You're both healthy and strong, and that's that. Now let's get out of here. There's no telling what that gunfire may have attracted," Blair said. As the five returned to the van, Misty paused, sadly looking back to the creature.

"...Sara...," she said softly, the group entering the vehicle before heading off.

The five continued through the night, leaving the city as they traveled down a dark country road. Misty leaned against the passenger door, fast asleep as Abby and Travis dozed off. Abby rested against Claude's shoulder, Claude smiling as the girl slept like an angel. Seeing her like this, it was hard to believe she was the same Abby who tore Lucy's head off in front of him.

As the van continued down the road, Claude looked to Blair in the driver seat. He then turned to Abby, careful not to wake her as he leaned forward.

"...You okay, Blair?" he asked quietly.

"...Oh. Claude. Yeah. I'm fine," she replied softly.

"You sure? I can drive if you want," Claude said. Blair smiled.

"...Do you even have a license?"

"...Well... no, but..."

"Driving without a license is a crime, ya know. I'd have to lock you up if you did that," Blair teased. Claude smiled.

"Well if you get sleepy, just pull over and rest. Don't overdo it, okay?" he said with concern.

Blair paused, soon giving him a warm smile.

"...You're sweet, Claude," she replied. Suddenly, Claude froze, blushing as the young officer smiled. "...Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," she concluded.