Finding Home | #Wattys2016

Chapter 1: The Airport

The world had decided to take a shit at the most inopportune moment.

Elyza had been sitting in the airport at LAX, waiting for her flight to head back to Australia. She was sitting alone, her carry-on bag in the seat next to her-separating her from an old woman that smelled like death and moth balls-and her leather jacket was draped over her thighs.

She was caught up in the world of Harry Potter when the lights went off. Elyza looked up as the airport suddenly became deadly silent, except for the horrifyingly high-pitched screams of scared children. Then the backup generator started and the entire waiting area she was settled in was cast in a blood-red glow once the emergency lights turned on.

Her heart pounding, she closed her book and unzipped her backpack, shoving it back inside. Elyza stood and put on her leather jacket before slinging a strap over her shoulder. She rushed over to the nearest information desk, which was already overrun with people.

Guess that's not going to work. She thought and pulled the other backpack strap over her shoulder.

A scream pierced the slowly rising noise of impatient people. Elyza's heart lurched into her throat at the sound, she'd never heard anything so horrible.

That was when everything happened. Chaos erupted and people were screaming. Elyza caught someone shouting, "She's eating his face!"

Elyza was being jostled around, she didn't know which way the exit was, but she wanted to get there as soon as possible. She tried to push against the masses, but they pushed back.

"Come on," someone snapped and yanked her arm. Elyza stumbled over someone's leg but whoever had her arm was strong and kept her up.

Elyza was pulled through a door and then let go of. She stumbled and fell on her ass hard, crying out in pain. "Ow, fuck!"

She spun around and stumbled back to her feet, searching for her savior. It was a man, with tousled black-brown hair and dark eyes. He was glancing around, his eyes shifting back and forth in search of threats. Elyza frowned, she didn't know him at all. So why had he saved her.

A girl ran around the side of the building, coming to a stop in front of the guy. She looked younger, but bore a striking resemblance so Elyza could only assume they were siblings. "Bellamy, where have you been?" She growled and punched him in the arm.

The guy-Bellamy-was dressed in army fatigues and had a gun strapped to his hip. "I got caught up in the frenzy, O. Sorry, where's mom? We have to get out of here before they start infecting each other in there." He turned around and his eyes met Elyza's. He didn't say a word, but yanked a zip tie from out of one of his many pockets.

"She's around back with the truck. Hurry up!" The girl replied and shot a look at Elyza before turning and leaving the way she came.

Bellamy wrapped it around the handle of the doors, yanking it tight just as someone slammed into it. It was a young woman with heavy make-up, a tight dress and wide open, frantic eyes. She shouted for help but Bellamy didn't seem like he was going to help her to Elyza.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? People are in there. They need to get out!" Elyza rushed forward, trying to open the door.

Bellamy yanked her away roughly, "We can't help them anymore. Whatever is in there needs to be contained."

"At the expense of all of these people?" Elyza shouted, yanking her arm away from the guy in disgust. She tried to open the door again, but the plastic tie was tight and she couldn't get it.

With a growl of frustration, Bellamy wrapped his arms around Elyza's waist and yanked hard to pull her away. "We have to get out of here."

Elyza tried to pull away, but the guy was too strong. He carried her, kicking and complaining around the building and to a bright red Ram truck parked just around the corner.

He let go of her and she punched him in the chest, "What the hell? I don't even know you."

"Just get in the truck. I'll explain later." He opened the door and pushed her roughly towards the opening. Two women are inside, along with another boy with shoulder length brown hair.

Elyza shook her head. Who the hell were these people? And why were they manhandling her?

Once she begrudgingly stepped up and settled into the seat, Bellamy slammed the door. Elyza watched him walk away, pulling his pistol from his waist.

"So who are you?"

Elyza glanced over at the slim, long-haired boy next to her. "Hmm?" She rubbed her forehead. What the hell is going on?

"Who are you?" He repeated, chuckling at her.

She shook her head, "Elyza Lex. Do you know what's going on?"

He shook his head, "No idea, but the Blakes' seem to."

The girl from earlier whipped around in the front seat. "I don't know shit, but Bellamy seems to be the one who knows the most. I don't know what he's doing though. Why did he save you?"

Elyza shook her head, "No idea."

The girl rolled her dark eyes and turned back around, pulling her brown hair back into a high ponytail. She was dressed in a white tank top, large jacket and simple black jeans. "I'm Octavia, by the way. This is my mom, Aurora. And that's Finn."

"I'm Elyza," She repeated, waving awkwardly.

Bellamy finally came back and opened Elyza's door in a rush. "Scoot over." He said seriously and a little urgently.

He didn't wait for a response before practically shoving Elyza to the side and up against Finn. "Ow, what the fuck, asshole?" She punched his shoulder once he slammed the door closed.

"Step on it. We need to get out of here." He turned around in his seat and glanced out of the back window.

Elyza followed his gaze and saw a person running. Actually, several people. They were screaming and something was following them. More people turned around the corner, but there was something wrong. They were slow and covered in something dark.

She could hear loud, growling noises just before Aurora started the truck and peeled out of the airport.

Elyza was stuck with people she didn't know now.

A/N:

Hello everyone! Its been awhile since I've written anything on here so I'm starting again. Let me know what you think in the comments. I always love some constructive criticism. Vote/Comment/Follow if you want. Thank you!

~Nina