Finding Home | #Wattys2016

Chapter 2: Convenient Store

The truck didn't stop for over twenty minutes and Elyza didn't know what do to. She was stuck between two strange boys she didn't know and in a truck going somewhere she didn't know of.

Elyza had only been in California for two weeks on a spring trip from University. She had spent the time in Santa Monica with her best friend, Wells, who she hadn't seen in over three years. She didn't know anything about California, she couldn't even drive in America.

As she looked out of the window, she saw smoke in the distance, over houses and buildings. People were in the streets, confused and scared. The going was slow and police officers weren't making it any easier. They ushered people back inside of their homes and fire trucks zoomed past several times, followed by multiple police cars.

Aurora turned up the radio and warnings were playing on every station. Every news caster was telling people to stay indoors and informing them that they did not need to worry, the police had everything under control. But there was nobody actually talking about what was going on.

Clearly something was happening, the power was out and people were getting stir-crazy. But what exactly was causing it? Police shootings were occurring all over Los Angeles and people were beginning to protest the apart brutality.

Finally, it seemed Octavia had had enough and pressed down hard on the radio power button before huffing and settling herself back down into her seat. "Bell, explain to us what's going on?"

He sighed, "I overheard my lieutenant discussing the shootings with another lieutenant. I guess they've heard about some sort of disease going around. It makes people vicious and violent. But, they don't die. They have to be shot in the head. I guess that's why the people that're infected attack healthy people and are shot so many times.

"Back there, someone was infected or multiple people. I'm not sure, but they attacked. And once that happened, people freaked. Now, I think the infection is spreading quickly and I think we need to stay away from any over populated areas."

Finn spoke up, "So you mean, things are gonna get crazy?"

Bellamy nodded, "Basically. We need to get back home and then head over to the beach house. Its secluded, we can hole up there for a while."

Elyza felt her heart lurch. She didn't know these people. Yes, Bellamy might have saved her from a mob, but she didn't know if she could trust these people. "Hold on, I don't know you! I need to get home!"

Octavia rolled her eyes, "And where's that?"

"Australia."

"Well, obviously that isn't happening for a while and right now, you need us to survive. Unless you want to leave and risk your life when you'd be perfectly safe with us." Bellamy interrupted harshly.

Elyza crossed her arms impatiently, "Fine."

Aurora and Octavia exchanged a look Elyza wasn't able to interpret as they pulled into the driveway of a small, blue painted house. Finn got out first and Elyza followed him, straightening her shirt and grabbing her bag.

She searched her pocket for her cell phone and pulled it out of her back pocket. I should call my mom. She flipped it over to the front, it was cracked. In fact, the screen was completely shattered.

Gunshots rang out from far away, then a shatter of glass that drew Elyza's attention away from her phone.

"We better get inside, it's about to get even crazier." Collin said and pushed her towards the door.

Once inside, Elyza got the chance to be alone. She mentioned something about having to use the restroom and locked the door behind her once she had found it. The lights wouldn't turn on so she was left in semi-darkness. A small amount of light shone through the small window in the upper part of the wall inside of the shower.