What They Don't Know

I Tried My Best

I couldn't think straight, no matter how hard I tried to. My head was spinning causing short, sharp pains and I felt utterly sick. I looked up to focus my eyes, but everything was still a blur. After squinting and closing one eye, I peeped out of the fogged up window, it was getting darker and darker by the second. The trees outside swayed lightly in time with the wind and the sun began to set. It was a nice view, but I still couldn't help thinking, was Carter really gone?
"Carter?" I called out, praying that he'd pop up from behind me and tell me it was all one big joke. Then we'd eat dinner and talk about our dreams, and we'd chat about how silly were being, as if we had any real future. Then we'd lay and look out at the stars, counting them. It'd all be okay.
But it wasn't okay.
I didn't know what to do. My  gut feeling was telling me to search the small hotel, for maybe a sign. Maybe Carter would even be sitting upstairs reading or sleeping.
"Carter, This Isn't Funny Anymore" I yelled into the silence as I thumped up and down the stairs.
The base was completely empty. No clues, no signs and no Carter. What did I expect, this isn't Scooby doo and I wasn't any sort of detective.
Then it hit me, what if 'they' had taken Carter? What if he was in their base right now, crying out for help. What if he was in real life danger?
It was too dark to go out, but it was too risky to stay at the hotel knowing my first real friend could die with in the next hour. Breathing in all of my courage and hope, I grabbed my back pack and, just to be safe, my gun.
"Carter, I'm Coming"
As I had thought, outside was now pitch black. It reminded me of when Georgia had locked me in the cupboard. I had come back from hunting with Dean, but we hadn't caught anything for us to eat. She was very mad, she even hit Dean. I recall how I couldn't see anything at first, and I was petrified. But as time passed, my eyes adjusted and I realised there was no real danger.
But, there was danger out here. 'They' could be roaming around right now. If I was caught, I'd be dead for sure.
Hours passed but I kept myself low & hopeful. He surly couldn't be gone, not that fast. It wasn't right. I had watched him walk over to the room & no noise came after that. It just didn't make sense. That didn't matter now, if he was out here, I had to find him. If he was still alive, that is.
My legs ached and my new shoes were soaked and almost falling apart already. I looked up at the large, bare oak trees. The leaves had fallen off way back when winter had started. I use to collect them and put them in a notebook that Dean had given to me. Some leaves were pink and orange from Autumn, some had black tinged to them, and some were even still green from the summer before. It wasn't a hobby or a sport, it passed the time. There wasn't much left to do when 'they' took over. 'They' took everything from us, from everyone. And now 'they' were killing the last of us off.
Still crouching, I saw the sun as it rose. I had been out all night and I was tired.
"Sorry Carter, I Just Can't"
I spoke aloud, still wishing he'd come out of nowhere & tell me it's all okay. He didn't.
I made my way back to base. My jacket was covered in sleet and twigs and my trousers had a rip in them. I must of caught them whilst I was hiding. I hurt all over, especially my shoulders which were red & raw from carrying my bag. I almost collapsed on several occasions. As I climbed past a large group of trees I saw the hotel. It looked different. Not in appearance or shape, it just didn't look like a home anymore.
I crawled back inside and secured the door tightly. Tears began streaming down my face and I fell onto the closest bed. I didn't stop bawling.
"I'm So Sorry" I weeped. Overwhelmed with guilt & regret, I laid there and thought about Carter.
My first actual friend since everything started.
I just, let him go. I just.. Left him for dead. Even if I wanted to go back out, I couldn't force myself to do it. I ached all over and needed to put on new clothes.
As I lifted my head, I noticed that someone, or something was trying to get inside the base. I shuddered unconsciously. The chains that barricaded the door rattled and the boards that were nailed onto the walls began vibrating. Whatever it was, was now banging continuously on the door. They were desperate to get in. But they weren't going to.
I reached over and grabbed Carters gun from the other side of the bed and walked slowly towards the front door.