Infected.

Chapter Eighteen

   We'd successfully gathered every sleepy body into the living area. Ash perched on TJ's lap, BVB huddled together with Jeanne being hugged by Ashley, Jet sat with Ryan and Ghost, Angelo stood behind them, Danny stood beside Balz and I, Ricky and Chey lay on the floor, sprawled out carelessly- all was calm. I cleared my throat to capture everyone's attention.

"Well, i'm sure you all are quite tired of all these midnight meetings. And I apologize for my brain only beginning to work before I sleep. But, I remember this ring that was given to me by Shane-" snickers and sounds of disdain rang throughout. "- and It may be what saves us all. He may not have seen what or who did this to him or why, but being dead has its perks. He can see pretty much everything he wants to. I've decided the girls, Andy, and I need to bring his spirit back momentarily to find out what needs to be discovered. Any oppose?"

No one let out a peep. But Danny raised his hand sheepishly. I nodded for him to proceed.

"Uh, do you actually have the ring?" All eyes landed back on me. I reached into my shirt and grabbed the familiar chain. Dangling proudly from it was the infamous ring. Gasps were heard, along with actual 'Thank God!'s  and "Oh sweet Goddess!" This is it, we might really have it this time....

***3:00 a.m.***

 Wasting no time, the furniture was pushed to the far walls and our beloved alter was set up. I took the necklace off and sat it at the altar. Remaining bent in front of it, I lit the candles properly and sent a prayer up to the Lord and Lady. The flames flared with excitement, the lines of the pentacle becoming increasingly more defined. I inhaled deeply, smelling the earth before the Infection. As I lay willingly in place, a slight tingle ran through my fingers and all throughout my body. I shuddered and went blank.

The room is filled with unfamiliar smoke. Clouding my vision, the background music shaking the very foundation of the house. In my hand I held a fresh bottle of my favorite wine. Around me, all the people of my senior class were celebrating and not thinking about tomorrow. But where's Danny? I had just seen him. I'll miss the class clown I've grown to love.

My minimal intoxication is preventing me from seeing straight. I walk out of the front door, past the horny teens and stupid guys. Under the weeping willow in the front yard was Danny. I walked up to him as steadily as possible. He looked up and remained straight faced.

Suddenly, another bottle was in my other hand. Vodka. I held it out to him and said, "Wanna go for a walk? We can talk about it."

 He shrugged and grabbed the bottle. We walked side by side, occasionally bumping into one another. Over the hill, down the slope, and up pops a beautiful lake. The brand new pier gleaming in the moonlight. There we stood.

"Sammie. We just broke up, and now she seems to fuckin' hate my guts. Every time I pass her, she does some stupid shit. You know why we broke up? She fucking cheated on me! I went to see her- of course she wasn't expecting it; and there they were. Swallowing each others faces like the world is ending." 

 I never liked her. She never knew when to quit, or how to be mildly decent. Bitch. Before I can even react, i'm being pushed off the side of the pier. Everything goes in to slow motion. He fell to the wood flooring of the new pier, blood ruining its fresh color-

  I awoke to hazy vision. Balz staring down at me. Several people behind him, doing the same. I felt like the center of attention, which I hate. I blinked and carefully sat up. Balz hugged me and I noticed his eyes were flecked with silver. How strange.

  Fear struck me, something isn't right. Run! A voice shouted in my mind. On instint, my eyes searched for Ashton. Nowhere to be seen. Maybe he's in the room?

"Where is he? Where's Ashton?" I'm completely alert and aware of my surroundings. Before a single hint of an answer can be found, I notice the front door slightly ajar. Jumping from my spot on the loveseat, I run onto the front porch. There he stands; there Chris stands. Well, the new- over killed Chris. Behind Chris, lurking in the shadows, glowing eyes shown from all directions. We're surrounded.

Ashton seemed purely mesmerized by Chris. Chris held out a dissipating hand, Ashton still stepping forward, extending his hand as well.

"NO!" Every fiber of my being went into overdrive the second their hands clasped. I will Not lose again. Without thinking, I ran right up to Chris and upper cut him. His grip on Ashton loosening, but not releasing. He growled fiercely and lunged for my throat.

***Balz***

  So this is what The End really looks like. Bodies slamming to the ground, others charging past me. Across the way, I see Keller fighting off Chris....not Chris. The fucking spawn of some twisted sociopath. I charged forward. Time to let loose, kid.

One. Nothing wrong with me.

Two. Nothing wrong with me.

Three. Nothing wrong with me.

Four. Nothing wrong with me.

One. Something's got to give.

Two. Something's got to give.

Three. Something's got to give.

Let the bodies hit the floor!

Nothing can stop me as I let my absolute rage take over. Being half un-dead helps. I see what the others can't in this light, I feel their movement, I'm stronger. Bones crush, blood splatters my face. These motherfuckers picked the wrong fucking person.

It's just getting good when i'm tackled from behind. More than one of these things are on me. Shaking myself and turning around, it's nothing I can deal with. Ricky is torn to shreds, but he's still trying to eat me to the bone. Ryan is twitching and I see some worm like creature working its way through his veins to his brain. And Andy, no hair, one eye clawed out, hanging from the chord. These things are ruthless.

***Keller***

 Finally! Chris is down. He acquired a broken jaw, crushed ribs, and smashed in face. I'm so sorry, Chris. I love you. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. May the Lord and Lady take you in welcoming arms for good.

I stand back up. Absolute chaos reigns. My friends are undead, Ashton is missing, and Balz.....no. No, no, no. He's too far to reach in time, being consumed by his own loved ones. I have to find Ashton! Racing past flailing limbs and screeching monsters, I finally spot him hiding in the corner of the front porch. He's huddled in a tight ball.

"Ashton, baby?" My shaky hand extends to his shoulder. He's trembling again. But I spot specks of red. He turns on me and screams. His teeth broken, hair falling out, claw marks up and down his face. His eyes; they are now the color of Balz's. A faint sense of defeat is rising from inside my core. We are all fucking dead.

Accepting this future, grab Ashton under the arms and haul him up, facing the crowd of gore. More tears spring up as I see Ash. Her poor infant is torn from her body; the umbilical chord still connecting her to it, the baby's body being dragged along the ground. Chey is missing a chunk of flesh in her neck, her throat slit. Danny, CC, and Jet's bodies unmoving on the lawn.

 Past this, the great tree is swaying in the wind, the sun rising, and the Dead Are Living.