Help I'm Alive

Chapter 3

Hello once again :)

This is the third chapter, it's relatively short, but I wanted to put SOMETHING up today :)

Excuse any errors that might be present, and read the A/N at the end :)

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Chapter 3:

“Excuse me?” Melissa mouth was agape.

“Yeah, there are rumours that this scientist guy has almost found the cure. It’s sort of a stupid idea but I want to try to get the cure back in time for my mom and sister,” Oliver’s voice broke, “It’s my only shot.”

Melissa felt tears come to her own eyes and she nodded. There was silence for a moment before Melissa spoke.

“I’ll help you,” she whispered, barely conscious of the words she was speaking.

Oliver looked over, shocked.

“I’ll help you,” she declared again, more boldly.

“Melissa... it’s too dangerous for you to go. Hell, I’m not even sure why I’m going.”

Melissa shook her head in response a smile coming to her face, “You know why you’re going. There’s still a chance for those you love. And you’re a fool if you think that I’m going to give up on my friends and family. If there’s a chance for them, then I’m coming with you.”

Oliver opened his mouth to protest but Melissa cut him off.

“Listen, I’m coming with you whether you like it or not, so it’s your choice whether you want to work together to find a way to Texas.”

Oliver considered this for a moment.

He looked out onto the vast, expansive plains and nodded a few times, “Alright, you can come with me. But we’re stuck here for now, there’s no way to get to Texas except by foot, and that is not something I’m up for.”

“Actually, I think I may know somewhere we can get a car,” Melissa said slowly, a mask of confusion covered Oliver’s face.

“Slaughterville?!” Oliver burst out laughing at the name of the small town that was a few miles south of Noble.

The town sign had been there for decades and the worn wooden plank had chips missing. The lettering was peeling slightly from years of harsh weather. The townsfolk talked of replacing the sign, but it was an almost historic site in the eyes of many residents.

“Yeah, yeah- it’s ironic,” a smile played on Melissa’s lips. The single lane highway that connected the two towns was empty as they continued walking, side by side down the yellow center line.

They maintained a quick pace, eager to find the place Melissa had mentioned.

The town didn’t appear to be much. On either side of the highway were open fields, a few houses and a smattering of barns. A small Baptist church with a dirt driveway gave the area and ominous feeling. The dark, empty building had blood smeared down the steps leading to the yard. Windows were smashed in, and weeds had taken over the once pristine lawn.

If a religious sanctuary was not safe from the wrath of the epidemic- what was?

As they approached the center of the town, more houses began to spring up, along with a local bar and grill occupying a small piece of the plain.

The town lived up to its name, however. Blood was everywhere and the decomposing bodies gave a particularly horrific stench. Every surface was covered in a fine layer of dust, deposited by the strong Oklahoma wind.