Viral Survival (A Youtuber Apocalypse Story) ✔

Chapter 16

     We walked for several hours along the road, rarely stopping. The few stops we did have was only when the pain in my leg became too great, then we had a small snack break. Soon though, we ran out of snacks and our stomachs roared in protest. I sighed as the noonday sun hit my eyes and sweat rolled down my entire body, making my leg sting even more with each step. Jake would glance over his shoulder occasionally to check on me; to make sure I'm not turning or anything of that sort.

     "Hey Jake?" He stops in his tracks and turns around with a speed I didn't know he was capable of. I let out a small smile at his actions and chuckle.

     "Whoa there. I'm not dying y'know." He laughs nervously and reaches up to rub the back of his neck.

     "I know that... I just know what it's like to turn and it can be pretty terrifying and painful." He gives me a sad smile and I return it, knowing full well how scary it was to watch him suffer those few weeks.

     "Well, stop worrying! I'm not planning on going anywhere for a long time! Got it Jake?!" I put my hands on my hips and give him the sternest look I can that won't make people laugh, because that has happened before. It doesn't work very well though, the pain from my leg soon becomes too much and I have to sit down. Jake rushes to crouch down beside me and checks on my leg, pulling up the dirty jeans and unwrapping the wound. He gasps and I lean over to see what it was. The pulsating veins that Jake once had in his shoulder, in all of their green glory, have made an appearance all around the injury on my leg.

     "Is this what was on my shoulder that freaked you and Aurora out?" I nod at his question and hiss when he pokes the flesh surrounding it.

     "Don't touch it, you idiot! It hurts!" I growl at him, being extra careful to control my temper. Which, might I add, can be quite volatile if I'm pushed past my limit. I've had many, many days where I wanna punch someone's face in or put my foot through a wall. Although, I was always able to control it very well so I'm not sure why it's so prominent now.

     "Sorry... I was just curious." Jake mumbles as he removes his hand. I sigh and put my hand on my head where a headache is starting to form.

     "It's alright Jake... I'm just a bit short-fused right now, that's all." He nods and looks back the way we were heading. He examines the landscape for a moment before speaking.

     "We're pretty close to the city now. If I help you we should be able to make it in an hour or two. Then we should find some food." I agreed wholeheartedly then we were off again. Jake had his arm around me and supported half of my weight while I limped along.

     Finally, we reached a small grocery store that had a bakery attached to it. By this time various parts of my body had begun to itch like mad and Jake had to physically stop me from itching a few times. As we near the doorway Jake stops dead.

     "What's up Jake?" I take his arm off of me and turn to face him fully. His eyes are wide open and trained on the darkness of the small building before us. He glances to me quickly before grabbing my arm and dragging me away. I pull him off and look back to the building. "What is it? Are you afraid of the dark or something?" I smirk while itching my arm. When Jake makes no noise, I look back at him. All he does is keep looking back and forth between me and the store. I hobble my way closer to the store and peek inside the front door before a loud voice nearly screams from behind.

     "NO!!" Jake grasps his hands over his mouth after his outburst and I stare at him confused.

     "Well, then what is it?! It's just dark. I don't hear or see any zombies, so we're not in immediate danger." He removes his hands from his mouth and starts to play with them nervously.