Lone House

To Know

"Tell me your story."

"I actually don't know where to start."

"How about a short paragraph of 'before-all-this', and I quote." Her training shows for a moment at least; knowing that she's not much of a rough mouth herself.

"Well, if you put it that way." I then cleared my throat from the phlegm that's been sticking throughout the whole day.

"Wow there cowboy, take it easy. Want a breath mint with that?" Or I may have spoken too soon. Still an inexperienced and red-necked  female reporter at heart.

"May I continue? It all depends to you, after all." I then stared at her, blankly, as if waiting for a comeback.

"Please do."

"Was born and raised here in this exat spot and city. We were a normal family. Did no trouble, had no trouble, that kind of a family." I stopped for a few seconds waiting for a cutting response but had none. Miraculously, she was writing notes.

"Well, I've only finished half of my college course to the, well, the occurrence. That about sums up the short story of my past life."

"You've mentioned a family. Where are they?"

"They've decided to go to the Capital saying that it was safer there and that everything would be fine. Until one day my brother called and told me that Mum and Dad got hit by it. It wasn't that contained, back then. Here it was on full scale, you could see the effect on every street, every corner and maybe that's why they left. I disagreed with them; fought. I grew up my whole life here, I know how this place works and I'll use that to survive."

"Basically, you were an ignorant child, correct?"

"I'm not going to argue for it is true. I was already of age by that time and I may choose my path; either for the making or destruction."

"How's your brother?"

"Haven't heard of him for about 15 years or so. Last time I've talked to him they were making a filter of some sort."

"You didn't mention any connections. How about you neighbors, friends, cousins, uncles and aunts?"

"Friends. How I loved them so. You're making me sentimental, Historia." I then left a giggle. Not the joyous kind, bu it'll do.

"You're in tears, English. And here I thought thirty year old's are tough as meat."

"Lies, then." I then stared onto her black eyes for quite some time. I really was sad and sentimental. "Before I continue, how 'bout your short story."

"Well, two years after my birth came the incident and the news told it all."

"All in control, eh?"

"Yep. Never really had that freedom thing." She then crouched to her knees, closing in on my face.

"Stop beating around the bush, English. What's your deal?" She said in a very monotone and serious mood.

"These things I tell you, the people, friends and family, are the ones that are still keeping me alive. My deal is that I can survive without what you guys state as immunity, cure, or vaccine and having the fact that none of you in the Safe Haven doesn't have a single clue of what keeps us survivors going."

"What, then, Mr. English?"

"Merely observe some changes, dear Historia. Look at the eyes of one when he changes and you'll see what turned them and what keeps us affected from being one. We may be infected by it, but we can defend ourselves from it; endure and protect. You'd know at the right time, hun bun."

"If you're such an expert yourself, what's the significance of the night?"

"It's merely for stealth, in my opinion. If you'd like to put it in a figurative way, it represents their soul; dark and unpredictable. They're not like the mindless zombies we see on movies. They are conscious of what they do. They have a well oiled mind working, their reflexes as they were truly alive, and their purpose is the only one clouded."

"What you're stating is, they could be saved?"

"What I'm stating is it's already dim and we need to put on some light on the room if you don't want another visitor in. Get a torch by the corner and enter the room behind you; my room. It's dangerous here outside plus I've to show you something."

"What is it?"

"The true vaccine for the plauge, darling. The reason I've survived for whole twenty long years. You're the first to see my room and I warn you, it's rubbish."