Blue Moon

Chapter 36

Alona couldn't remember the last time she had just let go and had a good time. She had needed the night out with Ky. She felt refreshed, her spirits were lifted.

They walked back to Alona's house, their arms looped together, chatting about how good they felt.

As they neared the last shops in the marketplace, a shrill scream tore through the air. Alona tensed immediately, her hand automatically reached for the pistol deep in her bag. Hardly anyone in the line of shops seemed to notice the scream. Their pace slowed as they searched for the source of the scream. Ky glanced over at her, concerned.

They noticed a group of Officials gathering around a single shop. Alona searched for the reason for so many Officials, then she saw him; a man stumbled out of the shop. He groaned and swung his arms at the Official closest to him. He movements were jerky and awkward. He turned towards the group and threw back his head; another earsplitting scream ripped through the air.  

The Officials didn't waste any time, as soon as he was clear of the shop, they shot him. His body jerked with every bullet that hit him. His scream intensified with each shot, the bullets didn't seem to slow him down as he charged the Officials. 

As soon as the bullets began flying people began running the opposite direction.

Alona strained to see what happened through the people who rushed past them. 

A single bullet blew through the man's head, only then did he stop running and screaming. His shrill scream suddenly stopped as he flew back and landed, dead. Groups of people began gathering, staring at the lifeless body. The Officials moved forward, their guns still aimed. The man's arms and legs twitched.

Alona's breath stopped in her throat as she saw the black ooze that leaked from the dead man's mouth. From his mouth trailed thick, black veins down his neck and disappeared underneath his bloody shirt.

Alona watched as the Officials loaded his dead body into the back of a small wagon-type vehicle.

She couldn't move, her body was frozen in place.

"There have been rumors of a new sickness." Ky whispered to her as they watched the Officials drive away. "There haven't been any cases at the hospital, though."

When the wagon cart turned the corner Ky tugged on Alona's arm, willing her to move.

"You okay?" Ky asked.  

Alona nodded and tried to smile. She had just seen her nightmare come to life.

"We should get back before anything else happens." Ky said. 

Alona was surprised at her lack of shock.

As they reached Alona's street, they said their goodbyes and hugged. Alona thanked her for a fun filled night and Ky made her promise they'd do it again. Ky didn't mention the man and Alona was thankful, she wanted to forget what she had seen.

Alona opened the door and hung up her jacket on the small coat rack beside the door. The living room light was on and she could see Greg sitting beside Arlo. Pasha and Vadik sat across from them. She was shocked to see that Greg and Arlo were talking. Arlo stopped talking and stood as Alona walked into the room.

"Wow! Alona! You look beautiful!" Greg shouted, his comforting smile eased some of her anxiety.

She smiled and blushed, "Thanks Greg."

Arlo stared at her wide-eyed. Alona had forgotten about how pretty she had been feeling. She noticed Arlo was staring at the pistol in her hand, she had forgotten she was carrying it.