The Outbreak

Chapter 2

Scott POV

"Scott? Earth to Scott! Dude, are you okay?" Liam asks worriedly, snapping his fingers in front of my eyes. I blink rapidly in surprise. My face feels cool and wet. I raise my hand and wipe my cheek. I was crying. I didn't even realize when I started crying. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine." I reply quickly before I sniffle and wipe away the remainder of my tears. "Well, you sure don't look fine, considering you were crying and all." Mom says, placing her hands on her hips.

"Why were you crying?" Lydia asks softly, her voice full of concern.

"I was just thinking about the day this all happened... It seemed like such a normal day... Like nothing could go wrong. My biggest problem was wondering whether Stiles would take my confession well or not, but I never even got to say it." I say, trembling slightly. Everyone stares at me sympathetically. "Scott, we are so sorry. Truly, we are. I understand how you feel. I lost Stiles that day too. My only son. The only family that I had left." The Sheriff tells me. Tears well up in my eyes again. I'm on the verge of breaking down. It's a usual occurrence for me, but this one feels like it is going to be worse than most. "I'm really sorry for your loss, Sheriff." I say, trying to not let my voice break. It has been five years, yet the pain and horror of Stiles' death is still raw for me. Even the Sheriff has started to move on from it better than I have. I guess we have a lot more to think about now. There are lots of brutal casualties every day if we aren't careful. Kira walks over to me and embraces me in a hug. The two of us have been through a lot together. She was there with me that day. She saw Stiles' helicopter crash into the school as well. She had to deal with my screaming and crying for days on end. We never made it to the quarantine. The infected had already destroyed the quarantine zones. We were on our own. We have been on our own ever since. Over the years, Kira and I have built up our little group and reunited with our friends and family. Malia was overjoyed to see Kira again after a year of separation. I was so happy for them.

"It's okay, Scott. He's in a better place now. He won't have to know the horrors of this world." Kira says in an effort to comfort me. I nod slowly and bury my head into Kira's shoulder. I can feel everyone's eyes on us, but I don't care. "I hope so, Kira. I-I just... I hope I don't lose anyone else." I sigh sadly. Kira pulls away after a couple more moments and squeezes my hands comfortingly. "You won't. We won't let that happen." Kira assures me confidently.

"Thanks, Kira." I say as I slip my hands out of hers. I watch as she walks back over to her girlfriend, but still eyes me warily. "How often do you think about that day?" Mom asks me curiously.

"All the time." I answer honestly. I think about it most days. Even in my sleep, I have nightmares about it, reliving the day over and over again, always waking up screaming for Stiles. It's torture, but I don't want anyone to worry about me than they already are. They already are afraid that I'll do something stupid and get myself eaten by these... These things. These monsters that are the reason why Stiles isn't with me today. Sometimes, I just wish I could go on a killing spree and wipe out all of those monstrous creatures. They aren't human anymore. Their humanity slipped away ages ago. There's no cure. There's no going back for them. I'm sorry for being pessimistic, but it's true. They've been infected for five fucking years. The virus would have eaten away anything good that was left in them. To me, the infected are just walking corpses. Still, I feel sympathy when I do have to kill them, which is so stupid. I shouldn't feel any remorse. There is nothing there that would remind me of who they used to be.

"Don't you?" I ask the group when no one seems to answer me.

"Well, I try not to. It's better not to dwell on the past." Lydia eventually says. Everyone else nods in agreement. I scoff and roll my eyes at them. "You guys are acting like this life is normal." I point out in a slightly annoyed voice.

"Well... It is normal life now. It has been like this for five years and I doubt that it is going to end any time soon." Hayden replies. "I know, but come on. This isn't what life is supposed to be. Don't act like any of this is okay because it's not. People are dying every day, whether it be because of these stupid zombie things or just people who have lost their minds." I snap in annoyance.

"Scott, calm down, okay?" Mom tells me, watching me cautiously. I sigh as I let my anger simmer down and fade away.

"Whatever. I should go pack and get ready to head south. I've heard that there are heaps more supplies down that way." I say before I walk out of the room again. I make my way over to the corner where I sleep and grab my large bag. I don't have any spare clothes, so that will lighten the load a bit. I grab several large bottles of water from our dwindling pile of drinks and food. If I run out of water, I will just have to a lake, stream or river to drink out of. Maybe even a working tap. As for the food, I grab 10 granola bars, several small packets of nuts, three apples and a bag of chips. I know it's not very much food, but it'll have to do. I've gotten used to living on the bare minimum while travelling. I stuff everything into my bag before slinging it over my shoulders. Honestly, I find it kind of depressing that it only took one or two minutes to pack everything I need for at least a two week trip. It'll probably be longer.

I walk back into the small meeting room to see everyone still waiting for me. I let go of my back for a moment so I can pull on my jacket again and place my gun back in its holster. I also make sure that the gun is loaded and that I will have enough bullets to last me a while in a fight. I will admit I'm not the best shot with a gun, but if the infected come dangerously close, I'm sure I would be able to shoot them in the head if need be. It took me ages to learn how to use this gun. I'm amazed at how some people know how to use all sorts of guns. It's crazy as to why there are so many. I guess in a world like this, it's helpful, I guess. I look up at my friends and family to see them all staring at me. "What?" I ask them in confusion. "You're all set to go, huh?" Mom asks with a slightly sad tone.

"Yeah. There isn't exactly much to pack." I answer with a shrug.

"You don't have to do this Scott. You especially don't have to do this alone." Malia tries to persuade me. I merely shake my head before I swing my bag over my back again. "But I do, Malia. We have to get supplies. Besides... As much as I love being here with all of you, it's good to get some time to myself. These hunts for supplies give me that time." I explain to the pack as best as I can. "I guess that makes sense..." Liam mumbles.

"How long will you be away for this time?" The Sheriff asks me.

"Well, I don't know an exact amount of time, but maybe approximately two weeks? Maybe three? I think that'll give me enough time to look around and find some stuff that is salvageable for us." I answer him casually.

"When are you leaving?" Mason inquires.

"Now, I guess." I shrug.

"What, are you not going to rest?" Derek asks incredulously.

"What's the point, Derek? I haven't had a peaceful sleep in years. A nap wouldn't do me any good. I'll just wait until nightfall. I'll settle down somewhere safe." I answer, getting slightly impatient.

"You have nightmares?" Corey frowns.

"Yes, but it doesn't matter. Don't worry about it." I dismiss the problem quickly.

"You want me to send out others to search for supplies too, yeah?" Kira asks for clarification. I'm glad that she knows that she can't talk me out of what I want to do. "That would be very helpful." I nod in acknowledgement. Silence falls over the room for a few moments. "Well, I guess I'm off. I want to be out of the city before nightfall. I should be able to do that if I leave now." I eventually announce. One by one, everyone gives me a hug and wishes me good luck.

"I love you, sweetheart. Be careful." Mom whispers as she pulls out of the hug.

"You too, Mom. I promise I'll be back soon, okay? Look after everyone else here. Bye." I reply before I turn on my heels and walk out of the room, back into the main part of the warehouse again. People turn to gaze at me curiously as I walk towards the warehouse's exit. I give a small five year old girl a friendly grin before I leave the building, making sure to shut the door behind me. I readjust my bag straps before setting off down the abandoned road, ready for the long journey ahead.