The Bite [Luke Hemmings AU]

Chapter Eight

Claire's POV

I heard gunshots and the slight whip of a crossbow. More thuds. I looked Cooper in the eye and his eyes were wide. I ran to the other side of the basement and opened the large chest that sat near the end of the stairs. I grabbed the bow and a few arrows.

I handed Coop the daggers in which only I could master throwing them at targets. Somethings only some of us could master.

"Uhh Claire," he said looking at the four daggers I handed him. I chuckle and grabbed a couple pistols.

"We have to get up there. I know you're new, but you have to fight. Just like the rest of us. Think of your anchor and you should be fine," I said and closed the chest.

We ran up the stairs. I had the bow on my back with the daggers attached to my belt. Cooper had the pistols either in his hand or in the side of his pants. We stopped at the door and listened. All I heard was rustling. Cooper grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently.

"Careful," he whispered. I looked over at him and gave him a small tight hug and opened the door.

Glass was everywhere. Windows and mirrors were shattered. I looked over and saw a man standing in a doorway with blood running down his face and his shirt was covered in blood.

On his bare arm, I noticed a bite. Saunders.

I ran to his side and he looked at me in disgust.

"Are you going to kill me or wait for Steve to? Either way I'm dead," he said looking at the bite.

"I'm not going to kill you or let Steve get to you. I'm not Saunders. And Steve killed my mom after I turned. I know the struggle of dealing with him. I can help you," I said almost regretting the words as they slipped out of my mouth.

"Claire, you don't know she's dead," Cooper added.

"If Steve got to her, she's dead. Sorry, but it's true, sweetie," he said with groan as he grabbed the wound.

"Come on, we can help you," I said wrapping his arm around my shoulders and looking at Cooper. "Are you going to help me or what?"

Cooper got to my side and helped the man with me. We helped him to the basement and had him sit on the table by the wall. I got into the first aid box and got the things I needed.

I felt the pit on my stomach grow larger and larger. Something was wrong. Very wrong. I had to find them, wherever they were. I looked at Cooper and he had to have had the same feeling. He looked worried.

"I'm going to go find them, stay here and help him," I explained. Cooper took everything from my hands and set it on the table. He looked at me, worry evident in every feature on his face.

I had to do something. I either one of us dies tonight, I want him to know exactly my feelings for him. So, I did the only reasonable thing I could think of.

I kissed him. Cliche as it seems, yes, I like my best friend. It sounds so stupid, I can't even begin to think of all the things I'm going to have to live through if we both live. I may even have to kill myself.

I pulled away and ran up the stairs before he could say a word. I sped down every road. I didn't know where I was going, but yet, I did. I stopped in the parking lot of the local plastic factory. It was right outside of town. Twenty minute drive, but for me, only about ten minutes.

I ran out of the car and up to the front of the building. I looked at every side of me. Only machines. Machines everywhere. I didn't know what all these machines did, but they were everywhere.