The Virus : Strain Z

Chapter 6

After breakfast I let Ridgey out in the garage to stretch his legs and do his business. I threw a tennis ball around for him to chase till Lux came to check on me. "Can I toss it around some?" he asked. I nodded and handed it to him. As our fingers brushed against each other I felt a small jolt, almost like a light electrical zap. I was startled and almost dropped the ball before he grasped it. He threw it around & then Ridgey decided to play keep away and made Lux and me chase him around the garage for possession of the ball.

By the time Ridgey gave up Lux and myself were out of breath while Ridgey was laughing in a doggy way while prancing about. He beat us inside and went to lay down by dad's recliner to watch t.v. with him. I told my parents I was going to go down to the game room to watch my shows and invited Lux. He eagerly followed and I told him to pick something out while I fixed us a snack and drinks. When I made it back to the couch he'd already put the movie in and hit play. "It's a surprise so no cheating Salia" he said as he leaned over to grab his drink. He pulled me closer to him and slung his arm around my shoulders as he laid his head on mine. All the sudden Buffy appeared onscreen. I looked up at Lux ''You like Buffy??" I ask surprised as I straightened up on the couch. He was about to answer when all the sudden we heard a huge bang,like something ramming the house or door coming from upstairs.

We jumped up and Lux made me stay behind him as we hurried up out of the basement. "What was that?" we asked as we got to the top of the staircase. "We don't know, we thought it was y'all" mom answered. We all rushed upstairs to the balcony to try and see what it was. Right before I could step out Lux stopped me.

"Don't come out here Salia, just don't, please" he said as his face turned ashen. My dad had to catch mom as she fainted. 'What was it that was so horrific that it caused these reactions?' I thought to myself. I decided to peek and see for myself. The view left me vomiting and so dizzy I nearly blacked out again.

One of our newest neighbors was feasting on her own husband as he choked on his own blood, slumped against our house where he'd been thrown. Their little girl approached and began to eat on her father's neck like you or I would a steak. 'Oh this might be enough to turn me vegetarian' I murmured to myself queasily. Lux picked me up and carried me away from the nightmarish sight and placed me on my bed. He stepped into my bathroom to get a cool damp rag to place on my head and sat next to me as he held my hand.

All the sudden I lurched over and vomited....all over Lux's lap. I started crying my eyes out and apologizing repeatedly. "Salia, it's ok. I'm gonna go change right quick and I'll be right back. Ok?" he reassured me as he wiped my face off with the washrag. He rushed to change and was back in just a few minutes with some cleaning supplies. "I'm gonna clean this up and them I'm all yours. Ok Sals? Gimme just a few minutes" he said softly as he wiped and scrubbed the lingering vomit. He quickly disposed of the supplies and laid down on the bed with me. I quickly curled up against him and dozed off with him running his fingers through my hair.

When I woke up Lux was sleeping, snoring away like a bear. I couldn't help but smile as I watched and shook my head. I decided to get cleaned up cause I felt as if I had vomit on me. When I came out of my bathroom Lux had already left and I went downstairs to get something to drink and eat. Ridgey came barreling up to me and whined, running back to the garage. I opened the door and he darted out to relive himself before grabbing his stuffed squeeky toy and trotting back inside. I grabbed some leftover pot roast and some rolls and made a few mini sandwiches and grabbed some tea.

I found everyone in the living room watching the news, hoping for an update. I sat on the couch by Lux and asked if anything new had happened while I was asleep. "Unfortunately no, the keep saying the same stuff over and over" my dad said quietly. All the sudden we all heard a noise from upstairs. Dad and mom looked at each other in horror. "...The balcony windows" dad exclaimed horsely. "I think I left them open" his face ashen as he spoke. Dad and Lux both decided to go upstairs and see what it was. They told us to lock ourselves in the basement for safety.

Lux grabbed me and planted a quick kiss on my cheek as I passed by on my way with mom. I blushed, unsure of what mom and dad would think if they were to see. "Be safe Salia, please? For me" he whispered. I nodded and followed mom into the basement and locked the door behind us. After several minutes of agonising wait something slammed against the door. We both let out an involuntary scream before covering our mouths.

We waited until we heard dad cussing. "Come back here you damn bird!! Lux have you caught the other one yet?" he hollered. "Yes sir! Just now!" he replied. "I'm gonna toss it outside and come back to help you" he said as his voice got fainter. After a few more minutes of scuffling sounds dad knocked on the door and told us to come out. "It was two birds that broke a lamp. That's why it sounded like something bigger" he laughed.