The Virus : Strain Z

Chapter 7

Mom wrapped her arms around dad. "Oh thank goodness! I was so worried!" she exclaimed tremblingly. Lux started to come towards me but I stepped closer to my dad and got a hug from him. We all went and sat down in the living room. Lux sat on the couch and looked at me as he patted a spot next to him. I evaded him and sat in the beanbag across the room. I still didn't quite know what to think of my feelings towards him.

My phone buzzed with a text from Tara. 'How are y'all holding up? Tell Lux to answer his frigging phone please' it read. I replied telling her we were doing ok and has just recovered from a bird scare. "Lux, Tara says answer your phone. She needs to talk to you" I told him over my shoulder. I heard him grumble good naturedly about his 'pest of a sis' as he got up to get his phone.

I went to the kitchen to get a soda and heard the door swing open behind me. Lux stood in front of the now closed door as he watched me. I turned away and busied myself with making some snacks. I heard as he walked up behind me and leaned against the island counter. I pretended to ignore him while I finished up and went to carry the snacks out. I quickly sidestepped him and hurried out to the living room and placed the tray of snacks on the coffee table before plopping down in the beanbag once more. Lux slumped into the living room and dropped to the couch with a frown on his face.

"What's wrong Lux? Is something wrong with your family?" my mom asked , her voice full of concern. "No ma'am. They're ok. I'm just worried about them and the guys I hid with in that apartment" he told her quietly. Everyone was quiet for for a few minutes before Ridgey suddenly jumped up, his hair standing up on the back of his neck as he growled softly. "What is it boy?" my dad asked as he stood up.

Suddenly a crashing of glass came from the backyard. We rushed upstairs to look out the gardenside window. Someone was climbing through the shed window as if being chased. Just as he dropped out of sight one of the infected staggered around the corner, wearing bloodstained clothes and dragging a dismembered human leg with him. I gagged at the sight, feeling light headed once again. Lux pulled me away from the window and against his chest. I pushed away after a moment and walked downstairs to the basement and hit play on my movie.

After a few minutes Lux came downstairs and stood beside the couch. "Have I done something wrong Sals?" he asked sadly. "No! You haven't done anything wrong. I just don't know what to do. I mean I'm friends with your sister and don't want to lose her" I explained as I looked down at my lap. He sat down next to me and put his fingers under my chin and tilted my head up some. As my eyes met his he smiled 'oh my heart, there's them gorgeous dimples' I thought to myself. He leaned towards me and kissed my cheek lingering for a few extra seconds.

Suddenly the door opened and we jumped apart as if electrocuted. "Hey do y'all need anything? We're going to bed" my mom called down. "No thanks Mom, we're good. Thanks though" I answered as I blushed fiercely looking anywhere but Lux. "Ok, g'night y'all two. Be careful if you hear anything and remember to check from upstairs" she reminded before closing the door. "Do you wanna watch this or something else?" I nervously asked Lux, still not looking at him. "This is fine, just come sit next to me please." he said softly.

I peeked at him from the corner of my eye and saw him staring at me with hooded eyes. I blushed even more and jumped up and began pacing back and forth nervously. He stood up and grabbed me gently, leading me back to the couch. He sat down and pulled me next to him, my legs over his lap as he pulled me against his chest rubbing my back soothingly. He started humming softly and I recognized it to be a country song by George Strait. If I remembered right it was I Cross My Heart.

I started to drift off to sleep and felt him pick me up. I managed to open my eyes just enough to realize he was taking me upstairs to bed. After laying me down he pulled my shoes off and covered me up. Before he could step away I reached out and latched onto his wrist. "Please stay, I'm worried I'll have nightmares tonight after seeing all that gore" I pleaded. He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I gotta go get cleaned up and I'll be right back Sals. I swear it" he promised.

I decided to take a quick shower myself and change clothes. As I stepped out of my bathroom I saw Lux was already sitting on my bed waiting. "Ridgey is right outside your door, I didn't know if he was allowed in or not." he informed me quietly. I decided that for the first time I'd allow Ridgey into my bedroom and opened the door. He quickly bounded in and flopped across the foot of my bed happily. I shook my head chuckling quietly as I laid down next to Lux.  He frowned slightly and pulled me snug against him and laid down, relaxing for the first time today. Within minutes both He and Ridgey were snoring away. I rolled my eyes and felt myself falling asleep