The End is Near

Chapter Thirty-Three

~Cassie's POV~

I got sick halfway through the night, I'm still sick, and it terrifies me. I'm still not sure I'm safe from the infection. I'm too scared to go downstairs, I don't want them to see me sick, but I know they need me. Now that I know I'm immune to the bite as well, I'll be able to do so much more. I sigh, running a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. I don't know how long this bite will make me sick, but at least I know I won't turn. It took Julia only twenty minutes to turn, I've been up here all night. I jump as a loud noise sounds from upstairs. What's going on down there? I guess now is the time to go down. I quietly open my door and step out, I didn't check any of the rooms, only the one I was in. There could be walkers in any of them. As if on cue, a walker slams against one of the doors, groaning loudly. I ignore it and keep walking, jumping when another walkers slams against a door. I take a deep breath and go to the stairs. I can't see anyone yet, but I can hear some shuffling,

I start walking down the stairs, eager to see Keith and find out what's going on. Once I can see into the main room, they all stare up at me, some tightening their grip on their weapons. I must look awful, if they think I'm a walker.

"I'm not a walker, you guys can put your weapons down." I say, my voice raspy and deep. They all sigh in relief and laugh, putting their weapons down as I reach the bottom of the stairs. Keith walks forward and picks me up, holding me to him tightly. I sigh into his neck, wrapping my arms and legs around him. It's a good thing he's strong enough to hold me up, because without him, I would've collapsed.

"You're alive." He sighs into my neck, tightening his hold on me. I laugh, nodding. "Are you ok? No offense, but you look horrible." I laugh again, pulling back to look at him.

"I know. The bite didn't turn me, but it did make me sick. I don't know how long it'll last." I say as a fit of coughing takes me over.

"It's your body fighting the virus." I tense at the voice and look up at Keith with a raised eyebrow.

"They showed up this morning." He sighs, glaring in Blake and Karson's direction. I sigh, walking over to them.

"What do you want?" I ask, glaring harshly at them.

"Cassie, you need to come back with us. You're our only chance to cure this. Your group can come with you, to ensure your safety. Please, you're our last chance." I sigh at Blake's plead. I turn and walk away, pulling Keith with me.

"Group meeting, we need to figure out what to do with these two." I call, walking through the back door. We all pile onto the patio, making sure that Blake and Karson are always in sight. "I don't know what to do, guys. If I go, I possibly put you guys in danger, and I die. If I go, I give you all the lives you deserve, lives without the stressing of staying alive every day. You can have normal lives. It's up to you to stay here or go, I guess." I say, not meeting any of their eyes as I take a deep breath. It's silent for a minute until I look up, they're all staring at me with sad eyes.

"Cassie, you'll die." Wyatt whispers, slouching over.

"I know, Wyatt, but I have to do this. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't. Now, I'll ask again, are you staying or going?"

"I'm coming with you, no matter what. If you die, I die, no arguing, you won't change my mind about that." I look over at Keith with wide eyes. He meets mine with determination, there's no changing his mind. I sigh, nodding, and look down with a frown. His hand slips into mine and squeezes comfortingly. I look up at him with a sad smile.

"I'm coming, too, someone's got to keep an eye on you guys." Wyatt says, stepping forward. Cody walks with him. Soon after, the rest of the group steps forward with a sad smile.

"So I guess that settles it, we're all going." I sigh, turning and walking back into the house, hand-in-hand with Keith, and go to Blake and Karson.

"Why are you with him, Karson?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Why aren't you with us? They only need some of your blood, I don't see the big deal!" He exclaims. Beside him, Blake actually winces, closing his eyes. He hasn't told him the truth yet.

"Why don't you tell him the truth, Blake? That you actually need all of my blood, tell him that to cure the virus, the government is going to kill me. Go ahead, tell him." Blake looks up at me and sighs as Karson turns to him.

"Come on, Blake, tell me that's not actually true. The only reason I decided to help you was because you said she didn't have to die. Tell me that she isn't going to die." Blake takes a deep breath and looks at him.

"I'm sorry, man, but she's right. She'll die when she gets back to the headquarters." Karson stares at him with wide eyes, then turns back to us.

"I'm so sorry, Cassie, I didn't know. Keith, I'm so sorry, please forgive me." I close my eyes and sigh, then turn to Blake.

"How did you even know I was the cure? I've had nothing to do with the government, how'd you find out?" His brows scrunch in confusion as he looks as me.

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"You're parents worked for the government, they were the head scientists. They created the virus."