Sanity

Subjoin

SUBJOIN

March 10th, 4:14 am

SUMMER

Waking up is the hardest part, I think. Having to come to terms with what has happened with a consciousness barely functioning is hardly ideal. If you do choose to come to terms with it, that is. I would be okay with pretending it never happened. I never woke up that morning, I never stepped foot out of bed. I never went to school, I never watched Liv die.

But I did, it happened. Constant pain behind my eyes and in my throat reminds me that it was real. My waist stings from the scratches that she left, that we could do nothing but clean.

"We're pulling over," Patrick says from the driver's seat. "we're about to run out of gas."

"Do you need help?" I ask.

"Nah, just stay here and guard," He says with a nod towards our sleeping friends and siblings. "I'll only be a minute."

"Be careful." I say as he turns to leave. I don’t feel the need to say anymore, nor does he feel the need to listen. We haven’t seen any of the creatures that turned the world into this. We haven’t seen a thing.

❈

Five minutes later, Patrick comes back with a full smile and an empty gas can.

"I think you should see this." He says. My interest spikes by his smile, but it takes a long time to convince myself to get out of the car.

❈

"Do we really have to walk?" Cameron moans.

"Trust me, it'll be worth it." Patrick says.

"What is it?" Sandin asks. His normally black hair is a dull brown from dirt.

"It's people," he said. "Tons of them. Hundreds, probably." Sandin and I share a look.

"Are you sure they're people?" I ask.

"Man, I'm not completely stupid. They're as sane as I am."

"Reassuring." Tanner mutters.

"How'd you meet them?" Sandin asks.

"I was trying to fill the gas can up when they saw me. They nearly shot me, actually," He reenacts the body gestures of dodging a bullet. Paranoia grips me like a child and with bike's handle bars. "I was just way too fast for it."

"Why did you walk so far out?" Sandin asks, not with skepticism, but with curiosity.

"I didn't" Patrick replies. "They're everywhere. I'm pretty sure there's two within seeing distance now." He shrugs with indifference, as if he was explaining a neighborhood barbeque. I begin to feel panicky and claustrophobic. I reach towards Sandin and Tanner.

"Maybe we shouldn't─" The next thing I feel is a hand clamped on my throat and a heavy force to my head.

❈

SANDIN

Summer and I had never broken up, never had a real fight, never had any ill-feelings towards each other. They called us "the golden couple" because we had been together so easily for so long. I guess we were a bit stereotypical. I guess we still are. The good guys being tricked into the hands of the bad. I guess I should have seen it coming.

❈

I wake up in a bed. My first thought is that I am home. It is Saturday, I have time to sleep in before I go over to summer, Liv, or Patrick's house. I roll over and bring the covers up to my face. The smell does not register.