Sky On Fire (an Apocalypse Story)

Chapter Eleven

As soon as I entered the town hall, the adrenaline rush wore off.

I slid down to the floor, my head pounding. Gingerly, I felt the back of my head where the hair had been pulled and felt a rough bald patch. A few stands of hair swept edges through my fingers but otherwise, there were just the remains of my hair.

I winced as my hand ran over ragged skin, the hair torn up completely away. Small spots of blood littered my hand when I drew it back.

The rest of the group were huddled around me and Echo, fussing over us in their various ways. Georgia looked at me, panicked whilst Abby saw the dirty, half-destroyed monkey in my hands.

She burst out if Georgia's firm grip and snatched her monkey back, smothering me in a bear hug. I stumbled back, unprepared and my head smashed back against the wallpapered town hall (I never got why they put wallpaper in the town hall)

I winced again at the pain that now rocketed through my head. Georgia sensed my discomfort and pulled Abby away. I smiled weakly at her, my head still throbbing too much for me to concentrate.

Echo was explaining what happened. I winced  a bit as his loud voice echoed everywhere but I didn't have the will to tell him to shut up. Suddenly Xavier cam into the room, his footsteps unusually quiet. He had gone to search the town hall when we had arrived. He was obviously distressed as he walked over and clamped a hand over Echo's mouth. His chatter was stopped abruptly as he struggled for air over Xaviers big hand.

I jumped up from the ground, my headache pushed to the back of my problems as I saw that Xavier was attempting to strangle Echo. I tried to rush over but could only manage small steps before my head hurt too much for me to continue. I hope I haven't damaged anything permanently, like brain wiring.

Before I got to them, Xavier spoke,
"Echo, when I move my hand away, you need to shut up. I could hear your loud babble from the other side of this town hall. Incase you have forgotten, there are multiple people dead and the zombies are literally outside this door." His voice pitched up and down as he spoke. What was happening to him?

Xavier slowly lifted his hand away from Echo's mouth and Echo gave a huge gasp of breath, pushed his glasses up his nose and scuttled behind me.

Everyone was staring at Xavier, not sure how to handle this behavior. His eyes flashed and a tinge of madness crept through his eyes. I blinked and looked again but it was gone. I must have been imagining it. I shook my head at Xavier who slumped against the wall. His head snapped up when I walked almost normally to where he was and guilt and confusion flashed through his eyes. It was like Xavier was a bit shocked at what he had just done. Like he had no control over his actions...

"We first need to know who is here and who isn't." I said, quietly but loud enough to let everyone know that I was talking.

"Rose and Sam are missing." piped up the small, quiet Tom. Sophie and Steph nodded,
"And Dylan and John." added Steph.

Was it bad to say that I almost sighed in relief, Dylan and his jock friend were gone. May you burn in Hell Jade for being grateful that they are dead.

Steph and Sophie were slumped against each other, their eyelids drooping. Tom looked the same, leant against the wall. His dyed blonde hair was turning brown with dirt, along with the palms of his hands. I guess I wasn't the only one to fall during the run.

"I'm sorry guys but no one is sleeping until we figure out what the Hell we are going to do."

I heard a few grumbles but everyone seemed to realised the extremity of the situation.
"Now," said Georgia, stepping next to me, ignoring Xavier. Even Georgia was appalled at his behaviour. "Does anyone know exactly where we are?"