The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Seven

3:19am.

Jess's eyes shot open as a small drop of sweat fell down her forehead. She sharply inhaled and skimmed the room with her eyes. She couldn't see a thing. It was pitch black. She lightly pressed her palm against her head and wiped the sweat away. She could hear a distant snoring sound coming from Nick's direction. Until a slight squeaking sound came from the dark corner of the room. Right where the door was. Her eyes darted to that area. She could see the slight shine of the silver doorknob reflecting off the moonlight. It started to slowly turn. Jess pulled her thin blanket over half her face. Just under her eyes so she could still see yet feel safer at the same time. The door opened. Jess could hear her heart. She felt like it was popping out of her chest. All of a sudden, the door swung open and crashed into the wall. There was a figure of a large man. It looked as if he had a hood up. Though, Jessica couldn't see any facial features. He started to walk towards her, taking an inch forward every second. He reached behind him and brought out a chainsaw. He stopped and turned it on. The noise was enough to paralyse Jess for years. As the man got closer and closer to her, she clenched the blanket as hard as possible whilst also squeezing her eyes shut. She could hear the noise getting closer. Nothing happened. Her eyes shot open again. She looked at her clock. 7:46am. She sighed in relief and once again, wiped the dripping sweat from her forehead. She layed there for a few seconds, remembering what had happened to Ellie the day before. She frowned slightly. She didn't know Ellie very well. But she still felt sorrow. Jess stretched her arms out and managed to pull herself out of bed. Her bare feet touched the cold, wooden floor. She got a small shiver when she walked through the doorway, remembering where the man was standing in her dream. Jess shook her head and continued walking downstairs. She entered the kitchen area and grabbed a bottle of water. She put a tiny bit on her hands and threw it onto her face. It woke her up and she fazed back into reality. She could hear someone else coming down the stairs. Not thinking about her friends, she drew a razor sharp knife from the drawer and hid around the corner. As soon as that person walked around that corner, Jessica went for them. As soon as she saw Cisco, she immediately pulled away. It gave him quite a scare.

Cisco: Jesus Christ, Jessica! What the hell are you doing?

Jess dropped her knife and started shaking. She bought her hands up and cupped her face with them.

Jess: I-I-I'm sorry.
Cisco: Don't worry about it? Are you okay? You seem stressed.
Jess: Of course I'm fucking stressed! Ellie got taken away and I can't handle it!
Cisco: Neither can I but-
Jess: Yes you can! I don't see you going insane!
Cisco: I don't have to go insane. I'm not going crazy because I know we'll get her back. I just know it.
Jess: You don't know that.
Cisco: I do. We will, I promise.

Jessica sighed and sat down on a chair.

Cisco: Jess, go upstairs. Go back to bed. You deserve it.
Jess: Okay. I am pretty tired still. I will.
Cisco: See you later.

Jessica headed upstairs, layed down on her bed and quickly fell back asleep.

10:53am.

After a few hours had passed by, everyone was awake and downstairs. They all had a bit to eat and drink. Then they just sat there. After a few minutes, Nick broke the silence.

Nick: We can't all sit here and stare at each other. We have to go out there and get El back. We're all going insane without her. We need her.
Jess: Agreed.
Leo: We have to. She's my sister.

Cisco lifted his head up and looked at everyone around the room. He sighed.

Cisco: We do. I know that. But it'll be harder than we think. We don't know what this guy has! He could have a fucking army for all we know. Plus, Nova can't go. She's injured.
Jess: Someone could always stay here with her. Anyone want to volunteer?
Nova: Jessica, don't. I'll be fine.
Jess: You won't.
Nova: I will. Besides, I'm tired. I'll just go to sleep. I'm sure no one would want to stay here with me when I'm sleeping. Especially when they know they could be saving their friend instead.
Jess: That's true, I guess. I won't argue.
Nova: Good.
Cisco: This is it then. Jess, Nick, Leo and me. Grab your weapons.