The Restart

Chapter 5

Computers were my life. My pride and joy. Ever since I was able to read and write, I had practically lived on my computer. But not in a thoughtless robotic way. No, I used my time on my computer understanding and exploring what computers could do, and how they work. Soon enough, I taught myself some simple, but effective, programming language.

A lot of my time was also spent playing computer games. But when I became more confident, I started to write my own computer programmes, and they slowly got better and better. More and more complicated. I was an expert on computers and their languages. In the future I planned to (obviously) be a computer programmer, just like my hero Graham Grey had aspired to be. And he went on to do much more then just programming.

My plan wasn't very promising, but it was the best idea I had at the time. The first step was to get to a computer, then from there I could try and hack into government records, or if not I could try something else like searching the internet. It wasn't a great plan, but it was a good start. The government could have some information about what was going on.

Jess still wasn't sure what was where, or much about anything really, so it was up to me to try and find us a safe passage to an accessible computer. We considered barging into someone's house, but we didn't want to risk encountering a Virus, and we didn't want to have to kill them. They were still human, somewhere deep down.

Our other options were the library or the school. The school was closer, but we all knew how many Viruses would be in there, so our best option was the library. It was probably a 10-15 minute walk from where we were, and we were just hoping that there weren't many Viruses there, if any. The odds were in our favour, because not many people physically went to a library these days. Only the 'nerds' and 'loners' went.

Jess was my personal bodyguard, she seemed to pretty skilled with weapons and and damn well strong. We didn't want to waste time, so within minutes we set off.

The sun was high in the sky, and as we were we on our journey, I could feel my stomach churn, yearning for food. I didn't bother saying anything though, food was not the priority
right now. However, just like reading my mind, Jess blurted out "I could really use something to eat. You hungry? I'm starving"

I looked at her with a surprised look across my face. Without realising, a genuine smile creeped across my lips, and as if I was looking in a mirror, Jess did the same. Who knew smiles were so infectious?

"Yeah I could eat" I replied, grinning like an idiot. I had completely forgotten about the current situation and my mind was distracted for one second too long. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see someone fast approaching Jess. A Virus. And before I could say or do anything, it had already grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

Fuck! I need a weapon! I told Jess she should give me a weapon! She never fucking listens to me!

My body was stuck. It didn't know what to do or how to help. But while I was busy panicking and imagining a million scenarios in my head, all of which were ones where Jess was brutally killed, I didn't realise that she was completely fine.

The Virus, looked... scared. It's big blue eyes were full of pleading, and sorrow. Even though Jess' back was turned, I just knew that she was staring right back, telling the Virus (which I now realised was a woman) that she's ok.

I mentally slapped myself and made me fully awake again.

God I'm so useless. Jess could've been really hurt!

As I came closer to the woman, I could make out some of the mumbling that was pouring out of her mouth.

"Pl-pl-ease he-lp-p m-me. I thought I-I h-had a lit- little girl, but I can't f-find her"

Tears were falling down her face like waterfall; unstoppable. Jess turned to look at me, her face full of sympathy, and also regret. I didn't know what she was thinking, but she soon made it pretty clear.

Jess hit the pressure points of the arms of this woman, who must've been gripping ridiculously tight, because she then needed sweep of the leg to get her down, and further away.

"JESS" I shouted, not quite believing what she had just done.

Ignoring me completely, Jess reached for her taser and held it just millimetres from the woman's face.

"Jess stop! What the fuck are you doing?" I screamed down her ears, not wanting to get in-between her and her taser.

Jess screamed back at me "Don't fall for it Theo. She's a Virus, I know it."

There was no way I could physically stop Jess, but clearly I couldn't verbally either.

"SO ARE YOU JESS!"

With that, she dropped the taser. I could see her brain evaluating what I had just told her. She knew I was right. She just didn't want to believe it. No matter how human Jess is now, she was a killer not so long ago, and I think she had forgotten that.

"Jess. Yes, she probably is a Virus but she may be just as human as you are. She remembers her daughter for Christ's sake! Isn't that enough?"

Finally, Jess understood what I was saying, but she was far too proud to admit that I was right.

Stubbornly, she put her taser back on her belt, and spoke sharply to the woman, "Go. Go find your daughter. Get out of here."

I didn't say anything. I wanted to interject and tell the woman to come with us, that we would protect her, but Jess had other ideas and she didn't look like she wanted to be contradicted.

Hastily, the woman got to her feet. Unsure of whether to thank us or scream in our faces, she just turned and ran in the opposite direction.

"We could've helped her." I told Jess, softly but firmly at the same time.

"No. No we couldn't have. She is not our priority."

When Jess spoke those words, there was something odd, something wrong. Just as I was about to ask, Jess answered.

"I couldn't stop myself... Theo. It was like- an instinct. A primal, animal instinct- to not trust her- to - kill her. I couldn't stop. It's still inside me. The Virus. I know it's there. I can feel it."

A single tear rolled down her cheek, but I didn't wipe it away.

"You can stop it. I know you can. I trust you, Jess. Be strong. I need you to be strong because I sure as hell am not."

In the midst of her gloom, a smile emerged. It seemed to be a gift that I had, being able to make sad people smile.

"Now come on. We're nearly at the library. Look sharp."

As we trudged onto the last leg of our journey, Jess replied, "Yes, Sir."