Leola and Ozzie vs. The World

Chapter 18

   It's been three long days. I've barely gotten any sleep, eaten, and I can't really think straight.

    Ever since Ivan's threat, I've kept my eyes open and on Ozzie. I haven't left her side. Ozzie tries to coax me to eat or sleep but that's never going to happen. I don't trust any red in this market.

   Speaking of red, I've also been keeping my eyes on Dennis and his mom. Ever since the bite, Dennis has never left the side of his mother.

   They'd skipped work to be together, they'd sit together at lunch, and Dennis would even skip research to stay close to his mom. They looked happy but I knew deep down inside they were dying. Pretending nothing was wrong only made it worse.

    Nia is still being a jit. I know she's still hoarding medicine but she's kept her side of the deal.

   I dunno if I'm the only one who notices but Mrs. Hoble is going through the symptoms. She's had the rough coughs, dizziness and fever. One day during lunch, she went around asking everyone if they could spare some extra food. Today, she wore a long sleeve shirt in attempt to cover up the crust forming on her arms. That's the last symptom, she has to leave tonight.

    I remember watching Nia's reaction. She got scared and threatened to tell but Dennis shut her up. He pretends to ignore the fact that his mom is coming closer and closer to death.

    "Leola eat". Ozzie coaxed. I snapped back into reality. Ozzie sat in front of me and handed me her applesauce.

   "Er, no Oz I'm fine". I lied. I'm not getting distracted so Ivan can take my sister away.

   "No your not, I can hear your tummy growl".

   I rolled my eyes and took Ozzie's glasses and fogged them up with  my mouth then put it back on her face.

   "Hey!" Ozzie said giggling. "I can't see!"

   Her laughter put a smile on my face. Dennis and his mother approached us. Dennis looked tired and pain but Mrs. Hoble looked worst. Small groups of crust covered around her eyes.

   "Hey Leola, hey Oz". Dennis greeted. "Can you cover for us, we're gonna take a hike right quick?"

   "Yeah sure". I said.

    "Hey Leola". Mrs. Hoble greeted. Her attention turned to the cup of applesauce. "Are you two gonna eat that?"  She asked.

   We shook our head, immediately Mrs. Hoble dug into the applesauce like a wild animal. Applesauce splattered on Ozzie's shirt leaving a disgusted face on Ozzie.

    I painfully looked at Dennis who was trying his best to forget what just happened.

   "Dennis". I said quietly so Mrs. Hoble wouldn't hear. "She has to go...today".

    Dennis looked at me with sad eyes. "I know". "Just give me some time and I'll take her away".

   I realized that now Dennis has to kill his mom. He doesn't want her to turn into those things but shouldn't have to kill his mom.

   "Dennis, when you go...I'll go with you, you shouldn't have to kill your mother...I'll do it".

    "Thank you".

    Mrs. Hoble licked the can clean. She threw it into the trash can and smiled at Dennis. "Ok dear, lets go".

   They turned to leave but Zeke blocked the way. "We need Mrs. Hoble, Leola, and Nia Parker". Nia approached when she heard her name.

    "We're transferring you all as blues". Zeke said. "Go outside and work on the wall in the front".

    "No". Dennis said. "I need my mother".

    "Red's orders".

     "I'm a red too".

     "But under my command since I'm the lieutenant".

     "Fine, but don't have her out there long". Dennis hugged his mom and left.

    "I'm not leaving my sister". I said firmly. Zeke grunted.

    "Fine, but pa is not gonna be happy about this".

    Zeke led us outside to the front. The tall thick wooden wall stretched around the market making it a tight space. Blues were everywhere hammering the wall and working. I couldn't see what it was like on the other side but I'm guessing there was a ungodly number of zombies in the parking lot.

   "You three are blues now". Ivan said approaching us.

   "Wait!" Nia cried. "You mean...I'm working with her!?!" She was talking about Mrs. Hoble. "But she's, she's...". Nia must be worried that she's be killed when she's in a tight spot when Mrs. Hoble turns.

    That is selfish and she's gonna get us caught. I narrowed my eyes at her, Nia noticed and shut up. "Never mind".

    Ivan raised a eyebrow. "Anyway...I need you three to work on the wall, we lost some blues yesterday so the wall needs to be thickened".

    We all nodded. Ivan's eyes narrowed when he looked at Ozzie. I hope he wasn't thinking what I think he's thinking. Ivan eyed Ozzie as he walked back inside.

    We grabbed our tools and got to work. Nia walked away from Mrs. Hoble.

   "I'm not getting anywhere near that thing". She said working by me.

   "Oh shut up". I said getting tired of hearing her jerkness.

    "How can you be ok with this!?!"  She asked. "This stupid act of kindness will get you killed!" " I guess you don't have anything to live for sense your sister is infected".

   I looked back at Ozzie who was helping a blue put in a nail. I was disgusted at what Nia said.

   "You're a science teacher fore Pete's sake!" I said trying to shame her. "You should know what eczema is!"

   "Well I don't!" She spat. "And I'm not going to be eaten when those two turn, mark my words!" Nia walked off to work on the other side.

    We worked for hours. I was starting to miss being a purple. Being a blue was hard work. No wonder the blues were all sweaty, stink, and look tired. Ivan has been working them nonstop!

    The sun was setting and the darkness and faint sounds of zombies was scary. I knew Ozzie wanted to go back outside.

   "When are we allowed to go inside?"  I asked a blue.

    "Nine o'clock". He answered hammering a nail.

   Nine! This is slavery! He's not keeping me or anyone else here any longer. I headed over to Mrs. Hoble who was digging through the toolbox.

   "Mrs. Hoble, lets get someone to let us back in". I said. Mrs. Hoble looked up from the toolbox. Me and Ozzie cringed. Crust was all around her eyes. Her skin was dry and looked as if it was about to break off. She could turn any minute!

   "Good idea". Mrs. Hoble said smiling. "Lets go ask a red". She headed for the door and we followed from a distance. She seemed normal but it was hard to tell when she could snap.

   Poor Dennis didn't even get to hang with her for her last day. He would've remembered tho, what kept him?

    Mrs. Hoble reached for the door handle but someone opened it first from the inside. It was an angry faced Ivan with Nia by his side.

    He punched the crap out of Mrs. Hoble knocking her out. She fell with a heavy thud. Ivan turned to me.

   "You stole my gun you bitch". He punched me in face knocking me to the ground.

   My vision was blurred and my legs felt very weak. I watched in blurry vision as Ivan took a step closer and grabbed Ozzie by her neck.

    Then I blacked out.