Book One: To Death (rewriting)

Consternation

A/N: Let's have a bit of fun in this chapter shall we? Will our group stick together or fall apart with different motives? Read on to find out exactly what that means. I'm still having some trouble moving past the point of being censored in my writing. Going to try letting everything go in this chapter~! You have been warned.

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     I looked myself in the foggy mirror, being greeted by tired eyes. I practiced getting my face cheerful; or at the least adding some life to my gaze. I finished getting ready, pulling my twists into my signature half-up half down. It was two-fold now seeing as it prevented whatever came of these people from getting and easy handful of my hair. I entered my bedroom, hearing the others chatting outside. I thought about ways I could make sure I was safe when I went out. I dressed in a tank top, topping it with an oversized windbreaker I recalled getting from Jonas. If something grabbed me, I could shed out of it. And some shorts to keep cool and mobile. The only weapon I'd had on hand was a balisong given to me by my grandfather years ago. I tucked it into the top of my boots for now, exiting my room.

"Where are you going," Alisha asked me from where she sat on the couch.

"I'm going out to go and investigate," I told the group, Oscar sitting up straight.

"The news is saying this spreads via bites," He warned. I rolled up my sleeve, grimacing at my slightly healed bite wound. Was this more or so the same? If so I was already infected.

"I was bitten by someone a few days ago that behaved just like the people on campus," I told the group, seeing collective shock.

"And you don't feel sick," My sister asked as I just shook my head.

"I saw it happen yesterday. You get bit, some time passes and then you lose your mind," Daniel chimed in, seeming troubled.

"By that logic I should be gone already," I told them, moving our barricade away from the door.

"I'll come with you kid, you're about two pounds soaking wet," Oscar offered, getting up.

"I'll knock according to standard procedure for RA's when I'm coming back," I told Alisha and Daniel.

"Call if you get into trouble. We still have service," Alisha advised. I gave her a nod as me and Oscar left. Me and him worked to secure the hall last night before we went to sleep collectively, dragging the dead bodies into the staircase. I pulled out my knife, sharing a look with Oscar and passing some silent communication. There was the occasional shriek from inside the building as we walked down the hall. He'd tied the door shut with his tie and I went about unraveling the knot. We entered the stairwell, being greeted by a peculiar sight and an oddly sweet smell. Sprouting from the bodies of the people me and Oscar put down as colorful stalks sporting just about every color of the rainbow. I looked to Oscar, seeing him grimace. We closed the door, heading down the hall before I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out as I came to a stop and seeing it was my stepdad.

"Izzy, you there," He asked softly over the line.

"Yeah, are you and mom okay," I questioned.

"We're good. Are you and your sister okay," He replied.

"We're together," I assured him.

"Good, me and your mom are on our way to you now. Then we're heading to a evac shelter," He told me as I took a deep breath.

"You and mom get safe. Me and Alisha can meet you there," I told him, wanting my mother safe. She was expecting younger siblings of mine. He took a deep breath, my heart hammering in response to what that could mean.

"We're heading to downtown Dallas to the NTIDC," He began.

"Me and Alisha will hurry there the moment we can," I told him.