The Infected: An H1-2M1 Chronicle

Chapter 9

NOW

The last place I wanted to be was hiding in the trunk of a car with Ben, but I had to admit it was nice having him between me and the sickos. If they realized we were inside, or how to open the trunk lid, they would have to go through him. If I stayed quiet enough they might eat him and miss me all together. I bit the inside of my lip as he fidgeted with his gun. The magazine was empty in one. I heard the clicking as he pulled the trigger.

"Stop moving," I whispered. "If they see the car move—"

I closed my eyes as a sicko ran into the car. The whole car shook with the impact. The roof of the trunk caved in slightly. I stared up into the metal face as laughter erupted next to us and above us. Ben's body tensed beside me. The gun slid from his hands and landed on my arm. I didn't hesitate. Before Ben could even take a breath the gun was in my hand. I pulled the hammer back and heard the all too familiar sound of a bullet falling into the chamber. Ben's eyes fell on mine as I moved the gun to my side, away from him. He wasn't completely defenseless. He still had a gun, and it still had at least one bullet left.

I could feel the temperature drop with each minute that ticked by. I kept thinking about the night sack I had rolled inside my pack, Ben had one too. I could almost reach it without moving, but it was just at the tip of my fingers. Even if I could reach it, there was no unrolling it without causing the car to shake. I pulled my hands inside the sleeve of my thin shirt. I suddenly hated Ben for burning my hide jacket. It may have been disgusting but the fur that lined the inside made it warm.

When I opened my eyes Ben's were on me. "Are you cold?" he asked. I almost didn't hear him his voice was so soft.

I nodded my head slowly. I wasn't sure if he could see me. There had been small slivers of light earlier, but they had disappeared. I heard the zipper of his leather jacket. "If you move they'll see it." I said placing a hand over his.

"If you keep shivering they'll see it," he said turning onto his side. I knew that wasn't true. I wasn't moving enough to rock the car just by shivering. I held my breath as the laughter around the car continued. They were moving around us. I started to recognize some of them. They would disappear and then wander back. They knew we were close.

"They could have saw that," I hissed.

"I'll take my chances," he said pulling my arms inside his jacket. He was taking a chance. His back was now facing the lid. If they got the trunk open he WAS defenseless. They would have a clean shot at his back for however long it took him to turn around. His jacket provided him protection from scratches and bites, but not injury.

I pulled my arms away from him quickly.

"You have no fat on your body. Do you want to freeze to death?" He opened the sides of his jacket. I could feel heat radiating from him. I leaned into him slowly. He closed the jacket just as slow. I held my arms in front of my chest between us. I felt the gun slide across my back slowly.

"Asshole," I said softly.

"Opportunist." I could hear the grin in his voice.

His body was rigid against mine. As my body stopped shivering I could feel my eyelids getting heavy with sleep. My forehead fell against his chest. I could feel his heart racing. I slid my arm over his side and up his back. The muscles in his back tightened. He didn't say a word, but even through the fog of sleep I knew he was uncomfortable.

"Amber," his voice was low, almost gentle, but the sound of my name pulled me from the darkness. It was nice to hear it again "We can't stay here."

Ben's body was still tense.

"How long was I asleep?"

"A few hours," his voice was tight.