The Enemy U.S.A.

Chapter 18: The Decision

After driving away from the hoard of infected, Kevin's group stopped at a large house that seemed untouched. Kevin picked the locks and everyone got in, each carrying some of the most vital supplies like food and water. Mike locked and covered the windows.

During the car ride, Tyler asked for the girl's name, she answered softly, "Catalina." Kevin smiled at this because he was correct in his statement that the girl he was holding was Catalina.

Kevin and Catalina had a private discussion in the dark side of the living room in the house as Tyler, Mike, and Braden searched the house for anymore supplies or infected. Kelly placed Diana on a chair in the kitchen with the rest of the group as they discussed on what they should do with the food and water they have and how they should distribute it. Emily kept glancing back to where Kevin was alone with Catalina.

"What happened with you clothes." Kevin asked Catalina.

Catalina looked down at what she was wearing. She wore a tattered and ripped white T-shirt and jean shorts. The yellow converse shoes she was wearing looked dirty and some parts were torn. She was a bit shorter than Kevin. Her dirty blonde hair was all in tangles and her skin was pale and dirty with specks of dust. She managed to speak in a low voice. "I-I, my parents attacked me, they tried getting to me b-but I ran. I-I stayed in m-my backyard for a while until th-they learned how to open the b-back door. I outsmarted them, l-locking then o-out and b-blocking the stairs with a dr-dresser." She held on to her stomach. "I-I lived off what was left from t-the water from m-my sink and the snacks in my room." She started to cry and Kevin hugged her.

He knew it was tough to survive in the world they lived in. Some kids got lucky with avoiding their blood thirsty parents, but others ended up dead. "Hey," Kevin said in a soothing voice. "The good thing is that you survived and we are here to take care of you. You are lucky to have been 14 when the outbreak started."

Catalina sniffles and looked up at Kevin. "What do you mean?"

Kevin broke away from their long hug. "Well, I've been studying the infected since then and how the disease works. I saw a friend of mine on the streets one day, and he was 15 when the outbreak started. He was strong, fast, and smart because his brain and body were still young. And their wasn't a lot of boils on him."

Catalina backed away from Kevin, she was breathing heavily. "Does that mean I'm next?"

Kevin slowly walked up to her with his hand out and he placed it on her shoulder. "No, you won't get infected. I think the only was is to get bit or scratched when at that age. You see, my sister got bit and she's fine. And look, your an example that we can survive to adulthood!"

Catalina looked at him with her sad blue eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Kevin smiled.

Catalina grinned for the first time and hugged Kevin. "I'm just glad you and your sister are still alive."

Kevin hugged her back. "Yeah, me too. But we still need to get the squad back together."

Catalina broke away from the hug and smiled. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah! Next stop is to Ethan!" Kevin said.

Catalina gave Kevin another hug, laughing. "Your still the guy I used to know."

Just then, Emily walked in the living room and noticed that Catalina was hugging Kevin. She glared at this and cleared her throat, catching Kevin and Catalina's attention. They both looked embarrassed as Emily crossed her arms. "Um, what's goin on here?"