Infectious

New Girls

I climb the rusty metal ladder, making my way up to the next rooftop. The AK-47 slaps against my back and my fingers are raw from gripping onto the metal. I finally get to the top and climb over the low, brick wall. Griffith hoists me up onto my feet. I awkwardly nod at him and he gives me a heart-broken grin. I slip away from the tense moment and walk over to the left wall that over looks the direction from which the group should be arriving. Crouching down just enough so my eyes can peek over the ledge, I motion for Tom and Mia to go to the other wall just incase. I peek over the concrete valley and search for Riley and my mother whom are on the opposite building from mine. They finally pop up their heads as they both sneak a glance into the depths of the dark street beneath us. The texture of my jeans scratches against the concrete and my army coat flaps in the chilly gusts of wind. It tastes of thick urban air, making my tongue feel greasy. The taste lingers as I inhale and exhale. I finally hear the scratching of footsteps against the concrete road that sounds like millions of nails on a chalk board. I peek over and notice the large group of civilians that make their way towards the smoke area.

"Where do we go next?" I hear a man yell.

"Ya'll are just gonna have to wait because after this point we don't quite no where to go," the poisonous voice of the Texan lady infiltrates my ears. A ruckus starts as they all begin to argue about their choice in leader. There's a loud whine from the megaphone as I turn it on which makes the whole crowd fall silent.

"You have reached your destination," I begin to say, "we must first know if all dangerous people have been told to leave the group." I glance over the small wall and get a glimpse of them searching as to where my voice is coming from. I crouch back down.

"If it is safe ,give me a holler," I instruct.

"We left Mike behind," one man says gruffly.

"Fine," my voice booms through the microphone. I stand up from behind the wall and look down at them. More and more people begin to notice me.

"So do I have you're attention?" I ask.

"Yes," they answer in unison.

"Listen, around here I'm in charge, and that's how it's going to remain," a few of the men and women begin to snicker and a certain anger begins to boil in my stomach.

"Do you think that's a joke?" I boom through the megaphone, "I have more courage than all of you combined. I've shot a man, practically tortured a man, and I've watched people die," I angrily explain.

"So don't give me any of this shit about me not being able to lead a group of people," I tell them. I study them all for a long moment and finally decide to go according to plan.

"Now my friends will be checking your bags as you cross over our line," I instruct and at that moment Mia's mother and Jeffry emerge from ally ways with guns. The gun does not suit Mia's mother in any way. Her delicate ways are too odd to see as she awkwardly holds her gun. The group makes two single lines in front of both of them and they both do a thorough search of everyone's bags one at a time. I carefully pick my way down from the rooftop and go to join the large group of new-comers. I stroll to the front of the group and pick up the megaphone.

"So follow any of the people from our group and we'll lead you back to the building," I instruct. A group of teenage girls ranging from age thirteen to fifteen swarm around Griffith who smiles cockily. They all swoon over him and a certain pain tugs at my heart, is that jealousy? Over Griffith? Of course not, I don't fall in love with chaotic boys. A group of more mature girls, roughly sixteen to eighteen begin to make their way over to Riley. I skip over to him and plant a big fat kiss on his lips. He passionately kisses me back and I'm given mixed vibes from these girls. Some are disappointed, others have certain looks of jealousy written across their faces, and others smile at our love. One girl walks up to me. She has a darker complexion, the colour of cocoa and her jet black hair is cut in a bob. She smiles at me and I kindly return the gesture.