Merge

1st January 2014 - 11AM

I was sat cross-legged in front of my full length mirror. Deep in thought, thinking back to the day the world ended. Could I have stopped it? I mean… I’m ‘different’ I have powers. Out of all the books I’ve read, there’s always been a happy ending. The superhero in all the comics saves the day, the girl with gifts saves the world. Except, that didn’t happen. Was there something I should have done that I didn’t? No, surely not. I can’t take that responsibility, I’m only 15! I have other things on my mind, like exams and boys. And the demons. I still don’t know what to call them. Some help, some are deadly but some just follow me, stalk me, like a lost soul. Well I guess they are. Lost souls.    

Scruffy comes padding over, looking at me with his big dark eyes and resting his head on my knee, whining softly. Feeding time. I take one last look in the mirror. There’s nothing else I can do to help hide my scars, the amount of makeup I put on does nothing, unless I want to look like an orange. But I’ll never be one of those girls. I scramble to my feet, wrapping my fluffy dressing gown around me tighter. I check the barred windows, none of them will be getting in without a fight.

I lead him into the kitchen, Scruffy wagging his short tail excitedly behind me. Opening all the cupboard doors and slamming them in disgust. I find only one tin of dog food, a tin of pickles and half a loaf of stale bread. This won’t do and I need to go out before it gets dark. It’s the rules. I leave Scruffy eating away happily from his dog bowl, bless him. I found him down a back street one night, I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was dark and very cold, he was cowering in a small, wet, cardboard box that looked as if it was about to collapse. I scooped him in my arms and hurriedly ran to my grandma’s house, where I was staying. My half-sister hated pugs, so I knew I couldn’t keep him for long. And then this happened. He’s stayed by my side all this time, 3 long years. He’s my best friend, the one I share all my secrets with. Even the ones about boys!

The grandfather clock at the other side of my room strikes 11, I need to go. I grab my keys, gun, knife and coat and head for the door, giving Scruffy a kiss on the head before I leave. I’ll be safe.

I’m staying in a hotel, it’s a little bit run-down but it’s all I can manage. We’re in a small quarantine zone, it’s guarded heavily day and night by the army and you get shot straight in the head if you don’t follow the rules. I walk down the hallway, I can feel eyes in the back of my head. I spin around, to find Jake leaning against the doorway. He’s my new neighbour. He was travelling with a family with 4 small children, but they got into trouble outside and he was the only survivor. He can be a dick sometimes but I keel over at that gorgeous smile, stunning eyes, and the way his hair flicks just makes me stammer. And there he is, that grin on his face as he stares at me. I try to ignore him and carry on, but I don’t get halfway down the corridor when he grabs me by the waist and swings me around to face him. I’m so close.

‘Hey there’ he says under his sly smile. He knows what he’s doing.

‘I told you I’m not interested’ I am.

‘Oh I believe you’ he winks ‘where you off then?’ oh god I’m going to blush

I walk back, away from his grasp ‘just out’

‘Out where?’ why’s he so inquisitive?

‘Just to restock on supplies’ I turn and carry on walking down the corridor, praying he won’t catch up and walk with me.

‘Looks like you need company, you’re not allowed to go out on your own’ oh god!

‘I know the rules well enough thank you’ take the hint!