Where It Lies

Chapter 9

I let out a breath, rigid and weak as I try to control myself. Trying to wrap my mind around what I had just done.

Am I a killer?

No.

I can't be.

I won't allow myself to come to terms with what I am, what I had done. I did this for me, for Lucas. If I hadn't, she would have killed me.

I would have never seen Lucas again. I couldn't let that happen. He needs me. My father and mother need me to get to them, to be together.

The only thing I try to think of while I grip the wheel quite tightly. Jasper, sensing my frustration looks to me, speaking softly.

"Clara, breath." He reassures me, his hand coming to rest on top of my hand as we ride alone on the road, heading North.

"I'm trying to." I say as I feel a small lump building in my throat, blocking my air way as I try to take in a breath. Harder said then done.

With the wind sweeping back my hair as I press the gas pedal, I see a few cars as we pass. Bodies slumped over the wheel, or people clawing at the windows as we ride by.

Whatever this virus was, it was deadly. Bringing people back from the dead. As I try to process what could be the cause of all this I hear static on the radio, cutting in and out from a station barely making it through.

"You hear that?" Jasper ask as he messes with the knob to enhance the signal.

"Survivors, the CDC is open to any and all seeking shelter. I am here to help."

It continues in a loop the same words, Jasper looking to me with wide eyes.

"Should we? Just to see if there are any more survivors besides the girls?"

My mind instantly returning to Chloe and Emma with their sister.

"If you think it's best. But only for a moment. Lucas needs me." I remind him as I press down on the gas pedal, increasing our speed as we move closer to the city limits.

We ride in silence as we gain momentum, wanting to get there quickly as possible, and to avoid any other possible distractions and mishaps that could throw us off track again.

Just a few more hours and I'll be with Lucas and my parents, granted if everything is okay. Having not been able to reach them on my phone causes me more stress as I have tried a few times now. And I'll try again when we reach the CDC.

If I could just hear his voice. Just to know he is okay. That's all. Why can't I have that? Just a bit of reassurance is all I need. Something.

"Take the on ramp up here. The CDC should be a few miles off the next exit." Jasper says over my crowded thoughts.

"Alright." Is all I say as I drive onto the on ramp, getting onto the highway leading into the city. Hoping that it will not be as bad as what we have already seen.

Within minutes, I pull off onto an exit, driving down the empty street heading towards the CDC, abandon cars the only thing in sight as the CDC comes in view a few hundred feet away.

"There." Jasper points out the obvious CDC building as I press on the gas. Not seeing the man walk out in front of the jeep, hitting him with the side of the vehicle. Hitting the brake my breathing halts as Jasper grabs my shoulder. "You okay?" He asks before I nod, seeing him open his door to step out.

"No! He may be infected." I say, but Jasper's feet are already hitting the asphalt as he views the man on the ground.

"Clara stay back." He tells me, not that I have moved from where I was, but a warning. He only takes a step away from the jeep as the man raises up quickly, getting to his feet faster than any human would have been able to with the force he endured.