It all happened so fast. Disaster. Widespread panic.
A Pandemic.
It wasn't long before the Infected were everywhere.
When Hayley Brookes near-perfect life comes crashing down around her - due to a new, widespread, incurable strain of virus and she...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Lily. Wake up, Sweetheart." I murmured in her ear as I gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened along with her mouth as she let out a large yawn, bringing her fingers up to rub her eyes sleepily. She seemed to wake up significantly faster as soon as I handed her a cereal bar and a bottle of water, her eye shooting open as she tore hungrily into them. I held back a chuckle as I watched.
She suddenly stopped eating, shrinking back into the wall in fright, her wide eyes focused on something behind me. I followed her gaze, noticing that it was Elliot she was afraid of. I reached out to reassure her that it was okay.
"Hey Lily, it's okay. Don't be scared. He's gonna help us." I comforted in a soothing voice. She seemed to relax slightly but was still extremely wary of the 'stranger', leaning as far into the wall as she could in an effort to keep her distance. I couldn't blame her. I had acted in exactly the same way. "This is Elliot." I elaborated, hoping that telling her his name would make him seem less frightening.
At the mention of his name, Elliot began to approach, crouching down to her height to hopefully seem less threatening. I watched him cautiously. Yes, I trusted him, but that didn't mean Lily would. I had no problem with having to tell him to keep his distance if she didn't like him.
"Hi, Lily is it? I'm Eli." He introduced himself whilst smiling, speaking slowly as if he was afraid of spooking her. He stuck out his hand for her to shake, just as he had done to me. She looked at me for guidance, silently asking whether he was okay. I nodded my head and smiled to encourage her.
"Hi," she mumbled quietly as she nervously shook his hand, letting go as soon as she could.
"Listen, Lily. I'm here to help you and your sister. You don't like those awful men out there, do you?" To which Lily shook her head vigorously, making Elliot smile. "Good then, because I'm going to help you and Hayley escape." At this Lily smiled too, a wide toothy grin lighting up her face. Before I knew it, she had jumped up and thrown herself at him, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck as she hugged him. Well, I guess she liked him then, I thought relieved.
Elliot looked at me from over her shoulder, wearing a similar expression of surprise, though he too seemed pleased that she had accepted him. He broke from the hug, setting her back down on the floor, appearing anxious to put his escape plan into action. "We should get going," he announced; half impatient, half nervous. "Before they wake up," He added quietly.
I gathered our belongings, which was barely anything - just the backpack and gun. I shouldered the bag but kept the gun out, ready and loaded, just in case.
"You ready?" Elliot asked.
I nodded, grabbing Lily's hand to keep her close by, and called quietly to Ace, telling him to follow and heel. As Elliot moved to open the door, holding a gun of his own, but before he could I grabbed his arm to stop him. He turned to look at me wearing a confused expression, whispering, "What's wrong?"
