ContamiNation

(Chapter 43) Arrival

Brit

The rumble of a engine was enough to wake almost everyone near to the front doors. Even if someone was in a deep sleep they didn't stay like that for very long, either the rumors and steadily rising voices woke them or their friends did.

Ever since I became the so-called "leader" I made sure to act like it. It helped when getting people to listen and act the way I wanted them to. I always had a hard time keeping charge when others gave me the power but now, taking charge and being the person I was always scared of being, I felt powerful. I enjoyed it. To keep people listening I had to stay in the loop, easiest way was just making sure if anything happened I'd be the first person to be told. As was the case, I was pulled out of sleep by a cop who spotted lights in the distance. At first they thought it wasn't a big deal but when the lights winked out and the sound of engines got closer to the building they figured it was time to wake everyone, starting with me.

Was it help or trouble? None of us knew. We stood as the doors, one flashlight on—covered by a hand, dimming it—and me at the front waiting for a signal. Hopefully, a friendly signal of some sort. It was early, very early, the sun was just sending rays of lights and shadows of people through the windows and under doors.

Squelching sounds, grunts, and screams started, I jumped and someone else gasped. I didn't turn. I kept everyone out of sight and behind me. A loud banging made one girl scream. Whoever was on the other side was knocking in some way.

"Who is it? Who are you?" I called, moving closer to the door that would lead to the hall full of windows.

The answer was quick and short and familiar. "Let us in. We have kids."

"Go away. We don't have food. Unless you're here to rescue us, to take us away. Are you?" I put a hand on the door knob.

There was some muffled arguing before the voice spoke again. "Hey, let me speak with Melanie or Adam or someone. It's me..." Strange pause. "Carris." Of course.

"Carris," I ground out. "Why are you here?"

"Just let us in, damn. We have a bunch of middle schoolers. I don't know if any are infected but we need to get in there or they won't survive out here."

I looked back at everyone that was waiting for my decision. If I waited any longer they'd likely get mad at me for not helping kids in need. Probably think I was a monster... "You, help me."

With the help of another person, I pulled open the doors and surprisingly the glass windows on the other side weren't broken. Just spider web cracks. We hadn't used the main entrance since we got here, so this was the first we saw of it.

Through the glass doors stood a woman with a sword poking from behind her shoulder and a very familiar girl I did not like one bit. The woman was in all black, not a hint of skin showing. Black boots laced up over dark gray socks, black skin-tight-looking pants, and a black hoodie beneath a black leather jacket. Her jacket fit nicer on her than Carris's over-sized beat-up leather jacket that hung loosely off her frame.

The woman made a hurry-up gesture. Her hoodie was over her head held by a mask and thin black scarf, making sure nothing could be seen of her. Even her eyes were hidden behind black tinted glasses. I nodded and rushed to open the door with a janitor's keys.

I was taller than Carris but this other person was taller than me by a few inches. Her voice was distorted from under her mask. "In the bus are at least twenty kids. Get someone out here would you?"

I didn't like taking orders from her. "And who are you?" They didn't answer me. "Fine." I called over more people and pointed them to the bus. Turning to Carris I gave her the most scrutinizing once-over I could. "You look like shit." I wasn't lying. Her hair was greasy beyond belief and stuck with static and sweat to her face and neck.