Infection

2. Be Strong

**** WENDY'S POV****

" I don't have much money but I'll give you what I have," I informed the merchant.

His pendulous eyes of old age of the merchant rested upon mine, "Keep your money, take all the food, and leave as quickly as you can befo-" he lisped until he fell to the ground.

He screamed in agony.

My eyes widened, as I stared at him petrified as he suffered on the ground.

Massive spots on his wrinkly body began to burst.

The tyranny of nipping winds and evening frost snapped me out of a trance and I was worn to shreds.

I didn't know what to do, and all I did was cry.

I kneeled down beside him when he stopped moving to thank him for the food.

" Thank you, thank you," I mumbled with my lips shaking uncontrollably.

His eyelids flipped open and he blankly stared at me with tired eyes.

Then

He coughed in my face.

After that, the merchant was lifeless for sure.

My number one rule was to never to be near anyone else who was infected, I couldn't trust anyone.

I should've known what a foolish move I made. A sudden sense of fear ran though my body like the chill of a cold wind.

A thin shrill escaped from my mouth like the cry of an expiring mouse. This was it, it would only be a matter of days or hours.

Tears came out of my eyes like a waterfall, and soon my whimpers would mean nothing.

I was infected.

" Dale!" I cried, running back to the beat up shack.

Dale opened the door with a worried frown.

" Wendy calm down, what happened? Your eyes look puffy," he questioned quickly as he motioned me to sit on the scratched up sofa.

" Dale they got me! Someone! The merchant was infected I'm so sorry! I'm so afraid! I thought it wouldn't matter it I got infected but," I wailed louder and louder at each word.

" Oh my god, Wendy!" Dale shouted.

He was trying his best not to cry.

" I knew I should've went with you! Why didn't you let me? This could've been prevented! I can't lose you, I can't! You're my own family and friend and I need your guidance!" Dale was flushed crimson, and his eyes were bloodshot.

" Dale you've lived this your entire life, I need you to be strong," I explained.

" But Wendy, I'm gonna die out there! I can't do this if you go I-"

" NO. You're gonna live for the both of us. This won't last forever Dale you'll find a way just please..." I bawled.

" I regret it so much," he replied, head facing down.

I put the rucksack filled with about a week's worth of food, knives, lighters, a flashlight, a family photo, herbs, and a small sleeping bag.

" Dale, I want you to leave in the morning as early as you can and leave me here. I'll be fine," I lied.

" I can find a cure!" Dale tried to be positive, but it wasn't enough.

" I wish," I smiled.

When night struck, the sky was heavily sprinkled with stars. My eyes met glancingly with Dale's while he was laying on the sofa.

" Where am I gonna go?" Dale asked.

I threw him my compass necklace, it had a picture of me in it.

" How'd you think I got us out of California?" I weakly smiled.

" Just get as far away from here as you can," I added.