Citizen Z

Chapter 36

517 days since the virus spread.

It's just past dawn.

The sun is barely rising, the air is still crisp from the night before. It's still completely soaking outside, it hasn't stopped raining yet, it's been raining all night. We currently have a drizzle.

"That's it? Where's the rest of the reward?" Pete says, while looking through the bag that Bert handed to him.

Bert shrugs and turns his back to Pete.

"You'll get the rest of it when you load them into the truck." Bob hisses while balancing on the muddy ground with his skinny crutches.

I kind of feel bad that I caused him to be like that forever, he'll never be able to be like he use to be. Life must be hard on crutches, unable to move fast enough and everyone has to do everything for you, especially in this time.

I had to save my friend, I had to choose and I did. It was either me or him, I don't regret it either. For all I care, he could go to hell. He tried to ruined everything.

"Round them up." Pete barks at some of his men as if we are some sheep that have to be thrown into a truck to go to the slaughter house.

Well, for all I know we could be. I don't know what Bert wants from us, for all I know we could be slaughtered. I don't want that for Frank, or any of the guys, they don't deserve it.

It should be me, only me get on that truck. I'm willing to give myself up for them, I want to. They don't deserve it, I do.

I just feel sometimes I don't deserve to be loved, not by anyone. I know this comes drastic and out of nowhere, but I just feel it's my fault that nothing works out.

It just hurts me to see no matter how hard I try, nothing works out. We tried getting here for months, look at us now. Nothing is working out for us, everything I do fails.

I'm just so disappointed.

Frank cuddles up with my with his soaking body, he's freezing. I put my arm around him, trying to warm him up even though I'm frozen solid.

"Come on," a man suddenly says yanking Frank from behind on his injured arm, "Get up. We don't have all day!"

Frank softly yelps as the man yanks his arm a second. I could see the pain in his eyes, his arm is far from healed. It just came out of the sling a few days ago. His shoulder is weak from the gun accident.

"Hey, get your hands off of him," I say sharply as the large man looks at me, "Are you an imbecile? You can see he is injured." I growl at him and help Frank myself.

"Step a side." He says and flicks me off Frank like a fly.

All my frustration turned to anger. I could feel all of the frustration being set free. I don't move.

He pushes me away, making me stumble a little backwards. I wanted to beat the m shit out of him, but I need to control myself.

I could feel my blood boiling in my veins. My anger is such an overwhelming feeling that I couldn't think of anything else but the unthinkable. I would protect Frank even if my life is at risk, no matter what.

I'd do anything for him. If I could describe love, I'd say love is a commitment to protecting another person like you'd protect yourself, but yet again I don't think I'd ever protect myself as much as I'll protect Frank. He's the only thing I care about.

I need to do something, I need to think of something.

Now.