I'm Not Dead

[ C H . 8 ]

This chapter is dedticated to @DreusAmarillo for all his incredible support and funny comments! As a Texan, I get a hell of a kick out of him asking when they're gonna find guns. Lol! Dreus also is an awesome writer and ya'll should totally check out his work!

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As the horrors we both experienced tonight crossed our faces, I shared a distressed look with Eleanor. "We're coming Lorenzo!" I called out, quickly turning away from Sophia then and running down the stairs. As I did, I could hear El stumbling behind me with the same urgency. 

When we reached the couch in the living room, we were just in time to see the news station show a photo of the police station on fire. Slowly, both of us sat down on each side of Lorenzo as he gripped the couch pillow with enclosed fists.

The newscaster, a young woman I had seen multiple times on the late-night news, faced the camera without a trace of her usual smile.

"The fatal assaults at NYPD weren't the only attacks our city encountered tonight. Several other locations such as dormitories, nursing homes, parking garages, local shopping centers, and the Gypsy Lounge bar were brutally attacked. The casualties were in the hundreds, while dozens more received serious injuries."

A photo of a man then tinted the screen. He looked like the druggies at the police station and the deranged boy at the bar. White eyes, veins bulging, animalistic expression.

"According to more than a dozen witness accounts, the people executing these assaults all share similar conditions to this man. If you see anyone that looks like this, leave the scene immediately. They're extremely dangerous and unresponsive. If they get a hold of you, they will..."

she paused, readjusting her earpiece as her eyes widened.

"Attempt to eat you?"

She gripped her papers hard, glancing over her shoulder before looking back to the camera.

"At this time, the mayor has requested people to stay in their homes and keep out of public areas until law enforcement gets this under control. I repeat, stay in your homes until law enforcement gets this under control. We don't currently know the cause of this, but some are calling it the first-ever occurrence of human rabies. Officials believe it has something to do with a potential new drug—"

Sophia's phone then rang, making all of us jump as we turned around to see her standing at the entrance of the living room. Swallowing hard, she took a shaky breath as she pulled out her phone and tapped the screen before pressing it to her ear. "Nora?" she released a shaky breath. "Nora, have you seen the news?" she squeaked.

Upon hearing my mom's name, I quickly jumped off the couch, and cautiously approached Sophia. For a long moment, she didn't say anything as my mom spoke to her, then she held out the phone for me. "Your mother wants to speak to you."

Grabbing the phone from her eagerly, I stepped out into the front hall to talk to her quietly as Lorenzo, Eleanor, and Sophia continued watching the news. I didn't see Mateo anywhere; he must've stayed in his room. I'd have to apologize again to him later, no matter how angry or upset I was I shouldn't have laid my hands on him. He may be a pain, but he was still a kid.

"Mom, mom I was in the Gypsy Lounge tonight when the attack happened. Then we were also at the police station when another attack happened. They said it was drugs, but I don't think—"

"Rocco...Rocco baby I need you to be quiet and listen to me. I don't have long to talk."

Swallowing the rising lump in my throat, I rubbed my eyes with my index finger and thumb to coax away any brimming tears. "What's going on mom? Why are people going crazy? Are you okay? Where are you?" I breathed.