The Touch of Infection

Chapter 15: The mutations

Finding her bag only a few feet away from where he'd last seen it he sighed in relief. Grabbing it and opening to verify the contents. Everything seemed normal to him, clothes, cans, and those damned bottles.

Returning to her she was still up on that tree. Thank goodness he let out a deep breath in relief, handing her the bag. She instantly grabbed it, opening it up relieved to see everything there. He moved to sit in a branch above her, looking down to see what she did.

Grabbing one of the knives she hid in her bag she opened a can and began eating. Putting everything aside she lazily looked down. Nothing but a few zombies walking around aimlessly. So she looked up, seeing him resting down on the branch while looking at her.

His tail falling down just to tap her on the head before wrapping around the branch he was on. Smiling down at her, time passing quickly for them, to the point the only thing that shined in the dark where his purple eyes.

By the time she went to sleep he finally left, as much as he liked her company he had things to do, surely he'd be back by morning. Hopefully soon enough so she wasn't awake. Reaching the vehicle he had taken her before he opened its door and walked to the front. Pressing certain buttons and speaking, "The samples I've taken show mutation in the infection... at this rate, it could infect the plant or even animals... it's out of our control."

There was a silence before he got a response, "Keep testing... its a genetically engineered infection, supposed to ONLY kill humans... we can fix this, we can re-engineer it."

As soon as they silenced Marnik spoke up, "Re-engineer it!? Really? It took two years, TWO YEARS and this planet fell apart. We wanted the humans gone but their not. They've adapted... for now. Commander please, just listen... if Ezhno's calculations and mines are correct, the planet might have less than a year left-"

He was interrupted mid-sentence, "Marnik listens, we've got time, there are many more groups out there collecting samples and studying the infection. Our best team is coming up with a new cure, this isn't the first planet we've cleansed. Just do your part, we'll do ours."

And the call was done, he slammed his hand on the counter, he knew this area better than the commander! He knew what he'd seen, he knew what he'd study! These planets days were counted...

Going outside he collected some samples from zombies, plants, and animals. All before going back into the vehicle and testing them all one by one. Comparing them to the last ones before setting them aside, he'd revisit them in a day or two. Getting up and knowing enough time had passed so the sun would be up soon.

Trying to be quiet as he reached the tree he left her on, she was sleeping peacefully, not even a growl around to bother her. Climbing up just up to a few branches below her waiting for it to be morning. As soon as that was the case he punched the tree slightly, causing it to move enough to wake her up.

She yawned and instantly saw him when looking down. She untied her feet and quickly went down to him, holding a hand towards her he helped her down. Giving one last look around the place she got her down, following wherever she walked to. But his thoughts were more on his job, his commanders were crazy!

He didn't see her stop until he bumped into her, she was looking up at him confused but continued walking again. Trying to get his focus in her only, but every time he looked at something he thought he had to take samples. It wasn't until the growls became evident around them that he sprung into action.

She grabbed his hand and placed a finger over her lips, telling him to keep quiet. The zombies hadn't noticed them and she wanted to keep it that way. Waiting until they left even when he tried to just get rid of them his own way.

Leading him on by grabbing his hand and practically dragging him. Seeing her walk towards more woods he grumbled, trees meant traps, traps me at death. When he grumbled she looked at him wondering why he did that sound.

He looked away and hoped she just continued her walking. But she kept looking at him, wondering what was up with him. Snapping her fingers and getting him to look at her, when he did she raised her shoulders at him.

He shook his head and since she didn't start walking he lifted her up and carried her a few feet. Until she started pushing him back so he set her down again, glancing at him every now and then.

Suddenly she could hear a motor engine... a car. Grabbing him and hiding behind the trees she peeled her head out. A couple of cars drove by quickly, zombies chasing after them like crazy, it was a whole mass of them.

Before she had the time to the process he pushed her up the tree, even tied her to the branch before following the cars with his eyes. Glaring at them, man if he could shoot them down he would. But right now he had to deal with any zombies that stayed behind.

Trying to get them out of the way quickly, walking back when the cars were coming back. Hiding back he hoped they didn't notice the bodies, he was sure they'd stop if they did and he wasn't too sure if killing them would make him look good. Not as many zombies were following behind them, and they had guns attached to their cars mediocrely. Looked like they just shot them out of their way.

But the amount of sound they made only made it sure more came after them. Luckily they didn't pay attention to the bodies and drove off. Continuing to get rid of the zombies he heard her getting off the tree, looking at her and speaking in his tongue, "Stay up there."

She only froze there a moment looking at him before continuing to go down. When she finally made it to the ground she just looked around, but her already dealt with all the zombies so what was he worried about. Continuing the merry way she looked back at him seeing as he didn't move. Just what was up with him?

Walking up to him she took his hand, but he moved away. He didn't look at her, he just began walking away, his mind was elsewhere.

Was he leaving...?

Where was he going?

He stopped and walked to her, kneeling down and speaking words she couldn't understand, "I need to leave. But I promise I'll be back. Just be careful, don't go around risking your life. I'll be back in no time, three days, just wait for me three days."

Holding a hand up to her cheek he rubbed her cheek lightly before letting go. Standing back up he began stepping away. She didn't know what he said, but the look on his face put her off. He looked worried, so why did he keep walking away. She didn't get it, she wasn't bit, she was fine... so why did he move away like she was the plague.

Staring at him as he left, just anting to see if he walked back. She didn't get it, he wasn't coming back. She knew he'd left before, but this time he made sure she could see him... did it mean he was never coming back. Was he finally leaving.... when she wanted him to stay.

It wasn't the first time someone left her... it wasn't the first time they decided to never come back... so why did it hurt so much? Did she becomes dependent on him? She glared off in the distance and began walking the opposite way. She wouldn't run after him, she wouldn't beg him to stay! Because that shit never made a difference before!

Screw everyone! She didn't need them! She can handle herself alone! She's been alone this long... more time won't make a difference!