The Touch of Infection

Chapter 17: Words she could understand

By the time morning came, she had barely slept a few minutes. Looking out the window to see zombies everywhere. So much for a desolate town! Somewhere walking, somewhere running, and others were even just staying in the area still. No banging on doors or walls at least, being morning she had a clear view of the zombie from last night. It's a body on the floor unmoving to her relief.

Stuck in the house she didn't dare to even peek out the window. Too scared to even open the window... if those things were crawling out there she'd gladly stay in here.

As she was stuck up in that house he was finishing up the tests sooner than expected. Even practicing English so he could speak with her, it took him a few tries to find her language given the many ones they had. Leaning his back in the chair and closing his eyes, just nap... waking up in the middle of the night he grumbled, the commander hadn't called... and if he did well he missed it.

Calling them up Marnik waited his turn, hearing the man on the other side he announced everything learned, "Hello commander, the tests have run a little differently today... they suggest the process is going faster. Small rodent-like animals could potentially carry the infection in the next six months or so."

"There must be something wrong with your area then Marnik. I'm moving you, Ezhno and Amite can handle that area on their own-"

"No! You can't move me!" Marnik yelled out in a panic.

"Can't? What do you mean I can't? Are you hurt? Are you stuck? I doubt any of these... so tell me what you mean Marnik." The commander held a tone with him, slight concern on his part.

Marnik scratched the back of his head, "I've grown attached to the area."

"Attached? You can't stay there, I've already arranged your new area. Certain humans need to be killed in an area, they've somehow set up a safe area. We can't have that happen." The commander turned on the camera, they looked similar, except the commander looked relatively older.

"Please commander... give me at least a week. I just need a week..." Marnik looked down.

The commander crossed his arms and huffed, "Why?"

"I just need time to say goodbye." He didn't look at the commander still holding his head low, "Just let me stay in the area a week and I swear I'll leave. I won't try and stay in the area any longer."

"One week so don't move that lab vehicle, I've sent someone over there already... goodbye Marnik." With that, the commander hung upon him.

He let out a breath of relief, his eyes snapping open. No time to lose, he had to find Carisa. Getting up and going... but how to find her. Last time it was just pure luck he found her again. He was already pulling at his hair... radar. How could he be so stupid? He had the technology to find her, simply a human radar. He'd check every area that said it had humans, live ones and he'd eventually find her.

Setting up the radar he began going from area to area, finding camps and stopping by for a snack. Getting worried when he'd been over a few camps and humans walking on their own. Just where was she!? Hearing the alarm from the red zone he panicked. If she was in this area he had to find her and quick. Going through hoards to travel through the place his radar had one red dot.

He had mixed feelings wanting it to be her but at the same time not, what if she was hurt... what if she was infected? He rushed overthrowing a miniature version of the alarm towards an area. Just then he went in the building knocking the door down and blocking it after him. Slowly getting to the second floor he began checking each door, it wasn't till the very last one he found it locked.

Easily knocking it down and getting inside, finding someone had climbed up the roof by the window, he'd barely seen their feet before they made it up. Going on after them he was instantly hit on the head as soon as he began making it up. Before they had the chance to repeat it he grabbed their hand, his eyes locking with hers... she was alright!

As soon as she could clearly see it was him she went to hug him, while he was still halfway on the roof. Getting all the way up to wrap his hands around her, she was alright. Holding her as tight as he could without hurting her... he couldn't believe he could be this happy about finding her.

"You're back..." she whispered having her head leaning on his shoulder.

'You're back'... what did that mean, he was thinking as hard as he could finally remembering what the words meant and replying, "I'll always come back."

She froze... she couldn't believe he was speaking words she understood, looking up at him he could se the tears that had been running down her face. Brushing them off her he leaned his head against hers, closing his eyes, his tail wrapping around her leg.

Bringing her blood-stained hand to his face... staring at his closed eyes. 'He came back...' she felt so glad to have him back, to know he returned... had he always meant to return? She didn't know... she didn't know at all.

Inching her face slowly towards his, she pressed her lips against his. His eyes opening slowly, pressing his hand against the back of her head. Inching her towards him. Those purple eyes glowing in the dark as he stared at her for a second and closed them again.