CORONA

Day 10

Day 10
Sometime after midnight

Without thinking, I had run into the night, only to be dragged back by Jared.

Though all of the rooms on the second floor were still open, half of the rooms have closed on the third floor since Brandon had pushed all of the B buttons.

After a long and heavily heated debate, we finally decided to sleep the night and leave first thing tomorrow. It was too dangerous to venture out into unknown territory when it was pitch-black, though many of us were willing to take our chances out there than in here.

I stare at the TV in the common area, my legs outstretched on top of Brandon's lap, who's heavily asleep with his mouth opened. My body thrums with anxiety, my muscles taut to the wire. There is no way I can sleep knowing the fact that I can escape at any moment, or that this will be my last night in this wretched place. Jared must be thinking exactly that because he's awake, staring at the blank wall ever since everyone had gone to sleep.

We decided to leave the exit door open, knowing that the main threat was indoors and not out. Whoever killed Charlie and Maria have yet to be discovered, and many of us are fearful that the person might strike again.

I sigh, wishing I can sleep easily at a time like this. A TV talk show has taken over the scheduled program to talk about another riot. There's been a massive protest against the lives of the infected in several states including California, resulting in the burning of several stores and people being gassed and arrested. As twisted as their viewpoints were, it was logical. If it had come down to a public vote on whether the infected should be killed or not, I'd choose for them to be killed if only to protect my brother, Mason.

About half an hour of silence passes before Jared's eyes slowly close and his head falls back on the head of the sofa.

It isn't too long after that that my eyes begin to grow heavy. I squeeze my eyes shut and open them again. The clock reads 4:00 am. I can stay awake for three more hours.

Despite my will, however, my eyes begin to grow heavy again. I look around. Everyone is asleep and stretched out on the floor, on the pool table, the sofas, the chairs. There isn't anyone awake besides me.

If a killer was to attack anyone,  surely we would hear even the tiniest sounds of struggle. 

My eyes eventually close, the faint sounds of the TV fading into nothing.

* * *

When I wake up, my head begins to throb, starting off as a faint flash to a consistent squeeze. I check the clock. Only 6:00 am. A few people begin to stir as well, and Brandon is already awake.

"Hey," he acknowledges me when I pick my head up.

"Hmm," I grumble, wincing from the headache. I rub my eyes just as Henry calls Jared's name.

Jared's eyes snap open.

"We should leave now," Henry says. He wakes up the other people asleep without waiting for an answer.

"What's the plan?" Anna asks groggily as she sits up from the floor.

"There's not much of one," Jared admits. "We're just going to find a trail and keep walking. If you want to pack your things, go ahead now. Brush your teeth and all that. We're leaving in half an hour."

Everyone gets up excitedly, Anna ahead of the dispersing group.

I stand up and follow them just as I hear a scream that halts my footsteps.