Living Monsters

Chapter 9

"Turn right," Nina ordered, pointing to the road with trees bordering it. A shiver traveled through Nina's spine. She didn't like the idea of monstrous vegetation dominating the dark sky. But as long as she was giving orders, everything was going to be fine. Lana seemed to be taking them. In reality, her feet felt like they were about to stop functioning for good.

To her relief, one quick look and she recognized the same two one-floor houses with curved roofs and windows that were too accessible. This meant that she was approaching the intended destination. Of course, Lana wished to keep her promise - there was no way she was going to witness Nina's self-destruction just because she hadn't received closure.

The sound of footsteps really irked Nina and tempted her to turn around. Last time she tried to peek to see what it was, Lana scolded her and warned her not to fall off of the bike, because it would hurt a lot. In reality, it was just a roamer with hair that looked like a rag. It was similar to Nina's mother's hair.

"I'm so tired," Nina outraged, releasing her accumulated anger whilst closing her eyes and losing some control of the handle.

"Stop it," snapped Lana. "You can't slip off." Lana could feel that there was something in the nearby area. Sure enough, beyond all of the trees she was able to tilt her head upwards for a little while. That non-complicated in design, rectangular building was able to be seen.

"Thank God. We're almost here, Nina."

This is what we get for trying to be nice. I can't believe her!

Isabelle didn't know what to do except fall down to her knees and bury her face in her hands once she saw that the door, Caleb's property had been damaged. She didn't find any reason in her mind to move because nobody would be awake at what Isabelle thought to be around five o'clock in the morning.

No, it wasn't really her fault. Since it was Caleb's property, he should have locked the armory door. That was it. She was kicking them out once everyone woke up.

After retrieving her rifle from the bottom portion of the closet, Isabelle bolted downstairs to break the news that Lana was probably gone, not giving a care that it made noise and it would cause Penny, Aarav and Nina to have a rude awakening.

A grid-like window commanded Isabelle's attention, due to the light it exhibited. She took one glance at the yellow sun being surrounded by lavender clouds, then at her flowery dress. Though she possessed other clothes, it reminded her of Elodie, her grandmother that was always giving out gifts.

Oh, how she wanted to shower, but last time she checked, when people stopped operating water towers in the town, any utilities in the area ceased to function.

It wasn't safe where the group was set up. Isabelle knew that. The area neighbored the more suburban town the infection started, Lester. It spread too quickly, but Isabelle considered herself lucky that Caleb resided in her town.

She inhaled a breath of courage, turned the cold handle of one of the doors available to her to the right, and pulled.

Those two lovebirds Penny and Aarav were laying in their respective batches of comfort. Hearing something, Penny shot up, using her hands as leverage.

The closed mouth of Isabelle that lasted for a while signaled enough to Penny.

"Were you awake? Did you see what happened?" Isabelle's eyes changed shape.

So she knew.

"I think she took that girl - Nina," Penny said, aiming her focus on the couch, knowing that if she left to head to the bathroom, she would've been back already.