The Infection

Bad Luck

Ryan was sitting on the bed with his face in his hands, blood running down his arm and broken glass, from the shattered mirror, on the floor. I started to run to him, "Stop." he said. his voice low, "I don't want you here." I took a step closer. "Please, just leave me alone."

"Ryan," I said, "I'm here for you." He didn't say anything. I looked once again at his bloody arm, "We at least have to get your hand fixed up." He ignored me again. I sat on the bed next to him and gestured for his hand. He let me take his hand and look at it, "I'll be right back" I said as I walked out of the room to get the medical supplies. Why on earth did he punch the mirror? Was he mad about something? Was he mad at me? I got the medical supplies from the bathroom and headed back to the room. Why would he be mad at me? I haven't done anything wrong, had I?

I walked back in the room and Ryan was holding his injured hand, picking out pieces of shattered mirror. "You know breaking a mirror gives you seven years of bad luck?" I said.

He hung his head. With sadness in his voice he said, "My whole life had been nothing, but bad luck." I walked over to him and held his bleeding hand.

I didn't know what to say. It was true. When his life was good, he was too young to remember it. "You're alive, right?" I said. He ignored the question and sighed while looking away. I looked out the window at the dark city, infected screaming in the night, "Not everyone is so lucky."

He remained silent while I bandaged his hand. As I was getting up, he spoke, "Have you seen anyone else here?" I stopped and gave a confused look, "Not me, but a girl with red hair?"

I frowned a little, "No. I'm sorry. You're the only person I've seen in years."

"How did you do it?" He asked. "How did you survive by yourself for so long, when you thought everyone was dead?"

I picked up the leftover bandages and walked to the door, "It wasn't easy," I said. "I knew I was alive for a reason though. Why else would I be the only one still alive here?" After that I stepped back into the hall and headed to put the bandages away.