When August Ends

Bit-terness

Grace's P.O.V.

     I wake with a start because someone is yelling. My shoulder burns from the sudden movement. Rachel sits up beside me in alarm. "What was that?" she asks and is answered with loud shouts and crashing sounds.

"Oh my goodness what's going on!" I shout drawing my pistol. Chey, KP, Cat, and Hannah have gotten up by now also and are looking around in groggy alert. I see commotion vaguely coming from the van I think Andrew is driving. When more screams arrupt I decide to act. Without thinking I leap out of the van I'm in. The girl I was a few weeks ago would never have been this eager to leap out into action. Of course I'd want too but my fear was much stronger then. Now my courage has a new reign. I run and am met by Troy, Stevo, Mace, and JP. They all look tired but alert.

"Get back in the van Grace," Troy commands me and I look at him annoyedly.

"Don't tell me what to do," I object and walk towards the comotion. I suddenly collide with a heavy figure that immediately begins grabbing me with mangled hands, it's teeth chattering. I shout in surprise and shock as I wrestle with the barely visible monster and when I am finally able to free my hand I blow a hole in it's head and my stomach lurches. No matter how many times I do it, I'll always feel sick after killing one of these. Troy comes running over, an urgent look in his eyes.

"Go back we've got this." he says walking past me but I don't take orders, I follow them to the van and see a burst of light and feel a flash of heat. The van has just caught on fire. I look in shock as it is consumed in flames. My heart stops. Maya was on that van. Andrew, Parker, and Morgan were on that van. Even that Nikkos boy. Without thinking I run to the van door and rip it open, buring my hand on the heated handle. Parker leaps out past me followed by Andrew, and Morgan. I wait  to see Maya but after a moment of her not appearing I realize something's wrong. I rush to get on the van but Troy suddenly yanks me back.

"Don't touch me! I have to go get Maya!" I shout shoving him away.

"It's going to explode Grace! There's gasoline left and it's gonna errupt you can't go in there!" he shouts to me. I whirl around to face him.

"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAYA'S LIFE, DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T TRY TO HELP HER!" I scream indignantly and turn to get on the treacherous vehicle as Nikkos bursts out carry the limp form of Maya. Now I oblige Troy and we rush away from the van. When we're a decent distance away from the van I look to Nikkos. "What happened?" I ask. He looks wild, as if he's about to snap. Just then Jack runs up to us, I wonder where he's been for a brief second.

"They were pounding on the windows... I-" he begins and then stops walking and stands stone still. All of a sudden he's shaking violently. He looks at Maya who is still unconcious. For the first time I get a good look at her and she's badly hurt. Her side is burned and charred, and her face has been cut somewhere because it's covered in streaks of blood. I don't know why Nikkos is so freaked out, it's like he's never seen blood before. Suddenly Maya stirrs, and she mumbles something about pain. That's when Nikkos loses it. Jack observes everything with a creased brow. I need to talk to my brother later.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry Lisa!" he cries and I look at him in confusion and concern. I think he's slightly crazy. I'm about to say something when I hear an ear splitting scream. I jolt and look in the direction of the scream just in time to see a zombie sinking it's teeth into Chey's shoulder. A scream escapes my lips as Chey begins convulsing. She's changing already and I caan't do a thing about it. Sweet Chey. My heart aches. How many more must we lose? Troys voice snaps me back into action.

"Please take Maya somewhere safe with Nikkos and keep an eye on her, she needs your help. We'll take care of this." he says sympathetically and I decide to obey. I motion for Nikkos to follow me, he seems more about himself now. I pass Jack who eyes me nervously which is odd, as I take Nikkos to Troys car where he placdes Maya in the back seat, sitting beside her. I hop in the front seat keeping an eye on things outside, my heart tremoring in my chest. Sweet Chey, my darling roomate for two months is gone. I glance back at Maya and Nikkos. He is protectively attempting to staunch the bloodflow of her head wounds with his town off shirt sleeves. She is zoning in and out of conciousness, and I know she has no idea about Chey. I don't know why I'm not crying yet. I should be, I mean I just watched Chey be killed in essence. But the tears aren't available. I'm sad, deeply sad, but I don't know why I'm not expressing it. It puzzles me. I glance away from Maya and Nikkos because that causes me even more pain. Even though there is nothing romantic between the two of them, but it makes me miss David seeing them together. Ever since this whole thing started I have been incredibly concerned for his safety and pondering what he may be doing at this moment. I miss him, and wish so badly that he were here now. He would take care of me like Nikkos is trying to care for Maya. David always knows what to say to me, and always has such wisdom. I really miss him. I'm used to distance between us since we've dated from two different states, but this is different. It's not just distance anymore. It's wondering if he's survived.

     A moment later a harrowed shout reaches my ears and I jolt to look in it's direction. I see blurred forms racing about, and something I know is blood is spraying around as knives and guns slice tarnished flesh in the light of the burning van. Suddenly I realize something. Half of our food supply was in that van. But right now there are bigger things to worry about. I can see more and more infecteds pouring into the cleaing, it seems that they are attracted to the light and commotion. I know Troy told me to stay in the car but I can't. I have to help. I turn to Nikkos. "Will you come help us fight?" I ask him hurriedly. He looks at me blankly.

"I should stay with Maya," he says nervously.

"We need all the help we can get Nikkos," I say forcefully. I don't have time for his cowardice.

"I'm not a good shot," he  replies and then his expression drops as if he realizes what he's just said and to whom.

"My shoulder says otherwise," I reply with raised eyebrows. "We need to go and help them. She'll be safe in here." I add.

"I told you that was an accident, but I don't have a gun anyways." he objects. I toss one of my three pistols to him.

"Now you do, let's go." I say opening the car door and getting out. Nikkos doesn't follow. I turn and look at him through the glass window. "You can't protect her or yourself from in there! If we all die you're back on your own is that what you want? If you won't fight for honor then at least fight for yourself!" I shout infignantly, I'm enraged by his cowardice. He suddenly takes aim at me from inside the car. My stomach drops as he pulls the trigger and for a moment everything goes still. After a few seconds of not feeling pain I look down at myself. No blood, no injuries. Troys back window is shattered though, and something brushes my back as I see it fall to the ground out of the corner of my eye. I look down at the now deceased infected. My heart plummets into my stomach. It's uncanny. I recognize this face but I can't seem to grasp the concept that on the ground beside me, apparently dead, is my dearest David.