21st Century Outbreak

Chapter 4

I slept terrible that night. I had dreamt that Adrienne and the boys had been eaten by the flying bastards, and that I would never see my friends again.

I sat up with a jolt, panting. It was still dark outside, so I wondered how long I'd been asleep.

Seven was still powered down in the corner.

"Seven," I whispered. "Hey."

It powered on slowly. "Yes, Pilot?"

"I need..." I sighed. "I can't be alone. I'm scared something bad will happen if I am. Something worse than this."

Seven came over and stood next to my bed. "It'll be okay, Billie."

"Thanks..." I noticed it didn't call me 'Pilot," and I never told it my name. Also, it talked like a person. "Who's actually there?"

"I dunno what you're talking about," it said, worriedly.

"Yes you do. Who's controlling this robot-spaceship-thing?"

It just powered down right where it was.

Of course, as soon as I say I don't want to be alone, it happens. Funny how the world works.

I tried the tv, and to my surprise, it worked. It was talking about missing persons (not surprising). But it did grab my attention when something else happened.

"Locals have spotted Green Day frontman conspiring with the Yellowstone Underwarriors in New York," the news lady explained.

It showed footage of me and Seven searching the park (how did they see us through the fog?) and entering the hotel.

"What?" I yelled out loud. "That's not what happened!"

"He and his robot companion were seen entering a Hilton near Times Square Park. We've been told to stay away from that area in case he calls a strike."

"Why the fuck would I do that?!" I stood up and looked out the window. In the dark, I could see two lights walking around near the hotel's front door.

One shown their light up onto the building, and I quickly closed the curtains. I was six stories up, so they hopefully didn't see me.

I peeked back out to see the lights running toward the entrance to the hotel. I started panicking.

My heart rate spiked like crazy, and I started breathing really hard. Oh god, they're gonna kill me.

I heard footsteps coming up the hallway. Classic me, wasting time thinking and then getting myself killed. I quickly hid in the closet, trying to calm my nerves. They're gonna see Seven and know I'm here.

The door beeped and opened. I held my breath as two figures watlked into the room, shining their lights all around. They split up, searching rooms.

"Clear," one said. "Are you sure you saw him?"

"Yes, I'm sure," the other person said. "I saw someone."

I recognized their voices, it was Mike and Tre. Would they give me up? Or would they be happy to see me?

My heart rate grew a little, causing my breathing to do the same. I tried staying quiet.

"'Cause like," Tre said. "The alien thing's here."

"That's a good point," Mike replied. "Wait, have you checked closets?"

I passed out for half a second, but I caught myself.

"No," Tre said. "I'll check the bedroom one."

"I'll check this one," Mike said as he started walking toward me.