Infected

Chapter 13

Almost four weeks have passed since I got shot in the leg. My leg still hurt and I could barely walk, but I could still limp around so that was great. We also got a few hours of training each day in hand to hand combat. We still planned on going to Linda’s Barn, although we were one person short since Jace got infected, we still had a plan.

                Since I could barely walk, I was to be guarded by Parker while I would roam the area for any signs of infected. Linda and Alyson and Briana would be behind us guarding us. I don’t know what time we were to leave but I knew it was to be soon. We didn’t have much food—food to last us all a day left—and we were slowly starving. We also all came to the conclusion that the animals in the barn would be long gone and that we would have to find a way to get new animals or we would have to plant vegetables.

                “Are y’all ready to go?” Asked Parker as he strutted into my room where everyone was gathered. I looked around the room at Linda, Alyson, and Briana as they all shook their heads. “We’re scared. Last time we almost got caught by those two rednecks. Who knows what could happen this time!” Briana said as she made hand gestures directed at no one.

                “I knew we were going to have some doubt.” Parker mumbled mostly to himself. “Look, I know y’all are scared and everything but we have to do this. If we don’t then we’re all going to die and I won’t let that happen.”

                “Parker’s right,” I said as I turned to face the three women. “If we don’t get out of here, we’ll starve to death and then we’ll become just like them! Infected, mindless being searching for humans to eat! If we get out and go to your barn we’ll have a better chance at surviving.”

                They still looked uncertain but I could sense that they would change their minds; I would if I was in their position. “I’ll still go.” Linda stated while she came and stood by me. I smiled at her, glad that she made the right choice.

                “Me two!” Alyson chimed in as she strode over to stand alongside Linda. There was only one person left and we needed her badly. I looked at Briana and all I saw deep in her eyes was uncertainty. She was doubtful that we were ever going to make it to the barn, she wanted to come along with us but she wanted to stay. “Briana, don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of staying here?” Alyson questioned, looking at Alyson with a face of confusion and betrayal. “Well, I want to go, I really do, but…After what happened I don’t know if I can continue on.”

                “Briana, we have to stick together. I can’t leave you here, not like this! You know that if you stay here, you will die. It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. You should just come with us!” Alyson basically screamed at her best friend. “I don’t care. You know I can’t live like this anymore! I just want to be out of this world! I want to be alone!” Briana screamed, dropping to her knees.

                I got up and started limping towards her, once I reached her; I knelt down and hugged her. “I know how you feel. I sometimes have dreams that all of you died and I was all alone and let me tell you, in this new world, that’s not something you would want. If you stay here, you know you’re going to die. You’re going to starve and go mad. If you come with us, you’ll have a chance.” I whispered in her ear. I heard her sniffling, which meant she was crying.

                “Thank you Austin. Thank you very much. I need that.” Briana stated as she hugged me back. I slowly got up—hurting my knee in the process—and limped back towards Linda. “I’ll come.” Briana said, making Alyson and I release a sigh. Even if I don’t know Briana all that well, I feel like I must protect her like I must protect Linda. It might not be a strong urge to protect her, but nevertheless it’s still there.