Infestation: Outbreak

Chapter 5

I stood there next to the final target, looking at Vanessa unloading the handgun. "We should probably get back." I say to her. The clearing is a nice, peaceful place, away from all the pain. It's somewhere I can come to watch the nature of the world, without those "things."

Vanessa and I start walking. I leave the targets on the trees, planning ahead for later. We walk for a good five minutes until reaching camp. I stop by our tent and pick up my jacket. "So You're doing those test things today right? To see if people are cut out for supply gathering?" Vanessa seemed eager about the subject.

"Yeah I am, and before you even think about it, no. I won't let your blood be on my hands too." She gave me a strange look, like she deserved a right to go.

"Look no matter what Alex, I'm strong enough to go. I don't wanna just sit here all day while everyone else does all the heavy lifting, you know that." And I did, I understood her completely. She didn't understand how I felt though.

I stood there, gnawing on the inside of my lip. Why am I so nervous? Just tell her how you feel. "Alright how do I say this... Vanessa I care about you, you're all I've got now and I can't lose you. You're the only thing keeping me from being one of those walking bodies. So please, listen to me! It's dangerous out there, there are more than the dead to worry about!"

I saw tears coming to her eyes. "I didn't know you felt like that Alex. I'm sorry for being such a problem... such a screw up..." She actually meant it when she said it too. She wasn't a screw up, she wasn't a problem.

"Don't say that. I wasn't complaining about taking care of you, I like it... It keeps me human Vanessa, you keep me human." She took a step forward and looked into my eyes. I put my hands around her waist and kissed her. She kissed back, and stopped.

"We shouldn't be doing this, your wife hasn't been gone for a week yet and we're doing this."

"She is gone though, Vanessa. And that's not gonna change, no matter what I do she isn't coming back." I saw that she didn't want to do this so soon. "Alright, I have to go get these tests done... Sorry." I said zipping up my jacket and walking out of the tent.

That was really awkward now that I think about it. She looks at me and sees a man who just lost his wife a little over three days ago. I look at myself and see a normal man, showing affection. I was in the wrong though, I need to think about her too.

I walk to the center of camp, by the fire pit. "Listen up!" I yell out, seeing heads turn towards me. "If you think you're fit for supply runs come talk to me real quick. We need help keeping everyone here alive and eating." I saw about four people immediately step up.

One of them was ex military for sure, scars on his arms and hands, looked tough. Another was a small Asian man, probably a good runner. The third was a black man, pretty built and looked like he could carry plenty. The last guy was normal looking, just an average guy, looked like he had an office job.

No one else showed up. I looked around and still studied these new recruits. "Alright listen up. You all need to know how to shoot. If you can't shoot talk to me and I'll teach you how to." All of them stayed silent, which is great. I don't have to waste time teaching them to shoot.

"Alright so can each of you run well, or carry a lot of stuff easily?" All of them nodded yes. "Okay then you all are the squad for now. Our first run is tomorrow morning, so prepare yourself. Take one gun with a couple of mags and make sure you bring a knife or two." All of them nodded and walked away.

I got back to the tent a few minutes later. I open the door flaps and walk in to see Vanessa sitting there crying. "Vanessa? Are you alright?" I ask her.

"No... Alex. I've just been thinking about my family and... W-What if they're dead?" I didn't even think about her family, I almost forgot about them.

"I'm almost positive they're safe Vanessa, don't worry about them. There's nothing we can do now anyway." She couldn't stop crying so I walked towards her. I put my arm around her and knelt down. "Everything is gonna be alright. We're safe here, and your family probably found a safe place too." I stand up at the same time she does and she hugs me.

She's still upset but she wraps her arms around me. I'm trying to sooth her and make her feel better but it isn't working. "You should just try to get some sleep Vanessa, it'll make you feel better."

She lays down and I cover her with a blanket. I turn and walk to my sleeping area, and I start to lay down.

After about five minutes of silence I hear Vanessa start mumbling. "Alex? Do you think you can sleep over here tonight?" She asked very quietly. I caught the whole question surprisingly and walked over. I laid next to her and she turned towards me and put her hand on my chest. I don't mind that. Just so long as she feels better.