Friends Against The World (Book 1): Bite Me

by Walters, Geneva

  I hug him back and the rest of the group enter the room, putting the bags down on the floor by our feet. Everyone sat in various chairs and Lee joined us on the couch with Quiyl facing the group between his legs, sitting on the floor. Idris begins to pull knives out of the bags, handing each person one besides Anthony, who always has his bowie knife on him. Our friends began to inspect the knives they were given. Lee, Liam, Xavier, and Avyanna now held machetes, Avyanna grinning as she held her knife. Vi, Quiyl, Idris, James and I held bowie knives, nodding our thanks to Idris.

  "Okay, who do I need to explain too about these knives?" Anthony said as he walks around the room, inspecting each knife and testing the sharpness.

  Lee is chattering excitedly to Quiyl the benefits and cons about the two different kinds, and Vi listens as Idris explains hers.

  I gently push Xavier's arms off me and walk to the kitchen, beginning to brew tea, inspecting my blade in the kitchen light. My fingers wrap around the handle and I begin to fight an invisible enemy, enjoying the balance of the blade. Xavier follows me and dodges my blade, and brings me in for a kiss, pulling back to brush some of my hair out of my face.

  "How are you feeling?" He asks softly, and I give a sad smile.

  "I know the other friends must be worried sick, after all they were all at that conference. So, to answer your question, I am just keeping it together long as I can, so I can think rationally, before bed I am probably just going to need a long hug." I answer, and sheathe my knife, strapping it to my waist.

  Vi struts into the room and pushes Xavier back out into the living room, coming back with a smug smirk.

  "I just want some alone time with my best friend." She answers my unspoken question and comes to me and wraps her arms around my waist.

  "Idris told me, my parents both turned." She whispers to me and I hold her tightly. "His parents went over to check, and they said they were both acting strange, so they locked the house and had to go home.”

  As she continues her explanation her voice gets more choked up and a few tears trail down my cheeks, into her hair. She cries softy, her face pressed into my shoulder. We hold each other as we trade soft whispers of stories until we both run out of tears, and she looks up at me. Her green-blue eyes smile up at me, and I rub her shoulders as we step back. She nods, and we both go back to the living room, and the others look at us.

  "Anyone else heard news?" I ask the group, and they all break conversations from each other.

  "My parents apparently are unaffected and are waiting out us to come back." Idris said, and looked to Liam.

  "My mom is the last one left unaffected." Liam mutters, and Idris rubs his shoulders as Liam's face hardens with worry.

  "I couldn't reach mine, so I am hoping for the best." Xavier adds.

  "I didn't hear from mine." Lee mentions, turning back to hug Quiyl.

  "My mom and my sister both turned, so my dad put them in the hospital" Quiyl put in.

  "Mine were with Avyanna's when her Dad turned, there was only one survivor and she just passed away after I called her." Anthony revealed, a rare show of emotion creeping up as him and Avyanna held each other, silently sobbing.

  James looked at everyone with an apologetic expression, his eyes saying the words of comfort his mouth could not. "My parents have holed up at our horse barn, encouraging my safe return."

  "I am so sorry to hear that. How about we trade happy stories tonight, sharing the memories? I know it's odd for me to say this, but let's try to reminisce with happiness?" I say and look to the others.

  They agree, and we spend the rest of the day trading stories, with occasional texts to our surviving family members as the cell towers were still operational. It was a mix of tears and smiles, and I look around the room at the group of friends that are uniting over horrible tragedies and smile, the tissues being passed from person to person.

  Chapter 13

  "I think we are off to bed. It might be good to start posting look outs, just in case." Lee tells us quietly as he picks up a sleeping Quiyl, both their faces slightly red from the tears shed.

  "We got this." I offer, and hold Xavier hands, asking him with my eyes if that's okay, and he nods.

  "Good night all, just go cuddle and try and forget about things for a while. We will wake Idris and Violet for the next watch."

  Idris acknowledges he heard as he leads his tired girlfriend to their room. There is a chorus of good nights and Xavier and I grab our blades and sit in the living room, keeping an eye on the windows. The sounds of my ringtone echo from our room and I run to retrieve it, my Dad's name lighting up on the screen. I slide the green bar across my phone and answer with a sad smile.

  "Hi Daddy!" I say quietly into the phone, walking back to the living room and sit down just as he answers.

  "Hello child. How are you? Safe?" His voice wraps me in a blanket of comfort, and I smile.

  "Yep, we are all safe. Are you and Liz okay?"

  "We are, don't you worry. If anything, we will go and hole up with your Uncle Jay when it all goes to hell."

  "How are the infection levels in London?"

  "They are pretty low now. How is Niagara, specifically your Mom and Will?" He asks, and my thoughts are immediately plunged back into a dark spiral.

  I tell him the whole story, taking a few breaks as the tears come back. His gently voice urges me through, and I finally choke out the whole story. Xavier notices my tears and wraps an arm around my shoulder, letting me know he's there.

  "I am so sorry to hear that darling, she was an amazing woman." His voice shakes slightly, after all they were still close friends. "Remember her with love and fondness and live with her dying words as an encouragement my dear."

  "Yea…" I trial off and his voice speaks up again.

  "I can't even imagine how you are feeling right now but know that she at least didn't turn. She didn't become something that could hurt you. She will always love you and be cheering you on from above and look in your heart when you remember her."

  "You're right."

  "Now then, I am sure the cell towers are going to give out any day now, so Liz and I are planning to drive to get out of London before everything goes down, your Uncle in tow. We will meet you all in Brantford in the usual place, if we are not there when you come, wait one day and then continue. I will bring some stuff I think you might need and give it to you then. Then Liz and I are going to continue to my Mom's cottage, better place to defend and hole up. But you keep going to Niagara, find a place there." He advises, and I place it on speakerphone, so Xavier can hear.

  "Are you leaving London tomorrow then?" I ask, placing the phone on the table between us.

  "Yes, we both will. The cats are in tow of course! Though Darth and Freya notice something is happening." I can practically hear the smile in his voice as he talks about the cats.

  "That's good. Also, remember Xavier?"

  "That boy that used to look at you when he thought you weren't looking?" Dad teased, and Xavier looks shocked, looking at me with a questioning glance.

  I shrug, and motion for him to answer.

  "Hello sir, it's Xavier." Xavier looks at me nervously, and I shrug.

  "Hello. So, you finally grew a pair huh?" My Dad taunted, and I looked shocked at the phone.

  "You can't just say that Dad!" I sputter, and Dad laughs through the phone.

  "Good. Make my little girl happy or I will feed you too a horde." My Dad announces with a smug tone, and Xavier had the right to look slightly nervous,

  "I will sir." He promised, and I shook my head.

  "Stop teasing the poor boy." I snicker, switching the phone off speaker. "Anyways we are on watch right now, so we have to go. Love you!"

  Just as I finish my sentence a loud banging starts on the door and Xavier and I look at each other.

  "Love you too, from both Liz and I. Stay safe, and remember, Brantford tomorrow if you can make it." He hangs up and I place my phone on the coffee table, unsheathing my knife as X
avier does the same.

  Anthony appears from the hall, their room being the closest to the front door, and he is holding his knife as well. We walk slowly and quietly to the front door, the banging growing increasingly louder. More tired faces emerge from their rooms, some having the foresight to grab their weapon. Liam motions me aside and stand with Xavier at the door, looking through the window.

  "It's Gordon." Xavier whispers, and looks back to us. "I can't tell if he is infected."

  "Please help! It's my daughter! I think she is sick!" Gordon's deep voice is muffled by the door, and we look to each other.

  "Should we?" James asks us, his kindness shining through.

  "I hate to say it, but every movie and book about this up until now warns us again helping strangers." Avyanna points out, and we all nod an agreement.

  "Sorry sir, we can't! We have to stay in here!" Idris calls back, and Gordon pounds the door harder.

  "No! I can't let her die! Ever since my wife died she is the only one I have left!" He tells us, his voice full of despair.

  "I am so sorry." Liam calls, shooting down all our protests with a single look.

  The door creaks as he doubles his effort to get through, and we all back up, looking to each other.

  Chapter 14

  The door splinters as Gordon successfully broke it down, and he stumbles into the room. My eyes are immediately focused on the wound on his forearm, the veins around looking dark and sickly. He raises his head, looking us in the eye. The ones with weapons push the others back, Xavier pushing me back and shooting down my protests with a look.

  "Shoulda just let me in when you had the chance." Gordon smiles, and I notice the gore and red in his teeth, and I cringe. "Then I wouldn't have ruined your nice door."

  "Gordon, don't do this." Idris warns, his bowie knife held in his right hand.

  "I don't have a choice. Especially with you all standing here, nice and in a group. I just want to crack your skulls and eat the delicious meat there." He chuckles, a slight madman tone to it.

  We all stare at him silently, and he takes a step forward. Liam pushes himself ahead of the group and in between us and him. He stands with his blade at the ready.

  "One more step, and your head is coming off." Liam threatens, and Gordon tilts his head in confusion.

  "Why, it won't hurt after your dead!" He protests and looks around at us.

  Gordon takes one more step and Liam doesn't hesitate, bringing the knife up and across, slicing through his neck in one swipe. Gordon's body stands for a minute before his knees give out and his body kneels, and slumps backwards. The head separates from the neck as the body kneels and hits the floor with a wet thud. We all stare in horror, and Liam stumbles backwards, Anthony catching him and making sure he remains standing.

  "Holy shit, did that just happen?" Liam breathes, and Anthony mutters 'yes'.

  I feel bile fill my mouth staring at the body and turn away before I throw up.

  I hear footsteps walk to the body, and I turn to look who it is, keeping my eyes on the person instead of the body.

  Anthony stands there, and then reaches down with a grimace and picks up an arm, Idris follows and grabs the other. They drag the body back out from where it came, and around the side of the cabin. Anthony returns and finds a spare blanket, the rest of us gathering in the living room, away from the blood that now stained the floor. Anthony nudges the head onto the blanket with his foot and grabs the four corners of the blanket and drags the last part of the body outside. After he returns, Lee and Idris prop the door shut, and push the dining room table in front to keep it closed. We all look at each other when it's over, and most of us sheathe our knives again.

  "Well that just happened." Lee said, a tone of shock in his voice.

  "Okay." Anthony decides out loud, and we all pay attention. "Let's all sleep out here tonight, and I will take the next watch with Avyanna. Everyone gets some rest, and we will talk about it in the morning."

  He goes to lean against the wall, sharpening his knife with a stone. Avyanna stands beside him, bringing out her knife and holding it out with a questioning glance. He takes it and does the same to hers, explaining the proper way to do it. The rest of us go and gather blankets and pillows from the beds and spread them out on the floor. Xavier and I snuggle together under one blanket, sharing one pillow. He hugs me from behind and I enjoy his warmth, not sure when sleep will come. Xavier seems to sense my uneasiness, and begins to hum softly, so only I can hear. I focus on that and my brain begins to slow, and the comfort of sleep finally claimed me.

  "Alright guys, up and at 'em." Liam's voice breaks through my dreams, and I groan, my eyes slowly opening.

  I look around and notice Xavier removed my glasses after I fell asleep, and I smile softly as Xavier's blue eyes open. Liam and James are sitting in two dining room chairs, their knives in sheathes across their lap. James looks at his watch as everyone starts to awaken and sit up.

  "It's seven a.m. We should get up and think of a game plan. First, who wants coffee? Our electricity went out late last night, but luckily we have gas stoves here." James explains, and takes note of who raises their hand with a nod, disappearing to the kitchen.

  Anthony stands and walks to give James a hand, I stand up and follow. James is standing at the stove and holding a pot of water, reading the label of a jar of instant coffee. Anthony is bringing down mugs and I lean against the counter, the two looking at me with a questioning glance.

  "Just wanted to spend some time with you two, trying to pretend it's a normal day and not a hell filled one." I explain, and Anthony pats my back.

  "I can see that." Anthony agrees, and finishes setting out the mugs.

  He joins me where I am leaning and James attempts to light the stove. Anthony takes the lighter with a smirk and lights it, standing back for James to take his place.

  "Stupid stoves." James mutters, and I shake my head.

  "Thank you for dealing with, the…body, last night." I say quietly, and Anthony shakes his head.

  "Someone had too. I have a bit more of a stomach than most." He answers, and then looks at me. "You good?"

  I nod. "Best I can with my mom dead and the world attempting to cleanse itself."

  James pulls me in for a hug as the water continues to heat, and Anthony joins, the three of us enjoying human contact for a moment. Anthony pulls back first, no surprise, he never really liked human contact except for Avyanna.

  "Now then, let's keep our minds off that. What's the game plan for today?" Anthony changes the subject, and I thank him in my mind.

  "My Dad called me late last night and told me to get everyone together and head for Brantford. He offered to give me some supplies and see me, before he heads to his Mom's cottage, which is in Bracebridge." I explain.

  "I am glad your Dad is okay." James mentions, and I nod.

  "That sounds like a good plan. Then we head for Niagara and gather as much survival items as possible, then find a place to hole up and ride this out." Anthony decides, and the water begins to boil as he finishes his sentence.

  James pours the water and we begin to deliver coffee and tea to the people who requested it. Our friends are looking a bit more awake as we deliver, and I remain standing to pose my idea to the group after we finish giving them their drinks. They realize I am still standing and shift their attention to me.

  "Okay, so before the door was broken down last night my Dad called me. He offered for us all to meet him in Brantford and he will provide us with supplies before heading to Bracebridge to ride out the storm with his Mom. Now the reason I think this is a good idea is because he has background in solar panels and can provide us with a way to create electricity wherever we choose to set up." I pose the idea to the group, who look to each other as they decide.

  "Is it really the best idea to leave now? You pose a good argument, but it's still dangerous out there." Idris points out, and I look to him as I say the next part.

  "You saw what happened las
t night." I point at the table holding the broken door shut. "We are basically sitting ducks. If we head back to Niagara, then we can be in familiar territory and set up in a place we know well. If we are going to survive this thing we need all the advantages, we can take."

  Vi agrees with my argument, and the rest begin to talk about it.

  "I am on her side, if we meet with her Dad I can get my hands on those solar panel books and be able to set up a system when we gain the materials and our location." Liam mentions, and Idris nods.

  "I am a little worried to go back and find out what became of my parents. I know most of you have lost one or both…" Lee tells us, and an aura of loss settles over the room again.

  Vi snaps us out of our thoughts. "Let's just do this, guys. So, go pack, and we all meet at the front door in half an hour. Let's get on our way as fast as possible."

  Chapter 15

  Xavier and I pack with little words exchanged and place the bags by the door of our room. As we finish I send a text off to Will, who barely answers his phone, but I hope it has charge.

  Hey Will. My dad contacted me late last night and told me to come to Brantford for supplies from him. We are on our way back to Niagara and will hopefully make it in the next day or so. Love you.

  Just as I hit send, and watch it confirm that it sent, my phone began to read no service. I sigh and grab the charger and place both in my backpack. My hands nimbly strap the knife sheathe to my leg, and Xavier hugs me from behind just as I finish strapping it on. He pulls me back slightly and I lean into the hug, no words exchanged as we just enjoy the comfort of touch.

  I pull away and gather my backpack, and he grabs his along with his duffel bag. We walk to the front door and notice we are just waiting on Lee and Quiyl. Idris has a quick conversation with Liam and James, who follow him into the kitchen and the clanking of cans is heard. Anthony gets the idea and pulls the table out of the way of the door, looking outside quickly for any infected. They begin to load all they can into Idris's car, including our luggage. Lee joins them when they are about halfway done and unlocks his car. The rest of us begin to gather all we can from the kitchen and bathroom, loading it into Lee's car.