“Well, good luck with that,” Jenna said. She was becoming more and more like herself with every passing hour.
We approached the house cautiously. I peeked into the windows before stopping at the front door. Allie grabbed my hand as I reached for the handle.
“Aren’t you going to knock?” she asked.
“Um, no?” I replied.
“If you do, maybe you’ll hear someone moving inside. Then we can run,” Allie said.
I hesitated. “Or maybe they’ll get into a hiding place and ambush us.”
“For the love of God,” Jenna said pushing past me. She reached out and opened the door.
The hinges squeaked and whistled. If anyone would have been inside, they likely would have locked the door. Then again, maybe they’d forgotten just like Jenna had. In our case, we were lucky it had only been Allie and not someone dangerous.
“What is that god awful smell?” Jenna asked.
“Rotten food?” I said pinching my nose.
Allie leaned back, closing the door behind us. “That’s not what rotten food smells like.”
“What is it then?” Jenna asked.
“That’s the smell of death,” Allie said. She pulled on my arm, jerking me back. “Maybe we should leave. I think we should leave.”
“You guys wait here,” I said gripping the gun tighter.
Jenna clicked her tongue. “Hell no. We’re staying together.”
“Fine,” I said. “Then follow me.”
I hated that it felt like I was putting Cal in danger. I didn’t know what else I could do. It was impossible to keep him safe while looking for somewhere for us to stay.
Our shoulders bumped together as we moved through the house. The smell became worse as we worked our way down the hallway toward the bedroom.
“I don’t want to go in there,” Allie whispered.
I opened the door and held my hand up to keep them back. The room was empty except for what was left of the body on the bed.
“Oh my God,” I said covering my nose and mouth. “Back up! Back up!”
There was a hole in the middle of what I thought was a guy’s forehead. The smell was sickening… strong enough, I felt light-headed.
I stepped back out into the hall and closed the door. The putrid scent wafted by before diminishing slightly.
“This isn’t good,” Allie said walking quickly back toward the living room.
“I don’t think anyone is going to come back for him,” I said. “Looks like he’s been there a while.”
“No, no, no,” Allie said pacing. “It’s one of them. One of the guys. They all wear those bulletproof vests.”
The truth was, I hadn’t noticed the vest. I believed her, though. I wasn’t about to go back to verify her claim.
“They're everywhere!” Allie said. She balled her hands into tight fists and pressed them to the sides of her head. “They’re going to find me! I won’t go back! They won’t make me go back!”
“Allie,” I said speaking calmly. “No one is here. We’re not going to let anyone take you.”
Allie laughed hysterically. “There isn’t anything you will be able to do to stop them. We have to leave!”
“He’s dead,” Jenna said. “Unless he comes back to life, which is ridiculous, there isn’t anything he can do to you.”
“I’m not worried about him,” Allie growled. “It’s the ones that are still living I’m worried about. You don’t understand how awful they are. I’ll die before I have to go back to them.”
Allie whipped out a knife from her backpack. Her hand shook as she raised it to her throat.
I took a step toward her and she pressed the blade into the skin. A drop of blood leaked out of the small cut she’d made.
Allie’s chest was rising and falling rapidly. “Stay back. I’m going to do it and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll do it too.”
23
Adam
Heather continued to bring Eli’s concoction to Leah, even though it didn’t seem to help. She’d bring me food and drink but I never could take in much of it.
When she was awake, Leah would complain of headaches. If I tried to get her to eat, she’d vomit.
Leah would push me away, just wanting to lay down.
“You’ll feel better if you eat more. If you sit up,” I said even though I didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. I just so desperately wanted Leah to come back to me. “Take another drink.”
Leah slapped my hand but it was less painful than a mosquito bite. She placed her hands on her stomach and groaned.
“I think I’m going to throw up again,” Leah said.
I grabbed the bucket and held her up and she dry heaved three times before releasing a small amount of thick liquid. My heart pounded when I saw the blood on her lip.
She looked at me, her eyes barely open. “I think I’m done.”
“Okay,” I said afraid to look in the bucket. But I had to know.
I took in a breath and looked at the bottom. There wasn’t much, but it was there. Blood.
I wiped the blood off her lip and rested a damp cloth on her forehead. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
She gave me a slow nod and stared at the window. “Has it stopped raining yet?”
“No. It hasn’t.”
“Darn,” she said before drifting off.
I quietly left the room even though I hated leaving her even for a second. Eli was standing at the window and Heather was at the table with her head buried in a thick book.
“Heard she’s not doing well,” Eli said without turning.
“It’s bizarre,” I said. “She’s getting worse. I don’t know what to do for her.”
“Maybe she caught something out there,” Eli said. “Happens more than you’d think.”
My eyes narrowed. “It does? How do you know?”
“Those people that passed through here early on,” Eli said shooting me a quick glance. “All of them were sick in one way or another. Some physically… some in the head.”
“I see,” I said.
“People always wanted what I had,” Eli said turning halfway. “Part of the reason I moved out here in the first place. Much better out here where you don’t have to deal with anyone.”
The back of my neck prickled as if I’d backed into a cactus. “Sorry to hear that. I need to get some fresh air.”
“Are you sure you want to go out there?” Eli asked his nose wrinkling. “Makes a mess.”
“I’ll be careful and I’m happy to clean up after myself,” I said. “I haven’t been feeling great myself and really could use the fresh air.”
Eli stomped toward the kitchen. “If you must.”
I rolled my eyes after I opened the door and stepped out. I stayed under the overhang for a long time, worried about pissing off Eli but I needed to move my legs.
I walked to the side of the house, away from the windows. I weaved between the trees, stopping when I nearly tripped over a large rock.
“What the…?”
There were five other similar rocks, each spaced out the same distance from each other. It was almost perfect how far apart they were. There was no way they had just naturally been in those spots… someone had placed them there.
My stomach tightened. I wasn’t sure if I was going to need to use the bathroom or if I was going to throw up.
I left the strange stones and made my way back to the house. Thankfully, by the time I got back, my stomach had settled, although there were lingering pains.
Maybe Eli was right. Maybe we were just coming down with something. That would probably be better than Leah having an infection, considering there were no doctors around.
I quickly cleaned up and changed into dry clothes. Leah watched me through narrowed slits as I moved around the room.
“Am I dreaming?” she asked.
“No, you’re awake,” I said.
“I feel so terrible,” Leah said. “Where were you just now? I call
ed for you.”
I looked down at my bare feet. “I went out for a walk.”
“A walk? Is it still raining?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said scrunching up my nose. “It’s still raining.”
“Why would you want to get wet?”
I sighed heavily. “I just wanted some fresh air. Felt a little claustrophobic in this house.”
“I’m sorry I’m sick,” Leah said.
The bed squeaked as I lowered myself down next to her. “Don’t worry about it. Just work on getting better, okay?”
“I will,” she said giving me a weak smile.
I reached down to wrap my arm around her shoulder but hesitated when I saw the strands of hair on the pillow. It wasn’t much but her hair had fallen out.
My heart raced as terror pumped through my veins. What was happening to her?
I left it where it was because I couldn’t tell her. I pressed my lips to her forehead.
“I love you, Leah,” I said. “You know that, right?”
“Yeah,” she said. “I know that.”
“What about me?” I asked softly.
Her lip curled just a smidge. “What about you?”
“Tell me,” I said. Or rather, I begged.
“Of course, I do,” she said with her eyes closed.
Several hours later, Heather brought in some food. Leah didn’t take more than a few sips but I ate ravenously. I hadn’t felt like eat but my body wanted the fuel so that I could be there for Leah.
“Let me check her wound,” Heather said. “Did she take her antibiotic?”
“Yes,” I said. “But she hasn’t eaten anything.”
“It looks better,” Heather said. “That’s strange, isn’t it?”
I nodded as I leaned forward to take a look. “Huh.”
It was still a nasty cut but it wasn’t as red and the pus had cleared up substantially. Some sections had scabbed over and actually looked as though they were beginning to heal.
“I guess it’s working but just not helping her yet,” Heather said. She looked up at me and smiled. “Maybe that’s good news. It could be a sign that she’ll get back to her old self again soon.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said.
Heather hadn’t even left the room before I started to experience stomach cramps again. It seemed as though something I was eating didn’t agree with me but I wasn’t sure what it could have been.
Eli hadn’t been serving me anything that unusual. It wasn’t like oatmeal, canned beans, and mashed potatoes would cause my stomach to hurt.
I pressed my hands to my stomach. Heather’s eyes filled with concern.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“It’s my stomach,” I said.
“I should get you some of Eli’s stomach medicine,” Heather said.
I shook my head. “Nah, I think I’ll just wait it out. I think I’m just adjusting to eating a little different from how I had been.”
It really wasn’t all that much different. The only difference was that Eli was serving us food that was warmed up.
“Maybe but I’m fine,” Heather said.
I smiled at her. “That’s good. I’m sure I’ll be fine too. I’ve probably just been eating too much.”
“We’ve all been eating the same amount,” Heather said. “Uncle Eli uses a food scale to weigh out our portions.”
“Wow,” I said. “That’s taking it to a new level.”
Heather giggled. “That’s Uncle Eli for you.”
“I think I’m going to rest for a bit,” I said lowering myself down on the bed. “Wait for this to pass.”
“Okay,” Heather said. “If you need anything, just let me know, okay?”
“Sure thing,” I said.
I listened as she took her bag and collected the food. The door clicked as she closed it behind her.
I stared at the wall.
Leah’s infection was improving but she was getting worse. It was so bad that her hair was falling out and she was puking up blood.
Whatever was making her sick didn’t seem like it was from the infection and it didn’t seem like it was a virus. I wasn’t even sure if there was a virus that made you vomit blood and lose your hair.
There was something else going on and I was determined to find out what it was. Hours later, when it was dark and I was sure everyone was asleep, I took a candle. It was time to have a look around.
24
Stevie
It was pitch black when Lydia brought me to the second floor. She studied me. “You’re sure about this? Once you’re out there, I can’t get you back in.”
“I’m positive,” I said.
Lydia looked out the window before she slid it open. “The idiots didn’t bolt this one down.”
She moved the bars, making a small opening between the metal and the house. “I don’t know if I’ll fit.”
“I did,” Lydia said looking at me. “You’re not that much bigger. Perhaps you are telling the truth about your place.”
“I am,” I said.
“Will you go there after you get the medicine?” Lydia asked.
My lips pressed together. “Yeah. I have to get back to the man who needs the medicine.”
“Right,” she said unable to hide her disappointment. She forced a smile. “Well, if you ever think of a way to help us, we’ll all still be here.”
“I’ll talk to everyone,” I said. “We won’t leave you here.”
Lydia looked at her feet, chuckling. Her eyes shifted up.
“I’m not a fool. I know I won’t see you again,” she said.
“Come with me,” I said. “You can show me to the pharmacy and I’ll take you back to my place.”
Lydia blinked several times as she considered my proposition. “I don’t think you’ll make it more than a few blocks before they find you and kill you.”
“They didn’t kill you,” I said raising a brow.
“If I’m caught again, they most certainly will,” Lydia said.
“Okay,” I said sticking my feet out of the window.
Lydia reached forward and grabbed my hand. “Be careful where you step. It’s like walking on mushrooms.”
“I will,” I said lowering myself down. The metal bars scraped along my back but somehow, I squeezed through the tight space.
I let go of Lydia’s hand and grabbed onto a brick that stuck out from the side of the house. It was like pieces of the house had shifted around.
“Oh, screw it,” Lydia said as she started to climb out of the window. “I’d rather be dead than stuck in this building another day.”
The darkness and rain kept us hidden. Some of the houses had a glowing lantern under the overhang at the front door but the light didn’t stretch far. It was easy for us to stay hidden but it was a challenge to navigate our way through the streets.
We couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of us and the closer we got to town, the harder it was to find our way through the streets. I covered my laugh when I walked into a mailbox that somehow managed to blend in with the surrounding darkness.
“What’s so funny?” Lydia asked.
“Nothing,” I said keeping my hands out in front of me. “Just walking into things.”
“Well, be careful,” Lydia cautioned.
“I’m trying.”
Lydia turned, stopping in front of a building that was nestled between two other shops. The front had once been mostly glass but it was now sprinkled in pieces on the ground.
“How the hell am I going to see what I need?” I asked as I ducked inside the building. It was even darker inside.
“They usually keep candles in here just in case,” Lydia said. “Hopefully, they keep matches in here too.”
“That would be nice.”
Lydia’s eyes glowed in the darkness. “We have to be careful though, they could see the light. One candle. That’s it.”
“Right,” I said.
“If I can even find—ah-ha
! Here it is,” Lydia said stepping behind the front desk.
I could hear her flicking a lighter in the darkness. My eyes darted around as I waited for the flame.
“These things can be stubborn,” Lydia said clicking nervously.
“Can I try?” I asked.
“Sure, but it’s no use,” she said handing me the lighter. She crossed her arms as she watched me struggle for several minutes. “Told you.”
I drew in a breath and flicked the wheel again. The flame was low but it was there.
“Ha!” I said gesturing for the candle.
Lydia held it in her shaking hand. It lit almost instantly, giving off a dim glow. Our shadows dancing on the walls.
“Hurry,” she said. “What are we looking for?”
I pulled the piece of paper out of my back pocket and showed it to her. We walked through the already open door and into the back where the medicine was stored. The shelves were missing items but they weren’t bare.
White and amber bottles were scattered on the counters and on the floor. There was no organization, at least nothing that I could make sense of.
“We’re never going to find it,” Lydia said.
“Keep looking,” I urged before I climbed up on the counter.
“Be careful,” Lydia said. “I don’t want you to fall.”
“That makes two of us.” My finger moved along the names of the drugs printed on the labels. It was like trying to read a bowl of alphabet soup.
Until… I saw it.
I snatched the bottled and shoved it into my pocket before hopping down off the counter. I blew out the candle.
“Did you find it?” Lydia’s voice was soft and hopeful, touched with surprise.
“I think so. As long as no one messed with what was inside,” I said.
“Let’s get out of here then,” Lydia said with a hop. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe I might actually get out of here.”
I smiled but she likely couldn’t see it in the dark. “Which way?”
She tapped her finger to her lips and led me down the street. Our feet splashed through the puddles as we moved as quickly as possible through the night.
The glow from the lanterns at the houses were to our left and grew fainter with each step. Lydia stopped abruptly and I slammed into her back, nearly knocking her down.
The Reset Series | Book 6 | Striking Page 11