chapter 14

I just sat there outside in the rain. Thinking to myself what this could mean. This could mean everything and nothing at all. I just sat there looking at my injured arm wondering what in the fuck was going on. I mean Allen was bitten and then something in him change and turn him into that freak. Is that going to happen to me? Holy fuck! I can't be around people if that happens! I can't be around Tabi or Jade, I wouldn't, couldn't hurt them. I have to stay away from everyone, but I just saved someone. What am I going to do?

Before I could even finish my internal rant I hear a whimper of pain coming from the room where I placed the girl. I went to go check on her to see if she was okay. When I walked into the room I smelt something, it was something I couldn't place but it smelt good. That's when I realize she was bleeding. Did I just say that it smelt good?! What is going on inside of me that is telling me this is good? This is bad! But I just can't leave her here like this. For my better judgment, I go find something to clean and wrap the wound she had. It didn't look deep or that bad but I could tell she was hurting all over. Those guys did a number on her and I am glad I beat the shit out of them. No one is to hurt her ever! Wait, why am I thinking like this? I don't even know her but something in me is telling me to know her and to stay. I know it wasn't because I was bitten, but I can feel that it just goes deeper than that, like I can feel it in my heart. I left the room to go sit outside again. The rain wasn't coming down as hard and it relaxed me, I smelt the blood again that was on my hand and put my hand closer to my mouth to see what would happen. But nothing did happen. It was like the smell was good but it didn't make my mouth water for the taste of it but I still needed to prove to myself that it wouldn't taste good. So I licked my hand and was relieved when the blood only tasted of iron and not good.

After a while of sitting outside, I went back in to find something to eat. I wasn't really hungry but I have a feeling that when she wakes up she will be. After what she been through and how light she was when I carried her, I bet she needed a lot of food. After looking around the kitchen I find some cans of food. It was mostly soup and beans, it was the end of the world and I am glad it wasn't dog food and I have a feeling she wouldn't care what she would eat after all. After preparing the food the best I can I went to go wake her up. But before I could open the door was pushed hard and slammed into my face while she ran out of the room. "Holy shit that hurt, wait I am not going to hurt you" I yell after her. She stops when she hears my voice. "You're not one of them" she stutters in a weak voice. "One of whom?" I ask. Before I could get an answer she passed out. I wanted to know what she meant but I also had to warn everyone. "Guys we may have a problem" I spoke into the walkie. "Jackie, you're alive holy shit never do that again" yelled Jimmy. "What's the problem," said Lucy. "I don't know but I saved someone who was going to get raped or something and she woke up, slammed a door into my face and passed out but before she passed out she said I wasn't one of them and when I ask who was she talking about, she passed out," I told them. I wait for a reply thinking to myself. We are in hell and people are dying and we are facing the dead, now we have to worry about people killing us or other stuff in that matter. I just wanted to take a break but I couldn't. "We need to come together and have a meeting to talk about this," said Ken. I agree with them and told them that in two weeks' time we will have a meeting.

A few minutes later she wakes up and looks around. I was sitting next to her and held my hand-ups letting her know that I was friendly and didn't want to get hit again. She just looked at me and I pointed to the nightstand where the cans of food were, well the leftover food that I didn't drop. "Hey look, it's okay, see I'm not going to do anything I just need to know if you are okay," I told her in a gentle voice. She looked at me again trying to understand me but I just pointed to the food again. She looks at the food then at me again and slowly reaches out for the can that was there. I was right she was hungry; she ate the whole thing and went for the second one. I just watch her as she ate. Before I drop the food I had eight cans now there were only five left. I wasn't really hungry so I let her eat all five cans. I just watch her and waited until she was finished asking her questions. After a few more minutes of her eating and me just waiting she was done. "So uh what's your name and who were those guys?" I ask her. She took a moment to compose herself before she spoke. "My name is Riley and those guys were part of some group that are from a street gang, they all used to be blood and the LKs but the group formed up I guess to run the streets," she said. Great we are dueling with gangsters now in hell. I couldn't believe this was happening. After everything happening in 24 hours, when can I catch my breath? I wanted to ask her more question but I didn't know what to ask. "So uh thanks for saving me, I mean you didn't have to but thank you," she said. "No problem, so tell me about you" wow that was lame. "Well you already know my name, I am nineteen, and I live here in the city and was on my way to hang out when all of this happens, I wish this was a dream but it isn't," she said. "I know how you feel but this is our world now and I hate it but I need you to rest so we can travel to where it's safe," I told her. She just nodded her head yes and was going to go back to sleep. I didn't feel tired or hungry but I force myself to sleep.

When I close my eyes all I could see was Allen in pain and then nothing at all. I was still hurting all over but not as bad. That thing wasn't Allen. It may have looked like him but it wasn't him. That thing wasn't human more. I just saw his eyes fill with fear and pain then right next to him I see the sixteen-year-old kid holding the little girl with dark blue eyes. Why do I always see you! Why do I always see your eyes? But now he wasn't alone. I saw Allen's fearful eyes and I see his body change into something different. Why did I dream of this? Why did I dream of him changing? He changed and I killed him! But Allen was long gone before I killed that thing he turned into. All I saw was this thing with lifeless eyes and all I thought about was protecting people and taking it on by myself. I wasn't going to die until that thing was gone and I did that. But now I am marked with its bite and something is happening. Maybe that's why I keep dreaming of dark blue eyes and now Allen.

I woke up in a fit before six. I cure and got up. I didn't want to feel trapped in a room any longer then I have to so I went outside and watch the sun come up. It was beautiful and peaceful. I unwrap my arm and look at the bite mark. That freak took a chunk out of my arm. It bit deep into my right forearm that you can see the difference in my arm. I didn't know what to do, so I just pour rubbing alcohol on it. That fucking burned and hurt like hell and I rewrap my arm. I didn't want anyone to know until I went to see the seven or to see if it will heal. Unlike Allen's bite mark, mine wasn't dark blackish-red but bright red and it looked to be healing. Soon my watch alarm went off and I went to go wake up Riley. I gently shook her awake and told her we are leaving. She just looked at me and then at my arm. I remove my hand from her and walked out of the room to give her time to get ready and find something a bit better for her to wear. It hadn't much here but I found her a jacket and some shoes. I knock on the door to let her know I was coming in and I handed her what I found. She was wearing jeans that were a size too big and a baggy shirt and socks she found in the room. She looked good in them. Riley was about an inch or two taller than me and had pale skin and bright green eyes and dark red hair. All I thought was that she was beautiful. I shook my head and told her where we were going today. She just nodded her head again and finishes getting ready.

We left the apartment building and there was a breeze. It wasn't cold but it wasn't too nice for the middle of March. A day ago I took down a big ass undead by myself and got bitten but I wasn't showing any signs of turning. We were pretty far from the school and we needed to move so anyone dead or not would find us. I wasn't in any shape to fight and Riley wasn't as well. I didn't even know if she was able to fight but I wasn't going to risk it or find out because of her wounds. "Hey we need to move fast but I don't want to make your wounds worse so if need be I'll carry you," I said to her. She just looked at me like I was crazy but I wasn't. After how much she ate yesterday and getting beaten I could tell that she was in pain. I bet she didn't want to look weak but I wouldn't judge her, I am in pain as well after my fight and being thrown into cars and the floor by a freak. My sides and back hurt but I didn't let it show and I knew she was doing the same thing.

We started making our way to north and we were on the Westside. While making our way there we past BMCC and I notice that the people there are settling and looking happy. I didn't want to stop and say hi to Lucy. I needed to get Riley to the school and go see the seven. "Is this the school?" Riley asks. "No this isn't, this is well whatever Lucy calls it," I said. She just looks at me with a question asking face. I laugh a bit. That caught me off guard I never really laugh unless I'm reading. "Uh Lucy is the leader here and I'm the leader of the school but this isn't the school, the school is on west 77th next to the museum" I answer her unspoken question. She just nodded her head in understanding and we continue walking north to the school. We didn't speak unless she asks me a question or two and I answer her. We just knew each other name and that was about it. But something in me was telling me to open my mouth and speak to her, but I didn't know what to say or what to ask. "So uh what kind of music do you like?" I ask her. Oh great, good question Jackie when your phone died three weeks ago and you ask her about music when you just lost it because Tabi is in hold of your iPod until you come back. "I like anything really, but before all this happened I was really into PVRIS and Issue," she said. I just looked at her and smile. "I love those bands before my phone died I would listen to them or Machine Gun Kelly and just vibe you know," I said. She smiles at my answer and we started making small talk about music. She has a nice voice I could listen to all day.

It was raspy and light. When she spoke about her favorite song I could tell that she missed listening to it. That was going to be my mission. Get my iPod back from Tabi and let Riley listen to music even if Tabi will kill me for breaking my promise about checking in. we were now near 59th street Columbus circle when I heard a noise. I stop and look around and saw something move past a gun. I tense and got ready to fight whatever it was that was out there. Riley notices me and stood closer to me. I wasn't going to let anyone hurt her. I didn't know why I was feeling like this but all I knew was that I was going to kill or beat the shit out of anything that tried to hurt her. I didn't make a sound or move. I waited until whoever or whatever was out there to make its move.

Outcomes a teenage looking boy with the colors of red and yellow. What the fuck was this I said to myself and that's when I felt Riley touch me and notice that she was shaking. "He's one of them" she spoke in a whisper. "Aye yo you got something I want and need," he said while grabbing himself and rocking back and forth. I look at him with disgust. "I don't know what you're talking about, move along kid," I told him is a cold voice. If he tried anything I was going to take him down or beat the hell out of him. "You asked for this bitch" he said and moved towards me. He came running and pulled out a knife. I saw it coming and I wasn't going to let him win. I move away from him and took out my machete and block him. He looks at me and I just gave him a smile. He came at me again and again. He wouldn't let up but that was okay, I was blocking him. I wouldn't let him cut me. When I notice that he began to get tried I use my weapon to slash at him and hit his arm. That slash wound was deep and I went at him again this time hitting him in the gut. He drops his knife and I grab him by the collar of his shirt looking him in the eyes, he was in pain and I took my hand and jab him in the gut. "Whoever sent you tell them you ain't seen nothing," I said in a rage-filled voice. He looks like he was going to piss himself and I let him go. He left grabbing his gut that was bleeding out.

I grab Riley's hand and start to move. But she wouldn't move, I look back and saw the fear in her eyes but I also saw something else there as well. But I didn't have time to think about it. I just grab her again and started moving again. I didn't want to stay out in the open for long. I just wanted to get Riley someplace safe then go to the seven. I needed to know what's going on inside my body. I have so many questions, I just hope that they can answer them. I just need to understand everything. One day I was just some twenty-year-old buying books and the next I'm trapped in hell helping people and becoming their leader then soon after that I am changing into something that I don't even know how to explain to myself yet let alone to others. As these thoughts run rampant in my head, I just want it to stand still and stop but I don't have the time for that. I just wanted to know what was going on. I just wanted to know why zombies are around. Weren't they supposed to only exist in fiction and not in the real world. I wanted to drink my problems away again but I couldn't. I couldn't let this fear win. I needed to stay calm and collect.

Just as I was about to go into a rant with myself again, I felt Riley's hand in mine squeeze. I didn't know what to think of it but it stops me from fighting with myself. I look up from our joined hands and into her eyes for the first time. They're green, but not just any green. It was a deep forest green that looks so dark you can see the different shades of it. Her eyes are beautiful. All the greens in her eyes made me think of life and that life always finds a way to survive. It reminded me of trees and how some kinds of trees have water-seeking roots that don't stop until they find water even in the darkest and deepest places to stay alive and green. I look away from her eyes to see where we were. We were close to the school now, we were just three blocks away when I hear a noise. We both stopped and I looked around, then that's when I realize that noise wasn't something to be scared of or to be killed. It was Jade running towards us. I laugh at the goofy look on her face then stop.

I grab my arm and wonder how she will react to me when she got closer. I didn't want her to attack me but at the same time, I did miss her. I guess I would have to take my chances with her biting me than not being with her at all. As we got closer she took off running, I brace myself when she was close enough and was readying myself for her teeth to dig deep into my skin, but instead, she jumps in the air and onto me bringing us to the ground. I laugh at my dog and she licked my face. I push her off and got up. I grab Riley's hand again and we started moving to school. This time I saw Erin in the tower and he gave me a small smile. I gave one back and we push open the makeshift doors into the school. "So this is the school and also my home I guess," I told her and she just looks around and took everything in. She didn't answer me but she seems to like it. I started moving to the door when I saw a little black-haired girl with an angry look on her face come running towards me with a bat. It didn't register in my mind that it was Tabi with the bat until she swings and it hit me square in the gut. I didn't fall to my knees until she hit me again and I wheeze out for air. "You promised to check in" she yelled at me and I tried to speak but I was trying to catch my breath. I heard Riley laughing and I saw Sally from inside the school looking out at what Tabi did. "I'm...I'm s-s-sorry" I wheeze out trying to breathe. She looked at me and walked away, I don't think she accepted my "sorry". I don't blame her, I would've done the same thing if I were her. I got back up to my feet and walk inside and show Riley where everything is. She nodded and I went to go look for the boys and told them that I was heading back out but not before I told them to build up the walls some more and that I was going to see the seven and come back.

After telling them I needed to see the seven and about the walls I left. It wasn't a long walk to where the seven live at and I needed to show them my arm. A half-hour later I was climbing through the window and making my way up the stairs. I made it to the floor and hear them yelling at each other. I rush over to see what the problem was but there seem to be none. I stood there wondering what the smart asses were doing. I didn't need to ask them what was going on because Tori saw me and ask me "If Allen really changed, what happens?" she asks me. I didn't have an answer so I just unwrap my arm and showed them. "Allen changed. His body changed in all forms and it wasn't him anymore. He was in pain before he changed but I fought him and won, don't ask me how I did it and I really hope I don't encounter anyone like that again and now I am here today to show you the aftermath of that fight, I got bit and I am not showing any signs like Allen but there is a difference between us, my bite mark is healing while his stayed bright red until the change began" I told them. They all stood there in shock and I just looked at them wondering when someone will make the move to see my damn arm. The first one to make the move was Tony and she took my arm in her hands. She looks it over and then look me in the eyes and told me I was right that my arm was healing. It was weird so she took some blood to study it. I told them that I would be back tomorrow but I promise someone that I would check-in and be home soon. They look at me showing that they were listening but went to work to analyze my blood and see what is going on. Today was a long day and I was glad it was ending soon.