“Damn, those girls were right about you. You’re one cold-hearted bitch. Do ya realize how many times Brandon has had my back? I can count on him for anythin’ an’ I know he’ll be there!”
“Can he say the same about you?”
“Yes!” He demanded and then looked up, as a memory must have flooded his mind. “Well, other than that one time, but I was on a date, and the other time I was helpin’ my father an’…”
“Exactly. He dropped everything to come to you, but you had to be sitting around bored, or offered money to go and get them.”
“I wouldn’t say I had to be bored, but I never went when I was busy though.”
“Mh-hm. He will survive. You won’t.”
He scoffed. “You don’t know me well enough to make that comment. How do ya know I’m not a hero like Candice an’ Mark? I was rushin’ around killin’ off those things at the campground like the others, tryin’ to save the lives of those campers! Havin’ just met me; you don’t know me enough to judge.”
“I know enough about you just from the kitchen conversation with the cook this morning.”
“That was just bullshit. She was bein’ a fuckin’ drama queen. She’s always a drama queen.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “You can play denial all you want, but it’s not going to stop the change from happening. You get what you want by conning people. You tell them what they want to hear, using people for your own benefit. I’m the same way.”
“I’m not as bad as all that an’ if ‘at’s what ya got from ‘at conversation then let me tell ya what happened. We fucked, plain an’ simple. It wasn’t a date, or a promise of a lifelong commitment.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“Yes! She thought we had more than we did. She figured a good fuck was grounds for a relationship because everybody else was hookin’ up.”
“Yes, but did you tell her that before you hooked up?”
He looked at her, but didn’t answer. “God my back is killin’ me.”
“Yeah, so is my arm. I think this is why Mark had to stay in the water all day.”
“If it helped him then it’s not a bad fuckin’ idea!”
“Face it, Justice. We’re cut from the same slice. We’re not nice people and never have been. No matter how many times we have this conversation, it’s not going to change who you are on the inside.”
“You make me sound like a monster.”
“To that girl, you are.”
“It was just a fuck. I made no promises to her at all.”
“Yeah, well face it, darling. If what they claim is true, we’re going to change for the worse.” Touching her arm, she pulled back her pus-colored bloody hand, showing him. “This pus is disgusting. What the fuck is it?”
“From what Sophia said, it’s the pus from the infection, which supposedly acts like stitches an’ stops the bleedin’. However, we don’t know for sure we’re gonna change into some horrid creature.”
“You’re right. We don’t. Let’s look at the facts.” Looking around, she took a seat in front of him on one of the logs. “Erica was a bitch. She didn’t give two shits about anyone, unless she benefit from it, and died. Then there was Trina who died, though she wasn’t near as bad as Erica or me, but she still had her moments.”
“Yeah, from what I hear, you’re just as bad as Erica an’ I met her. That woman was a world class bitch.”
“Yeah, and if the two of them were bitten and changed, what makes you think the two of us even stand a chance when the only two that did change were heroic?”
“We don’t know what’s gonna happen. It could be different. I’m not some horrible guy. One action doesn’t make me the monster!”
“You’re right, but you know there were more if you sit and think about them. Think about how many times someone has needed you and you were too busy to go. Probably half that time, you weren’t doing anything but sitting around.”
He scoffed turning and facing the other direction, obviously angry with her and done with the conversation. “You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
She smirked. “Okay, you sulk, but think about it. When you realize I’m right and want to talk about this like adults, I’ll be right over here, but don’t take too long because I’m heading down to the river soon.”
It didn’t take long, just fifteen minutes when she was ready to leave his ass sitting there for him to realize that she was right. He stood, turning, and went to her. “You’re right. I’m a horrible person, but I wasn’t always this way.”
She waved her hand. “Save your sob story. Regardless to when you changed, or if you were born this way and was just good at acting, I don’t want to hear it. However, if your doctor knows her business, when we change for the worse, we can’t be anywhere around them or they will kill us. At least out here we have a chance. If, by some miracle, we don’t change for the worse - no harm no foul.”
“Fuck me! I guess you’re right. So what’s your master plan?”
“We see each other through this change and take over the world.”
“Ha-ha. No, seriously. What’s the plan?”
“I’m dead serious. We’re both smart. We could definitely rule the monsters and they would fall in line behind us.”
“I don’t know why I’m so attracted to bat-shit, psycho bitches, but you could have somethin’ there. We could be in charge o’ this whole invasion.” He winced. “Ya said somethin’ about goin’ down to the river an’ soakin’?”
“Yeah, that might take our mind off the pain.”
“I’m down for that because this has to be the worst pain I’ve ever felt!”
She nodded. “I agree. It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t feel my heart beating through the ache.”
“Ya know that’s one thing we could get help with if we were at the house. Sophia would hook us up with medication.”
“Not happening so why think about it? Just ignore the pain, that’s what I’m doing.”
“What makes ya think we won’t try an’ eat each other, or kill each other off after we do change?”
“Because we both were scratched at exactly the same moment so I think we’ll change at the same time. Besides all that, Mark didn’t eat Trina. He did kill her when she emerged, though she looked like she’d gone through hell.”
“So I guess we’re doomed to be monsters because of genetics?”
Smirking, she nodded. “Yep, I don’t feel so bad never having remembered Mother’s or Father’s Day.”
“Wow, you really are somethin’.”
“I never asked to be born. I was what my parents wanted. Why should I thank them? Granted, I had a good life and they did right by me, not like some of these horror stories you hear about child abuse. They protected me, spoiled me, and loved me, but they wanted me. Not to mention, from the day I was born, they dictated who I was and what I would do; what school I would go to, how I would be a grade-A student, what college I would attend, and that I would become a cheerleader.”
He sighed. “That’s not the worst family affair story I’ve ever heard. I’ve heard o’ many step fathers molestin’ their children an’ fathers who beat their kids, just to have somethin’ to do. Mothers choosin’ favorites an’ disownin’ her other children. I’ve heard stories ‘at would make your flesh crawl an’ yours isn’t even close to a reason to forget your parents.”
“True, but I’m not going to celebrate the day they decided to have me. I would always tell them, “Congrats on getting what you wanted; me” and that was that.”
“Wow, I at least did send my folks a card.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Let’s go down to the river. We can get in the water and it won’t be as bad there. When it gets worse we can hide out in the trailer.”
“Like I said, you’re really somethin’.”
Thirty-Five
A few days later…
“You’re really somethin’, ya know?”
“I’ve been watchin’ you with Brandon. I think you’re really sweet. I’m kinda confused on why ya stopped bein’ so sweet to me though.”
“Oh I’m sorry. It’s nothing against you. I’ve been really worried about Brandon. I mean, I know he’s going to make it, but I don’t want him to suffer alone. I still think you’re an alright guy.”
Shaking his head, he chuckled. “No, I mean ya stopped smellin’ sweet, almost the moment Brandon got attacked. I don’t know why, or what happened. I’m glad though. It was drivin’ me insane. It was like; I wanted to be near ya. I wanted to have ya. That smell drove me crazy. I don’t remember ever wantin’ someone so much in my life.”
“Oh, yeah I know! It was the strangest thing! Had it not been for the fact that Brandon and I made a pact to each other, I would’ve been all over you. The moment he was attacked and suffering, you stopped being so sweet.”
He shrugged. “I’m glad it stopped. It would’ve made for a touchy situation.”
“Yep, as Rachel always says, be enough drama for our own soap opera.”
It was a rough four days. While Brandon slept, Candice helped them with the digging. After seeing what happened, those in the trees were to stay up there and only signal to come down if they had to use the bathroom. When it was break time, everyone stopped at the same time and went inside. Usually, they took two breaks and no more. There was no smoking while watching either; it attracted the others who had a great sense of smell.
She and Mark were no longer stationary, moving around the perimeter, using their senses to sniff out anything that might be nearby. If they smelled something, one would stay behind and keep watch, while the other went on a seek-and-destroy mission. It didn’t take long with their accelerated speed and before long, they were back to walking the perimeter once more.
Every four hours, she took a break to go and tend to Brandon and give him his shot. She stayed by his side while he was awake, but after he was out like a light; she went back to keeping watch. She didn’t get much sleep, but the trenches needed finishing. She wanted to be there for Brandon as well.
It was the fifth day that he finally opened his eyes. They were bloodshot with serious luggage underneath. His hair was oily, his skin was pale, but he was alive. He looked around stirring, nudging Candice beside him. “Hey there. Ya gonna sleep all day?” He croaked, reaching up to rub his raw throat.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at him through a sleepy haze and smiled, still half asleep. “Hey baby, just five more minutes.” She closed her eyes, getting comfortable beside him. It was just too early, considering she just went to sleep. Then it dawned on her and her eyes shot open. She looked at him, sitting straight up. Smiling, with a bit of a squeal, she hugged him tightly. “Oh thank God you’re okay! You are okay, right?” She pulled back, checking him over.
“Well, other than bein’ hungry, thirsty, an’ in desperate need of a shower, my throat is killin’ me! Other than that, I’m gravy.”
“Wow, don’t ever scare me like that again.”
He smirked. “I’ll try, but I think I owed ya one, but now we’re even. So, did I miss anythin’?”
“No, not much. Umm, Trevor and Rachel are an item and they’re so cute together. Check this out. He told her that he didn’t like her using ‘like’ so much, and she stopped. It looks like a few of the others are pairing up as well. We continued to dig and the moat is close to being done.”
“That’s good. I hoped no one stopped workin’ because o’ me.”
“Well with the shots, you continued to sleep non-stop, only waking for another shot to drift back to sleep.” She yelled to the door. “Trevor, open the door. He’s awake!”
The sound of feet shuffling heard on the other side soon stopped to the door swinging open. Trevor looked in with sleepy eyes. “Is ‘e okay?”
She nodded. “He’s perfect.”
Laughing, he staggered in, pulling Brandon in for a tight hug. “Oh man. I’m so happy to see you awake.” There were tears in his eyes that streaked down his cheek.
He smiled. “Hey buddy. How are ya doin’?”
“It’s been rough these days just waitin’ on you to wake up. I was afraid I was gonna lose my brother.”
“It’ll take a lot more ‘an ‘at to get rid o’ me.”
He wiped his eyes as he stepped back, sniffling. “Good to hear. Are ya hungry?”
“I’m starvin’.”
“Rach an’ I’ll make ya somethin’ to eat. I know watermelon first, but we’ll make sure ya have plenty to choose when you’re hydrated.” He turned and walked out of the room, pulling Rachel with him. “Come on, baby. He’s awake. We need to cook some breakfast.”
She looked up curiously, as Trevor woke her. Sleepy eyes looked in to see Brandon. Standing, she raced in to give him a hug as well. “Oh thank God you’re okay.” She kissed his cheek. “We’ll go fix you something to eat.” Trevor waited for her at the door, holding his hand out. She turned and raced to him and the two ran upstairs to spread the good news.
Candice stood, helping him to his feet. “Come on. Everyone else wants to see you too. They’ve all been worried about you, especially Montana. I saw his head pop in and look through that window every time I was in here with you.”
He stood, wrapping his arm around her. “Aw. I’m glad we only go through this once.”
“Oh trust me. I’m happy about that as well.” She helped him upstairs to the table.
With Trevor and Rachel running through all the rooms, yelling the good news, it didn’t take long for the others to rush in and see for themselves. Sophia and Montana met him before they sat at the table and she pulled him in for a bear hug. “Oh my Lord. I knew ya were gonna survive! You’re just too good to be defeated by this.”
“I don’t know what ya put in those needles, but sleepin’ through it was the best thing anyone could’ve done for me,” he said, hugging her close to him, kissing her cheek. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re so welcome, Sweetie.”
After she finished, Montana grabbed him, pulling him into a hug, tears streaming down his face. “You’re like a son to me, boy. I’m so glad you were able to survive this thing.” He kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear. “Ya make me worry like this again an’ I’ll tan your hide.”
He smiled. “I love you too, Montana.” He sat down, picking up one of the pieces of watermelon, shoving it in his mouth. “Okay, so what’s the news? She told me about the diggin’, an’ who is with who. What else has been goin’ on?”
Mark entered, walking over, pulling him into a hug. “Damn glad to see ya!” He turned and took a seat opposite him and pointed at Candice. “Well, we found out that you an’ I won’t be fightin’ to the death for Candice.”
He arched a brow, looking from her to him. “Come again?”
“When I first got here, she had this sweet smell about ‘er.”
“Yeah, I remember that. You two kept makin’ googly eyes at each other. It kinda pissed me off, to be honest.”
Candice reached over and took a hold of his hand. “Aw baby. I’m sorry. It wasn’t something that we could help.”
Mark nodded. “Yeah, it was somethin’ I wanted. When I say I wanted it, I mean I wanted it. I was ready to do whatever it took to get ‘er.”
She nodded. “Yeah, and he had the same scent to me. It was like… had you and I not made the promise to see this together, I would’ve jumped all over him.”
Chewing slowly, Brandon nodded. “That doesn’t help me not get angry. I’m not really sure what to say about that. I take it; it’s not like that anymore?”
“Well, the thing is the moment you were attacked, he stopped smelling sweet.”
“I guess ‘at’s good for me then.”
“You had nothing to worry about, baby.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m all yours, no matter what sweet-smelling man comes through that door.
”
He smirked. “Good to know, because I don’t share.”
Mark nodded, grabbing a plate. “Yeah, she stopped bein’ such a cravin’ to me as well.” He looked over at Sophia. “You seem to know a lot about this. What does ‘at mean?”
Sitting back in her chair with coffee, she looked at the three of them while sipping. “I dunno. I’m still tryin’ to understand it because it does things ‘at most viruses don’t.”
“What do ya mean?”
“Normally, when ya get cut, your body’s the best healer an’ goes to work right away to stop the bleedin’. The blood vessels narrow, the blood comin’ outta the wound clots an’ your body releases a flood o’ chemicals. Cells clear the wound of debris over the next several days. New skin cells are created to form a barrier against bacteria an’ retain water. It then takes two to three weeks for the remodelin’ phase to begin where it replaces the layer stronger. Six months later, your skin will be seventy percent as strong as the original.”
“I didn’t know all that. So what does this virus do differently?”
“Well, when infection sets in, usually it destroys the body, it doesn’t heal. The pus isn’t meant to stop someone from dyin’. It’s our body’s natural immune system respondin’ to an infection. Normally, when there’s pus, we have to open it, an’ let it evacuate, or drain an’ then treat it with medicine. However, this one acts like stitches to stop the bleedin’, an’ ‘at confuses me. Now, when ya suffer with a burn, ya get a blister. This is a coverin’ over the injured area to protect it. It’s the body’s best defense against infection. This virus almost acts just like ‘at. Protectin’ the body.” She shook her head. “It confuses me.”
Looking around disgusted, Rachel cringed. “Can’t we have a normal breakfast conversation for once?”
“Sorry Rachel. I keep forgettin’ some people can’t talk about this an’ eat.”
“Yeah, it kind of turns my stomach to talk about disgusting bodily things while I’m eating.”
“I can only assume the sweet smell has somethin’ to do with the virus, but I’m not sure what. Maybe it’s an alert to others of more survivors?”
Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) Page 33
