Friends Against The World (Book 1): Bite Me

by Walters, Geneva

  Liam and Xavier had also fixed the laundry room and set up clothing lines. On good weather days people took turns doing some washing and hanging on the lines to dry, to save the solar panels some stress. Some houses nearby had solar panels on them, so Liam and Anthony tracked down a good few more. Installing some, then storing some just in case.

  “Geneva, want some of your cake?” Idris’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts, and I smile and nod.

  He cuts me a slice and the rest line up, then sit down after they get theirs.

  “To good health!” I toast, and people laugh, cheering with me.

  I sip the champagne that my friends procured from somewhere, and we all had a small glass, nothing impairing. I dig into the cake I would later learn was made by Sonji, Lynx, Bella and Avyanna. The four had become closer after bonding over their mutual love of baking. No one felt like they didn’t belong, and everyone felt as if they knew each other forever, not just a bit.

  “Thank you all for everything you have done. We are now safer than ever, and I could see us living here for a while. It feels so good, and you all deserve thanks for everything you have done.” I say, and everyone nods.

  “We are just happy you are here to celebrate with us.” Lynx announces and shares a rare smile with me. “I couldn’t have imagined a better group showing up to save our hides.”

  “Or to take in two complete strangers.” Bella added, and Phoenix agreed.

  “Here’s to new friends and old, and hopefully more to come. We could become a colony easily.” Liam plans, and Lee slaps his back.

  “Man; stay in the present. Where we are healthy or healing, and together still.” Lee admonishes, then smiles at me.

  “Geez guys, I only almost died. And gained a wicked battle scar.” I motion to my weak knee, and people laugh.

  Chapter 66

  Suddenly a bell toll rings through the halls, and Anthony draws his knife. He points to Lee, Idris, Lynx and Phoenix to come with him. They nod, and line up behind them. They disappear out of the cafeteria, and everyone else goes into defensive mode. Liam and Xavier moved me to the center and two sat on each side. We then sat back to wait, and soon Lee comes back through the doors, Lynx and then five unfamiliar faces. Idris, Phoenix and Anthony come back to our side, and I observe the newcomers.

  The first person is a lovely girl with bright purple hair, reaching her waist. She has green eyes and has two swords strapped to her back, the handles showing through her hair. She has on a leather jacket and ripped jeans. The light glints off the rings pierced through her nose, lip and eyebrow, and she gives me a smile, showing straight teeth.

  The second is a tall, handsome boy. He looks to be over six foot, with dusty, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His arms show the hint of strengthening workouts, and he gives me a smile, dimples carved deep in each cheek. He has a large gun strapped to his hip and is wearing a long, brown travelling cloak with beige pants and a green shirt.

  The third is a stocky, redheaded man with a charming smile. He has green eyes and large black glasses. He has a sword strapped to his side and a gun to the other. His arms are thick with muscle and he has a bookbag strapped to his back. He is wearing a suede jacket and black jeans.

  She is a beautiful, fiery, pinked haired lady with dainty lips and expressive eyes. She has two curved, mean looking daggers strapped to a belt criss-crossing her body, the handles snapped in and facing downwards. Her brown eyes observe me in curiosity. She has on a ripped dress, tank top and leggings peeking through, and huge motorcycle boots.

  The last is a lovely girl with long, pin-straight, thin brown hair. She has beautiful honey eyes and a huge gun strapped to her back. She gives me a smile as she leans against the table, not noticing James’s eyes drinking her in hungrily. Her jacket rustles as she leans back, wearing a black t-shirt underneath and a pair of khaki pants.

  “Team meet the one’s we spoke with on the radio.” Anthony gestures in that order and calls out names. “This is Galexai, Dustin, Alexander, Jessa and Rachel. They are from Tillsonburg, and they just got here. I have offered them to stay as long as they need, provided they help with chores. We agreed it is fair, so tonight Liam and Lee will get them settled in the guest rooms with the mattresses we kept as spares. Do what you need to make them comfortable. Dainan has volunteered to tune your vehicles if needed and we just ask you take parts in night watches. They are only two hours and if you need a break we accommodate. We only ask you to participate if you stay longer than three days. Of course, we are willing to welcome you permanently too, as per discussed.”

  Idris walks up and offers his handshake, and Dustin returns it, facing us. “We thank you so much, and are so happy we have found survivors like you. We were planning on staying for good, if possible. We are willing to wait a grace period of a week before then petitioning to join.”

  Idris nods. “You seemed nice on the radios, but we appreciate the respect and freedom. Let’s live like comrades and forget the deadline for the time being. We were just having a party if you wish to join, or we can deal with your stuff first. Totally up to you.”

  “Let me lock the cars, and sure, we will party for a bit.” He holds out his hand and Dustin and Jessa drop cars keys in his palm. “Be right back!”

  The group of them shrug off their jackets and pile them on an unused table, and then go to each person and chat with them. I dig back into my cake and chat with Violet, Sonji, and Xavier while we wait for them to come. We just rearranged the chairs and pulled a table close and had a pretty good friendship circle coming. I motion to quiet down as the five of them come our way.

  Sonji scoots her chair back as they walk up, Jessa in front, followed by Dustin, Alexander, Rachel then Galexai. I smile at them, my knee propped up in front of me with two chairs and a pillow under the joint.

  “Hello! Nice to meet you at last.” Xavier greeted, and Jessa returned it.

  “Glad to find you guys, its so nice to have more people to rely on. Plus, you have an amazing set up, we are in awe of how established you are.”

  “Thanks, we appreciate that. We can show you everything as the week goes on.” Violet says, exchanging a smile as well. “We hope you can feel at home, we will always welcome more hands. By the way, I am Violet, and this is Xavier, Sonji and Geneva”

  “We really appreciate that.” Dustin says, placing his hand over his heart. “After our parents got infected at a concert we have only had each other since then. Other people to help is amazing.”

  Galexai comes near me and kneels. “Mind if I ask what happened, Geneva?”

  I laugh and grab Xavier’s hand. “We went on a raid and had some assholes threaten us, and I ended up getting shot in the knee. Then forced the team to learn reconstructive surgery in six hours. Also, I am now the first step towards becoming a robot.”

  As I tell my tale the newcomers look in awe at our group, and Galexai stars at the scar. “I would love to learn how you did that. We have something we can offer in return.”

  She gestures to Alexander, who pulls out a small bag, emptying it on a table to show several vials of a yellow liquid. “My town had an emergency center set up and we actually got very close to cracking a cure based off the blood we received. The weekend the outbreak happened there was a conference of medical professionals, and they all pitched in. It is quoted to be almost eighty percent effective. The center was taken down by a hoard of infected, and we five are the only survivors we have heard of. If you can teach us the skills you have learned, we will work on this cure with you to create it and an immunity shot.”

  Xavier’s eyes widen, and Galexai handed him a vial, observing it in the light. “With this much cure potential, we can combine the knowledge and have it in weeks, not years.”

  Sonji cheers, and Jessa puts her hand up to stop her. “That’s not even the best part, we have the sheets of formulas and thoughts.”

  Alexander pulls the backpack off his pack and digs into it, dropping a large binder in front of Sonji. �
�Everything should be there, they were meticulous.”

  The whole circle cheers now, as the news spread people came to see it, hearing the story again but being happy each time. Soon the night is upon us and Lee, with Liam, leaves to help them get settled in. Xavier and Violet walk me back to the nurse’s office and helps me into bed. He kisses me, and they leave to sleep, me insisting I was okay to sleep alone. This time I sink into sleep without fear, excited for the days ahead.

  Chapter 67

  “Good morning sleeping beauty.” Violet’s voice breaks through my slumber.

  The smell of bacon causes me to open my eyes and check, finding Violet standing beside my bed. I push the blankets down and stretch, my knee aching in protest. Violet drops a sweater and pair of sweatpants at my feet, and she helps me change.

  “Thanks, I hate being the one taken care of.” I say, and she giggles.

  “I know but let us help you. Between Xavier and I we bathed you for weeks, don’t worry about being embarrassed. He always made sure a girl changed your personal clothing.” She winked, before pulling my arm over her left shoulder. “Now, I am strong like a dancer, feel free to lean on me and we will make our way towards breakfast!”

  I smirk, sitting on the side of the bed, adjusting my shirt, before standing, holding the side of the bed with my right. Violet helps me right myself then we begin to walk, my slightly whimpering from the night’s soreness in my knee. At least the skin was healed now, and I already noticed myself getting stronger. Lynx worked with me twice a day for an hour, helping me build muscle gently. Quiyl joining us in the hall and walking on my good side.

  One thing I noticed while walking is the lack of feeling I still had on one side. The very right half of my leg had no feeling, nor could some of my toes fully flex anymore. Lynx and I kept that to ourselves though, wanting to make sure the others were proud of their work.

  “Morning Geneva.” Anthony greeted, holding the door for me, his other arm around Avyanna.

  “Morning dude! Breakfast smells amazing!” I say, and we all walk through together.

  Violet lets me take on my full weight and I walk over to where the breakfast is set out, buffet style. The five newcomers now joined us at the main table, another pushed beside to make room. We all sat in two lines, the tables running down the middle. Xavier had a spot left beside him, and he helps me slide in, supporting my weight as I pull my leg across the bench, Phoenix taking my plate and placing it on the table. Jessa stares, her eyes sad as I settle myself. I grab my fork and pretend not to see, gesturing for the salt.

  “Morning all, I hope you slept well.” I announce, meeting their eyes with hopefully a welcoming look.

  “Lee and Liam did amazing, I haven’t been that comfortable since home.” Alexander says cheerfully, already pouring himself a second cup of coffee. “Oh, my caffeine love, how I have missed thou.”

  “Really. To a beverage.” Dustin says sarcastically. “You have never looked so happy to see me.”

  “Oh darling, this inspires a differently kind of love.” He says back, and Dustin chuckles.

  I trade confused looks with Xavier, and Galexai laughs.

  “They have never kissed, and they are both straight. This is just the friendship, even though others may find it strange.”

  “See Liam, its not weird.” Lee announces, and Liam facepalms.

  We all chuckle at this and dig into the food, trading general chatter and getting to know people better. Xavier and Galexai trade medical stories as I chat with Alexander about Tillsonburg, being a close town to my father. As the last fork is dropped on the plate Idris stands, Violet beside him.

  “Good morning to all, we hope you all slept well. Today we are just going to resume business as usual, with finding out what our new friends like to do and finding a good chore to help out if you do not mind.” Idris turns to the five, who nod, smiling. “Thank you. Come find me after we finish, and we will start our chores after we have assigned those five. Today we are planning a raid to Hamilton, to find more tools and gather valuable material. We have already picked three people and they know who they are. We have agreed that they will come back in six hours or wait until daylight and send an emergency crew. We heard some chatter on the radio about the hospital doors are open, raid what we can and to gather some construction tools. We wish you to have a great day and stay safe.”

  Violet comes over to the five and Xavier turns to me, a slight look of regret on his face. My gut drops, immediately knowing what that means. “You are apart of the raiding crew, aren’t you?”

  Chapter 68

  “They need me in case of medical emergencies and the hospital raid. It just made sense. I will have Anthony and Lynx with me, they have the most close-combat experience. You are left in good hands, and I am safe with them.”

  My eyes fill with tears and his poker face cracks, gently caressing my cheek and wiping a tear with his thumb, sighing, hearing my soft voice. “I don’t want to be without you, and I am scared you won’t come back.”

  “If love is what drags me back here so be it, trust me, and just send love to the skies for me. I know this isn’t the end of us, I know I will see your blue eyes again.” He kisses me, then pulls back to whisper the last few words. “I love you, my beautiful one. Forever.”

  I sigh, knowing his mind is made up, before nodding, hoping to be convincing. “I trust you and love you too.”

  “I will see you in six hours, keep watch for me. Promise me, no worrying.”

  “You know I can’t promise that.” I mumble tearfully, before looking to him again. “But I will do my best to stay occupied. Come back to me.”

  He salutes, then walks off, sliding his shotgun home in his shoulder holster. Avyanna and Sonji come to stand by my chair, one of their hands resting on each of my shoulders.

  “They will come back to use, right?” Sonji asks, a vulnerable tone in her voice.

  “They have too, they promise.” Avyanna assures, then squeezes my shoulder. “Now then, if I told you I found a wheelchair in the school would you love me or hate me. Just in case you have a horrible day with pain.”

  I reach up and place my hand over hers. “I appreciate it, darling. Let me walk for now but if you can, put it in the front hall just in case.”

  Liam comes up to me next, sitting where Xavier was. He gestures gently for me to roll my pant leg up, wanting to make sure it still felt right. I do, wincing a tad over a hurting spot. He gently runs his fingers around my knee. When Xavier explained what they had done, I couldn’t believe it. But watching Liam run his fingers expertly over where the metal would be below my skin, I can see it.

  “Feels good, I will stop caressing you now.” He laughs, and I roll my pant leg back down, noticing Galexai’s gaze on the scar.

  “It’s okay, you can ask him about it.” I tell her, and she lapses into conversation, him miming what he had designed for my knee, Anthony double checking his work and metal type for safety.

  Violet walks over to me and shoos Liam away, his eyes all on Galexai as they discuss the functions. “Want to help me and Sonji in the greenhouse?”

  “I think I can make it there.” I say, and Sonji shakes her head.

  “You had a serious infection, we don’t want to overwork your knee, so it gets rejected by your cells.”

  I sigh, then notice Avyanna has set up the wheelchair. I stand up on one leg and settle myself in, placing the seatbelt across, buckling myself in. Sonji helps strap my leg in, leaving the other pedal level with the floor for ease. I settle in, Sonji taking over wheeling me out of the door.

  “I never got the chance to thank you for keeping me calm that day.” Sonji told me, and I smiled.

  “No problem. I am just glad we all survived…mostly intact.” I giggle, and Violet laughs.

  “Geez. Well anyways, we did some updates to the greenhouse because you were pulling a sleeping beauty and couldn’t approve. Sonji had great ideas, and Anthony and James helped too.” She announced, opening the d
oors all the way to the greenhouse. “Voila.”

  The plants were now almost all over a foot tall, with string leading up to the ceiling. They had oiled the roof vents and set up a pulley system to open and shut them, attached to wooden boards across the rafters. The string had been attached to the plants to keep them straight, and they had set up a full hydroponic system with giant vats of water. Everything had been automated as well, me noticing new wiring running to some sensors.

  “Liam is amazing at electronics, and wanted to make this in honour of you, to help you when you came back to us.” I smile at Violet’s explanation, reminding myself to hug Liam later. “He figured out some sensors after they raided another garden sensor, being inspired by one of the teacher’s manuals we found in the classroom.”

  “That’s impressive.” I say and admire the way the readings are all within easy view, and adjustable screens.

  “He is very caring of his friends, even if he doesn’t always show it. It took us about a week but helps so much.” I smile, feeling the plant from the end of the trough, the wheelchair too wide to fit in-between. “We have had lots of success, being able to even preserve seeds in case of a rainy day. We made an emergency storage in the old freezer, turning out to only be a blown fuse that stopped it from working. Liam managed to run the line, so it ran to two separate solar panels, so even if the rest of the system went down the freezer would stay on. Then ran it to a generator as plan C.”

  “That’s a lot of back-ups. Good.” I say approvingly. “Now, lets hear those wonder statistics.”