Disease
Chapter 18: Count On You

The next day I was glad that I didn’t wake up from a nightmare. To be honest, despite now living in what seems to be a pre-apocalyptic world now I feel a bit happy knowing that I can finally get out of this room and see the rest of my friends. However, when I got downstairs and saw that everyone was already there I didn’t think that I would be disappointed after feeling the heavy atmosphere clouding the whole room.

I can see that they are smiling and greeting each other after not being able to see nor talk to others for a week but there is this tension surrounding us that made me realize that just like me they are feeling indifferent about our situation right now and just glad to be able to finally go out and talk to someone.

“Good morning.” I greeted them as they greeted me and just on cue Elora just ran towards me and trapped me in a bear bug.

“Myla!” she cried, “I missed you!”

“I missed you too.” I replied almost tear-eyed as I hugged her back.

I made small conversations with her along with the others until Jaden and Logan finally arrived as the tension increased and the whole room was then enveloped in silence. Logan looked at each one of us already knowing that he must address the situation we are in right now. Jaden nodded at Logan as he joined us who was waiting for Logan to have the ‘speech.’

“I was planning on announcing it after breakfast but since you are all already here I thought I’d say it now instead.” he said as I saw in the corner of my eye my best friend smiling at him as if encouraging him to continue. He smiled back combing his hair before returning his attention to the rest of us.

He let out a heavy breath before continuing, “As you all know what Aspen and the others found out about this ‘disease’ is true. Theo has finally turned into one of them and is chained in the garage.”

I saw him sneaking a glance at Vince who was sitting in the corner. He has a 5 o’clock shadow on his face drinking with what looks like coffee in a mug but after talking to Logan last night I know that what is inside that mug is different. His hair is disheveled and he is just staring at nowhere deep in thought.

“Now that a week has passed and there isn’t anything unusual with anybody’s behavior we can conclude that the disease can only be transmitted through biting. So, it’s safe to say that everybody is not infected.”

Everybody let out a heavy breath relief knowing that there is nothing wrong with any of us.

“But... We still have to take precautions since we don’t know if it’s the only way the disease can be transmitted. We cleaned the car that the others used when they got to the city and removed the blood stains to make sure that we couldn’t contact anything. Just like what Aspen and I talked about the other day, if it’s biting it means that the flesh must be exposed in order for it to be transmitted which means even scratches are possible. We checked everyone who was contacted by the diseased people and there aren’t any visible scratches so we are all right, for now.”

“What do you mean for now?” Natasha asked.

“Well... we tried to drive around the city to see the scale of this disease and tried to get a signal so that we’d be able to contact anybody but... sadly there aren’t any services nor any indication that this would stop in the near future. Everyone was just like the others ‘sick’.”

“Are you able to meet any survivors? Maybe get some information about what is happening. Our families...”

Logan shook his head, “I apologize but we couldn’t.”

There was dead silence surrounding the room. Every one of us doesn’t have a clue with what is happening beyond this city nor with our families. I am sure just like me they are all worried. As far as we know we are the only survivors left.

“What are we going to do now?” Sebastian asked.

“I suggest we try to survive here in the forest until everything subsides. We could try to build a wall in the meantime to protect this place. Jaden and I finally started planning the structure and since now that finally 1 week has passed everyone can now help.”

“How about Theo?” Nikita asked. I felt a bit better now hearing her voice after so long. It’s only been a week but I was so worried about her after the incident that happened. I too have been having nightmares and felt uncomfortable alone in my room. I know she feels the same way after the attack. I just hope she is a bit better now.

Logan looked at Vince again who was supposed to be sitting alone on the sofa the last time I saw him but now he is gone. He let out a heavy breath looking at each one of us.

“We can’t risk everyone’s safety even if Theo is chained downstairs it could be dangerous. Just like what happened to Myla before that’s why we decided to...” Logan gulped pausing for a few seconds before continuing, “Execute him.”

Gasps were heard in the entire room but no one spoke shock with what he said.

“We’ve finally gotten Vince’s permission but we decided that we voted instead to make things equal. That’s why we waited for a week so that everybody can agree all together.”

We all looked at each other waiting for someone to say something. As if they are afraid to be judged on what decision they will be making. I understand them after all we only have each other left and they don’t want to cause a drift within the group.

“How about his parents?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Still no clue. Tried also contacting the rest of the group’s friends and family members but nothing.”

“If I were Theo’s parents I wouldn’t want my kid to be killed just because he is sick. We should at least replace a cure, Logan.”

“I understand what you are trying to say, Myla but we don’t know anything about this disease. We can’t risk the others being infected.”

“But we also can’t risk the possibility of killing him when we can cure him.”

There was dead silence. Logan combed his hair, indicating that he is thinking. My gaze then moved to the rest of the group but they all looked away not wanting to make eye contact. Until my gaze then landed on Aspen and our eyes locked. We stared at each other for a few seconds before sighing.

“I agree with Myla. We should at least try to replace a cure. Not only for Theo but for all of us in case we get infected.”

I nodded at him muttering, “Thank you.”

“How?” Olivia asked.

“We’ll try to go back to the city and look for clues. Our company has a branch here. Maybe they kept documents stored there and we’d replace a cure.”

“But we’ll also risk getting infected. How do you propose we go there safely?” Natasha answered.

“Well Logan does have guns downstairs.” Sebastian replied as we all turned our attention to him and he just shrugged.

“We can’t kill them.” I said, “We’re doing this to replace a cure for Theo and just like him they are sick too. Killing them would just be the same as killing him.”

Just because we know Theo we must make an exemption but that’s just wrong. It’s still the same, the only difference is that the others are just strangers to us.

“We kill them if they attack us. It’ll be just self-defense, Myla.” Jaden replied.

I bit my lip contemplating but eventually nodded. He does have a point. If we don’t defend ourselves we will just end up just like them. It’s either them or us. But despite thinking that I don’t know why but I feel something heavy in my chest.

“Only if they attack us first.” I replied as the rest of the group nodded.

“Any other concerns?” Logan asked.

“Yeah. I do.” Erica said, raising her hand to gain attention, “Who will go there? There is no way that I’d volunteer to join them and risk my life.”

“I’ll go.” I replied, “I suggested that I would take responsibility.”

“I’ll join Myla.” Aspen answered, “It is my company after all.”

“I’ll come with.” Logan volunteered and automatically I saw worry in my best friend’s eye but she didn’t say anything respecting his decision.

“No.”

Logan furrowed his brow so was the rest of the group, “Why?”

“It’s too dangerous. We need you here to guard the others.”

“B-But.”

Aspen didn’t reply but looked at him with a stern expression so Logan just nodded agreeing with him.

“Anyone else?” Logan just asked instead.

“It’s fine Logan, Myla and I can take care of it, we’re just going to retrieve information. Besides, you guys need to start making the fence for everyone’s safety.”

Logan nodded, “Okay. We’ll count on the two of you.”