Chapter 2

A/N: I am happy to see that this chapter turned out to be much longer than I thought. I was a little afraid that things would be too short, but I think I won't have a problem with it…

Thanks to my 3 reviewers! You're reviews made me feel warm and fluffy on the inside. :D

XXX

"C'mon Claire, hurry!"

I looked up, scowling at Luke, "Give me a second!" I snapped, bent over as I tied the laces on my boot. The stupid thing didn't want to stay in a knot…

Luke shuffled his feet, kicking at the dirt in a habit that was much too old for him, "Hurry." He repeated.

I made a face and went slower, making sure the knot is tight and then do the other one, just in case. He rolled his eyes at my form of rebellion and as soon as I stood up, grabbed my wrist, dragging me along.

"Careful! You're making my arm sore," I whined.

He ignored me as we continued down the street. Carmen is waiting for us on the corner, "What took you so long?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Slowpoke here," Luke nodded at me, which caused me to frown, 'Was taking her time."

I shook his grasp off, "You didn't have to wait for me."

"Of course we do," Carmen linked her arm through mine, giving me a smile, "So where to?"

Today is Saturday, meaning that students have the day off to whatever they please, in the limits of the Quarantine Zone of course. It's one of the few days that we get out of the school and can wander around the city, so they are never wasted. But today as I looked around us at the streets, my mind drew blanks.

Luke however seemed to have a good idea, "Let's go to the East End." He suggested, eyes lit up with excitement, "We haven't been there in a while."

Carmen paled, "No, definitely not there."

"Why not?"

East End was a part of the city that was mostly abandoned buildings and rubble. There were no citizens living there, legal anyways. The ghost town's buildings were still filled with artifacts from before the Infection spread. I used to love going there as a kid with Luke to look through it all. There was just one problem with it though…

"It's dangerous!" Carmen wrapped her arms around herself, shuddering, "Do you remember what happened last month? They say that the fence was breached and Infected got inside."

Suddenly, my curiosity with that part of the city diminishes. I swallowed thickly as a few ghastly pictures come to mind. Luke however, isn't deterred from his goal, "That's just a bunch of silly rumors." He scoffed, "The Military probably spread those around, to keep people out. Everyone knows that they have trouble monitoring what happens in East End."

I'm still not convinced. "Well, I'm not going," Carmen said, lips pressed tightly in a thin line, her way of saying 'don't argue'.

I nod my head, "I have to agree with her on this one, Luke. Maybe some other time."

He seemed upset, but quickly shrugged it off, "Fine, suit yourself. I'm still gonna check it out."

"You can't be serious!" I frowned.

"Yep," He seemed a little smug, "I'm glad that you two aren't going anyways. You'd just complain the whole time and ruin my fun."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Carmen's stern look is gone, replaced with worry.

"Relax, nothing's ever happened before and nothing will happen now." He crossed his arms, "Last chance to join me if you're gonna do it."

Both of us share a look before shaking our heads, "Sorry, but you're on your own for this one." I told him.

"Just be careful," Carmen warns.

A grin spreads across his face, "Me careful? You must be mistaken…." He points at the building behind us, "Let's meet back here in about…. 3 hours okay? Anyone who isn't back by that time, can walk back to the school on their own."

He waves goodbye before walking across the street and disappearing around the corner. I turned to Carmen, "So what do you want to do?"

She thought for a moment and shrugged, "Well, I've got nowhere to go, what about you?"

I shake my head, "Same here."

"Are you sure? We can go visit that place if you want…"

I stiffened at the mention of it, surprised that she would bring that up. Usually if I wanted to go there, I had to beg her to come along. Like East End, it was located in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, but at least the Military patrolled there on occasions, "Would you be okay with it?" I asked, not daring to hope.

Carmen smiled, "Well where else would we go?"

XXX

Half an hour later found us standing outside a familiar apartment. The place looked unstable, leaning a little to the left, with it's boarded and cracked windows. The main door was long gone, torn off it's hinges, leaving the main lobby open to the elements. Right now, the electricity must've been off to save it, as I could see no lights from the inside. It looked like a monster, with a gaping black hole for a mouth.

Carmen glanced at me, "Is it anything like you remember?" She asked. Usually when we came here she was quiet, too scared of what was inside the building to say anything.

I walked up the cracked sidewalk leading to the front door. Pieces of trash danced in the wind across our path, and I was careful to step over a pile of broken glass, not wanting to risk any of it getting stuck in my boots, "Yeah," I pointed to a window on the second story, "That was us."

She looked up, a surprised look coming to her eyes, "That's where you lived? It's so small."

I shrugged, "It was home. Me and my brother slept on the couch, while our parents were cramed into the back room." I shuddered slightly, "It was miserable. Too hot in the summer and not enough heat in the winter. If it stormed, the entire building would shake with the force of the wind. We could hear our neighbor's neighbors through the thin walls and a lot of Inspections happened here. If there's one thing I don't miss about my old life, it was this place."

Carmen wrapped her arms around herself. I knew she wasn't cold, but the hostile feel about this place could give anyone the shakes, "But you miss them, right?"

"Yeah, I do," Something caught in my throat and my eyes stung for a moment, but I quickly shook my head, "But I've had enough time to grieve. I have to move on."

"So do you wanna go in?"

"Never," I laughed, "C'mon let's get out of here. I prefer not to meet my apartment's new inhabitants."

Carmen didn't argue as she hurriedly followed me down the street the way we came. Oddly enough, I felt calm after seeing the apartment. Usually when I visited my old home, I would be a little on edge. Living there was not the greatest thing, but it was the only thing I had left to connect myself to them.

We turned the corner and came to a stop. A party of military men were marching our way. Carmen grabbed my arm, "What's going on?" She murmured in a low voice.

I frowned. There was only one place that was occupied in this area, and that was the apartment building. If the Militia saw us coming from that direction… "This way." I hissed tugging her back around the corner. Luckily, I don't think they spotted us.

We hurried back the way we came, past the apartment. I still somewhat knew my way around here, so I didn't hesitate when I dragged Carmen into an alley. If my memory was correct, the alley should lead back the way we came, and right behind the military party. I was relieved to see the opening at the other end. We half ran, half walked in our haste to get away.

In the distance I could hear the clatter of boots against the pavement, but I don't think they were after us yet. We burst out of the alley and darted down the street. There were no shouts from behind us, so we must've made it out without being spotted. A few minutes later in a slightly more populated area, we stopped to catch our breath.

"That was close," Carmen panted, "Too close."

"Y-yeah," I laughed nervously.

"What do you think they were doing?'

"I dunno, maybe an Inspection?"

"That was way to many for an Inspection!" Her eyes widen, "You don't think… Maybe there was a break in the fence. Maybe Infected got in."

I shook my head, "No way, the barrier is strong over there." But I found myself to be unsure. Could there have been a breach? Or were they really headed for the apartment? Why so many men?

"Hey," We glanced up in shock to see a man grinning at us. He crossed the street and stood in front of us, placing one hand on his hip as the other rubbed his chin, "What are two pretty girls like you doing in a place like this? Looks like ya'll have been running from something."

"Pretty?" A small smile crossed Carmen's face.

My eyes narrowed, instantly cautious of this man, but kept my tone light, "Oh, we were just playing a game." I give him a smile of my own, forced and tight at the corners.

"A game?" He raised one eyebrow, "You seem a little old for that…"

"Let's go Carmen," I muttered, grabbing her hand, meaning to pull her away, but to my surprise she slipped out of my grasp.

"Hold on a sec, Claire," She turned to the man smiling, "What's your name?"

I scowled, What is she doing?!

The man was still grinning as he held out his hand, which Carmen shyly took, "Elijah. Carmen and Claire, right?"

"Yep," Carmen giggled, "It's nice to meet you!"

I had enough. I placed a hand on my friend's shoulder and looked straight at Elijah, "Let's go Carmen." I said, more firmly this time, "Luke is probably waiting for us."

Elijah nodded, "I'm sorry, didn't mean to keep you from your friend." He smiled softly at Carmen, "If you're ever in the area again, I live right over there." He nodded at the building across the street, "Come and find me and I'll keep you safe from whatever you're running from." He winked.

I resisted the urge to throw something at him as I dragged Carmen away. "What a creep…" I muttered.

"What is wrong with you?" Carmen seethed, "He was just being nice!"

"Being a creepy old man is more like it!"

"He doesn't look any older then 25 at most."

I shoot her a horrified look, "Don't even go there, Carmen."

She glanced innocently at me, "What do you mean Claire?"

"Just because he said you were pretty doesn't make him a good person. Don't even think of seeing him again."

"That's so rude!" Carmen huffed, "Not everyone is bad you know."

"Maybe not," I sighed, "But a lot of them are…."

XXX

Luke was waiting for us at the meeting point, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, "Geez, what took you so long?" He exclaimed as he spotted us.

"Well…" Carmen began.

"Nothing," I cut her off, "We were wandering around, and we lost track of time." Carmen shoots me a surprised look but I ignore it as I look to Luke, "I thought you said that anyone that wasn't back in 3 hours would have to walk back to the school on their own."

"Yeah," He rubbed the back of his neck, "But since I was the only one here, I thought I'd give you a little more time before heading back." He laughed, "I actually thought you guys had left me, and were already at the school!"

Carmen shook her head, "No, it's just like Claire said… We lost track of time, that's all."

Luke glanced suspiciously between the two of us, "You're hiding something aren't you?" Neither of us answer and he shrugged, "I'll get it out of you eventually… Anyways, let's get going. It's starting to get dark I think."

I nod and follow him down the street. Carmen walks beside me, occasionally glancing over at me with a worried look. I know she wants to know what's wrong, but I'm in no mood to talk to her. I was still upset over the fact that she had completely brushed off my warning about Elijah.

Luke walked ahead of us, arms crossed behind his head as he moved. He seemed so calm and at ease, unlike the others around us. Most hurried along, heads bowed, anxious to get to wherever they were going, but not Luke. He liked to stop and stare at things, not even attempting to look like a meek and simpleminded citizen like most would. It almost reminded me of a peacock, a strange and colorful bird I had spotted in a book once, amongst pigeons. So proud and blissfully unaware.

He stopped midstep, surprising us. I nearly bumped into him and frowned, tugging on his shirt, "Hey, what are you doing? You can't just stop like that!" I look up at his face, "Luke, what is it?"

"Over there," He murmured, jerking his chin in the direction.

Carmen and I peek around him at the other side of the street. A military car was parked in front of the building, shouts and screams coming from inside. A few minutes later two Militia men walk out, guns pointed at three civilians.

"Down on the ground!" One of the Militia shouts, jabbing the butt of his rifle into an older man's back. The man cried out in pain, collapsing to his knees.

"We need to get out of here." Carmen whimpered, voice shaking with fear.

I agreed with her, but found I couldn't move. My eyes were fixed on the other Militia man. He seemed strangely familiar for some reason. And then I realized it. Beneath the buzz cut and cold look, was our old friend, "Ricky!" I gasped, shocked.

"Shh!" Luke hissed.

"Check them," The militia man, obviously in charge, ordered Ricky.

The boy pulled out a scanner like instrument that I knew could detect the Infection. Had these people actually caught it, or was this another random Inspection? My stomach turned to think that our friend was now a part of this. Ricky set the scanner first against the older man's back. It let out a strange clicking noise that lasted a couple of seconds, then cut off. He moved on to the next one, an older woman. My heart hammered in my chest as I watched, too terrified to move. I didn't realize it, but I had grabbed Luke's arm. My fingers dug into his skin as the woman was cleared and Ricky moved onto the next one, a boy around the same age as him.

The boy was shaking, I could tell from being across the street. His eyes were wide with raw fear. The older man, most likely a relative, was murmuring out of the corner of his mouth, probably trying to soothe him. I saw the kid's mouth work, but words weren't coming out. It seemed like hours past as Ricky placed the scanner against his back. An eternity passed, when the machine gave out a low pitched whine. The woman began to sob as Ricky's partner hauled the boy to his feet. He dragged him out to the middle of the street, and shoved him back down onto his knees.

"Get over here!" He barked at our friend. Ricky took slow cautious steps, leaving the other two behind. The man placed an arm around the woman's shoulders, whispering in her ear. Ricky's eyes darted back and forth and then finally settled on us. His eyes widen in recognition and his mouth form a small 'o' as he stopped next to the man and boy.

"It's time for your initiation kid," The man smiled, twistedly, "Shoot him."

A gasp escaped my lips and Carmen moaned, "No, this isn't happening. He can't…. Ricky can't…"

"Quiet." Luke murmured. He locked eyes with Ricky. Only after a few days, our friend had changed. He was pale and looked like he was gonna be sick. What can I do? I screamed in my head, What is HE going to do?! I didn't want to watch but found I still couldn't look away.

"We don't have all day!" The military man snapped, shoving Ricky forward, "Get on with it!"

He stumbled catching himself right in front of the boy. The kid looked up at him, "Please…" He croaked, "Please don't do this to me. I don't wanna die, I don't. I've done nothing wrong. It's not my fault that he bit me." Tears streamed down his cheeks, "You can't do this to me. Pl-please…"

Ricky swallowed, slowly standing up. He licked his licks and looked to us once more. He looked down at the kid and pulled the gun up, No! I screamed inside my head Stop! Stop him! He aimed the gun, hand going down to the trigger. Suddenly I found I could move, but instead of running towards my friend, I turned and ran away.

A shot echoed behind me and I panicked, He's shooting at me! No, he wasn't. He was shooting at the boy. The crying defenseless boy. I ran harder, breath choked with sobs. I tripped and stumbled, hands scraping against the pavement, but I got up and kept going. I didn't even know if Luke and Carmen were behind me and at that moment I didn't care. I wanted to get away, to wipe the image out of my mind, but it stayed there, a permanent scar in my head, just like all the others.

The gates of the school loomed into view. I hadn't even realized I had been heading in this direction. Instinct had taken over I guess. I burst through the iron gates and stopped at the tree. One week ago, the four of us had sat here laughing. Now, one of us was a killer. I leaned against the bark, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I curled up, wrapping my arms around my legs and sobbed. Not Ricky… Why him? I couldn't forget it. The look on his face. He had been tormented, but if hadn't have shot, he would've been in trouble. Better the kid's life then his own right?

A face swam into view and I realized Luke was bent over me, asking me if I were okay, "No I am not okay!" I cried, "Ricky… Ricky, he-" I hiccupped.

"I know," Luke pulled me against him. "He's Military now, he had no choice. And pretty soon it'll be the same for us." He added on as a bitter after thought.

I shook my head, "N-no I don't want that…"

"I don't either," Carmen whimpered. I could see her over Luke's shoulder, wringing her hands together.

Luke's arms, still wrapped around me, tightened, "I won't allow it." He hissed, "Ricky may have given up, but I haven't. I won't ever be one of them."

I hope not. I couldn't see Luke, our peacock Luke, holding a gun against the head of a crying child on the intent to kill. I buried my face into his shoulder and cried, "I'm so scared…."

A/N: On an endnote, this chapter probably would've been out sooner if it had saved the first time. I had to write the first half of this chapter twice because of it. :/

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