I shake feeling completely horrified. To make it worse Eli keeps watching me as I rock back and forth crying. The only thing we can hear is the sounds, the moans, the screaming, coming from mostly likely the sick people, or possibly dead people. I continued to sob, and looked at the ground. I look up though once I felt someone take me in their arms. I catch my breath thinking Eli is holding me, I smiled weakly as the person took me in their arms. I felt him walk over to the bed, and lay me down. Possibly because he didn't want Imogen's blood on me, which is good because it's gross to hear that. Once I was placed on the bed, I looked up and saw Jake pulling me close. My smile dropped as I started shaking back and forth, hugging him back. Shivering, because I was so scared, I swore I saw Eli looking jealous and pissed off at the sight of me and Jake. I couldn't help but think of what would have happened if Eli haven't helped us when we were running to the "Dead end". We could have possibly died, but we didn't die and it was all thanks to Eli. I know he still has something for me, I just don't know what.
"We have to get out of here." Jake mumbled over my head. His head was on mine, as I was crying into his shirt. I gripped tighter on to him not wanting to listen to what he had to say. Eli met his graze and nodded. I refused to believe this but still wondered what was going to happen next. We can't get out of here, we have to wait until help comes! If we don't we could all die.
"We can't go out there. You saw what happened, you heard what Imogen did. No let's stay here until help comes." I pleaded, just wanting to forget all this was even happening. Right now I'm perfectly fine with Jake here, and Eli. I pulled away from Jake, and looked over at Eli with teary eyes. He shook his head.
"We don't know if help is going to come and we can't stay in here. I'm not sure how everyone got sick but I'm sure being stuck in a room with someone who was sick and bleeding everywhere can't be good. We can't risk staying here." Eli said as he looked over at Imogen, making me feel uneasy. It's not his fault that he had to kill her, but knowing he had feelings for her hurt, even with her dead. But what he said made sense. I shuddered at the thought of getting what she did, and Eli having to fight me off too.
"Okay but where do we go afterwards? This things has affected the whole town. What if some didn't go to the hospital? Or worse those that did get out? There are too many of them to fight off." I argued, making him stop looking at Imogen and back at me, I glared at him and my jaw clinched, I was really ready to fight him right then and there. And right now as much as I didn't want to be in this room, I didn't want to face what was out there even more.
"Clare we can't risk getting sick too. He's right we have a higher risk staying in here then going some place else. We can go to my place." Jake replied calmly to me, drawing my attention away from Eli and to him. He placed a hand on my shoulder, which I relaxed to his touch and glanced up softly at him. I knew it was hard for him to agree with Eli on anything after how much he's told me he despises him. I couldn't imagine what seeing his parents the way we had has done to him.
"No we go to mine. Cece and Bullfrog should be home soon. They can't come home to this unprepared." Eli argued, I looked back at him and gasped, partly from the look he was unable to hide and partly from his words. I knew Eli enough to know he wouldn't want to stay at Jake's, this time I'd have to agree with him. Like, what if they get into a fight? And Eli loses? And get's hurt? NO! I don't want that. But what caught my attention the most was the thought of his parents get hurt too? No! I always loved CeCe; she was always so nice to me. I care for her so much. I almost threw up at the thought of never hearing his dad call me Clarebelle again. I nodded quicker then I expected. I heard Eli sighed with relief, and smiled softly.
"Jake he's right we can't let them come home blind, what if they get hurt?" I pleaded at Jake, who was glaring at Eli, making me want to hit him.
"Why don't you go to your house and me and Clare go to mine. We don't have to stay together. I can take care of Clare and you can take care of your parents." Jake growled at Eli. I frowned at the rage that laced his words, apparently he doesn't like the idea of going to Eli's house as much as Eli disliked him going with us to Jake's. Well, he's just going to have to get over that…Because I'm worried about his parents, and if anything, they would be for me too.
"No Jake I want to make sure they are okay. They are the closest thing to authority we'll have. Jake I can't deal with this with just us." I confessed, just wanting the fighting to stop, I looked up at him as I said that, just about to cry again. Eli look at me shocked, like he wanted to help me.
"Clare your…" He started, but I cut him off. "Mom was sick. Dad met us here. I left them... Eli I left them to go with Jake, to find his parents. They're all gone. We found Jake's dad attacking his mom. Mom and Dad were in the waiting room when everything happened." I answered with a whimper, and the worst fear ever, my parents were gone. I had no one close, I couldn't let that happen to Eli too.
"I'm so sorry" He said, lost of all his words, like he didn't know what else to say. I hope he notices how broke I am without my parents, their my everything, I don't know what I'll do without them.
"Okay fine we'll go to Eli's but we have to stop at our houses to get some things. I don't know how long we'll be there and no offense but I don't want to wear your clothing and I don't want to make Clare wear it either." Jake started with anger, looking really pissed off that I agreed to go to Eli's. Again, He's just going to have to get over that. And as for wearing Eli's clothing I wouldn't really mind, I love wearing Eli's clothes, they smell safe and are very warm. Eli frowned, but nodded afterwards.
We all jumped once we heard pounding on the door, I covered my mouth to stop from screaming. I saw Jake look at Eli, and tried to get his attention by pointing at the roof. He pinned his eyebrows together in confusion, but nodded senseless. He stepped up onto the bed beside us, and started pushing on the titles. Oh, I hope he isn't doing what I think he is. I wouldn't want him getting hurt or us for that matter. The thought made me cry even harder, to our surprise, the titles moved and it looked to have lots of room for all of us to crawl through it. Eli poked his head in for a sec or two, before looking back out and looked at me, while I looked at him curiously. To see what he would do next, hopefully nothing bad.
"I think we'll have to go one at a time." He whispered. "The paneling won't be able to hold all three of us. I could go first and text directions to you." He said, while taking out his phone and putting it on silence. My eyes went wide as I realized he was going to do what I thought. Jake however, nodded, how the hell did they suddenly get on the same page? We could get hurt! Badly too… And plus, I forgot my phone at home.
"I don't have my phone." I said, looking over at Jake. He shook his head with disbelief, making me frown. He must have caught that I was going to try and use that as an excuse for us to not go.
"What?" Eli asked, obviously shocked by my statement.
"I was in such a hurry, I left it at home." I explained. Now it was time for Eli to frown, well what's wrong with people these days? I forgot my phone, don't judge me.
"Here!" Jake called out, before walking over to the desk that had a prescription on in and a blue pen. I pinned my eyebrows together and threw him a quick glare realizing he was countering my argument. "You can text it to me and I can write it down. She can take my phone just incase she needs help she can call you. I'll take the paper." He said, as he wrote down his number on the sheet of paper.
"Alright then. I guess off I go." Eli said sadly, and was about to jump up. But I stopped him before he could, by placing my hand on his arm. He turned to look at me. I held by breath as I met his deep green eyes. The very eyes I've been dreaming about these past monts. I stood next to him and pulled him into a desperate hug, I clung to him like my life depended on it. Because I was scared, scared of what he was about to do, I didn't care what it looked like in that moment, all that matter was he was holding me back.
"Be careful." I whispered, and stood back quickly, embarrassed that I was being so emotional and senseless. How could I be so needy? Jake was here with me after all. I looked down at the floor, blushing as Eli lifted my chin up to make me look at him.
"Don't worry about me Blue Eyes." Eli replied, colliding our eyes together. I love how green and sparkly his eyes always are around me. And every time I look at Eli, he always looks like he's still in love with me. He broke our contract by looking over at Jake.
"Turn your phone on silence before you give it to her." And with that, he hoisted his body up and into the ceiling. I couldn't help but feel really sad that he had to leave, why not Jake? I pinned my eyebrows together realizing how horrible my thoughts were. I'd risk Jake's safety for Eli's?
"Clare? Are you okay?" Jake asked placing a hand over my shoulder. I shook my head and looked up at him.
"I'm terrified Jake." I gasped at him before breaking down into tears again. He clutched me to his chest and I released all my emotions onto his shirt soaking it in a matter of minutes.
"Shit!" Jake cursed softly over my head. I brought my face away from his chest and gave him a questioning look. "Eli doesn't know my number." He stated frowning at the mistake. "I have to go. I have to follow him." He stated patting his pockets as if searching for something. Turns out it was his phone. He pulled it out of his pocket and then handed it too me. I gasped at him not wanting to take the phone. "Clare take it." He demanded thrusting it into my hand. I let out a sob as I looked down at it. "Listen to me, stay put and stay quiet until you hear from me okay." He stated and pulled me in for a tight uncomfortable hug. I coughed out air as he released me. He leaned down and placed a timid kiss on my cheek before turning to the ceiling too that Eli had just disappeared into only ten minutes prior.
I again watched as someone important hoisted themselves up into the ceiling and disappeared leaving me feeling helpless, abandoned and alone. I cried silently into my hands. I collapsed clinching Jake's phone in my hand and pulling my knees to my chest. I stared at he foot prints Eli left on the bed spread. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to ignore the fact Imogen was laying not even a few feet from me dead. How the hell did all this happen?
I sat trying to cover my sobs as another person began to bang on the door. I couldn't move the shelf by myself even if I wanted to so I couldn't help the person on the other side. No guilt right... I shook my head as I saw the door knob twisting and turning. Who or what ever it was really wanted in here. I rocked back and forth feeling terrified that I was left alone. What if something happened to Eli or Jake and neither of them could come back and get me. I didn't want to stay in this room with Imogen, I hadn't wanted to while she was alive, the feeling was intensified now that she was dead and bleeding everywhere. I felt the walls closing in on me as the thought of neither of them returning for me continued to haunt my head.
All of a sudden Jake's phone began to ring and I screamed, covering my mouth as I realized I didn't turn it on silent. I scrambled to open it up and frowned when I saw it wasn't Eli but Drew. I answered it after the third ring and practically screeched Drew's name. I was hoping he could help us. I was so scared when he didn't reply. "Drew is that you? Are you there?" I asked.
"You fucking left her?" I heard Eli snap at someone. I frowned, Eli? I heard more voices but I didn't care Eli was okay.
"Eli?" I sob and broke down, the knowledge that he was okay was over whelming.
"I'm alright Clare!" He unfermented me "I need you to calm down and listen." He started.
"How do you have Drew's phone?" I asked, trying to catch my breath. I couldn't lose all control. If I did I wouldn't make it to him.
"Drew and Adam are here too. They are both okay. I need you to meet us here. Clare baby, I need you to get in the ceiling and follow the directions I'm going to send you okay." I shook my head, I couldn't do it. I sobbed harder feeling stupid that I couldn't even do such a simple thing.
"I don't think I can." I confessed, feeling defeated. I didn't like showing him my weakness, but I couldn't control it.
"Clare I need you to trust me. It held my weight and Jake's it can hold yours. You'll be safe. Just follow my directions, put the phone on silent and get over here. Please I need you over here." He said, he sounded desperate and I cried harder. Why did things have to be like this? Eli said he needed me and I so desperately wanted to hear him say that. But in these conditions, for all I knew he said it only to get me over there.
"Sweet heart, listen to me. Eli is right we need you here. I can't do this without you baby. Please get in the ceiling. Move slowly, ignore anything you hear and keep going. Don't stop until you reach us. Can you do that for me honey?" Jake asked, I frowned realizing he took the phone from Eli. I wanted to hear Eli's voice, I wanted Eli to be calling me honey not Jake.
"Okay." I stated, putting on a brave facade. I had only one chance of getting back to Eli and that was the ceiling. As much as I didn't want to admit it I had to go. "I'll do it."
"Good good Clare, thank you." He said, he sounded relief. "Remember don't listen to anything you hear. I love you." He said and then quickly hung up. I frowned at that. Sadly I knew what he was doing and I was pissed off about it. Now I had another reason to get in that ceiling and get to them so I could kick Jake's ass for being an ass. I looked down at the phone in my hand tempted to call him back and yell at him but that wouldn't solve anything. I had to get to them sooner then later, sooner seemed like the best bet.
With a deep breath I stood up and looked up into the ceiling. They both said it was safe so I better just get it over with. I exhaled and pulled myself up just like the others had and began into the direction I knew they had went. I couldn't make too many wrong turns before he texted me so I continued on without any directions.
Not even two minutes and I could see what they ment by not listening to anything. I stayed paralyzed for a while listening to the screams that now seemed to surround me as it echoed from below. I bit my lip to repress my sobs. I didn't want to give away my where abouts, but I couldn't help by cry either. It sounded like not even a few feet below me someone was fighting for their life. I continued though, I had no choice, I refused to be stuck in the ceiling. I continued forward. The supports beneath me began to sink a little when I started moving quicker. I gasped, breaking out into a sweat. Okay so slow was the best bet. I slowed my pace and continued closing my eyes as I heard a scream that sounded like it was right below me. I covered my mouth trying not to scream in reply. As I did I dropped Jake's phone causeing it to skid away from me. I watched in horror as it slipped through a tile that hadn't been placed back properly.
I sat silently as I heard it fall to the floor below. Tears of frustration slipped down my face as I realized I had to get it. That was my only way of finding the others. Shit! I cursed myself. I nodded and slowly crawled to the tile. I peeped through it and saw no one was in the room. However, it was covered with blood and trashed in what seemed to have been a struggle. I swallowed my air and reached with shakey hands for the tile. I pushed it out of the way and took in the full room. The door hung open and I could see there was someone crouched over someone else just out side of the room. Shit I'd have to be quiet. I took a deep breath and held it as I slipped down and on to the counter that was close to the hole in the ceiling. I knelt down close to the wall and looked around for the phone.
I spotted it by the bed half way across the room. Shit. I'd have to get to it, then get back with little to no noise, how was I to do that? I turned my eyes to the door and realized the person was taking bites out of the person. I gasped throwing my hand over my mouth to stop the noise from escaping to far. I held my breath waiting for it to catch me, but it didn't seem to notice as it ate away at the person laying on the ground. I swallowed again and eased my way off the counter and to the ground. I tipped toed over to the phone, keeping my eyes on the person at the door the whole time. I exhaled quietly once my finger slipped around the phone and I turned slowly to move back.
I almost made it until the phone went off in my hand. Shit I forgot to put it on silent...Again. The text tone went off once more and I heard the most blood curling scream I'd ever heard behind me. I turned to see the person was now looking up at me. I gasped as he seemed to take a breath of air, almost like he was sniffing something before he launched up. I screamed, and placed the phone in my pocket and jumped up on the counter. I moved to pull myself back up into the ceiling however I was too slow or it was too fast, either way I felt hands grip my shirt ripping it no doubt and I was tossed to the ground behind me. I landed hard, as the person dropped on top of me. I faught him off as he tried to snap his teeth in my face. I coughed at the dead weight he provided on top of me. Tears poured out of my eyes as I struggled to get him off to no avail.
"Clare!" I heard someone shout from somewhere. I was too stunned to pin point the direction until the person was pulled off of me and Adam was standing over me. He gave me a concerned look for no longer then a second before he too was knocked to the ground. The growling thing snapped at Adam. I jumped up and almost slipped in black sludge. I looked around trying to find anything to save my friend who had just saved me. I spoted a high heel just laying at the foot of the bed, I desperately launched for it and gripped it tight as I turned back to Adam. He might have been a guy in his head, but he poor body didn't share in that information so he had just about as much strength as I did. "Clare go!" He shouted at me as the thing above him gave a loud scream again. I shivered but rushed forward before I could even think of what I was doing. I slammed the heel down to the back of his head where I knew his brain stem would be. At first it didn't seem to work as the thing gave out another scream then turned to me. However, Adam ripped it out and slammed it into the top of it's head and it fell short of me and I gasped down at the now bleeding body. I looked up to see Adam's chest heaving as he too looked down at what he had just done. The shoe remained in his hand as he shook. I turned to the door as we heard more beastly screams from the hall. "Come on they must be able to communicate that way. Which means more are coming. We have to go." With that he pulled me over the counter and pushed me up. I was slipping from the mess that now covered me and barely got up when Adam pushed my feet through. I crawled the other direction that I had come from allowing Adam room. He got in and slammed the tile down just as the room below filled with growls. "Hurry." He whispered, and rushed in the other direction. I nodded and scurried over the now moving tile.
I rushed quietly behind Adam as he led the way to what I hoped was the others and not just mindless wondering in order to get away. That thought was cut off by the sound of the ceiling cracking below me. "Adam!" I started just as the ceiling gave away. I held on and looked down into the room I was hanging over. What had once been a little kid laid right below me in a bloody mess. I cried out forcing my arms to pull me up and back into the ceiling. However, it wasn't before I drew more attention. I lost one of my shoes as my foot slipped back into the hole I just pulled myself out of. I heard a distant scream that made me panic. "Adam hurry!" I screamed, feeling suddenly very clustaphobic as the screams sounded closer, and terrified I'd fall into the ceiling again. I gasped as Adam dropped down through the ceiling. I was shaking by the time I got to the hole he disappeared into. I gasped as he turned to me and held his hands out. I slipped into his arms and he placed me on the ground as more tears poured down my face. I raced across the room wanting to get away from the ceiling. As I rushed towards Eli I tripped and feel into a warm pool. I looked over to see an man laying on the ground with a hole in his head. I screamed and scrambled away.
"Shhhh Clare. They can hear us remember?" Adam snapped at me grabbing me and pulling me against him. I tried to relax realizing I was safe, or at least for right now.
"What happened?" Jake asked, right before we heard another scream in the distance.
"Fuck Adam's right they hear us. We have to go now if we're going." Eli stated, sounding slightly paniced.
"Go where?" Adam asked over my head. I shook at the fear the laced his tone as he questioned the others. He was right, I didn't want to go anywhere right now.
"No questions we have to move now!" Eli snapped sounding determined. I looked up at the sound of him grunting and something being slid across the floor. Adam stared wide eyed and I turned to see Eli pulling the door open. He slipped out and I swore my heart stopped. He slipped back in seconds later and looked at Jake, "Coast is clear. I'll go check out the other room." Eli said moving back into the room.
"Wait!" I called only to have him ignore me once he got the wooden crutch that laid on the floor. He slipped back out of the room without even a glance at me. I frowned and pulled back from Adam and moved closer to the door, where Eli was going. I looked over at Jake and gave him an questioning look. "What's going on?" I asked. However, before I could receive an answer Eli rushed back into the room and closed the door.
"It's locked." He said, and gave Jake a strange look. I frowned and looked back at Jake who was eyeing the bathroom door. "What are the chances?" Eli asked confusing me. I didn't like that they suddenly had this new secret language that I wasn't a part of.
"We have no other choice but to check." Jake replied and I pouted not knowing what was going on. Eli nodded and Jake hurried to the door pulling it open. I gasped as a woman dressed in a nurse uniform launched forward and gripped at Jake. She was snapping her jaws and spitting out this nasty black sludge. "Fuck!" Jaked shouted.
"Jake you have to get her off of you!" Eli called holding the crutch up high like he was ready to swing. He rushed towards Jake but Drew got there first and pulled her off. However, it back fired on him as Drew and her feel to the ground. I held my hand over my mouth as I watched Drew kick her off and Eli slip in blood. Before even registering what I was doing I caught the crutch that slipped from Eli's hand and I swung it. I flinched at the agonized cry the woman gave as she stumbled back into the wall. Her arm hung loss at her side as she launched forward again this time at me. With out hesitation I swung again, I felt the impact up my arm as the wood connected with her head. I gasped as she dropped down and I was able to see I bashed in half her face. I dropped the crutch and covered my mouth as Jake pulled me back. He slipped his arms around me and I relaxed a bit refusing to break down anymore today. I looked over at Eli who was just getting off the ground. "Does she have the keys you need? Their screams call others we have to hurry." I stated, remembering what Adam had said earlier. Jake tightened his grip on me as Eli moved toward the woman I had just put down. I heard Eli curse below his breath.
"What is it? No keys?" Jake asked, moving me behind me.
"No I found keys but this was Imogen's aunt. She was the one who had gotten us the room just a little while ago." Eli explained, I could barely make out the sparkle of tears appearing in his eyes. My heart clinched as I fully realized what I had done. I had killed someone important to Eli. He shook his head and rushed out of the room. I gasped out a sob and pulled away from Jake. I hurt so much that the thought of Eli hating me made me want to break down. Jake frowned at me as I moved closer to the door. I couldn't let Eli go out there alone. Before anyone else could stop me or I could change my mind I slipped out of the room to see Eli fumbling with keys. He just got the door unlocked when I stepped up behind him. I grabbed his shoulder seconds before he was about to enter the unknown room. He jumped slightly turning to me. I caught his eyes that held nothing but confusion sadness, and possibly anger. I shuddered away from him knowing it was my fault he was angry. It hurt me even more to confirm the fact he was mad at me. He turned away and moved into the room, leaving me out in the hall. I was just about to turn and leave when Eli's soft hands gripped my wrist and pulled me in. I gasped at the gentleness he used, however, he was gone before I could say anything. I took a look around the room, realizing it was a simple storage room, with shelves and desks. "Fuck hurry, they are coming." Eli shouted behind me as I heard screams from down the hall. I turned just in time to see everyone rushing into the room. Eli just made it through the door when a man crushed into the door trying to get in. Eli pushed against the door grunting from the effort. Drew and Adam were helping as Jake rushed passed me and put his weight into it too. I frowned as I realized they weren't going to be able to hold them out as more began to pile on the other side of the door. I looked around the room again searching for something to push. I sighed in relief as I noticed the shelves yet again had wheels. I rushed over to it and pulled with all my might. Once it was a good distance away from the wall I squeezed in and pushed with all my might. "Move!" I shouted as I picked up speed and shoved the shelf towards the struggling boys. I watched as Eli slipped out from between the door and the shelf right as I slammed into it. I stumbled back having Adam stabilize me as Eli and Jake grabbed the shelf and secured it to the door like we had done in the other room.
"Fuck that was close." Drew whispered placing his hand over his chest as he gasped for breath. We were all gasping for air as we looked around the room.
"Here give me the keys." Jake demanded, holding up a hand to Eli. Without a word He tossed them to Jake then looked at me. I couldn't stand to meet his gaze so I stared down at the floor. I couldn't stand the guilt I knew I would feel, it was my fault his girlfriend aunt was dead. He was bound to be mad or at least hate me for it. He sighed and I closed my eyes refusing to let any more tears fall. "Are we ready for this?" Jake asked, turning back to look at us. I frowned confused about what he meant. That was until I saw the door behind him. My eyes widened when I realized it was a elevator. That was the plan.
"What the hell is even the plan?" Adam snapped aggravation crossing his face. He looked out of breath and very pissed, by the looks of his red face. Jake began to explain what I had just figured out. We were going to take the elevator down to the basement, which was closed off for repairs. It sounded like a good plan from what I heard. However, the idea scared me of moving on to unknown area. I began to shake at the thought, but I was distracted by the feeling of Eli's warm hand on mine. I looked up at him curious, trying to hide the fear in my eyes. He nodded towards bags that were lying on a desk in the corner. He pointed around the room and I frowned. I took me a moment to realize he wanted us to pack up on some things. I guess it would be the best place for medical supplies. I nodded and we both began moving around as Jake continued explaining in the back ground.
I couldn't believe I was actually looting in the middle of a hospital. However, I didn't feel guilty, it was some what exhilarating feeling. I rushed around the room, and grabbed bandages to place in my bag and some alcohol. I stopped once my bag was full and looked up at Eli who was staring down at me. My heart skipped a beat at the look in his eyes. I reached up and brushed the cut on his forehead. I didn't see it until now and was surprised he was able to move, it looked ugly. He closed his eyes and exhaled. I leaned forward, catching the scent of his tooth paste, and practically groaned at the memory of it. My eyes slipping shut as I thought of all the times I had tasted that tooth paste.
"You two ready?" Jake asked breaking the moment. I sighed as Eli pulled away clearing his throat. I could have hit Jake for that. Eli moved away and closed up his bag. I frowned at my own bag.
"Did you find anything heavy to swing just in case?" Drew asked eyeing our bags. My frowned deepened as I realized I hadn't even thought about it.
"Well there are bone saws over there and more crutches." I stated remembering how I had just moved past them as if they held no significant. Everyone gathered around the cabinet I had pointed too and picked out what they thought would help them survive. Jake grabbed my bag slinging it over his head as Eli moved forward to push the button. It was almost as if the whole world stopped once the doors opened. I held my breath wondering what awaited us down stairs.