I went first out the door. Since I'd already been scratched, there was much less risk with me. I knew everyone was thinking it, but I was the one who volunteered. I held my gun at the ready as I slowly twisted the knob and peeked outside. The sun had just broken over the mountains, causing the ground to turn a soft golden color and the leaves on the autumn trees a fiery yellow and orange. I crept down the front path, twisting back and forth, watching for any movement. Luckily, it was clear. I motioned for the others to follow.
"Lead the way," I told Miles, my breath appearing in puffs in the frigid air. He nodded, but when I tried to get a look at the map, he quickly backed up, almost tripping over his own shoelaces. I pursed my lips, but didn't say anything. He quickly walked ahead. Simon rolled his eyes as he fell into step next to me.
"Don't mind him. He's just scared. Scared of what you might become. It reminds him of our parents." I had never asked Simon about his parents, but even now, it felt weird to ask. Just like he had never asked me. It was just something you didn't talk about anymore. We were quiet for a moment.
"Where would you be?" I asked suddenly. He looked at me confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I had this dream last night. I was back home, before the disease spread. I was in a meadow with Kate."
"Rapoff?" He asked. I nodded, smiling.
"Yeah. We were just talking, worrying about college, and promising to stay friends all throughout." I closed my eyes. The morning sun was climbing higher in the sky, spreading its warm tendrils across my cheeks. "I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, a soft breeze through my hair. The trees were waving above us, the tall grass swaying back and forth, whispering. And it all felt so real." I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't care. The memory of the meadow made my skin tingle as if it could still feel the breeze. I slowly opened my eyes. "But none of it was real. Not even the meadow." I sighed. "That day never even actually happened." I finally glanced back at Simon, half expecting him to be look at me as if I were crazy. Instead, he just nodded.
"I've had dreams like that. With family and friends. Memories that never actually happened. I think it's because we miss them. If we can't talk to them everyday, we can at least talk to them in our dreams." This time I was staring at him while he looked straight ahead, as if trying to decipher something on the horizon.
"I like that much better." We grew quiet again. Finally, he looked back down at me.
"What did your question mean though? 'Where would I be?'" I hesitated before answering, trying to collect my thoughts.
"In my dream, Kate and I were talking about our futures. College and beyond. If the disease hadn't hit, where do you think you'd be right now?" He looked back at the horizon, deep in thought.
"A fireman," he said confidently. "I mean, I'd go to college first, so I'd probably be there. But that's what I used to want to be."
"I remember that. If it means anything, you would've made a great one." I said, smiling. He chuckled.
"Thanks. What about you? Where would you be?" I thought for a moment. There had been so many things I had wanted to do with my life, and not enough time to do them.
"A few different things, actually. I wanted to go into the environmental or marine sciences, but I also loved psychology. My one true passion that I've loved since I was a kid though is writing. Creative writing." He looked at me.
"Creative writing? Really? Never knew that." We continued walking in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It felt natural.
After a few hours of walking and idle chat later, Simon called for a break after seeing Becca and Emma lagging at the back of the group. We had been walking through neighborhoods, heading for the highway that would head up north. Anytime we traveled, we would walk along the highway. While it wasn't always the safest, it was open enough to see a threat from far off, and was usually the most direct route. We paused under a tree. I sat off to the side, as no one wanted to be near me. Once he had done a scan of the perimeter, Simon sat next to me and offered me water. Gratefully, I accepted it and took a few long gulps.
"You can't give it-" Miles started, then caught himself. "You can't give her our water!" Simon stood up and walked off to the side.
"Miles, I wanna talk to you," Simon said darkly. Miles glared at me one more time, then stood up and walked off to the side with his brother. I sighed, staring at my hands. A shadow passed over me, and I looked up. Sasha was sitting down next to me.
"What? You aren't scared I'll bite?" I asked sarcastically. He shrugged.
"I gotta say, I kinda like it when a girl bites," he said, grinning at me. I shoved his shoulder and laughed.
"Wow. Ok, glad we know where your mind is." We both laughed.
"But seriously, Erin, you seem fine. How do you feel?" He asked. He sounded less accusatory and more actually concerned, which was comforting.
"Totally fine, to be honest. I don't feel different at all." I answered. It was true. I'd even almost forgotten I'd been scratched while walking earlier. Almost.
"Hey," Sasha nudged me with his shoulder. "Maybe you're immune." It was something that I'd thought about, but hadn't said aloud. Everyone wondered if it was possible. What if I was that lucky person? It'd be a game changer for us.
"Well I really don't want to die, so that'd be nice," I said, smirking slightly. He rolled his eyes, but smiled. We talked for a few more minutes, until suddenly I could hear Miles yelling from where they stood, about twenty yards away.
"Her? Her? You can't be serious, dude!" Miles exclaimed. Simon waved his hands, trying to quiet him. I stared at the ground again. Sasha put his arm around me.
"Hey. Don't worry about him. He's just scared. It's not about you, it's about the virus."
"What about me? Does he not understand that I'm just as fucking terrified?" I squeezed my hands into fists, trying to control my voice. "The world doesn't revolve around him." Sasha gave me one-armed hug.
"He just doesn't see it yet. He will." I sighed. I highly doubted it. Miles was a very opinionated person that, before the virus spread, I'd barely known, but now knew very well. All I had known was that he went to school with my sister in Portland. That's why Simon and I had been lucky enough that our siblings were home for summer break when the virus broke out. I leaned my head on Sasha's shoulder.
"I hope you're right."
**Thanks so much for any support guys! It's very much appreciated. PLEASE continue to leave reviews/feedback/any comments! It's what helps me keep writing! I absolutely love hearing from you guys. This chapter is just a little transitional between what's happened, and the group's continued journey. Chapter five will be up soon!**
