This is a bit shorter than usual, but I had a bit of writer's block for this chapter. Luckily, I managed to get something to you guys. I'm not sure how good it is…

And you're probably going to hate me for this…

-FFFFFFF-

Date

July 14th, 2012

Days after Outbreak

115

The time seemed to pass by so slowly after what had happened between the two of us. Victoria hardly spoke to me, and I could understand why, but I was starting to feel uncomfortable. Things fell into an awkward pattern:

I'd wake up first, then she'd wake up a little while after me. I'd usually cook breakfast, and then I'd go out.

I'd gotten a job working at a shelter not far from the apartment. It didn't pay much, but I didn't need much. The banks had shut down recently, so this was the only way to get enough cash to feed Victoria and myself and put a little gas in my car, though I was starting to skip out on lunch just to save food. I'd never really eaten big lunches very often anyways, so it didn't really make much of a difference.

I spent a lot of time trying to help take care of people or hand out food or medicine to the sick people who really needed it. The fever was still rampant, and the heat of summer wasn't doing much to slow it down. There was no air conditioning in our shelter, so there would usually be large fans and lots of water for the workers, though it was still the hottest summer we'd had in a long time. I would just have to sit down and rest, because the heat would get to me sometimes.

But I kept working from 7 to noon, when I'd go back to the apartment, check on Victoria, help her with her lunch, then head back to work for 6 more hours. By the time I'd stumble in the door at 7, I was exhausted. Victoria and I would eat a cold dinner together, and then I'd fall asleep, and the pattern would start again.

I had no idea how she kept herself occupied during the day, though I had an inkling that she'd spend some of the time cleaning, because everything was totally neat when I'd come home. She had memorized every inch of the apartment without any help from me, which I found rather impressive. She seemed to find some way to keep herself busy during the course of our tedious pattern.

But our pattern was about to be interrupted by something I never saw coming.

-FFFF-

I woke up one morning, feeling just as tired as I had when I'd gone to bed. Yawning, I pulled myself off the couch, though I was overwhelmed by a bit of vertigo. I shook it off, making my way to the bathroom. It felt…chilly in the apartment? In the middle of July? Was the air conditioning on?

I held my hand out over one of the vents. Nothing. I shrugged to myself, thinking it had probably rained, making it a lot cooler. It had happened before. I looked at myself in the mirror, and my face appeared flushed.

Probably because I'm so tired. I thought to myself.

I headed to the kitchen, beginning to prepare breakfast when the bedroom door opened behind me. Victoria made her was into the kitchen, sitting down silently at the table.

"Morning." I greeted, attempting to make conversation. She stayed silent for a moment looking thoughtful.

"Are you alright?" Her quiet voice was full of concern. "You don't sound like yourself."

"I'm just tired is all…" I set down a plate of eggs in front of her. I turned to get my plate, but suddenly became dizzy. I grabbed at the counter, attempting to keep myself from falling.

"Ben!" Victoria jumped up from her seat, apparently having heard me stumble.

"I'm fine!" I insisted stubbornly. "I just… slipped." She simply placed her hands on her hips in a manner that reminded me a lot of Abigail. She could obviously tell I was lying.

"Benjamin Gates, you come here right now." Her tone clearly said that she wasn't going to argue. I gave in to her order, walking up next to her. She reached up, placing the back of her hand on my forehead. Her soft skin seemed cool on mine. Suddenly she withdrew her hand, her eyes going wider. "No, no, no, no, no... It can't be…" She swallowed hard. "Ben, did you look at yourself this morning?"

"Uh-huh." I nodded tiredly.

"Did your face look…pale, or flushed at all?"

I hesitated. "Y-Yes."

She suddenly stumbled away from me in horror, her eyes filling with tears. She shook her head and finally spoke, her voice sounding hoarse and quiet. "The f-fever…"

-FFFFFFF-

-dodges various objects-

I'm sorry, I'm really sor-

-dodges knives-

I'm sorry! But it appears even Ben isn't immune… I'm really sorry! REALLY REA-

-dodges bullets-

I'm expecting a bunch of angry reviews, but they're appreciated anyways… -smiles nervously-