Chapter Two: The News

I woke up to find myself alone, and the place seemed strangely quite. Even when you think it is quiet, there is always background noise, the hoot of a bird, the sound of far away traffic on a road somewhere. But here, there was nothing, no noise what so ever. It was unnerving. And I had heard this kind of blankness before.

I stood up and raced to the window, pulling back the curtain and peering out. The place was deserted; papers littered the floor, cars dotted around, as if the owners had not cared where they parked. A light wind pushed past, moving the newspapers and empty chip wrappers along the floor. It was the only movement out there.

A well of fear settled in my stomach as I stared out at the empty land. It was light outside, which was at least one good thing.

"Oliver!" I shouted, turned back into the room. When he didn't answer I walked into the bathroom and looked around. Nothing. But the curtain for the tiny shower was drawn, and it was moving slightly. I took tentative steps towards it. "Oliver?"

I pulled back the curtain and Oliver stared out at me, only it wasn't Oliver anymore, it was one of those things. He howled.

A scream woke me from my dream and I jolted up in bed. I realized the screaming was my own and I closed my mouth. Oliver's face was in front of mine, asking me if I was ok. The image of him as one of the infected was still imprinted on my brain and I hid my face from him.

"Eve?" I felt am arm around my shoulder and I forced my eyes to look at him, despite my fear that I would see the creature there.

"I… dream…" I only had to mutter those words and Oliver hugged me.

"It's ok Eve. It's over. They're gonna kill the rest of the infected. It'll be over soon, as soon as all this is over, we'll take a holiday somewhere, together. On an island. Okay?"

I nodded and sank further into his chest, feeling comfort there, and I felt my eyelids drooping. He sat there with me for a while, and his hand began to stroke my hair. I could feel his heart against his ribcage, I could hear it. My eyelids closed and I let myself sleep again.

I woke from a dreamless sleep this time, and when I opened my eyes the sun was shining in a thin line through the gap between the drawn curtains, creating a beam of light across the bed. I sat up and looked around for Oliver. He was not there, but there was a note on the table next to my bed.

I picked it up and looked at it; it was note, written in neat handwriting that must have been Oliver's.

Eve,

Just incase you are wondering where I am, I have gone to the shop for some food, don't worry, I'll be back soon. See you later. I will buy you some Skittles. I know you like them.

Oliver xx

I smiled and walked into the bathroom. I needed a shower. I hadn't had one since before this whole thing started. Maybe the shower would help calm me down and remove some of the last traces of the creatures invading France. I got undressed and stepped into the shower. The hot water made me feel more relaxed, but it didn't help me to forget. Oliver's face as one of the infected still haunted me.

Suddenly loud bangs startled me. I turned the shower off, listening. "EVE! EVE!" I heard Danni and Natalie shouting my name. I heard the panic in their voices. I practically jumped out of the shower and pulled the towel from the rail.

"What's wrong!" I said when I opened the door, holding my towel around me with one hand. Savannah ran up to me, hugging my legs. She was shaking.

"Turn on the TV."

My heart skipped a beat. I walked over to the small LCD screen and pressed the on button.

The newsreaders voice filled the room. She was speaking in German, I put the subtitles on and read.

"… of the infected escaping the barriers has been confirmed. The army are doing all they can to kill the escapees. So far only small numbers of infected have gotten through the fences, but the army are calling in for larger modes of reinforcement. A large, heavier duty fence is in the process of being put up. The army are still doing all they can to…"

The newsreader turned at the sound of screaming. One of the infected had climbed up into one of the armies vehicles and was attacking a soldier, another soldier fired and the infected flew off the vehicle, landing dead on the floor. She turned back to the camera.

"Turn off the camera!"

"Wait"

"Turn it off!" She walked towards the camera when suddenly the attacked soldier rose behind her. His face was twisted in rage, his eyes a deep red. The camera shook. "RUN!"

The newsreader turned, and the soldier leapt. She screamed, and fell to the floor, and the infected stood, after killing her. Its face filled the screen. It opened it mouth and screeched. A chill ran down my spine at the sound.

By this point Savannah was crying. I turned the TV off and sat down on the bed.

There was frantic knocking at the door. I peered through the spy whole and sighed in relief. I opened the door to Oliver.

"Have you heard?" He walked into the room.

I nodded.