The county fair hadn't been around for a few months before the first wave, so Evan had no chance of finding an abandoned Ferris wheel to hook up to a generator or some sort of series of carnival game booths where she could win moldy stuffed animals or stale treats. Asking Cassie out was a spur-of-the-moment sort of deal. Was I supposed to have a plan when I asked? Also, why is it the guy always has to initiate the date? Evan began questioning his decision and began doubting his chances of succeeding at this chance to win over his Mayfly. He wanted nothing more than to show up the prick that she'd written about in her journal. Though she'd never actually been out with him, he still wanted to do better than she could've ever imagined with him. The shadow was quiet yet lurking, and true to form, still following him everywhere.
Evan bounded outside, despite his broad build, he moved quickly and with a sense of "Christmas Morning"-esque excitement. He followed his gut this time, not his shadow, to Lauren's. He recalled the bittersweet memories of their springtime picnics together and planned to rush to the supplies that were left over, until-
HELP
The tragic shift in the silence broke through the trees. Evan held his gun at attention and shook his head to clear the shadow that had also been alerted. Frozen in place, he felt the whispering wind sweep through the trees. His hairs stood on end as he scanned the forest around him. Evan moved forward towards Lauren's house to see if he'd come across the source of the sound before reaching the safety of the house. A scream that made his heart crack and his stomach drop passed through his ears- he was getting close. it's not an other. we need to eliminate it. Her. It's a girl, we need to eliminate HER. fine. just don't screw this one up. We've got this.Evan pushed forward toward the noise, allowing the shadow to take control of the situation. A young woman, college aged and petite. "Oh thank God. I knew it was a long shot that anyone would hear me but you did and you're here and please please help me" She was backed against a tall river birch with an alligator hissing at her. "My gun is in my tent and I'm from the north, I don't know how to deal with these sorts of animals." Her voice quivered and was hushed with fear, but raised so Evan could hear- but Evan wasn't listening.
The shadow was absorbing the words, filling with warmth at the chance to satiate the need to take a life. Evan's arms raised the gun as the shadow's eyes focused through the scope. Swiftly, the gun fired two shots, one into the soft side of the gator's belly, and the other between the eyes of the woman. Then, crashing through the trees came a middle aged man. It was evident he once had a beer belly and hadn't been able to eat properly or shave since the second wave hit. "I'm here! Are you okay? I heard gunshots! Miss, I-" the man sized up Evan, "you don't look like a young woman, though you sound like one." Evan adjusted his grip. "I'm not looking for trouble, kid. I really did come to help." The man stepped forward with his dirty hands in the air- "What happened here?" The man surveyed the scene as Evan started toward him and nimbly switched from his gun to his hunting knife that was stowed at his side. The man lifted his eyes full of panic as he registered what really was happening and turned to get away, but Evan was too fast. He sliced the backs of the man's knees and pushed the man to the ground. "You're one of them! You're not a creature of God's making."
"I'm not a creature of anyone's making. Shut up now and I'll let you go." The shadow spoke for Evan with a fierceness that no human could ever achieve.
"I can't go anywhere anyways." The man began to weep. "I know now that I'm about to meet my God and see my family again. You could save yourself, you know. I can tell you how to get rid of the evil voice inside your head. You have a good soul, I can see it, let me save you."
Evan began to feel for the first time that there was something wrong with him. The pit of his stomach twisted more and his eyes began to water. "It is you who needs to be saved, not me. I will still be here when the last of you are gone. I will be here to eradicate the last of my own kind and promote peace between the best of both of our races. How many of your kind can succeed at that? I know more about the true beginning and end of our worlds and the end lies in the hands of me. Not you and your faith. Only have faith in two things, my dear. You have a beginning, a middle, and an end. And we've approached your finale." Evan held the knife above the man's heart and whispered, "give my regards to your God." and plunged the hunting knife into the heart of the man. The man's eyes turned from fearful, to pained, and finally to peace as life left his body.
Evan stood up and checked his body for any blood spots or scratches that would be suspicious to Cassie. He sensed his body needing to rest gave up on the picnic basket idea for the day. He headed back home and felt an aura of caution as he approached. Cassie…