Chapter 16: Under Gray Skies

"I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."

-- Roy Croft

The rain grew harsher and it showed no sign of ceasing, at all. I had no idea what time it was either which sucked. How was I supposed to know if it was still today or tomorrow? I sighed and sat in front of the lonely window and just continued to watch it pour. Dustin stood beside me and he was awfully quiet, as if he were deep in thought. I touched the cold glass then closed my eyes. My thoughts drifted from Alex, to Cornelius, then my father and mother and once again back to Cornelius. It still confused me as to why he had kissed me so suddenly when he did. I thought he didn't really like me and we were only getting to know each other? I touched chest and felt something cold there. I looked down to find the little heart-shaped pendant in my grasp and shook my head at it. In one quick motion, I ripped it off my neck and the broken chain was in my hands. I held it out and the pendant swayed back and forth slightly. Then I heard Dustin's deep voice break my thoughts

"What's that?"

"Something I don't want anymore." I responded quietly

"Oh, and why is that? It's so pretty." He commented

"It belonged to…him." I answered and tossed it away. I heard the light object fall quietly behind me but I didn't care, I didn't need it anymore. The sudden crack of thunder caused me to jump lightly and look around. It was followed by the bright flash of lightning in the far off distance. Dustin quietly laughed at me and said

"You're such a child Ell, you're so cute."

"I'm not cute. I'm scary looking, what are you on?" I responded and looked at him. He simply shook his head and changed the subject

"Well, it appears the rain isn't going to let up so we better start making our way there, or else."

"Or else what?" I asked suddenly afraid of the consequences

"We'll be so far behind that we may never catch up to them, you know?" He said and looked down at me. I couldn't see what his eyes were hiding but I felt sadness. I stared up at him but then looked back towards the window. I took in a deep breath and quietly said

"Can I ask you something, Dustin?"

"Anything." He said and awaited

"Do you have any idea as to why Cornelius kissed me just before I rescued you?"

"Whoa hold on a second, Cornelius as in angry-dick-Cornelius?" He questioned and suddenly getting louder

"Yes, Cornelius as in angry-dick-Cornelius." I answered reassuringly

"Never thought I'd see the day, hah." He said and shook his head.

"Well, any explanation?" I asked as I got up to stand beside him

"Hm…maybe too much of the infection spread to his head?" He suggested with a chuckle

"A real explanation." I shot back with a smile

"No, not really. Maybe he felt bad for treating you that way and wanted to make it up to you?"

"With a kiss, really?"

"Come on, this is Cornelius we're talking about. I have no idea as to why he did that." He said and began to head for the door. If Tess and Rachelle were here, they'd have a thousand reasons why in no time. I shook my head and began to walk with him. As we neared, I could hear the rain pour and thunder and lightning somewhere off in the distance. I took a deep breath and said

"Well, you ready for an epic adventure?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." He said and then opened the door to the crying world outside.

The rain was harsh and cold as it hit my skin but it didn't really bother me. I guess being dead had its ups. The mud squished between my twos and it was a strange feeling. I constantly looked towards my feet, hoping I wouldn't step in anything too messy, and I almost walked into a tree. Of course, Dustin had to laugh at my stupidity which made me shy away from him for a bit. I was always bad around guys. Really bad actually. I always managed to screw up and make a fool of myself in front of a guy that I found rather cute or attractive. I shook my head at these distant memories and tried my best to think of something else. I then suddenly questioned Dustin.

"Dustin, did you have any girlfriends back before all of this?"

"More like one night stands my dear. I was a real…player." He admitted casually

"So you're telling me that you slept with random chicks?"

"Basically, yeah."

"Dustin, of all people, you?" I said. I was shocked

"Hey, that's what happens when you're the star player for your school football team. Cheerleaders are begging for you to take them to bed with you."

"That's intense buddy." I commented and thought of him as a football player. The very people I didn't really enjoy hanging around. Funny how death has it's ironies, no? I then realized something, how in the world were we supposed to get Alex out of his prison without a key? I growled quietly at myself and realized how much of a fool I was. Dustin then quietly said

"What's wrong Ell?"

"Oh, I just remembered that I threw the stupid keys somewhere in the forest."

"Oh, I see. Well, we'll just have to be smart and think up another way to get him out." He reasoned with me

"Or, maybe keep our eyes peeled, hm?"

"Silly Ell, you're blind, you can't see that well." He said with a laugh

"Way to make it better Dustin. And why in the world do you call me Ell? It has nothing to do with me."

"You know, the beginning letter of your name, L. Ell is kinda cute, just like you." He said happily

"Thanks Dustin. Maybe we should hurry up just a bit." I said quietly but suddenly stopped. I could hear humans speaking, talking, being loud and obnoxious. No wonder why infected attacked them. I could hear them discussing something about going to New Orleans for a cure or something along the lines of that. I then noticed something, heard for that matter. The silent sobbing was quiet but indeed noticeable. At first, I couldn't pin it, but listening to it more made me realize who it was: Juliet. I looked at Dustin, and he looked back, I was going to say something until I heard some coughing coming from somewhere. I then noticed him as well, but he was in the trees. His arm was dripping something dark and gooey but other than that, he seemed quite content being up there. I almost gushed with joy but I hushed myself upon remembering the humans. The next thing I knew, Cornelius dropped like a sack of potatoes and landed in the bush with a large thud. Thank God humans never paid attention to details and ignored him. He made his way out of the bush and towards us and once he was close enough, he said quietly

"It's about time you guys showed up. I've been following these things for quite a while."