Sorry about the slow update! I haven't been feeling well recently and I find it hard to focus when I'm dripping snot all over the place (sorry for that visual). Anyway ENJOY! And all mistakes are mine!

PREVIOUSLY

She wipes her hand on her jeans to get off some of the blood before she reaches for my hand to hold, I allow her to.

"You're alright, Alicia. He isn't going to hurt you."

She looks so calm as if she didn't just bash some guys head into the ground. Well most of her is calm. Her eyes tell a different story. A storm of emotions play out inside those blue eyes, this event affected her as much as it affected me, as it should any human being.

I stare into her eyes a little longer finding comfort and safety the longer I look into them. Finally I break eye contact, though our hands stay connected.

I raise my head and look to my mother.

"Talk. Now."

Chapter 5: Biscuit

I don't know how long I stood under the strong stream though it must have been a while seeing as the burning is no longer there, but rather replaced by the cold sting of the water. Still I stand here in the shower allowing the water to run down my body.

I've scrubbed about six times now, my flesh now having a red glow to it, scrubbing each limb thoroughly. No matter how many times I scrub, I can still picture the dark black blood of Mr. Dawson on my hands. I can still picture the image of his head bashed open on the sidewalk. I scrub again and hard.

This can't actually be happening right? Then again I still don't know what the hell is happening. After confronting mom I still had no answers, she wasn't even sure what was happening. She told me about Principle Costa, how he had attacked her student, and like Elyza she took matters into her own hands. This is why she was planning for us to leave.

I can't blame her for trying to keep quiet about this because honestly If I hadn't had just watched Mr. Dawson getting up after several hits from a metal bat, I probably wouldn't have believed her. To think this all started from a virus or something of that nature is just ridiculous.

Thinking about the virus brings up Matt. Was he going to turn out like Mr. Dawson. Was that bite mark some sort of way that the virus travelled? Was there a bite mark on Mr. Dawson.

I turn off the water, pressing my forehead onto the cold tiles in front of me. A shiver makes its way up my spine as a breeze from the bathroom window comes rushing through. Well Alicia, time to face the real world.

Taking a step out of the shower I reach for my towel, I try to avoid looking into the mirror I don't want to see the physical reminders of how lost and absolutely terrified I am. Wrapping the towel tightly around my body, I leave the comfort of the bathroom and head to my room, not caring too much for the water trail I leave behind.

Opening the door I freeze. Someone is in here. A very VERY topless someone.

"Shit! Close the door, will ya?"

I stand gaping. I try to stop my gaze from travelling down to the very supple breast and the well defined abs that one could just lick choco- well I did say that I was trying not to look.

The words finally register in my brain and I find myself searching blindly for the doorknob behind me, When the hell did I take a step into the room? Finding it I quickly slam the door shut and lean my body against it.

My heart is beating so fast and I bring my hand up to my chest to calm it, I probably look as red as a tomato right now from how fiercely I'm blushing. Thankfully Elyza had taken this time to pull a top over her head and cover the view I had been enjo- I mean...boobs to cover her boobs.

"Boobs.."

"What was that, sweetheart?" She lays another smirk on me as she adjust the low plunging tank. It takes me a moment to realise that she's in the clothes she had on earlier, her own clothes. It takes me another moment to realise that I just closed the door with the both of us still inside my room with me basically naked.

"WHat are you doing get out of my room!" I throw whatever that is on the desk next to me at her, missing more than landing any on her.

"Whoa! I'm not the one who just barged in while someone is changing," she deflects the stuffed elephant heading straight for her face, "If you wanted to see the goods, all you had to do was ask."

She's heading straight to me and I swiftly move out of the way, turning my back to her and rushing towards my closet door with a stuffed turtle clutched into my free hand. Elyza looks me over and I clutch my towel even tighter, ignoring the goosebumps that form over my skin from how intensely she studies me, and from the subtle breeze .

I'm about to make a comment about her being a 'pervert' and that 'if she didn't stop staring I would claw out her eyes' ,hell I may even throw the toy at her perfect face, but then her eyes lock on mine. Instead of the teasing or lustful look I find a darker, almost sad look behind her eyes.

'Are you okay?' Is the message I get from her look and I slowly nod. I watch as her faces from serious to a bit more relaxed.

I relax a bit as well, Elyza turns to the door and makes her way out but not before one last comment,

"By the way you have a nice pair on you too, beautiful." She gestures to her chest.

Rage and humiliation build up inside of me and I throw the stuffed turtle with all my strength but Elyza is already gone, closing the door behind her with a loud laugh. The turtle bounces off the door and lands with it's head towards me, I run over and kick the damn thing because I couldn't stand the damn mocking smile stitched onto its face.

Damn Elyza Lex!

I'm still pissed when I leave my room now fully clothes in my favorite leopard print top and jean shorts, my hair somewhere between completely dry and moist.

In the living room is where I find Mom and Nick. Nick is on the couch crushing his pills that he had gotten from Elyza into dust, while mom stands over his shoulder with a disapprovingly look. It's hard on mom to see Nick like this, it's hard on all of us.

A sound outside the window gains my attention and I approach the blinds, praying that I won't see anything and as I look outside I let out a sigh of relief. It was nothing.

"Where is Elyza?" I ask.

"She just went out to the garage," Nick says looking up for a moment, " she grabbed your clothes from the bathroom and hers and heading out to throw them in the wash."

I worry a bit about the blonde being alone and mom sees it. Mom throws what I assume is a comforting hand on my shoulder but I brush it off.

"Don't worry Alicia, she's safe." She looks hurt but right now I'm not looking for any comfort..at least not from her.

"Did you call Travis?"

"I tried to. The lines are busy and even when I do get a few rings, the call drops before he can answer. He'll be home in the morning."

I assume she says that says that last part more to herself than to me for reassurance.

"Are you sure he's gonna make it?" I send Nick a warning glare.

"Nick."

"What?" He continues to smash the pills mumbling something under his breathe, "Oh hey mom, how much more of this do you have?"

"Enough."

"And what will we do when I run out?"

"Howl at the moon." I scoff at moms answer but she's right.

Soon we won't have enough shit and Nick will probably have to stop cold turkey again and I doubt there is a Walgreens out there in the desert. Nick didn't like the answer and goes quiet when mom leaves the room.

I think he wants to say something to me, maybe ask me how I'm doing but just like mom I don't really want to hear it. I move to bring a nearby chair to the window and I settle down there tonight, putting in my earphones and playing a random song on my phone.

I don't notice Elyza coming back into the room until she's beside me. She gestures down to the floor beside and with my permission she takes her seat there, her back leaning against the wall of the window. Unlike my family she won't force me to talk, she's a stranger and at this moment I couldn't be more thankful.

I look up from my book at the sound of laughter beside me, I had long moved from my seat at the window to the much more comfortable one next to Nick and Elyza had followed taking a seat once again on the floor next to me. She had gotten bored of just sitting there and started to bug me so like I usually do to the children I babysit, I gave her my phone. Now instead of picking the peeling paint off my wall she is now occupied with my candy crush game.

Nick lies on the couch dazed from his recent 'hit' and occupies his time staring at his messy hair, twirling pieces of it between his fingers.

Sleep was not welcoming any of us tonight, it would seem

Mom enters back into the living room with a familiar box in hand. I roll my eyes at her because of course at a time like this she would bring out this damned box that I had kept hidden in the hallway closet. Lets just say I'm a sore loser and I don't have good memories of this stupid game.

With a thud the box lands on the coffee table, resulting in Elyza to look up from my phone and stare at the box with curiosity. Nick springs up to a sitting position, a happy gleam in his eyes.

"I'm the top hat." Says Mom, tossing the box off and reaching for said piece.

"Car." I reach for mine, knocking Nick's hand out of the way. He sends me a glare before acquiring another game piece.

"Shoe." He holds the tiny silver shoe to my facing, waving it around and I do the same with my little car.

I drop to the floor alongside my family. I'm just settling in when mom taps my foot, she catches my eyes before jerking her head to my left. I turn to find Elyza trying to sneakily look over my shoulder at our little game.

Once again I roll my eyes, scooting over and placing my hand on her shoulder to settle her into place between Nick and I. She sits, legs crossed, and just stares down at the box.

"Have you ever played 'Monopoly' before?" She shakes her head.

I reach into the box searching for the perfect game piece, it doesn't take me long to find it. I pull it out and shove the silver dog into her hand with a smirk.

"A bitch for 'the' bitch."

"ALICIA!"

"OOOHHHHHHHH BURNN!" Nick whoops laughing at the shocked look on both mom and Elyza's faces.

Soon Elyza joins in on the laughter and I do too. Mom for her part tries to hold back her laughter and just smiles at the three of us.

"Okay who wants to go first?"

"Wait Elyza doesn't know how to play!"

"We'll teach her on the way!" Nick nudges the blonde.

"Ok youngest to oldest. Which means I go first!"

"K sis, better be ready because I'm not taking it easy on you!"

We all smile and I take it all in noting that although we're laughing and grinning like idiots, our eyes are a different story. All of us are affected from the current events happening outside our little bubble of a home but for now we just smile. The world is going to shit but we all accept this little distraction for what it is, a distraction.

There are three things I have learned from our game of kindergarten communism. First, this game is pure evil. Never before have I hated Nick as much as I did when he took over my little boardwalk. Second, Nick is the biggest cheater in the world because no way he had earned that much cash from the banker (aka Mom). Thirdly, Elyza is an even bigger cheater.

Elyza stands before us waving her property cards in the air while fanning herself with her well 'earned' colorful cash. Nick is sulking while mom and I just laugh at the dancing blonde. She was a fast learner and absolutely ruthless in the world of Monopoly.

The world around us disappeared for a moment and we all just took in the moment, cherishing it. Like a needle to a balloon, our little bubble of pretending was popped.

BANG BANG

With two gunshots from outside we all quiet down. Elyza has stopped her dance, Nick clings to the pillow he has on his lap and mom constantly cast some looks to the doors and windows.

"How long do we have to wait?" I ask the question that Nick and I have been meaning to ask since this crazy night started.

"We can go to sleep now if-"

"I have a hard time sleeping when I'm waiting for someone to come home.." Mom looks hurt but I continue, "Is anyone else getting a sense of deja vu, right now?"

I know what I say is a bit well forward but it's true. This is just like the night not too long ago that we were here, playing Monopoly waiting for Dad to come home from work. Only he didn't come home that night.

The mood is completely ruined and suddenly everyone is rising up from the ground and spreading out. Mom goes to the kitchen to make some coffee , Nick collects our empty bottles from the table and Elyza and I make our way around the room to blow out some of the candles.

Without a word we all gather into the kitchen where our long forgotten pizza was moved to halfway through our game. Elyza reaches for a slice and chews away at it. Nick throws me an apple from the counter beside him and we both absent mindedly bite into it.

"So what do we do if he doesn't come back?" We all pause what we're doing to look at Nick.

Mom is the first to resume what she was doing, grabbing a coffee mug from the cupboard above her.

"It's been six hours mom, how bad can traffic be?" Mom turns to Nick and they share a look.

"Alicia, would you mind heading back into the living room to clean up the game?"

"But mom-"

"Now, Alicia."

I stand and leave, the footsteps behind me alerts me to the blonde following me. I don't say a thing when she reaches for the Monopoly box. Slowly we begin picking up the scattered bills and cards, placing them into their correct piles.

"I don't really need help, y'know."

"Yea well I feel like Madison and Nick are either gonna have a screaming match or start throwing some punches. Helping you was by far the better decision." I can only nod at her statement.

" So are you still planning to leave in the morning."

"That's the plan. I'm gonna head by the hospital, pick up my mum and probably follow your family's plan to head out of the city."

"She still hasn't picked up your calls?"

"Neither her or my dad."

With the mess cleaned I head on over to the hallway closet, placing the game on the shelf above me. We're walking back to the kitchen through the second and smaller living room when a scratching noise makes itself known behind us.

My hands fly up to grip onto Elyza's bicep. She spins us around, making sure to put herself between the glass door and me. Her body stands tense as the noise continues.

Nick and mom are behind us within seconds, the sound on the door becoming more frantic as time goes by. Nick moves forward.

"Nick." Elyza warns him reaching for a nearby candle holder, she holds it in front of us like a sword, ready to kill whatever was on the other side of the door.

I watch in horror as Nick slowly reaches for the curtain blocking the door, mom's flashlight following his hand on the material. He quickly rips the curtain to the side. I close my eyes but soon open them when i hear a sound of relief leave Elyza's lips.

It was a dog. Mr. Dawson's german shepard to be exact. Nick reaches for the handle allowing the dog to enter our home. The dog, which is named Biscuit, moves to Elyza. It sits by her feet, huffing and puffing.

Elyza's reaches a hand down, scratching Biscuit between his ears.

"What is that?" The beam from the light in mom's hand travels from Biscuit's face down to his front leg. His front is covered in blood.

"Don't worry about him, ma'am. It's not his blood that's on him."

A growl from Biscuit startles us all. He begins to pace around the room, his fur on his back rises and his muzzle pulls back into a snarl. We jump out of the way as he barrels to our front door, barking and scratching.

Nick and Elyza chase after biscuit. Nick yanks at Biscuit's collar trying to both shut him up and pull him away from his assault on our door. Elyza runs to the window swapping out her makeshift weapon for Travis' bat.

Elyza looks through the blinds and I hold my breathe, waiting for her to turn around and tell us that everything is ok.

Biscuits stops his barking and is now as silent as the rest of us. We all wait. Abruptly Elyza rounds back around and her face is as pale as ever.

"Run!" And we all do.

One after one we pile through the glass door and out into the backyard, Elyza pulls me along with a strong grip on my forearm. Nick says something about a shotgun in our neighbor's home, but I hardly hear him over the sound of our front door crashing in.

Nick struggles over the fence pulling Mom along with him I can hear a thud as they land on the other side. Next is the dog, Elyza wraps her arms around Biscuit and uses the pile of fertilizer against the fence to get him over and into what I assume is Nick's hands.

Elyza extends her hand to me and I don't hesitate to take it. She's kneeling down and lifting me with little effort until I can pull myself over. As soon as I land on the ground I hear a noise from behind me and I jump to get out of the way of the blonde as she hops over. I move just in time to not get kicked in the face.

United we make our way through 's garden trying to ignore the sounds of growls and moans coming from our home behind us. I find myself searching for something to hold onto and as if she can read my mind, Elyza grabs my hand. Our fingers stay intertwined as we back into the back door of the home.

I only pray there isn't something in this home waiting for us.

TBC