Infection: Dying Days

When I approached the crowd waiting at the stairs, I saw a few people lean towards one another and whisper something. They were debating whether or not I got cold feet and I was trying to hide.

But I didn't care, in about an hour, they'll go their way and I'll go mine. Possibly never seeing each other again.

"Sorry, I'm late. I had to take care of something."

Resting the bat on my shoulder, I walked to the front and continued.

"Let's go. The quicker we get there, the quicker we can see our families. Everyone get into your groups."

As I let everyone get into their respective groups, I turned my attention towards a certain trio of dumbasses.

"Hey, you three."

I called out to them.

Hearing my voice, Garrett looked at me with eyes filled with hate. The green haired boy too, but he quickly averted his sight when our eyes momentarily connected. 

He tried to back away from me but he stopped mid step and winced in pain.

Other than that swollen jaw from where I knocked his teeth out at that a.s.s whooping also left him with a bruised body. He can't move as well as he used to.

Which serves the bastard right. 

As for Stan, he silently covered his junk and looked at me with fear. He also had sweat covering from his forehead.

...I kinda feel bad for doing that to him. A knee to the junk that hard might've caused swelling. Maybe I should've punched him instead?

"...What do you want?"

Garrett begrudgingly said.

"No longer playing the nice guy huh? Not that I ever seen you try to be one. Anyways, you guys are going to stay near me."

"Why do I want to stay near you?"

"Because…"

In response to Garrett's haughty remark, I got up in his face and indifferently said.

"Earlier today, I seen you three talk amongst yourselves while looking my way. I'm not stupid enough to let a thing like that go unchecked. Especially when we got beef and someone has a nasty personality such as yours. You're planning something."

How does that saying go? Ah, caution is the parent of safety. I'm going to nip their plan in the bud to avoid being backstabbed later on. 

"Any objections?"

I asked the surprised trio or more precisely, their leader Garrett. Did he think he was that clever? 

Sigh, he's looking more and more like a stereotypical sh*tty rich kid. His only good trait is that he's an amazing quarterback. 

"..."

He was silent. And that silence is what I took as acceptance.

"Great! When we go out there, I better see you three close by. If not, do you want David to join in on the fun next time we fight?"

Patting him on the shoulder, I said in an overly friendly manner.

"..."

What's with that face? Are you mad? Oh, guess what? I don't care.

"Well let's go to our group."

"F*ck you."

"That's the spirit!"

Smiling at Garrett's unhappiness and the other two's awkwardness, I head towards our group. 

"Why are you here. Are you hurt?"

I said surprised the moment I spotted Faith mingling with the injured people. She was playing with a handmade bracelet on her wrist with a forlorn expression.

When she saw me, Faith moved her hand away and said.

"...No. I just thought it would be better if you had an extra pair of able hands. Can I join you?"

"Hmm, placing one person in to another group shouldn't hurt. Yeah, I don't see why not? The more people that can fight the better."

"Thanks."

"Alright. Grab you weapon and wait. I gotta go check the other groups."

Saying this, I leave her and walk to where Mrs. Thompson was at.

"Mrs. Thompson, you ready on your end?"

Tapping on Mrs. Thompson's slightly hunched shoulder from behind asked.

Trying to see who was tapping on her shoulder, Mrs. Thompson slowly turned around.

Upon seeing that it was me, Mrs Thompson gave a gentle smile and nodded.

"We're ready."

"Okay. Try not to push yourself."

"Haha, don't worry. Although, I'm pushing 63, I still got some fight left in me."

Saying this, Mrs. Thompson raises her frail left arm and flexes it, showing her small muscles.

Heh, this old lady got some spunk.

"But still, be careful."

"I will."

After saying later to her, I grab a nearby boy that was in her group.

"What do you want?"

The boy said a little angry. But I didn't pay it no mind. I pointed at Mrs. Thompson and said to him.

"Watch over her. Make sure that she doesn't directly confront any infected when we go out there. I don't want a lady that's old enough to be my grandma die and get eaten and neither  do you. You feel me?"

"I got you. I'll make sure she's safe."

"Appreciate it."

Feeling grateful for his understanding, I give him a fist bump and go about my way.

I'm walking towards David and Sara's group. David was talking to his friend named Hunter ( I think) and Sara was talking to Megan and Beverly. 

"You guys ready?"

I asked as I walked up to them. 

With an affirmative nod, David said.

"Yeah. We're all good to go."

"Then let's get this show on the road."

After confirming that everyone is ready to leave, I go back towards the stairs leading to the second floor and start ascending it.

A couple of minutes later everyone else was gathered up here. The atmosphere right now was tense.

"Now before we leave, I'd like to remind you guys not to scream or speak loudly. Whisper. And for those busy bodies here, you see something out of place please ignore it. After all, curiosity killed the cat."

Standing in front of the security door, I reiterated once more. 

"David, your group's up."

I said to David as I opened the door and held it open.

His group was the spearhead. They'll be the primary fighters while Mrs. Thompson's group be the secondary fighters. 

As for my group, other than me, Faith, and Garrett, the rest are injured and can't wield their weapons to well. So us three can't do much other than protect them.

However, we'll help those that are in trouble.

Let's move."

David with his baseball bat in hand said as he cautiously crossed the threshold into the hallway. Followed behind him was Sara and the others of his group.

"It's clear."

After getting the okay from him, my group went next and then Mrs. Thompson's.

I was the last to leave. 

But before I closed the door, I did one final take of the gym.

"..."

The silence combined with the desolate scene of strewn cots everywhere made the whole thing look sad and somber.

Will any of us ever come back here?

"Desmond, what are you waiting for?"

Faith calls out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Closing the door, I went to my group.