Viral Hunt

ELENA’S POV “s**t! s**t! s**t!” I cursed repeatedly as I ducked under another swinging branch. My heart thumped against my chest as I searched for an exit. Despair clouded my gaze as I couldn’t see a way out. I watched as the other black clothed figures moved farther away from me with practiced agility. “I can’t die here,” I muttered, as tears welled up in my eyes. My feet moved as fast as they could take me, with blisters already forming. I blinked continuously, as I wasn’t about to let the tears cloud my vision. I was already at a huge disadvantage with the way things stood. “There it is,” I let out with a bated breath as my gaze glimmered with hope. The door was illuminated by a bright light. The only exit in that God forsaken cage. I stretched out my hand as I tried to grasp it. But it seemed as though that would be my undoing. My balance shifted as I felt myself tilting with my seemingly inconsequential action. I’m going to die. The thought replayed itself in my mind over and over again, as I watched a thicker branch swing at me with a speed I couldn’t even hope to comprehend. I shut my eyelids tight as I prepared for my inevitable death. A FEW WEEKS AGO “Okay guys, that’s everyone,” an exhausted voice resounded as I laid sprawled in my seat. “Finally,” I muttered as I grabbed my white coat, before stepping out of the office. “Good work today doctor,” a bunch of young men and women greeted as I walked past them. I gave a slight smile in return, as I made my way out of the hospital. Well, whatever remained of it anyway. The once modern building, which barely looked like a husk of itself, was teeming with more patients than medical professionals. I shook my head softly, giving it one last look, before I begrudgingly made my way back home. “No coffee today, miss?” the mobile coffee cart stationed beside the hospital asked in his palpable Italian accent, as he looked at me with a smile. He looked to be no more than a day above eighteen, with his strands of facial hair still poking out his chin. “Not today Leo,” I said with a tight smile as I made my way past him. I didn’t miss the disappointment that flashed across his gaze. I could feel my chest tighten as I increased my pace. I kept my head down, as I made my way past dilapidated buildings. Buildings that once stood tall, now reduced to a heap of rubble. The scavengers that raided them didn’t make the environment feel any safer. My palm found the pendant that rested lazily on my neck as I gripped it tightly. My nerves were always taut as I made my way back home. My steps slowed faintly as I could already make out the outline of the residential area. A wave of dread washed over me, as I made my way past my equally gloomy neighbors. Barely a hint of recognition flickered across my gaze as I walked past them. They looked to be new. It was rare for people to last longer than a few months around. The ones who did knew how to keep to themselves. I pulled my arms closer to my chest as I walked past. My initially hurried steps slowing to a crawl as I neared my apartment. It took me longer to climb the stairs than the walk from the hospital to the building. My hand hovered over the doorknob, my nerves taut as I placed a trembling hand on it. I turned it slowly, my breath hitched in my throat as I prayed that I could sneak in without making a sound. I pushed the door open, my other hand holding a handkerchief over my nose in a practiced fashion as I entered. But even with the barrier, the stench still managed to make its way into my nostrils. I wasn’t even sure what the main cause was, but for some reason, the stench seemed to have intensified. “Ugh,” I let out a soft grunt, before hastily placing a trembling hand over my mouth. The floor boards creaked as the familiar sound of a wheelchair rolling filled my ears. Despair filled my gaze as I hurriedly tried to adjust myself. The handkerchief disappeared into my pocket, as a forced smile made its way to my lips. My chest tightened as I saw a looming shadow appear from the kitchen. “H-hey babe,” I let out as softly as I could. “I didn’t want to wake you up. That’s why I was so silent.” I went on and on but I didn’t get any response as usual. The sound of the wheels only further intensified as his figure came into view. Even though I had seen his figure numerous times, I couldn’t help but have to suppress the bile that rose to my throat. His chestnut brown hair that richly crowned his head now hung in patches. His perfectly symmetrical face now looked disfigured, as one emerald green eyeball popped out more than the other. His puckered lips were singed black as he sat lazily in the wheelchair. His limbs were shrunken due to months of inactivity. Even with everything, there was the unbearable stench that came with being infected by the radioactive waste that ravaged our area. But even with everything, I walked up to him, throwing my arms around him as I embraced his figure. With everything the world had turned him to, he was still the man I had pledged my heart to. “Do you want anything to eat?” I asked, wrinkling my nose slightly as I fought off the stench. His head bobbed slightly as he fixed his intense stare on me. I took that as my cue to prepare the remaining pack of noodles we had. My hands moved with a speed only attained through constant practice as I prepared the noodles. After letting it cook for a while, I sat across him as I fed him through the limited space his lips allowed. We sat in silence as usual, with me feeding and him eating, but something felt off. His usual intense stare had an unusual glow that rattled me more than I liked to admit. I shook my head as I deemed it to be a figment of my imagination. It didn’t take too long for me to feed him. My hands felt like lead as a result, as I tucked him into the creaking mattress, before laying next to him. My gaze remained fixated on the ceiling with tear stained eyes as I wondered if this was how my life was going to play on forever. Me being overworked, coming home to take care of Eric before settling into bed with him. A teardrop streaked down my face as my my exhaustion dragged me off into dreamland. Leaving me unaware of the huge shadow that encompassed my immobile figure.