Screamers

Why Do You Call Them That?

    “Who the f**k are you?” she insisted.

    “Whoa, whoa! Chill! I swear I'm not a threat! I don't even have weapons!” I practically yelled, throwing my hands up.

    “I didn't ask that, I asked who you are.” she said as she raised the gun.

    “I'm Kane.” I'm pretty sure I stuttered the closer she got with that huge ass gun.

    “Why are you out here? Are you alone?”

    “Yeah I'm alone. I just ran. Tried to get out of the city before I got that damn virus.”

    “You ran?” She walked slowly around the fire, getting closer to me. The more she came nearer to me the more I could hear her accent. Russian, maybe? Something Slavic. I lowered my arms, not feeling the immediate threat anymore.

    “Yeah.”

    “Just you?” She was only about three feet away now. And God, I thought she was pretty far away, now that I can really see her, she's gorgeous. Is this a dream? Am I hallucinating? The way shes glaring at me with the 'intent to kill' vibes, I don't think so.

    “Yeah,” I was getting really anxious at this point. Why keep drawing this out?

    “No weapons?” she c***s her head to one side, narrowing her eyes.

    “None. I Swear.” I say, glaring right back at her. “Are you alone?”

    “Yes.”

    “Really?” I ask, doubtfully.

    “I don't have the patience or the time to try and protect weaker people. They just drag you down. I prefer to think of it as natural selection. And I'm not too good at being a 'follower'.”

    “Kinda harsh,” I raise my eyebrows.

    “I have my reasons,” she shrugs.

    “Hey no judgments here, especially against someone with a gun pointed at me. By the way, what's your name? I figure should you kill me, I ought to know your name at least.”

    “It's Nadia,” She lowers the gun and puts her hand on her hip. “So let me get this straight, you up and ran out into the woods – a pretty good ways you know – with no way to defend yourself against the screamers? You're either a true bad ass, or an i***t,” She looks me up and down. “I'm guessing the latter though.” Heavy on the attitude with that last part.

    “Wow OK thank you ma'am,” I roll my eyes. “But what do you mean 'screamers'?”

    “That's what we refer to them as out here. Because of, well, obvious reasons.” she sat down on the ground, crossing her legs and putting the gun in her lap.

    “Obvious reasons?”

    “Well, yeah you know. The whole 'scream' thing.” Nadia looks at me, not knowing why I'm not understanding.

    When the virus broke out, all we knew is that the sick people disappeared, then other uninfected people began to turn up dead. The news stated the deceased appeared to have died from fear and shock, as no other cause of death could be determined.

    “Is this what has been happening to the infected people?” I ask.

    “I cant believe you don't know! Yes, they all took to the forests, searching for places to hide like animals. Apparently they love caves. Its unreal.” she says, her eyes look a thousand miles away even though she's looking me. Emerald green eyes, absolutely beautiful. I pull myself back to the conversation.

    “I don't even know what to say. That explains why they cant find them. But since the name, do they scream?” I look at her, seeing sadness in her captivating eyes.

    “The scream is the most horrifying thing you will ever hear. And also the last thing you will, if you hear it. They stalk you like prey. Then when they finally corner you, you'd never know it was one of them. They look completely normal. Then, in an instant, their eyes turn white as snow. If you look directly into them, they've got you. You cant move. That's when they scream.”