Afflicted

He dropped the gun to one side as she leapt onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. He pulled her close with his free arm and they seemed to forget the rest of us for several seconds as they were reunited.

“Who are your friends?” Shilo asked as he finally released her.

“I've picked up some high school jocks and the cheer squad,” she said with a smile. “Come on, let’s get away from the windows. And where did you get that gun?”

“It was behind the counter but it's not much use; it isn't loaded,” he replied.

I kept my back to the glass wall which faced the street and followed them through a door behind the counter and into a small staffroom. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jason catch hold of Tara’s arm and force her to follow us.

“We can hole up here until the cavalry arrives,” Shilo said as he ushered us towards two worn leather sofas.

“You think someone's coming to rescue us?” Chloe asked hopefully.

“Gotta be,” Shilo replied. “They aren't just gunna leave people here while those animals run wild. My guess is the army will come.”

I couldn't help but think of Lincoln. He was a Marine. Would they be sending him out to help us? I wasn't sure if I found the thought reassuring or terrifying. I didn't want him caught up in this if he didn't have to be.

“I hope so,” Lacey said as she sank into a seat and chewed her thumbnail. Reese sat beside her and pulled his cellphone from his pocket.

r /> “Still nothing,” he cursed as he banged it against his knee.

“What are we doing then?” Tommy asked.

“I want to go home,” Chloe moaned. “Why did we even come out today? That film sucked-“

“Shut up Chloe. No one wants to hear you blathering on,” Demi said angrily as she took a seat in the corner of the room.

Ella sat in the floor and pulled off her shoes, I remembered her saying they'd been pinching her feet and gave her a sympathetic smile.

“Maybe we should just wait here until help arrives?” Rose suggested.

My heart sank as I realised she was right. It was too dangerous to go back outside with those crazed animals roaming about. We weren't going to be able to get into the city with my mom and dad. If they started the quarantine process then we'd just have to head there with the rest of the population. I definitely didn't want to go back out onto those streets any time soon.

“I think that's our best option at this point,” Ryan agreed.

“I'm hungry,” Demi complained. I had no idea how she could have an appetite after what we'd just witnessed.

“There was a fresh sandwich delivery out front,” Shilo said. “I'll go grab some.”

He headed back out of the staff room towards the cafe and Jason followed him to help. The rest of us stayed in silence while we waited for them to return. I couldn't think of anything to say and I was fairly sure everyone else felt the same.

Shilo reappeared with a tray stacked high with pre-wrapped sandwiches and started handing them out. Most people accepted theirs with a murmur of thanks but Demi scrunched her nose as she took hers.

“I don't want egg,” she said as she pushed it back at him. “What else is there?”

Shilo raised an eyebrow at her as he glanced at the rest of the sandwiches on his tray. “Chicken?” he offered.

“Is that it?” she asked. Shilo shrugged one shoulder and she took the chicken sandwich with a sigh.

I flinched as Jason pressed a cold bottle of orange juice into my hand and stared at in confusion for several seconds as he moved on to hand more drinks to the others.

“Thanks,” I said belatedly before opening it and taking a swig. My stomach churned uncomfortably as the juice hit it and I screwed the lid back into place.

Ryan caught my free hand and pulled me towards the empty couch. I let him guide me down into the seat at the end and he sat beside me, placing an arm around my shoulders.

There were a few mumbled conversations but everyone stayed fairly silent as we began our wait for help. Shilo and a few of the others headed back into the cafe and dragged a few more chairs into the staffroom so that everyone could sit down. I watched them quietly, half feeling like I should help while the rest of me couldn't bring myself to move a muscle.

I glanced over at Lacey to see that she had closed her eyes. I doubted very much that I'd be able to sleep but I couldn't stand any more awkward glances at my friends. Each time I made eye contact with someone I felt like I should be saying something to help ease the pain that was haunting their gaze. But nothing I could say would help.