Afflicted

As I stepped outside, a cold wind swept around me, lifting my hair and throwing it across my face. I marched towards the truck where Spencer, Demi and Ryan were waiting.

“I thought Reese and Jason were out here too?” I asked as I glanced around, tying to spot them.

“Reese just came out and grabbed Jason, the two of them took off down the street. I think they're going to check Jason’s house now to save us driving there,” Ryan explained.

I bit my lip uncomfortably, knowing what Reese was up to but it was no different to me and Lacey. He wanted to check out Jason’s place so that his best f

riend could come with us.

“About that,” I began gently. “I've got a bit of bad news.”

“Just spit it out,” Demi snapped. I chewed on my lip, knowing she wasn't going to be happy with what I was about to say.

“Lincoln says we need to get to the city as soon as possible. He's heard that they might stop letting people in to make sure the contamination doesn't get inside. It means we don't have time to drive to everyone's houses.” I forced myself to meet their gazes as I spoke. “So if you need to go home first, you'll have to go separately to us.”

“It won't take long to stop at mine,” Demi said quickly. “And it's only like a five minute drive in the other direction.”

“What about everyone else? You can't expect him to drive to yours but none of the others’?” I wasn't sure why I was surprised. Demi always put Demi first.

“One stop will hardly make a difference,” she said ignoring me.

“No,” I snapped. I'd agonised over telling everyone that we couldn't check on their families but she was ready to do it without prompting. “You're welcome to come with us but we can't stop. It's up to all of you.”

I turned away from them and headed back to the house, refusing to get into an argument with Demi. If she wouldn't drop it then I'd let her take it up with Lincoln.

A hand landed on my shoulder as I reached the house and I turned to find Ryan looking down at me with concern. He steered me away from the front door and fixed me in his gaze, his icy blue eyes meeting mine.

“I'll come with you,” he said gently. “I'm not going to abandon you.”

“Abandon me?” I asked with a frown. “What about your family?”

“You're all I need. I'm gunna stay with you and look after you-“ He reached for me and I stepped back.

“Ryan no.” I shook my head as I backed away again. “This is horrible timing and I'm sorry but you can't leave your family because of me-“

“You're the most important thing in-“

“I can't do this,” I blurted before he could say anything else. “You and me. It's not… I don't feel the same as you, I haven't for a while.”

He stared at me as my words sank in, his gaze boring into mine as he figured out what I was saying.

“Wait, are you breaking up with me?” He grabbed my wrist to hold me in place.

“I’m sorry. Really,” I sighed. “But we just aren't working as a couple.”

The front door opened behind me and I tried to turn away to escape but Ryan yanked on my arm, keeping me in place. I stared at his fingers encircling my wrist in surprise.

“It's just the stress of what we've been through in the last twenty four hours,” he said, his nails biting into my wrist in desperation. “Just let me look after you and you'll feel better-“

“That's the whole point,” I snapped. “I don’t want looking after. You treat me like I'm totally incapable of doing anything for myself and not falling apart. It's suffocating. And I don't feel-“ I waved my free hand back and forth between the two of us. “A spark.”

“A spark?” He frowned at me and I could see hurt lurking behind the anger in his eyes. I didn't want to hurt him but I couldn't keep lying about my feelings.

“Just let me go,” I said, looking at his hand on my wrist.

Ryan didn't release me and tried to pull me closer to him.

“She told you to let go,” Lincoln’s voice came from behind me and I jumped.