Afflicted

“I've just been attacked by one of those contaminated psychos,” I said as I opened the sun visor to look in the mirror. My lip was bleeding a little but I doubted it would be obvious after an hour or so. “I've knocked him out so I was just wondering what I'm supposed to do with him now?”

“That's still being handled by local police. If you can make it to a station through this storm then that's the place to drop him. Or I can just put the info into the Monitor and have them come find him?”

I half considered it but he might end up drowning before anyone came to get him. Or worse still wake up and attack someone less able to defend themselves. And the poor bastard wasn't in control of himself anyway so I couldn't really harbour a grudge against him.

“I'd better drop him off. Thanks Hawker.”

“Glad you're okay Walsh.” She hung up before I could reply and I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat with the groceries.

I jumped out of the truck and into the rain once more. I was so saturated that it barely even mattered anyway.

The wind howled around me as I hoisted the unconscious man over my shoulder and deposited him in the bed of my truck. I pulled a tarp over him to keep the rain off then headed to the police station to drop him off.

I probably could have done better than leaving him to roll about in my truck bed but knowing I shouldn't hold a grudge didn't mean I wouldn't. And my split lip was pretty pleased with my decision.

Chapter Thirteen

Kaitlyn

When the sound of the storm finally died down, Ryan eased the shelter door open again.

I blinked out into the grey light and pulled my hood up as we stepped out into the persistent drizzle which had been left behind. A few branches littered Ryan's backyard and a bench was overturned but nothing else seemed too out of place

.

"Looks like we managed to get away with it," Ryan said as he offered me his hand and helped me to clamber out.

I pulled my cellphone from my pocket as it started buzzing repeatedly. Seven texts had arrived all at once from my mom plus two from my dad and even one from Reese. There were twenty nine missed calls too. I sighed as I scanned through them quickly.

12:03 Mom - We got cut off, can you call me back? Can you get to shelter? X

12:06 Mom - Did you get my message? Are you ok??

12:08 Mom - Are you at Lacey's? Your Dad is coming to pick you up X

12:11 Mom - The storm is too bad, he can't leave. Make sure you get to shelter and let me know that you're ok!!

12:26 Dad - Let us know you're alright as soon as you can. Are you safe?

12:32 Reese - Mom and Dad are pissed you're not with me. Call them to tell them you're fine

12:40 Dad - Give us a call as soon as you can, we just want to know you're alright

12:41 Mom - Are you ok??? Please text back!

12:49 Mom - Call me!!

13:52 Mom - The storm has passed, did you get to shelter? Your dad is heading over to Lacey's to pick you up now X

"I just need to call my Mom," I said. "She's having kittens."

"Sure, I should probably check in with mine too," Ryan agreed as we headed back into his house.

Ryan moved into the front room as he made his phone call and I stayed in the kitchen to dial my mom. She picked up before the first ring had even finished.

"Oh Kaitlyn thank goodness!" she gushed.

"I'm fine Mom," I sighed. "I was in a shelter. It doesn't look like the storm was even that bad in the end anyway."