Afflicted

Her fingers moved slightly, brushing against the back of my right hand and sending a spark of energy running across my skin.

I reached for her, my left hand cupping the delicate curve of her jaw as my fingertips trailed into her hair. She tilted her head into my touch and I found myself looking at her in a whole new light. She wasn't the girl I'd grown up with anymore. She'd become something so much more.

My thumb traced the line of her bottom lip as she leant towards me and I pulled her closer.

The door crashed open behind us and I dropped my hand as I spun to face it. Reese looked at the two of us in surprise as he entered.

“Oh hey,” he said with a frown. “I just needed to use the bathroom. Are we leaving soon?”

“We were just discussing that,” I said as I took a step towards him, expanding the space between me and his sister. “My intel has put more pressure on us than we'd been hoping. We need to get out of here quickly and we don't have time to stop off on our way to the city.”

“Okay so we just head straight there,’ Reese said as he glanced at me and then his sister. “Don't we?”

“It means we can't drive around to check on anyone's families,” Katy said slowly, like she was talking to an idiot. “Do you really think they're gunna be happy with that?”

“Well they don't have to come with us do they?” he said, using the same tone in response.

Katy glanced between me and her brother irritably before sighing as she gave in.

“Okay, I'll tell them. But I'm not sure how they're gunna take it. Are you sure we can't-“

“We can't,” I confirmed, catching her arm to make sure she understood. “We need to go. Now.”

“Okay.” She slipped out of my grasp and headed out of the room.

I waited until her footsteps disappeared down the stairs then followed her out, leaving Reese to use the bathroom in peace.

I took a moment to check the satphone again. Still nothing. I wasn't used to having to wait so long for information and it was infuriating. How was I supposed to make any plans when no one knew what was going on? I sighed as I followed her downstairs and made my way into the dining room where I'd last seen Tommy.

He was still exactly where I'd left him and it didn't look like he'd regained consciousness either. The Quarterback, the tall blonde one who looked like he could be a teen model and Reese’s friend from the other night were sitting with him.

“Jason was just asking if we should try to wake him,” the blonde said as he spotted me.

“No, let's just carry him out to the truck. He’ll wake up soon enough.” I moved to hoist Tommy up under his arms and the Quarterback hurried to grab his legs. Between the two of us, we managed to manoeuvre him outside and lay him in the rear of my truck.

Debbie was still sitting in the front seat and she opened the door with a bright smile.

“Are we leaving now?” she asked, twisting a bit of her platinum blonde hair between her fingers.

I wondered if I should break the news to her about us heading straight to the city but I doubted I'd be able to phrase it in a way that didn't make her angry if Katy was anything to go by.

I turned my attention to the guys instead, wondering if any of them might be any use if we got into trouble. They hadn't done much when the gunman attacked us but they hadn't panicked either.

“Any chance any of you know how to handle a firearm?” I asked them.

The Quarterback frowned at me before he responded. “We’re in high school. We don't waste our weekends at the firing range trying to prove how big our balls are by shooting stationary targets.” I got the feeling he didn't like me much and couldn't help but smirk in response to his comment.

“Well I do,” Debbie said, drawing my attention to her. “I've been going to the firing range with my dad every Saturday morning since I was twelve.”

“Looks like we know who's got the biggest balls here then,” I laughed as the boys stared at her in surprise. “Okay then Debbie, I've got a spare pistol with your name on it.”

“It sounds like it's got the wrong name on it actually. As my name is Demi not Debbie!” She glared at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

“Right. Names aren't really my strong suit. I'm just gunna check how Katy is getting on and I'll be right back.”

“I told you before that she doesn't like being called Katy,” the Quarterback called as I headed into the house.

“She does when I say it,” I winked at him and closed the door between us with a chuckle.