Chapter 2 (Move, Goddammit)

Chapter 2: Move Goddammit

Arwen Swanter

May 19th, 2022

0 days before outbreak

Ohio, Mason High School

Season 2

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I didn't know what to do. I didn't cry, I didn't help, and I didn't move. Valentine was shot in the shoulder. He fell down next to me, and he immediately passed out. Aspen and Abby rushed to his side. I wanted to, but I couldn't. I didn't want him to die. I couldn't let him die. I wanted them to kill me too. My mind was paralyzed with fear and shock as chaos erupted around us. The deafening sound of gunshots echoed through the room, mingling with the panicked screams of my fellow classmates. It felt like time had frozen, trapping me in a nightmarish limbo where I couldn't bring myself to take any action.

The soldiers fought off the dead that broke inside the classroom. I watched them because I couldn't do anything else; that's the only reason why I knew you had to go for the head when killing them. The sight of blood and gore splattering everywhere only added to the horror unfolding before my eyes. Many of the soldiers died; only two of them were left when the gunfire stopped. They didn't even stop to apologize or save Valentine's life; they just left, and our teacher locked the door behind them.

"He's losing blood; we have to stop the bleeding," Aspen panicked.

"Does anyone have something to tie it with?" Nic yelled. I was finally able to get out of my shock. They had dragged him away to the corner of the room behind the display cases. The way he looked haunts me. He sat in a pool of his own blood. The bullet was still inside of him. I walked slowly towards him. I wish I could have been able to move faster; all I wanted was to be there for him, but I don't think I was out of my shock yet.

"Arwen, are you okay?" Abby asked as she put her hands on my shoulder; they were soaked in Val's blood. I wanted her to get off of me. "Stay away; you don't have to look." She tried to get me to walk away, but I couldn't do that to Valentine; I couldn't just abandon him.

The rest of that day was a blur. I just remember them finally being able to stop the bleeding. I remember Nic telling me he was alive. I fell asleep with him in my lap, and I wondered how long until he wasn't okay anymore.