Chapter 15

UNEDITED-

Marisol POV-

Carelessly unwrapping the bandage from my head I didn't bother to look in the mirror.

As I stand here in the shower, fighting with my own emotions.. watching the various shades of blood stream off my body and down the plughole, I can't help but see my mother's face in my mind.. she's the most intelligent person I've ever known. If anyone could help me now it would be her.. I wish desperately to hear her voice again, but the sad truth of it is, it's been over a year since I could remember what she sounds like. I wish she could give me some words of wisdom.. just something to make my life a little easier.

But alas.. just like in every other aspect of my life I can't think of myself. I have no choice but to put August first.. if he or Betty attacks one of them they will become the enemy.. or I will. Wouldn't it just be easier to remove us from the situation and ensure that it never happens?.. I closed my eyes and tried to relax but all I could see was the mans face.. begging me for death. Feeling my adrenaline spike again I threw my fist into the tiled wall, a few of them cracked and smashed, falling into the bathtub around my feet. I guess it's time to get out now..

Just as I wrapped the towel around me I heard a light knock on the bathroom door. Without a thought I opened the door to see Samantha stood looking back, her eyebrows were furrowed..

"Did you fall?.. Holy shit Sol, your eye"

"I know Sam, it's disgusting.." I rolled my eyes.

"It's not disgusting.. it just looks weird.."

I furrowed my eyebrows and walked back over to the foggy mirror.. wiping it with my hand I brought my face close.. The white of my eye is still black, but my iris.. it's various shades of organge and yellows, instead of my usual green. And where the slice was is a red line that travels straight through my iris. I covered my eye with my hand and removed it again.. "I can see.."

"Sol.. what happened out there? Alex won't tell us anything.." I felt relieved for a second, before remembering that I have to tell her in order for her to let us go.

"After we took Natasha home, someone tried to rob us and, Storm got shot.." I walked past her and into my room where it was pretty much a shithole from them taking whatever they needed while I wasn't here.. I don't mind, it usually looks like this after Forrest goes rooting through my things.

I opened a box of clothes and pulled out a dark blue tracksuit.. "Is she alright?".. Sam asked following behind me into the room.

"No Sam.. she's dead.." I paused and closed my eyes as the image of her plastered my mind.. the way she looked at me as the blood dripped down her nose and she dropped on the floor. I shook the image from my head and continued searching through the box to find a top. Just as I turned back to face Samantha she threw her arms around me..

"I'm sorry".. She mumbled squishing her face into mine. I closed my eyes and took a deep inhale, the sweet smell of her skin sent me into a trance. I'm so glad I'm not very hungry right now or I could easily bite down. I wonder why Betty and August aren't struggling like I am.. I guess it could have something to do with how many times I've been bitten, or maybe it's my DNA. We will likely never find out..

"You can't do that" I lightly pushed Sam away from me..

"Do what?" Her worried tone was evident..

"You're not safe around me anymore.."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Me, August, Betty.. we can't stay here.."

Sam rolled her eyes.. "Of course you can. It's your house Sol".

"I'm hungry.. and my body won't let me digest food. What do you think I'm going to have to eat?" Her eyes grew wide with shock as she put the pieces together. Seeing the look on her face right now I can't bring myself to tell her that I've already eaten someone.

"You wouldn't.. I know you"..She shook her head.

"I'm not!." My frustration began to show but I managed to bring it back.. "I'm not myself anymore Sam.. all you have to do to know that is look at me".. in just a few days my appearance has changed so dramatically.. I'm covered in scars, my ears are long and pointy.. and now my eyeball is back and my iris is the colour of an open flame. I'm only glad I can see.

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know.. but you'll be alright. I'll come back to check on you, make sure you have what you need.." Ripping an old black top I tied a strip of fabric as an eye patch around my head. I'm not ready to see everyone's response.

"I don't like this.."

"Neither do I.." Alex appeared in the doorway with a change of clothes in hand. It appears she was on her way to the bathroom when she overheard us.

"I don't either but-"

"You could stay Sol, then if something happens you can leave.." Alex protested..

"..'If' something happens?..That is what I'm trying to avoid!.. I need to get dressed.." I left them both standing in the room as I walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

I dried off the rest of my body and quickly dressed myself. I crimped at my hair with the towel and then turned to look at the broken tiles that had fallen into the bath. As I reached out my hand that had been holding the towel before, I saw my bloodied knuckles.. I watched in surprise, it was healing right before my eyes, it scabbed over and shrunk into nothing.. now appearing as a white scar.

Throwing the broken tiles in the bin and quickly cleaning out the bath, I opened the bathroom door to go downstairs.. I heard Alex and Sam both stop talking for a moment. I didn't look in their direction but somehow knew that they had both looked over to me as I walked past my room.

When I got to the bottom stair I heard the shower turn on.. At least they stopped talking about me.

"Are you alright darling?" God it's that question again.

"I'm alright.. Bella do you mind if I talk to Betty and my brother alone for a moment?"

"No of course not.. I was just about to get something to eat anyway." I just nodded thanks as she left the room. I slowly walked to the door and closed it behind her.

"Where to start.." I sighed quietly, turning around to face them both sat on the couch. Maybe I should have talked to them separately, but I rushed ahead and now I'm here.. I looked to each of their faces as they patiently waited for me to speak.. I heard Bella tell Sam that we were talking and them both walk off down the hallway to the kitchen.

"What is it dear?" Betty asked confusedly. It was here that I decided I couldn't actually tell Betty everything I needed to infront of August.. He would never see me in the same light if he knew what I did.

"Actually, August.. can you do me a favour and grab my MP3 player?" He asked me where it was and I told him where in the dresser. Finally I was alone to tell Betty.. I closed the door behind August and turned back to Betty, who was just sat waiting with a questioning gaze.. perhaps it would be better if she could see inside my head. "I think, we aren't safe to be around anymore"

"What do you mean?"..

"I wish I could just show you instead.." I sighed shaking my head.

"Why don't you try too.." I looked up in confusion she continued "-If you let me in, maybe I could see.. I can look into August's mind just fine.."

"What do you see when you look into his mind?"

"I see how hard you've worked, how much you have given up to be the thing he loves most.. it's quite beautiful actually" Isn't it ironic that I'm giving everything up to keep him safe once again. Amidst the bitter irony I couldn't help but smile, he really loves me this much? Then this isn't for nothing.

Having thought about what Betty had said I sat down beside her. She held out her hand and I reluctantly placed mine in hers. Her hands are still warm.. maybe that's a good sign. "Okay, now just close your eyes and relax.." I did as she said, taking several deep breaths I tried to relax. But how can I relax when this man is looking back at me? His eyes staring frantically, 'kill me' black liquid dripped from his mouth has he begged over and over. I caused this.. I have to accept that it's who I am now. I have to live with his face etched into my mind, and perhaps many more in the future.. maybe I can just eat the bad guys? Can I live with that? I have to eat something at some point. During my train of though Betty let go of my hands and I opened my eyes.

"Wow.. I was not expecting that. I'm sorry about your friend."

"Thank you, but that's not really what I wanted to show you.."

"No I saw. I know why we have to leave.. at least until we know how to handle this" How is she being so calm about it?. "We can go to my lake house, it's not too far from here"..

Right after she spoke August came back through the door. "So what did you want to speak to us about?" He asked handing me the MP3 player.

"We have to go away for awhile just the three of us-"

He cut me off "Can Sam come?"..

"No but we can come back and visit.." I offered what I could.. I don't want to lie.. "We're going to be staying in Betty's lake house.."

"Can we fish there?" I looked to Betty who looked to August..

"Of course we can.." She smiled warmly as if he were her own grandchild.

"It's settled then, pack your things ready for the morning.."

August nodded to me with a smile and left the room to go pack. "How are you doing with food?"

"I'm coping.. though you don't have many grown up options. Hopefully at the house you and August can catch us some fish.." She smiled at the thought of a decent meal. "And we should probably make use of my car since we have it.."

"I didn't see it in your driveway?"

"Marv parked it in the garage after he filled it up, I guess it's lucky that for once he remembered." She smiled reminiscing her lost love.

"I'm sorry for what happened"..

"It's still not yours to be sorry for darling. At least I can have a chance to grab a few things when we go to my house.." I just nodded and smiled.

"Now that it's settled I should probably share our plan".. this is for sure going to be difficult.

"Yes you probably should" She gave me a reassuring smile as I picked myself up off the couch and left the room. As I walked down the hallway I could already hear them conversing in the kitchen.. Sam and Bella.. I know Alex is still in the shower because I can still hear the water flowing.

"She just said they have to leave.." Sam spoke.

"Did you ask why?" Bella asked in a curious tone.

"It doesn't really matter why does it?"

"Of course it matters, there has to be a reason"

"There is" I answered from the doorway getting both of their attention.. "Until we know exactly what's happening to us, we're not safe to be around. So me, August and Betty are leaving in the morning. We're taking Betty's car, she will draw you a map of where we are just incase something happens here.." Wow that was easier than I thought it would be. "Oh and Sam, me and Betty will me sleeping in August's room tonight.."

"I'm sure it's not that urgent.." Bella started but luckily Sam spoke up..

"Sol knows what she's doing" I honestly have not a single clue.. her blind faith in me is astonishing. "You better go tell Alex.." She added.

"Tell me what?" She always arrives on time. Even with her messy wet hair she still looks effortlessly beautiful. Both Sam and Bella looked to each other and made their way out of the room. The look on Alexs face could murder.

"We're leaving in the morning.."

"Ok.."

"Ok?"

"What do you want me to say? Am I supposed to beg you not to leave?.." Her cool demeanor was honestly scaring the shit out of me.

"I just know that you have more to say.."

"What is the point of saying anything? Will it change your decision"

"No" When I heard the word come out of my mouth it sounded weak. "I just don't want to leave thinking you hate me"...

"I don't hate you.." She sighed.. "I hate what you're doing.."

"I have to.. Betty agrees it's the right thing to do. We will come straight back once we know exactly how to deal with.. everything. And as long as you keep the noise down you'll be safe"..

"This is it then.. I really hope you all come back soon" She left the room.. now I'm alone and missing yet another piece of myself.

I walked past the living room where everyone was sat watching something on the TV on my way to get my mother's katanas off my bedroom wall.. I guess there will never be a better time to make use of them.

----

That night was a difficult one, I was barely able to sleep. August slept on Forrest's bed and Betty on the bottom bunk. I slept on the floor with a pillow and blanket. You'd think this is the reason I couldn't sleep but that's not the reason at all. The haunting vision kept replaying in my mind. Even when I opened my eyes I could see his face in the pitch black room. The thing that is scaring me so much is that I had literally no control over what I did. I just remember how hungry I felt, and that intoxicating aroma.

Before long we were almost ready to walk out the door. Stood alone in the kitchen stuffing a bag full of snack bars and crisps, I felt an emptiness inside my chest that ached with longing for a life I could never have.

"I'm sorry, about yesterday.." I turned to face Alex as she walked through the door.. "-You're crying?"

"I'm not" I wiped my eye attempting to hide the pain I was feeling, even though it was already too late.

"I can see you Marisol.."

"I know" I sighed turning away from her to stuff a few more packets into the bag. I swear I'm about to give up and back out. What if something happens to them while we are away?.. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my mind. I used the counter top to ground myself.

Alex stood by my side and put her hand over mine "I know that you're worried, but you don't have to be-" For a second I thought she might try to convince me to stay again but she didn't.. "You'll figure things out, and then you'll come back to us.. right?" I did a small nod in response. What if we never figure things out? I can still come back when I'm not hungry I guess. "Right?" Alex asked again, giving my hand a light squeeze.

"Right" I affirmed trying to smile. Without another word she pulled me into a hug. "It's not-" I was about to protest and tell her it's not safe.

"I don't care Sol, just hug me back".. "Please" Her voice cracked and I did as she said, wrapping my arms around her as she held my head close to hers with her arms around my neck. I wonder what things would be like for us if the apocalypse didn't hit. I also noticed that her scent isn't making me hungry.. just sad.

"Are you ready Sol?" I heard Auggie ask as he came walking down the hallway. Alex parted from me and wiped her own tears away just as he came into view.

"I'm ready.." As soon as I spoke Alex left the room.

"Are you okay?" I heard Sam ask in the hallway.

"I'm fine" Alex replied on her way up the stairs.

Then Sam appeared behind August. "Be safe Sol, I'm gonna miss you" The water pooled in her eyes. "And you too August"

"I'll miss you too, but it's not forever Sammy" August chuckled lightly.

"Are we all set then?" Betty asked as she entered the kitchen past Auggie and Sam.

"Almost.. August can you get your shoes and coat on please. And don't forget your bag.." He rolled his eyes and went off to carry out my orders.

"We will see you again soon" Bella joined in now entering the kitchen as well.. the only one not here is Alex. She's taking it a lot harder than I expected. I really don't know what's going on with her lately.

"You will.." I smiled despite not actually knowing.

We said our goodbyes and Alex was still nowhere to be seen. I figured she must have done that on purpose. I didn't want to make the situation worse so I left it alone. "Can you give this to Alex?" I asked holding out my katana for Sam to take.

"Of course. But why won't you give it to her yourself?".. I didn't answer.. she nodded as if she understood my struggle, which was strange because I don't even understand it.. but none the less life goes on.

I handed the smaller of my mother's katanas to Betty who just looked at me like I'm crazy. "Just in case" She finally took it and nodded back.

I told August to stay right behind me at all times "I will I promise"

Finally we were making our way out of the front door. I looked both ways and see some of the dead wandering around further down on both sides. If we stay quiet, we should be able to avoid any conflict. With a steady pace, making sure August and Betty could keep up I cautiously made my way down the street. Glancing back to check on them every few seconds.

We made our way to Betty's front door which was already wide open. I'm guessing she didn't have time to close it on her way out. I heard a rustling from behind us, turning to look I was horrified.. A grey faced man must have got caught behind the hedge.. but now he could see us and he was barely a foot behind August. The guy got up out of the bush, August turned around in that direction, but then stayed still as a statue. Betty screamed. To my surprise the man stumbled straight past August and grabbed ahold of Betty, tearing into her neck. Her burgundy blood squirted from the wound and pooled out onto the floor. Her knees buckled before I could even get there. As soon as I could I pulled the man off of her and sliced his head in two. I held my hands over Betty's neck, her blood oozed out between my fingers. My eyes flicked to August who was still stood frozen. Why did the man just walk past him?

"It's going to be alright" I whispered, frantically trying to stop the bleeding.

"I know- it is darling.." She spoke and blood dripped from her mouth.. "I'm going- to see my husband" Despite the immense amount of pain I know she's in, she smiled. Then the last breath left her body and she stopped moving. Why does everyone keep dying around me?.

I made a little attempt to wipe the blood from my hands before dragging August into the house by his. Our plan must go ahead.. with or without Betty.

NOTES-

Thank you for reading!! I'm so greatful to each and everyone of you for your time. However I do have to give a special thank you for any power stones or comments. Feeling the accomplishment of publishing a new chapter is enough for me to continue, but I can't lie, seeing your support obviously motivates me way more..

I'm not sure how the story is going, I just do my best to capture what I see in my head.. if that makes any sense at all. ANYWAY.. take care. Peace.