Disease

“What’s all this?” Logan asked just as I saw Natasha and Erica in front of the table full of cooked meal. Since they are on break after guarding the boys--- Elora who was feeling a bit better after her and Logan had talked joined me outside to change shifts with them.

“A farewell dinner.” Erica said as Elora and I exchange a look. We were just about to prepare dinner when we got here and saw that they already did and Logan joined us because he wanted to get a drink.

“You guys...” Elora said covering her mouth with both of her hands as she sobs. I pat her back as she began to cry. This might just be the hormones but Elora has always been the emotional one ever since before.

“I know Logan and I had our differences which affected the whole group and I even made things worse for you for taking away the privilege that every future parent should had after what I did.” she said clearing her throat, “But I want to apologize for what happened. I was scared and worried for my family. I know it doesn’t justify my actions but please accept this peace offering.”

Elora didn’t say anything but just nodded before running towards the both of them and giving them a huge embrace. I just stand there smiling at them as they turned their attention to Logan who was just beside me. He just nodded at the both of them as he made his way to the kitchen to get his drink. I think that’s a guy’s thing for making nice.

I just left the girls as I made my way outside bumping into Aspen who was about to open the door when I came out. We just nodded at each other as we separate ways but before he closed the door I then recalled something that I wanted to ask him.

“What is it?” he asked after I called his name. His back still facing me as he held on the door handle.

“What did you tell him that made him agree?” I didn’t have to tell who I was referring to because he knows who it was. He is the only one who I had spoken to about Elora.

“That I’d stay too if he stays.”

I furrowed my brows, “Why would you stay?”

Logan and Aspen are best friends of course they’d stick together. But he was the one who was very adamant that we should leave and now he wants to stay? Even if he knows that in the first place this issue involves him and Logan, what made him change his thought?

That is then he turned around and for a brief moment our eyes met, “Just like him I also have a responsibility.”

“And what’s that?” because with the short moment that I met Aspen I couldn’t think of what ‘responsibility’ he was talking about besides the company which would’ve been the reason to prioritize us leaving.

“It’s something that I wanted to do even if I don’t really have to.”

That doesn’t sound like a ‘responsibility,’ “Why?”

“Because I care about ‘that’ person.” his gaze is intense as he looked at me without saying anything before walking away as I stood there as confused as ever.

I just ignored Aspen shaking my head as I made my way downstairs to start helping with the wall.

“Hey, Myla!” Jaden greeted as I smiled at him, “Should you be walking around? You were just injured.”

I smiled lightly I still pain a bit of pain every now and then but I am mostly fine, “I’m good. What can I help you guys with?”

Jaden and Sebastian exchanged a look but just shrugged. Jaden just cocked a brow before returning his attention to me, “Do you know how to use a hammer?”

I rolled my eyes, “Of course. Back in middle school it was one of our electives.”

I cringe when I mentioned the words as memories began to flood my mind. I had to fake a smile so the boys won’t see but I can feel my hands started to shake. Thankfully it looks like they didn’t even notice it.

“Well then you can start by helping us with these.”

I nodded trying to hide the fear that is slowly creeping out of my mind and listen to Jaden’s instructions.

A few hours later we are done with mostly of the work on the wall. The boys still have to make a few finishing touches to make it stronger but it was enough to ward all of the sickos off the main property. There was even a few of them who was attracted by the noise we are making that Vince had to shoot down. I had to excuse myself to pretend to pee when all I did is vomit on the bathroom floor each time I saw one.

“Myla, Myla are you okay?” I heard Elora knocking and I had to heave a breath to stop myself for having a panic attack. A slight change in my voice would alarm her.

“I’m fine.” my voice come out a bit shaky and I just prayed she wouldn’t noticed.

“Are you sure? You’ve been there for a while now.”

Of course, she’d know. She is pregnant and I may not know much about pregnancies but I heard that they have heightened senses. Must be why she was able to find me here when she was supposed to be just in their room resting.

“I’m good. It’s just... I think it’s something that I ate.”

“Okay... Then. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Yeah, sure thanks.”

It is finally our last night here in the cabin. The rest of the group will be staying here to continue on working on the fence waiting for the other survivors to go find them while the rest of us will be leaving to go head to the road and hopefully find the real truth for what happened.

We were all seated in the table eating together and for the first time since all of this chaos immerse the air around us became lighter. All of us having fun in one table enjoying each other’s company just like the real reason why we are here in the first place. There is still after all a bit of uncomfortableness but it wasn’t as apparent as it was a few days ago.

I am just busy talking to Erica when we heard someone cleared his throat. We don’t have to know who did it. I think everyone has got used to his behavior. We even exchanged knowing glances hiding a giggle as Logan looked at us with a frown.

“What?”

Erica replied shrugging, “Nothing.”

All of the girls in our side hide a smile even Olivia who has been quiet these days show a shine of happiness on her eyes even for just a short while.

Logan just rolled his eyes saying, “I want to make a toast for our final day together. Now that we have to go our separate ways earlier than we have expected... We should’ve seen each other for another term and spend time together in games, classes, or parties. But we don’t always get what we had plan.”

Everyone all bow their heads saddened with what he said as the continuous questions of ‘what if’s’ clouded our minds.

“I know we had our ups and downs in this group also lost some of our friends, god bless their souls, with everything going on around us right now but I just wanted to say that I am thankful that I was able to spend this summer with all of you. I couldn’t ask for a better company than you guys.”

Everyone was silent after Logan mentioned our other friends but all just acknowledge their agreement. Elora was next to lift her glass as everyone moved their attention to her.

“To seeing each other again.”

Everybody else followed lifting their glass, “To seeing each other again!”

After cleaning up dinner we all settled down on the living room to have a drink. Everyone was just laughing at stories, playing Uno, and Jengga. The boys are even having a hand wrestling match on the side. I just sat there in my spot smiling as I watched everyone having a great time as if we weren’t parting ways tomorrow morning.

“Mind if I seat.” said a voice when I looked up I saw Olivia. I just gave her a small smile before giving her some space so she could seat.

We didn’t spoke and just drank our beers watching everyone.

“Are you enjoying this?” she then asked breaking the silence.

“Not really but I am happy that they’d finally sort things out. You?”

She quickly said it that I almost coughed on my drink, “No.”

“Why?”

“They’re pretending to be everything is okay when the truth us everything is falling apart.”

“It’s just one night.”

“It was also just one night that we are just enjoying our stay here until suddenly it isn’t.”

“Olivia... I know that you are upset. We all are. But we are just trying to make things more bearable after everything.”

“Nikita was nice. She was the kindest person that I know.” she said ignoring my previous statement as our eyes locked together, “She doesn’t deserve what happened to her. She was innocent unlike some others.”

I furrowed my brows, “What do you mean?”

Olivia just ignored me and just walked away. I followed her gaze as she walked upstairs only returning my focus on the others when I heard them calling my name to ask to join the game.

The next day we are right on schedule for leaving. We used two cars and left the rest for the others so that they could use it in case for emergency. We double checked everything that we will be brining: clothes, foods, medicine, and some of the gas. We didn’t bring that many so that the others can still use it for the generator for the electricity in their homes and we could just get some on the way. Good thing one of the cars are electric.

“Everything ready?” Jaden asked as he bid us farewell. Elora and Logan is already in the other car with Vince as Aspen and I would be in the other one where most of our belongings are located.

I smiled at him nodding, “Yeah.”

Jaden then rubbed his nape shyly smiling, “Take care out there.”

“We will.”

I almost jump when I heard someone slapping the car. I looked on my right and saw Logan peaking his head out of the car, “Let’s go!”

I nodded at him before returning my attention to Jaden smiling at him one last time before opening the truck and sat at the shotgun seat beside Aspen who was already on the drivers.

“Ready?” he asked as I swallowed nervously.

“No, but I have high hopes that we’ll be fine.”

Aspen smiled nodding as he changed gears and the car come into life. I peered at the side mirror and watch the rest of our friends slowly disperse from our sight catching eyes with Olivia one last time before I returned my focus on the road to where we will be having the longest drive in order to find the truth.