Counting the Days

Chapter Two

Corin didn't protest when Charles grabbed him, running with him actually as well. But he didn't take his eyes off the infected behind them, it continued to slowly step forward. But it never went farther than the trees, he was supposed to go against those things... but both were terrified in their own ways. Turning around a building as both were out of breath again, but there was no laugher or teasing between the two this time. Just pure fear that they both tried to push off, Corin being the first to succeed.

"Why did you start running?" He asked, panting as he leaned against the outside of a house. Charles's green eyes looking up and focusing on Corin in front of him. "Don't act like you weren't scared too." Charles accused, he knew it was true with the way Corin suddenly held himself more alert. Looking around at every sound, no matter how small. 

"And you were the one who wanted to fight those things weekly." Corin spoke, glaring at his friend in front of him. 

"It couldn't get to us anyway, but it was hard to look at. I didn't want to be around it for too long."

Corin sighed, looking away down the street. There weren't many people out of the streets, and those who were didn't pay mind to the two teenagers. "Lets... just try to forget about it and head home. We have homework anyway." Corin spoke, stretching and cracking his knuckles. Charles looked alarmed a moment. "We had homework?" Soon after that the laughter returned, along with Charles getting a joking punch to the arm from Corin.

They both began to walk to their homes in the safe haven, joking and laughing at each other again. But the fear wasn't gone, just lingering at the back of their minds.

7/5/2030

Charles was running down the street, trying to usher Corin along to hurry. This was the day they could start training to be seekers, and they were already accepted to start training a month ago. Charles was still surprised that Corin didn't tell him that he was going to be a seeker until then. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. I still don't get how you're so excited about this." Corin spoke, still a bit frightened by what they saw just a month ago.

If he became a seeker he would be facing those things down constantly, but he had to make sure Charles didn't get caught by one of those things. He would probably wander off alone with no supplies what so ever and get grabbed, picking up his pace to a jog to meet at least a little bit of Charles's pace.

"Were gonna be late!" Charles began but was cut off by Corin.

"We are literally early Charles, calm down." Corin spoke, patting his tall friend on the shoulder. Barely able to reach his shoulder without going on his tip-toes though, due to Charles's tall 5'9 frame. Compared to Corin and especially at his age that was pretty tall. "You're acting like that time you had a date with Alex." Corin laughed, picking up the pace to satisfy his friend's energy.

Charles frowned, continuing to walk forward. "At least the seekers wont stand me up." Charles protested as they approached the training area, both presenting their cards that showed they were to be trained as they walked in. Looking around the dirt fields with a few cabins, they would train here for at least a half a year to know how to properly avoid infected and other survival skills. 

Moving towards the area they were directed as more people slowly showed up, there weren't a lot of people. Only around forty, didn't seem being a seeker was popular. To be fair most people have lost family to the infected, and most likely don't want to face them again. So the people who wanted to be seekers were young kids who hadn't witnessed the infected before, or those too young to remember and hadn't lost family to the infected. Some on the other hand, had lost people to the infected and were becoming a seeker to avenge their loved ones. 

Corin was looking around while he stood, Charles standing at attention and ready. Charles always tried to be professional in things he really enjoyed, Corin returning his gaze to somebody stepping towards the new recruits. A 5'11 man with tan skin stepping forward in front of everyone, Charles looked over to the side at some movement. Seeing a small woman walking, about to say something before the man in front of them spoke up.

"Trainees!"