Counting the Days

Chapter Four

Charles was jogging with the two other teenagers in his group, trying to initiate conversation. But he was always ignored or pushed aside. Though he was much larger than the two others, in his height and frame but he still allowed himself to be pushed. All he knew is that the black haired one was named Zack and his father was the man they had seen, and there was some bias for his behavior. 

Charles felt eyes on him, looking around as he spotted Corin glaring and talking to somebody with a red face. Not thinking much of it as he jumped over one of the logs on the path used as a hurdle, offering to help the kid with dark brown hair up over it. But his hand was smacked away, taking a step back as he followed behind the other two. 

When something like the end of the world happens, you would think that people would band together and not be jerks. Charles thought, running faster as the other two did as well. Almost tripping on a root, but he barely got over it without falling. Watching his footing more carefully now, chasing after the two as he jumped over obstacles and climbed a high log right in the way.

They both had moved to a run, Charles catching up after he got over the log. He had longer legs so he could catch up quicker, he bet he could beat any of these guys in a race anyway. Well, apart from Corin of course. Charles always wondered how he was so fast with how small he was, proceeding to run into a low hanging branch. Sputtering to get leaves out of his face as he caught up to the other two again.

When the course finally ended he was out of patience for these two, approaching them with a glare. "Why are you two being so competitive about this, aren't we supposed to be working together?" Charles asked, glaring at them. The two looked at him, with a glare in return. "Well its the survival of the fittest here." Zack said, looking at Charles like he was an idiot.

At this time Corin was appearing with his group as well, seeing Charles being very agitated and started over. Elsa and Sofia following behind him as Corin appeared next to Charles, who was practically growling at these two. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST?" Charles began to yell, making Corin stand on his tip toes to pat his shoulder. "What's going on?" He asked.

Charles looked down to see Corin next to him as the two girls showed up behind him, the other two's attitude completely changed. "Oh, we are very sorry, please forgive our words. We were just on edge being around so many new people!" The one with dark brown hair said, Corin glared at the two looking back up at Charles after a second. They exchanged a look of 'are you kidding me' before Corin turned back to his group.

"Looks like you got this covered, I'm gonna go learn about infected." Corin spoke, shrugging as he began walking away. "Hey! We have to stay together, wait up!" Elsa said, chasing after Corin and Sofia sauntered along behind her. "Might as well before we're forced to run around more." Sofia added, hands in her beige pant pockets that had been muddied with dirt.

"Mind if we join you?" Zack had asked, doing his best to pose. Corin simply turning back and looking him up and down a few seconds spoke, "Yes." And began walking away again, causing Zack to look defeated as Charles covered his mouth to keep from laughing. Zack glaring at him as Charles snorted from holding his laughter. "We weren't asking you anyway shorty-" 

Now you see that's where they messed up, Corin hated being called short. To which Corin casually walked over, the rest of the words the dark brown haired teenager said tuned out. Grabbing them by the front of their shirt and dragging them down, proceeding to punch them in the face. Zack jumped at him and Charles had to hold him back while the one Corin punched was recovering. 

Beginning to walk away again, he spoke a few words. "Don't call me short again, thanks." Zack began yelling to Elsa and Sofia, thrashing as Charles held onto him. "YOU'RE JUST LETTING HIM DECIDE THINGS FOR YOU?! COME ON STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES!" Sofia looked at him, sighing with irritation. Before Elsa spoke. "He's the smartest out of the three of us, and we would've said no anyway; asshat." She stuck her tongue out at him, following Corin as Sofia giggled a little.

Zack looked like somebody had kicked his dog in front of him as Charles let go pf him, turning to a glare quickly towards Corin.

(Just a warning that the next update is gonna be kinda spaced out since I just got smacked with no motivation and writers block, sorry guys)