Chemically Corrupted

Teen Idle

Science had done it again. Made it seem like it was improving on our lives when, in reality, it was just cursing the human race with another problem in our lives.

"It'll be great," they said. "It'll only hurt a bit!" They said. "It won't have any lasting effects," they said.

Well guess what. Those billions of people infected are having a very lasting and painful time, unlike how you said.

God, those scientists were so stupid. Injecting drugs into the cerebrum will not make them invincible or immortal. It won't make them the 'superior' human or anything like that. It won't help at all.

What really happened was the whole brain shutting down. Breaking down. Stop functioning. All of that stuff.

Which, coincidentally, was what happened to my sister.

She was going crazy, screaming, crying, yelling. After a few hours, she stopped and her eyes glazed over. She stopped talking, except for some groaning whenever she saw me. She stopped eating the food that the doctors gave her. Her skin started rotting in a few places, mostly around her forehead and mouth. She started to attack everything in sight. Sometimes she found a sharp surface and cut herself, but it didn't seem to bother her. Whenever she saw me she rushed towards me and started to bang her hands against my chest, frothing at the mouth as she screamed. She'd gone full on zombie.

Some started preparing for the zombie apocalypse, even if these 'zombies' hadn't come out of the ground to damn the entire human race. They were us. They used to be our family. Mothers. Fathers. Sisters.

This was happening all over the world but, for me, she was my world.

Hylla didn't deserve that.

Nobody did.

Those people could've been living a happy life right now, the world at peace and without worry of being killed by the ones they love most. Without worry of dying young in the next week, month, or - if lucky - a year.

The ones with the disease were taken and locked up in solitary cells located in major cities and towns. We all knew that one day they'd run out of cells and let them free into the outside world, we just didn't know when.

That time is now. Those who were found to be immune were loaded up with weapons and told to shoot as straight as possible. The older ones that were less likely to survive were taken to a few strongholds that had been made in case of a nuclear war. Along with the children, the elders retreated into their new home, which they'd leave once this 'apocalypse' ended. If it ever did.

Some joined groups. I, as an independent and fully functioning woman, didn't want to join one. I didn't think I needed anyone. I'd learnt a long time ago to not put your back in the trust of someone else. I just needed a few weapons and a half dozen guns and that was it, I could be on my merry way without any trouble.

My mother had taught me enough for me to be able to survive this thing
out, and I was going to use all that knowledge to my full advantage. I was going to help save us all.

I just needed to find a place to stay in until I'm a fully working killing machine. A place where I could take stock of the situation and strategize some ways to make myself a safe haven. A haven that would hopefully last more than my other ones. One that didn't have an abusive father or a controlling mistress. One where I didn't have to fight everything just to show I was worth it. One where I was actually happy and safe.

My legs are aching as I reach the door of the New York Public Library and sigh. My hand twitches as I sheathe my dagger and put it in the correct place before scanning my surroundings. The autumn morning is glowing with light as the sun rises over the indigo skyline. Most of the birds are still asleep, and the streets are deserted and alone. There was only a day left until they were released, and everyone was scrambling to prepare for what was sure to happen- a disaster.

The air fogs as I let a deep breath go, and raise my hand to knock. The sound resonates from within, and what few murmurs were exchanged were quickly shushed as a timid voice called out. "Who is it?"

My heart almost broke just from that simple phrase. The voice was obviously young and innocent. Probably younger than twenty. Wouldn't make it a day in the real world. But that didn't matter now. My voice, clear and strong answered, "I'm not infected."
Many sighs and laughs were interchanged as a girl opened the door.

Big confession time. I'm gay as hell. Sure, guys are cute, but girls can be so attractive that I just physically can't. Might be because of my father, but I really distrust men. They are impulsive and make bad choices that could scar someone for life. Men were never to be trusted.

The girl in front of me looked about sixteen, and had an air around her that said 'I'm spoiled as hell.' Her bare knees were covered in bandages and there was a band aid on her nose. Her complexion was flawless, save for a few freckles splattered here and there. Brown locks were tied into a high ponytail over her (probably designer) army jacket. She carried a single long dagger made of bronze and a medium sized gun in a belt around her waist. Her soft, murky, green eyes were clouded with doubt, as if she were still questioning whether all of this was actually happening. Still questioning whether or not all those people were okay or half dead. Questioning her own existence, probably.

I smiled and waved my hand hello at the girl, then looked past her. There were a few other people inside, sitting in chairs and the like while chatting it up. A college aged couple was sitting with the girl on the guy's lap, and they looked content. The guy had unruly black hair that stuck up all over the place and slight stubble on his chin. Green eyes shine with delight as he told a joke to the girl on top of him, her curly blonde hair in his eyes. She looked over at me with somber gray eyes and waved me over.

"Hey, new girl, welcome to the club!" She yelled, making my face redden in embarrassment. I should never have done this. Except I knew that if I wanted to survive joining a group -even for a short time- was my best chance, and I had to take that chance.

"My name's Annabeth, and this is Percy," she continued, gesturing wildly at Percy, both smiling happily.

"That's Piper who opened the door, and Leo's back there packing things up," Annabeth pointed to the back, where I caught a glimpse of brunet curls bobbing over a stack of books and a random array of supplies, a small hand rising over and making the peace sign. Ridiculous.

Annabeth got up and walked up to me, and put her hands on my shoulders in a questioning manner.

"And you are?"

"I'm Reyna. Just Reyna."

"Are you sure you want to join us? This group will most likely grow as we recruit more people, and I want you to stay comfortable, is that fine?"

"Yes."

"Well then, welcome home."

"Glad to be here," I replied, smiling a bit and glancing at Piper from the corner of my eye.

This was going to be great.

If anyone sees a mistake, please point it out so I can fix it. Thank you.