Rot & Romance (Rewriting)

Chapter 11

Fawn took a large gulp of coffee and decided that she'd continue her research when it wasn't dark out. She signed into the chat room she had been visiting the past few nights. She never really participated in the conversation--she just liked reading what others were saying about the murders. But that night she eventually felt compelled to share the photos she had seen. She shared three of the gruesome photos with the entire chat, including the one with the pregnant woman. It wasn't long before people began responding.

Those pics r old one person said.

I've seen worse said another.

But what really intrigued Fawn was the private message sent to her by a user who went by the name Lazer97700.

These demons need to be stopped.

You're a believer? Fawn wrote back.

Aren't u?

Not really.

That means yes.

Oh, really? Fawn asked.

Ur here aren't u?

It's one in the morning and I'm bored.

You could be watching infomercials.

Fawn laughed.

You made me spill coffee on myself.

Hot.

Yes, it was hot.

No, i meant hot as in i'm hyperventilating.

Ew.

That was a joke.

Fawn noticed the numbers in the person's username. It was a local zip code.

You from Sancova?

This is a local chat. most people here are. i live in sancova heights.

Near Sancova High? That's my school.

About five minutes passed before Lazer97700 responded.

What if i told you i have proof?

Proof?

That the demons exist.

Show me! Fawn typed.

Meet me tomorrow. in front of ur school.

Umm...what kinda "proof" are you talking about?

Just trust me.

I don't usually trust strangers.

I'm a 19-year-old who lives with his mom. I'm harmless.

Okay, fine. Tomorrow at noon.

Noon it is.

Lazer97700 signed out. Fawn wasn't quite sure what she'd just gotten herself into, but she couldn't help but feel exhilarated about it.

* * *

Lainey almost screamed when she woke up in the unfamiliar bedroom. She sat up and removed the floral comforter that was pulled up to her neck. Through the small window facing the bed, she saw the sun beginning to rise over Mount Tamaya in the distance. She quickly reached for her phone in her pocket. She had seventeen missed calls and eight voicemails. Fourteen calls and seven voicemails were from home. The rest were from Fawn. As she began to call home, the bedroom door opened and the gray-eyed boy with hair like ash from the day before stepped inside.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"Where am I?" Lainey asked defiantly.

"Don't worry, you're safe."

"That's not what I asked."

The boy walked over to Lainey and examined the cut on her face. She flinched as his cool fingers met her skin.

"You were hurt when I found yesterday."

Yesterday.

Lainey suddenly remembered everything from the day before. And Rita's story. And Joseph.

"Where's Rita?"

"Rita?"

"My . . . friend," Lainey said hesitantly.

He skeptically eyed Lainey.

"Was she the girl chasing you?"

"She . . . she was trying to save me. From a man named Joseph."

The boy's gray eyes quickly faded away and his skin appeared to rot just like Rita's. His breathing became heavier. He growled as he punched the window, shattering the glass.

"Dammit, Joseph!" he roared.

"Oh my God," Lainey gasped. "You're one of them. A dead walker."

He quickly turned to face her, his aggression fading almost immediately.

"You know," he said.

"Rita told me enough. A-And your face . . . it looks just like hers did." Lainey turned to the window. "And the window . . ."

The boy closed his eyes and his skin returned to normal. His striking gray eyes had returned when he opened them again.

"Your friend is probably a fiend. If we can find her, I can . . . help her. Right now she's dangerous. Especially to you."

"Why's that?"

"Once a dead walker desires your flesh, they usually won't stop until they get it. And that's especially true for fiends."

"What's a fiend?"

"A newly-turned dead walker. We call them fiends and they're rampant and dangerous."

Lainey shook her head.

"Why did this happen to her?" Lainey demanded.

"I believe . . . Joseph changed her to kill you."

"But why? Why does he want me dead?"

The boy lowered his head.

"Because of me," he said quietly. "He wants to kill you because he's stubborn and immature and he'll do anything to get his way."

"I-I don't understand," Lainey said. "Why am I involved in any of this?"

The boy eyed Lainey for a few moments.

"Look, all you need to know right now is that I won't hurt you. Joseph . . . he's different. He has no regard for human life. But I'll do anything I can to protect you. You can trust me."

"I-I just want to go home," Lainey sighed. "Please."

"But Joseph's still out there --"

"I don't care!" Lainey yelled. "I don't want to be here!"

The boy nodded and stepped to the side to allow Lainey to exit the room. She quickly stood and made her way toward the bedroom door.

"Thank you," she said quietly. She proceeded to leave and then became hesitant. She turned back to face the boy. "Who are you?"

The boy with striking gray eyes and hair like ash stared at Lainey with digilence.

"Benjamin. Benjamin Crawford."

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A/N: Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. And if you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote. Again, thank you!