AM13 Outbreak Shorts

One Year On - Twenty Seven (Katie)

Katie

"Someone is at the gate!"

As soon as I hear those words being yelled around the camp, I bolt. I don't know who it's going to be, but even if there's a one percent chance it's Oliver, I need to be there.

My heart pulses and pounds, my body throbs with a sensation that's ready to turn into disappointment at any given moment. I hate getting my hopes up, knowing it's unlikely to play out...but I also cannot give up. I need Oliver back here. Danny too. I can't cope without them.

"Who...who...?" I gasp as I reach the balling crowd. "Who is it?"

No one answers, but an excitable murmur rises upwards. I try to push through the people in front of me, but no one's willing to let me by.

"Katie."

Everything jolts. My heart lifts. Am I just imagining this? So desperate to see him that I'm making him up? I'm almost trembling, shaking all over, the thrill bursting through me like fireworks.

No, no, no...don't get too excited. Don't get carried away. That won't work!

Deep down, I've been trying to prepare myself for the worst, just incase, but honestly there isn't any way that I can get ready for that. I can't do life without Oliver. If that hope candle burns out, I'm done for.

"Katie...is Katie here?"

No, that was definitely him, that was Oliver's voice. I'm not imagining it. He's here! He's actually here.

"I'm Katie!"

Thankfully, people are so addicted to drama and excitement—especially in this world where there isn't much, certainly not in a positive way anyway—so they step aside to let me through.

My breaths are ragged and desperate, my whole self pounding like crazy. I race forwards, needing to see him more than anything in the world...

"Oh my God, Oliver."

He looks beaten down, injured, hurt...but alive. If I just focus on the alive part, then it doesn't feel too bad. But I'm still sickened, ill by the thought of him in a bad way.

"Oliver, are you okay?"

"Katie...you're here. Thank goodness, you're still here. I..."

He isn't coming towards me, he has Danny leaning against him, but that's okay. I race to him and toss my arms around him, hugging him so hard it's obvious I'm checking he's real. It isn't until they start splashing over his top, I realize I'm crying.

"Oliver, I...I'm so glad you're okay, I was so worried. I have been so worried. Where have you been?"

He doesn't answer which causes me to pull back, to see his face. There's something there, a secret behind his eyes, something to suggest it might've gone wrong, sending me twirling into the abyss of sheer terror once more.

"What is it?" I demand in the strongest voice I can manage, not that it makes much impact. "What's happened?"

He glances towards Danny, so I fearfully follow his eyeline, my blood burning me up.

"Danny..."

He doesn't look right, he isn't himself. There's something very different about him.

I gulp.

He looks bit.