The Outbreak

January 10th : Journal #5

The metallic stench of blood filled my nose as I suddenly awoke and rubbed my eyes trying to adjust to the dark room. As I pulled myself off the old dusty matress that I had apparently slept on and placed my feet upon the bitterly cold stone floors, nausea swept over my weakened body. The room began spinning uncontrollably as I leaned my back against the wall trying to recollect my memory.
As I tried to stand on my shaky legs, I heard the loud clamor of a door closing shut behind me so I instinctively faced the direction of the noise and prepared to fight anything that dared come my way. However, when the silhouette of the figure came closer, I dropped my guard a little, it was a human. Whether the person was here to harm or help, I was unsure, but the company of someone who wasn't rotting away and craving my flesh felt like a breath of fresh air of which I desperately longed for. "I'm sorry, I diddn't mean to frighten you," said the calm voice growing nearer to me, "I just wanted to see if you were awake and hungry, I just made lunch so your more than welcome to join me." I wasn't really hungry in the physical sense, however I was quite hungry for more of this strangers voice. The tone was as sweet and gentle as dew upon the grass in the early morning before the dawn, with rich, deep undertones like the dark wood of an oak tree; the stuff of pure symphonies. Quite frankly I was a little head over heels at just the mere presence and voice of this boy and I was struggling to find my words. "Ugh.. uhmmmm.. sure.. I mean yes, lunch would be nice." I finally manage to stammer out feeling like a complete fool. Noticing my nervousness he let out a soft chuckle, I assume to lighten the mood. "Just follow me; I'll show you to the kitchen." He stated as he began walking away. As I turned to follow him, my dizziness returned and I fell to my knees letting a whimper as my body and head crumbled into the cold stone flooring on the ground beneath me. Hearing my cry of pain, he ran quickly towards me picking my fragile body from the floor, rushing me down the hall. My body tingled, and my head spun more. I don't know whether it was from my recent fall or his touch, but either way I felt so safe and content in his arms. He was a tall, strong built boy who thankfully seemed to be around my age. As he continued taking me down the hallway I relaxed more and rested my head on his shoulder. He smelled like fresh spring grass, like the way it fills the air while you lay in the shade of a tall oak tree on a warm spring day. It was a smell that instantly took me back to my childhood, comforting me and making me feel completely at home. He brought me into a small room accented with large windows that let in the beautiful golden rays of sunshine and layed me on a large bed. He reached into a cabnet beside the bed and pulled out several first aid kits packed with various medical supplies. He grabbed bandages to wrap my bleeding knees. After quickly doing so he asked "are you ok?" With a troubled look on his face. "Oh.. umm. Yeah I'm fine, just a little dizzy." I murmured looking back at my feet embarrassed by the whole incident. The first boy I've seen in almost a year and I've already made a complete fool of myself. "Look," he whispered to me calmly taking my face in his hand and guiding it to meet his eyes. They were a perfect mix of blue and green just like the waves of the oceans rolling against the shore, I was mesmerized. "Don't feel bad about it ok, I don't think any less of you because your sick." He stated with a chuckle, "your obviously very tough since your still standing here after the out break" A little smirk came across my face, "well actually I'm sitting here, so.." I said sarcastically. He laughed and rolled his eyes with a "shut up stranger." He said jokingly. "Well actually my name is Grace." I stated extending my hand out for and old fashion handshake. "Well Grace, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Xavier." He said taking my hand in his. My cheeks got bright red, so I reluctantly let go of his handshake. "Wait here, I'll bring you some food" he said as he walked out of the room with a smile. Since he left, I was finally alone with my thoughts and a smile came across my face as I remembered Xavier holding me. "Stop it! You just met him and you know nothing about him, you can't like him." I think trying to reason with myself. "But he seems so caring and he's really hot" I argue with myself. He was a perfectly painted picture of everthing I wanted in a guy, I mean he's tall, strong, and kind; it's safe to say he's practically perfect. While I'm caught up in my thoughts a figure appears in the doorway, I smile expecting it to Xavier, but instead it's another tall boy who had deep brown eyes and jet black hair. I was beginning to like it around here, I'd only been awake for maybe 30 minutes and I'd already found two hot guys. "Xavier said he rescued a pretty girl, but your far from pretty, your gorgeous" he smiled saying to me. My face turned exceptionally pink, and I murmured "umm. Thank you... uhh you are too, I mean your hot not gorgeous, well you are but-" he cuts me off with a chuckle, It's ok I understand. "I'm Cole, and it is my pleasure to meet you, Grace." "Ho-how do you know my name?" I ask with a surprised look on my face. He laughed, "Xavier told me, I just wanted to see what you'd say." I didnt really know that much about Cole but I already loved his bluntness, thats one thing that I find really attractive. Xavier finally returned and presented me a salad with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers. I stared in amazement, "how on earth did you get this?" I hadn't eaten anything that wasn't from a can in months. "In our community we have a large garden to help feed everyone and we also have a few livestock" Xavier said modestly. I took a bite and my mouth instantly watered, the vegetables were so fresh, and so much better than anything in a can. After I finished my salad and thanked the boys, I decided I wanted to go to bed for the day to rest my still aching body. Cole showed me to a room between his and Xavier's, it was quaint and had a small window overlooking the garden. "Well, goodnight Grace, and if you need anything at all, I'm right next door." Cole said leaving me in my room. This was by far the nicest room I'd had since before the outbreak; it was a light blue painted room with white tile flooring. A large wooden cabinet and bookcase sat in two different corners of the room, and best of all my mattress had a fluffy blanket and two pillows on it. As I layed there my thoughts wandered to Aurora, she would have loved it here, my eyes filled with tears. She was my bestfriend, and my only friend, life is going to be so hard without her, but I know I can tell her about everything when I see her again. Despite the hardships and depression I knew I'd have to fight, I couldn't wait to see what the next day would hold for me in this new community, and with that I pulled the covers up over me and fell fast asleep.