Free Omega Virus (Book 2): Revisited by D. Manuel Mendonca

him.
                  “Its accidents like that, that will get us killed,” Fanny says with a harsh lower tone.
                  “Then I guess you should have grabbed the map yourself,” Hope snipes back.
                  Fanny walks back, frustrated that the discussion isn’t going anywhere. She throws her bag over her shoulder her eyes filled with fire and intensity as she glares at the rest of her followers. She doesn’t have to say a word, instead they each let out a sigh before they each grab their bags and grudgingly follow her out of the abandoned store.
                  “It’s so cold,” Karen whispers to John as the pair bring up the rear, “I’m getting chills down my spine.”
                  “That’s not the night air,” John replies, “that’s fear; a sense of impending doom.”
                  “Well that’s reassuring,” Karen says with a cringe.
                  The wind whistles, rattling the tree branches above them. Hope stays close to Fanny, almost matching her step for step. Sarah is huddled in the middle, her gun gripped in both her hands. Karen is walking beside John, almost right on top of him as she continually scans through the darkness, almost waiting for something to pop out. The small group continues on their trek as the moon slowly starts to descend from the sky and the sun starts to rise.
                  The sun has just started to cover most of the terrain, the only darkness around them coming from the shadows of the trees and broken down buildings. They have stopped for a rest outside of an old supermarket. Their feet burning, a raw throbbing feeling on each of their heels.
                  “All this walking sucks,” John whines.
                  “Yeah well suck it up buttercup,” Fanny says switching out her socks, “we still have a long way to go.”
                  “Why are we even risking our lives for people we don’t even know?” Karen asks.
                  “Hey!” Fanny says getting to her feet, “you volunteered remember? Besides their lives are just as important as ours.” Karen lowers her head, nothing further to say. “That’s something everyone here should remember. We are here to save lives. Even if we all die, at least we know we died trying.”
                  “I don’t want to die,” Hope says with a whisper.
                  “None of us want to die,” Fanny says sitting back down, “but eventually it will find us. Maybe not here, but it will.”
                  The silence that falls over the group is almost deafening. Karen’s eyes dart from person to person as her hand starts to tremble, her eyes watering as she starts to break down. “I…don’t…want…to…die…” She says huffing and puffing.
                  “Don’t worry,” John says patting her hand, “we’ll do the best we can to help each other stay alive.”
                  “Yeah the best way to do that is to find shelter first,” Fanny reminds.
                  “Then I guess we’d better get moving again,” Hope says getting to her feet, swinging her bag over her shoulder.
                  “That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard so far,” Fanny says following her friend. The rest of the group follows closely behind.
                  “Are we sure we are going the right way?” Sarah asks, her voice is soft and stuttering almost as if she was afraid to ask.
                  Fanny and Hope stop short, the rest of the group bumping into them in an almost comedic fashion.
                  “I’m not sure about anything anymore,” Fanny admits.
                  “We have to find a place to rest soon, I’m tired,” John whines.
                  “Yeah I could use some sleep