Infection Z Beswick, L. (books for 8th graders txt) 📖

I leave my room with Finnian curled up on the bed, I close the door behind me, and descend the long staircase to join the other members of the house for dinner, I sit between Damon and April, Damon talks about things I can’t concentrate on, while April talks to the Colonel about her training and I can feel myself disassociating barely picking at my food, the evening moves in a blur until I’m back at my room staring at my ceiling trying to organise my thoughts.

“Hey you!” Amaya’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, “there’s nothing we can do about your arm, all we can do is enjoy the time we have left, just spend some time with April and Damon, let me get to know April too I won’t tell her about the mark” Amaya says, I consider her words carefully, she could be right and it’s not like I have many options at this point, “fine I agree but April and Damon do not find out” she nods in agreement and is gone from the mirror, I turn over and try to get some sleep trying to appreciate the time I have left.

April’s POV

I’m awoken by the Colonel again for training, I dress sleepily and follow him to the training room, “today I’ll be teaching you how to be quiet” he states, I stifle a laugh “I know how to be quiet that’s not really something I need to be taught.”

“Zombies are only partially sighted and mostly rely on sound for attack, I will be teaching you how to move quietly, send a sneak attack and using the quietest weapon for this” he explains.

I grab my bat and try to sneak up on the training dummy, “too loud” states the Colonel, I try again and again only to be stopped by the Colonel for my ‘loud steps’, “try to move slower, you don’t need to be quick, only strike quickly” he advises, I start to move slower and then strike the dummy’s head once close enough, “great, always go for the head when possible, your weapon is one of the quieter weapons, knives or swords are also a great weapon when you wish to be silent, and only use a gun if you really have to, they are the loudest weapon and therefore bring the most attention,” he explains.

“Let’s try another few tries then we’ll call it a day” he instructs, before long I’ve mastered sneak attacks like a ninja and it’s the end of today’s training, we retreat to the kitchen for breakfast, “so does Sam like you the way you hoped?” Colonel asks, “actually it turns out it was a big mistake” I sigh.

“Wasn’t that the desired outcome, now she won’t have to break up with Damon therefore you avoid an uncomfortable situation” the frying pan sizzles from the eggs and bacon as he speaks, “that’s true but I’m actually disappointed, and I don’t know what that means”, Colonel brings over our breakfast and takes a seat beside me, “I think that means you like her” he comments.

“Which is problematic since she doesn’t feel the same, and confusing because does that mean I like girls, or I like girls and boys?” Colonel smiles, “just take it one day at a time, you’re young you’ve got all the time in the world to decide what you want and who you are” I nod in agreement and enjoy my breakfast.

“Thanks for being here with me…dad” he smiles “from now on I always will be, you’ll never have to be alone again I promise firefly” I smile back and am comforted that I have someone who I can trust and rely on again.

I return to my room but find Sam sat on my bed, “what are you doing here?” I ask unable to meet her eyes the hurt she caused still too fresh to ignore, “I wanted to talk to you, I’m really sorry for hurting you I never meant that, I don’t really know why I kissed you or why I don’t regret it, I want us to be okay again, I know I upset you by kissing you and if you want I won’t do that again” she fumbles out her words, I look up to see desperation clear in her eyes, I take a seat beside her with a deep sigh “so you don’t regret the kiss either?” I ask her, “of course not, I know I said it was a mistake but I didn’t mean that, I guess I was just confused and I didn’t want to hurt Damon…” she trails off.

“Look the truth is I like you a lot which is why I kissed you, but I don’t want to lie to you so I need to confess I’m not Sam, I’m the other her Amaya” I’m taken aback by her confession, Sam warned me not to trust Amaya and she’s bad, but she’s been truthful and sincere whereas Sam lied to me.

“Sam told me you’re bad and not to trust you, but you truly like me?” I ask, she nods with a sweet smile, “I know it sounds strange I’m technically Sam but I like you in the way she doesn’t, she says I’m bad because that’s the only part of me she has seen, but it’s different with you, I want to be kind and happy when I’m with you”.

“How will this work exactly, you tell me you’re Amaya and we can get to know each other each time you take control, wouldn’t that be cheating on Damon?” I ask, “I’m not Sam so it wouldn’t be, if you’re uncomfortable with this I get I won’t pressure you, but if you’ll let me I’d like to get to know you better if you allow me to” She says.

“This is very confusing, but I know I liked the kiss and I like you, oh screw it!” I exclaim