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

girl I’m in love with are both dying and there’s nothing I can do to stop it or slow it down, she’ll become one of them and there’s only two choices, leave her out there to become one of them or kill her so she’s preserved how we know and love her, so she’ll never have to become a monster, the pain aches inside me and all I can do is allow it to flow.

Damon rushes into my room embracing me, “what’s wrong are you hurt?” Damon asks concern in his voice, I try to calm down enough to speak “Sam she’s becoming one of them, a zombie” a shakily breath out, he becomes silent to process what I’ve told him.

“Tell me what happened” he says calmly with shaking hands, I proceed to explain the conversation I had with Sam Amaya moments ago, I angrily rub my face to rid myself of my tears.

“What do we do?” He asks looking unsure and lost, “we only have one real choice, kill her before she turns into one of them” I sigh voicing my decision knowing we can’t leave her outside to die alone, “what if she doesn’t turn, what if the scratch is just infected?” He asks holding onto some hope there will be a positive outcome in the end, “it is an infection that’s how they become zombies, the only reason it took this long is it was just a small scratch so it took longer to develop” I explain.

“I’m so fucking mad at her, but she needs us to help her” Damon nods in agreement and follows me to Sam’s room, however once out of my room we find Colonel stood outside and it’s clear he heard our conversation, “there’s no helping her, if she becomes a zombie she will kill us the first chance she gets” he says with an ice cold expression.

“she’s our friend and she’s scared, let us just see her and say goodbye while we still can” I insist, he nods and allows us to walk by, he grabs me by the wrist for a moment, “you still have that pocket knife I gave you?” He whispers, I nod silently not looking up, “you know what to do” he says releasing his grip.

We hurry to Sam’s door and find her sat on the floor, her face a grey in colour, and her eyes losing their colour becoming almost completely white.

“Sam?” He asks as he hesitantly approaches her, she lifts her head and smiles sadly, “I guess April told you” She laughs humourlessly her voice comes out quiet and scratchy, “baby why didn’t you tell me?” He asks, I cringe at the word, the same word I used to call the other her affectionately.

“I was scared and knew there wasn’t anything that could be done, so decided to leave you in blissful ignorance” she replies, I continue to watch from across the room knowing she has little time left, I know I won’t get to say my goodbye to Amaya and try to make my peace with that.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this, I’m sorry I can’t be here for you, I’m sorry I was an awful girlfriend but I have a split personality called Amaya and she has been taking over me to spend time with April, she’s in love with her” my eyes widen in fear, it didn’t cross my mind that Damon didn’t know of my time with Amaya, and internally prepared myself for the backlash that was coming.

Unable to face the silence that was sure to follow I suggest we get her comfortable in bed, we sit by her side and speak to her giving her our love, “I’m sorry it took me so long to realise you’re the girl I want to be with, to allow myself to love and care for you, you’re the girl I want to marry, to grow old with, we didn’t get the long life together we always dreamed about but I will always remember and appreciate the time we got together, I love you” Damon says clutching her hand, and crying silently, it’s the first time I’ve seen any emotion from him in a long time.

“I’ve loved every moment with you, I wish I could have given you more time, I’ve loved you for years and wish I’d spoken up, I’m just glad of all the time we did get together, I love you too" she tells him.

“You’re the best friend I could have ever asked for, we’ve had so many ups and downs but you were always there for me in my worst moment, you made me feel less alone, you made me a better person, when my mum died I felt so lost but you were there for me, you brought back the light in my life she took with her, I just don’t know what I’ll do without you” I cry.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you more after that episode you had, I’m sorry I couldn’t love you the way Amaya does, there are so many things I could apologise for, instead I have a parting gift” she closes her eyes and when they open again, her voice shifts to one I recognise clearly.

“Baby” Amaya says, and my tears start flowing all the more, “I’m sorry about what I said about your mum, I didn’t mean it I was just angry, I wish I was my own person so we could’ve had a shot at being together, I may be part of Sam but my feelings for you are so real, I love you April” She says, “I know you didn’t mean it, I love you too” I shakily pull the knife from my pocket and tell him it’s time, he shakes his head saying he can’t do it, I sigh knowing I will have to do it.

I embrace her and grasp the knife tightly,