Whimper Read Free

caught, I almost darted across the street to stop her. She was going to come into contact with the blood if she wasn’t careful! I froze, trying to decide what to do, when she looked up and met my gaze. Thump. Thump. Thump. I was staring, I knew I was. I also knew Brianna was waiting for me in the alley, gesturing for me to hurry up with increasing impatience, but I was rooted to my spot on the bench until the girl from the bar looked away.
    “Damn it!” I whispered, willing my pulse to slow back down as I quickly moved across the street and into the bushes by the alley. I’d only come here because I’d overheard the police scanner traffic about an out of control male who seemed to be under the influence of an unknown substance. I had suspected that he might be infected, and as I’d watched them haul him away, I was fairly certain that I was right. If so, it would be the fifth case I’d been able to identify in two days. My sister, Brianna, had been right to suggest we come to this campus after all. I hadn’t been sure when the first two deaths made the news. After all, they could have been anything. Kids die on college campuses; they’re dangerous for so many reasons.
    I paused, still unable to tear my eyes away from the girl. “Brianna, he’s observationally confirmed, but I couldn’t risk getting close enough for a sample.”
    She walked over to where I was loitering, “What’s up? You have a funny look on your face.”
    “I think my temp is spiking. Can you go get the ice ready? I’ll be there shortly.” I was avoiding answering the question, hoping she’d be worried enough that she’d rush ahead without me. That would give me a few minutes alone to think.
    “Nice try. I’m not going anywhere without you, big brother. So, get moving.”
    “Okay, yeah. Give me just a minute here,” I answered vaguely, inching closer into the bushes so that I could get a better view of the front of the bar.
    Fight or flight. That was what my neurological functions are supposed to be shrinking down to. While what I was feeling was pretty closely linked to basic human functioning, I couldn’t blame it on the virus. In every other case I’d studied, lust and attraction were practically non-existent once the virus took hold. But I was feeling something covetous alright. She glanced around the street, looking a little nervous. Either she could feel me watching her, or she was still tense from the fight that had taken place right outside her place of business. When she’d caught me staring earlier and actually smiled back, I’d almost crossed the street to strike up a conversation. Six months ago, before infection, the old me would have climbed over barbed wire for a chance to talk to that girl. But flirting with pretty girls had to take a back seat to my mission now. Beautiful bar girl rolled the garden hose back up into its container and locked the top, then gathered up the rest of her cleaning supplies. My heart lurched when she went back inside, and I had to stop myself from following after her.
    “Elliott Carter, are you seriously standing there staring at a girl from the bushes like a serial killer?” Brianna snickered from behind me, snooping when I hadn’t explained myself to her satisfaction.
    “Something like that. Anyway. Come on, Twerp. Let’s get back. We’ve got stuff to work on.” The sun was burning away the remaining wisps of early morning fog, and bringing the air temperature up as well. I needed to get back to the hotel room, get out of the heat and work on serum production.
    When the girl was out of sight it was easier to turn and walk away, but I couldn’t get her out of my head. By the time we made it back to the hotel, I’d decided that Brianna and I would pay a visit to The Firebrand once the sun went down. Sure, she probably wouldn’t still be working. That would be best anyway, but maybe I could satisfy my curiosity by finding out her name. I’d really like to know her name.
    I sighed