Until We Can't

Until We Can’t—

On September the 6th 2013.

Time crumbled. Society was stuck. Fear was created and shared from person to person... literally.

They called it the “Nox-7 Pathogen” A mental haze passed through the brain that affects the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

If you contract the Nox-7 Pathogen, your fate is sealed...

It turned people completely demented. They began exhibiting irrational behavior. Not just irrational, but psychotic. And unmoral.

Killing children, animals, eating roadkill, jumping off buildings, you name it. They can’t control their inhibitions and worse, it’s spread via physical contact.

You become... unsavable, because there is no cure, only a vaccine that has no guarantee of working.

So. To stop the spread...They kill you before you can spread it.

July 8th, 2015 6:22 Pm—

“ I can’t do this Ve. Living, like this. We’ll have a better chance turning ourselves in.” They both knew that wasn't true.

“ No.” Ve says sharply. “Tarnce, I know it’s hard, but they will kill us, or worse—study us because we’re reacting differently.” Ve muttered under her breath. “Our lives are not the same. But I'll protect you as long as I can. You just need to be strong until we can get out the city.”

“I-I understand.” he whispered.

Ve wrapped her arms around Tarnce, and in response, his gentle hand landed on her chin. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, it was the only thing that made living in this world worth it.

“ Listen,” she swallows. “I want this forever...okay? Remember that Tarnce.”

“I will. I promise.” Tarnce said as his fingers grazed her dark hair. “I love you Ve.” he whispered into her ear. "So much."

Ve smiled. Though it was lacking, its past light. “I love you too.”

Smoke flew up into the skyline, like a world ablaze. One could only wonder how long humanity could hold on. The morning news played across the city. The city, that was named after hope. Yet no hope was found.

“Reports say the two escapees are on the run in the blue city of Halcyon Falls. Our streets won't be the same.

Won’t be safe, until the criminals are apprehended and expunged. Be on the lookout for Tarnce Jack and Vivian Monaro—both infected on April 7th, 2015.

If you find them, call to report.

If you can...the ambassador has issued a kill on sight order.”

The town spoke—and so it was their fate.

The Tv planted their faces on the screen. Ve’s dark long hair, her tan skin—still wearing her military uniform. The happy picture of her could almost make someone forget her situation.

Tarnce’s mugshot, was a complete juxtaposition next to hers. His pale skin and blue eyes. Didn't matter how happy they looked. They both needed to die according to society

July 18th 2015 10:20 Am—

Ve runs down the allyway at a pace even she thought was impressive. Multiple heavy set footsteps carried behind her in unison.

“Stop there Infectee!” One of the men yelled.

“Stop or you will be shot dead.” another said.

She didn't stop; she had somewhere to be, someone to get to. And she was running out of time. Tarnce was sick. She couldn't afford to be taken or killed. Her boots splash in the water—puddles from yesterdays rain. Her heart was beating like the very thump of life. “Fuck you!” she yells. Her voice rips from her lungs, meaning every malicious word she spoke.

If they perceived her as a threat. That's what she was going to be.

Her eyes rake over the empty streets for an exit.

She needed an out.

She needed an escape.

Finally—redemption. Stairs that go underground into the subway station.

These were supposed to be blocked off. Because the agents won't follow people down there, for fear of infection

A mischievous smirk tugs at her lips. “Bingo,” she makes a sharp turn throwing off the agents. Then she descended underground.

“She’s getting away!” They yell, but it’s too late, Ve is long gone, and they won’t follow.

July 18th 2015 4:20 Pm—

“Where have you been?” Tarnce asked. His face was pale, clammy. His voice trembled like he was in fear, but he wasn't in fear. Just...impaired and worried.

Ve sighed at the sight that greeted her. “How are you feeling?” she asked, running a hand through her tangled hair

“Where were you Ve!” he yelled pushing himself upwards, trying to find support.

“Getting you medicine!” she retorts tossing a bottle of pills on the ground. The yellow bottle rolled. All the way to him. His eyes follow as they came to a halt against his knee.

He swallows hard, his eyes flash with hurt. “I was... just worried Ve, you know they’re looking for us.” he sighed.

Ve exhales a shaky breath, “I know... But you need to make that fever go down, before your brain boils.” she says on the end, of a dry chuckle.

“I get that...I appreciate it too...I really do. But no fever is worth you life.” he mumbles.

A moment of silence passes.

Ve eyes Tarnce as he lays on the old wooden floor. He leans against a brick pillar.

Laying low came at a price in the form of an un-named abandoned Warehouse from the eighteen hundreds.

Ve walks over slowly, she sits down so her body is facing his. “How are you feeling?” She repeats softer.

Tarnce smiles, but it’s forced, painful even. “Great now that you’re here.” he inhales sharply, only his breath is taken away from him within seconds. All expelled into a forceful cough. He covers his mouth with his hand. When he draws it back. There’s crimson spatter. He groans softly as a nervous smirk forms on his features.

“A-are you okay?” Ve asked, panicked.

Tarnce’s eyes lingered on the blood a moment longer. He swallowed hard and rubbed his hands on his denim pants. He reforged that smile on his face so well.

“I’m fine.”

Ve tugs off her gloves and leans over to massage his knee and further down his leg. “I'm sorry.” she mutters.

A moment passes

“What are you sorry about?”

“You're sick and...and I'm not.

They think all infectees are crazy. For some fucked up reason, we’re affected differently, but...” her voice chokes.

“I know.” Tarnce cuts her off. “It’s not something you can fix, and it’s not your fault.” he pauses.

“Just promise me this. Promise me, if it comes to it...you’ll kill me.”

Ve’s jaw tightened. “We talked about thi—”

“Yes we have.” he interrupted. “I don’t want to be experimented on Ve, if time ends for me. If-If it’s over. Or if I try to hurt you. No matter what, just kill me. Please.”

“I won’t let them get us.”

He breathes out heavily “Okay.” he gives up. “Just remember... I want—I want this forever Ve. But that doesn't mean we’ll have forever.” he says softly.

She smiles. “I do too,” she grabs his hand and bringing it to her lips before planting a kiss. “And I’ll do what I can, to make it happen, I don’t care if it’s impossible”

Ve grabs the bottle and twist it open. She throws two pills into her hand, giving them to him.

“Take these.” she says firmly “I know a doctor. He served with me. I’ll make him give us the medication, then we leave this town.” she pauses. “ We can go off the grid, maybe get a cabin in the woods.” she chuckles. “Maybe get a dog.”

“We’ll name him Ham.” he blurts out.

A laugh escapes her lips, before it falls again as she she noticed the circles under his eyes.

“Yes. Ham. I love him already.” she mumbles before clearing her throat. "I'll get you the vaccine, I promise, this will be the last time I leave you. You’ll get better.”

July 18th 2015 7:47 Pm—

Ve moves covert and quickly. The skills she learned in the military have finally come in use. She can move like a ghost in the in middle of the night, just like she needs to.

Dr Rasheed, used to be in the military with Ve. He was the lead medic, but now he works for the Ambassador.

She had snuck into his home and now watched, like a predator eyeing for prey.

He washed his hand in the sink, preparing dinner. He sliced through a pepper with a knife.

He hears the sound but, before he can react. It’s too late. She approaches holding a gun to his posterior.

“Don’t move.” she mutters. Dr Rasheed freezes, slowly raising his hands.

“Drop the knife Doctor. I don't want to hurt you, but you're coming with me.”

“Ve, is that you?” he sets the knife down slowly, but secretly. He pressed the emergency alert button under the kitchen island without Ve noticing.

“Alright Cadet, I'll go. Just don’t harm me.”

"Do as I say, and you will live. Simple."

July 18th 2015 8:30 Pm—

Ve reached the warehouse. Her heart was racing with what she should do next. Her breathing was deep and fast with panic.

Sudden. Her breath catches. Like a ball stuck in her throat. She heard helicopters from a distance. “fuck.”

Her finger tightened on the trigger as rage filled her, like a dam breaking.

“Dr. Rasheed, y-you told someone? When?”

“Before we even left.” he says calmly, like he doesn't even care that there's a gun pointed at him.

“I’m sorry kid, you’re sick, you need to be expunged, for everyone's sake.”

“Does it look like I'm a fucking threat!? Like I'm going to go insane!? Like—” she pauses realizing the irony of it all. She exhales a deep breath. “You...just killed me, and my lover. I hope you’re happy.

It was a fucking honor serving with you," she says sarcastically.

“Walk.”

Once she reached the warehouse she walked into the room where Tarnce was, as she entered, she saw him lying on the ground slumped over himself. He was sweaty, so sweaty that his hair was soaked. It clung to his forehead, damp like he just left the shower. Even in the fifty-six degree weather. He was unconscious. Ve ran over to him forgetting all about the doctor. She shook him hard, panicked. “Hey!” she yelled.

“It’s to late Ve he’s dying, the virus has taken over his nervous system and bra—”

“Shut up! He’s sick.” She looks over to him as her eyes darken. “Does he look deranged? No he...looks like he’s in pain. He needs help not persecution.” her voice shakes “Please wake up honey.” she says squeezing his cold hand.

Tarnce opened his eyes slightly. He smiled, Squeezing her hand back. “Ve.” his voice was broken. Tears began to stream down her face.

“D-don’t cry honey, please... you need to run.” Tarnce said.

“I’m not leaving you." Ve whispered

Please, now is not the time to be stubborn Vivian.”

Sounds began to close in on them from afar.

“You are surrounded, come out with your hands up.”

Ve’s face hardens with determination. Her eyes lock with Tarnce’s.

“Tarnce,” she mutters lightly, his eyes stayed shut. “T-tarnce.” she repeats desperately.

His eyes flutter open. “I want you forever Tarnce.”

“I-I want you too Ve.”

Ve leans forward leading her face into a passionate kiss before she was forced to pull away. He fell unconscious again.

He looked nearly peaceful.

“I love you.” Ve pushed everything out, only focusing on one thought. “I need to lead them away from him.”

She swung around, pointing the gun at Dr Rasheed again. “Come with me.”

“Where, are we going?”

July 18th 2015 8: 40 Pm—

On the roof of the building. The wood was so rotten that you could see right through the roof to where Tarnce was. She tried to stay on the metal pilers for stability. But she felt like she’d fall through at any moment.

Rain started to fall from, as lightning skipped along the skyline. Ve felt the bliss of the unknown, yet...the horrors of knowing.

She knew what would happen. A small part of her was relieved. Was it finally over?

The spotlight for the helicopter was on her, and there was at least a dozen man on the ground, full coverage suits.

Too scared to get sick yet, they had their guns ready to execute innocent people like They were nothing.

“Let Dr. Rasheed go Cadet. You are surrounded” the voice came in loud, repeating in a loop.

Ve looked down at Tarnce. It was a mental fight of what she wanted. And what he needed.

But time... already ran out.

She saw the lights from the men's guns on Tarnce’s body. And their radios, echoing.

“We found one. Number 2673. Requesting confirmation for extraction.”

“Look at them Doctor. Look at how they treat us. Don’t even have the decency to call us by our names.” she whispers in his ear. “Think about your oath. Who you swore to protect. But because of fear... You're tossing everything into the incinerator, including your pride. We both know, you hate the Ambassador.”

Ve’s jaw was tense, she squeezed her gun tightly. The cold rain rolling down her face.

“Remember who’s blood is on your hands.”

“Goodbye Ve...” Dr Rasheed mutters.

Ve was a good shot. She knew what she could do. She remembered her promise. And she remembered her oath. She knew... their time had run out.

She pointed her gun down from above. Directly at Tarnce down below. Thunder clapped loudly, and just then.

A shot went off ringing through the air like a bomb.

“POW”

The bullet went right through the old wood, hitting Tarnce in the abdomen, she watched as the crimson blood soaked into his white shirt.

She felt like her heart was breaking into two pieces. “I’m sorry Love,” she muttered

“I’m so sorry. I broke my promise... I couldn't protect you. I couldn't—” she chokes out the words. As tears rolled down her cheek.

She inhaled a deep breath, she felt the cold air on her cheek. And the heat from the spotlight. It felt like life was moving extra slow. The rain drops fell down on her face.

Tap, Tap, Tap.

It was like pattern speaking a secret language to her.

It told her It was okay.

Life was against her this time.

It told her... It’s okay to let go.

She exhaled one sharp, final breath. Then used Rasheed’s body to push herself back.

And just like that she was falling from the building.

And everything went black.

September 6th 2013 5:36 Am—

Ve jumped up gasping for air. She looked around confused, her eyes widening at the sight of Tarnce sleeping in the bed next to her.

“Tarnce?” she whispered quietly in disbelief.

His eyes opened slightly, “Ve? What are you doing up so early?” he asked, his voice was no longer weak and painful. It sounded... happy. Happy and confused.

“You’re... okay?”

“Why wouldn't I be?” He smiled as he reached over and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What's wrong love?” he asked slightly concerned.

Ve has a million things on her mind. She didn’t know if what she experienced was real.

If it was a bad, realistic dream. Or if she was dead, and this was heaven. But she didn't really care. All that mattered was, that she was in his arm.

She smiled and nuzzled her head into his chest.

“Tarnce let’s leave.” She blurted out.

“Leave where?”

“Anywhere. We just need to go.

W-we can move to Wyoming, get a cabin in the middle of the woods. We...we could get a dog. Name him Ham.” her voice wavered. “Please. We can’t stay here. Please. I just—”

“Okay.” he interrupted her.

She breathed out a heavy puff of air. One she didn’t know she was holding in. "Okay?”

“Okay." he repeats. "Whatever you want, I want.”

She smiled. “I-I want you. Forever Tarnce.”

Tarnce smiled and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

“I want you forever too Ve.”