Ravage: An Apocalyptic Horror Novel(126)

He rolled his eyes and let the door close behind him. “At a friend’s.”

“All night long? Doing what?”

“Nothing. Just watching movies.”

She stood in front of him and stared into his eyes. “You’ve been doing drugs, haven’t you?”

“Mom, just give it a rest. What’s your problem?”

“My problem,” her voice began to break into sobs, “is that my fifteen year old son is out all night doing God knows what. I can’t cope with you anymore. You’re going to have to go live with your dad.”

Gaz went to the fridge and pulled out a pint of milk. “I’d rather live on the street.”

“Then do that, then. You can’t stay here if you’re not going to do what I tell you.”

Gaz swigged the milk and enjoyed the way it felt against his sore throat. It did nothing for his aching stomach, though.

“Look, mom, I-”

“I don’t want to hear it,” she said, covering her mouth and starting to cry. “Just go to bed.”

Gaz nodded. He was too tired to argue with her. She never gave up with the nagging.

Annoying cow.

Gaz left his mother crying in the kitchen and headed upstairs. He took the milk with him. If he didn’t get at least twelve hours sleep then he was going to be absolutely lagging. The only way to get through the down effects of coke and booze was to sleep through them and that was exactly what he intended to do.

He stomped up the stairs feeling heavier and heavier as he ascended. For a moment, he wondered if he could even make it to the top. He had to heave and push himself just to keep his knees working.

The light on the landing was switched on and the first door on the left was ajar; a black rectangle of shadow between the door and the frame. A small white face peered out at Gaz.

“Jordan, what are you doing up?”

Gaz’s little brother had a sleepy glaze over his eyes but seemed happy to see him. “Where have you been?”

“Not you, too,” Gaz said. “Why is everybody so interested in my life?”

“Sorry.”

Gaz gave his brother a pat on the head. “I’ve just been at Joey’s. I’m going to bed now. You should get another couple hours as well or you’ll be tired at school.”

Jordan nodded his head dreamily. “Okay.”

Gaz patted his little brother on the head again and headed to his own room. Before he got there, Jordan called out to him.

“Hey, can I have the rest of that milk, Gaz? I’m thirsty.”

Gaz turned around. He took one short swig and then handed the rest of the milk over. “Sure thing, bro. Drink it and then go back to bed. Have a good day at school.”

“I will,” said Jordan, swigging from the milk and gasping. “See you later.”

But he never would see his brother again.





THE CIRCLE OF DEATH


Jordan wanted to go home. He felt sick in his tummy and his eyes were itchy. He wanted to lie on the sofa with mommy and watch cartoons, but the teacher wouldn’t believe him when he said he was sick. It was because he was always fibbing and trying to go home. He hated school and missed his mommy. Today, though, he wasn’t lying. He really was poorly.

It was the last break of the day and there was only English class to sit through before he could go home. He didn’t mind English – it was much better than Math. Maybe, if he wasn’t feeling better later, mommy would let him have tomorrow off.

His friend, James, was nearby, playing games on his mobile phone. James’s dad worked in a phone shop so James always had the latest ones that were out.

“Can I have a go, please?” he asked.

James smiled and handed the phone right over. James was a good friend.

“You still feeling poorly?”

Jordan tapped at the touchscreen and nodded. “Yeah. I want to go home, but the teacher won’t let me.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Jordan started a puzzle game with fruits. The flashing colours hurt his eyes slightly but he didn’t mind. He wanted to play.

“What lesson do you have next?” James asked.

Jordan didn’t reply. He was too engrossed with the flashing fruit. Usually he found games like this boring, but somehow the movement held him captive. His hearing went dull.

“Hey, Jordan, did you hear me?”

Jordan was busy. He moved the fruit about, matching colours and winning points. Time seemed to slip away as a headache took over the small spaces inside his skull.

The movement. I like the movement. I like things that move.

When the lesson bell sounded, Jordan didn’t hear it. Neither did he hear James ask for his phone back. When the other boy snatched at the phone, to take back what was his, Jordan was surprised by the rage that filled him. He leapt at James and managed to catch his finger between his teeth. James pulled his hand back and immediately started crying.

I’ll kill you…

What…what am I doing?

Jordan put his hand out in desperation as his friend ran off to tell the teacher. He didn’t know what had happened. He had just felt so…mad. Something inside of him had made him bite his friend and now that it had happened he felt dizzy. His headache had suddenly gone, leaving behind an all over numbness. His vision had gone a funny colour, too, and it was hard to catch a breath. Most of all, though, Jordan just felt scared.