LONE WOLF

“Are you hurt? Sick?” Ophelia asked curiously. 

“Sick? Not at all. Hurt? Maybe emotionally.”

“Oh! Um, I could go for some real food instead of these banana chips but I haven't had any energy to leave the room but it’s okay. I don’t mind eating them, although Wilfred could definitely do with some dog food if it’s in supply at all.”

“Yeah I’ve heard that they’re looking for more people to help out with the runs. I’m going to see what they need help with the most and just go with that.”

“Yeah so have I. It sucks that this is happening though. It’s weird, having this whole virus thing and all these ‘zombies’ makes me prefer the serial killer which sounds absolutely terrible of me to say.”

Someone who wants a healthy liver and enjoys the sweet yet tart taste of cranberries. 

You’re crazy. Cranberries are gross! But i guess we all have our personal preferences.

“Well, we probably can’t, some people wouldn’t allow it. But we could arrange something, just a few of us, to do it while no one is looking. Do it quickly and be back here before anyone notices we were gone. Not everyone has to know, and I signed up for the wall - I know where we can sneak out.”

“I thought as much. You’d do that? I wouldn’t want to take up your free time or anything..- Thank you Mila. You’re a good friend.”

“Listen, calm down. Take a deep breath. I know it’s hard, these memories will never leave you. But you have to push them aside, remember her as the person she was and not how she..left. We owe our loved ones that much. You have to focus on yourself right now, as cruel as that sounds. She’d want you to survive and live on.”

“Sorry sorry. I’m just becoming over-emotional. - You’re right. Even though the memory of seeing her on the street will never leave but we had a lot of good ties together. Even if her need to play Britney spears music full blast got kind of annoying. Yeah, she probably would actually. Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn this whole thing into a sob story.”

“Oh Hayley I’m sorry. Must be hard what you’re going through. I need to sign up for a job, contribute to everything and do my part, that should keep me busy and my mind of the mess. 

“Yeah...so am I.” She says sadly. “I’ve been considering doing the supply runs recently but I haven’t decided yet.”

Letting out a soft sigh, Mila kept her gaze on the other the whole time. “I’ll have someone bring you food here later unless you want to go with me? So you can take a pick?”she offered, trying to get her out of this room even for a bit, eyes glancing at the dog for a moment. “Dogs are the best company. — Hay, listen… If you want to have… You know, a proper burial for her, we can organize something. A few minutes around the safe area, it can be done.”

“You don’t have to...I mean these banana snacks are really good.” She says as she rubbed her arm as she glances at the vending machine. “They are. Wilfred is great at comforting too.” She sighs before she looks back at her friend with sad eyes. “We can? I- I just thought...with everything going on...that we couldn’t.”

“You have to acknowledge what happened, it’s part of dealing with it. By pretending it never happened you’re just going to make it worse in the long run. Take your time, sit down, cry and hate the world but don’t bottle it up until you explode.”

“I know I do but I can’t. Not yet. By siting down and crying the memory of her lying in the street all bloodied up and will just resurface and I- I can’t handle it. She was all I had left and now...now she’s gone.”

“There are better rooms upstairs, you know?”she shrugs, walking over to Hayley, carefully taking in her friends features. “Don’t lie to me, Hay. When was the last time you slept? Ate? Talked to someone? You know staying in here forever isn’t a solution.”

“I know...I don’t know, I guess this sofa is really doing it for me.” She offers a small smile and shrugs before her smile drops again. She looks down and fiddles with her hands. “I slept two days ago. Can’t seem to get any of it lately. Food wise I’ve been snacking on the banana fruit snacks in the vending machine. - I’ve spoken to Wilfred a lot. He’s a good dog, well trained. I think I did a good job raising him.” She mumbles on. “I like it here. It’s cosy.”

“You should go to the kitchen and get some real food” she commented as she picked up the chair she wanted for a patient “And maybe go grab a hospital room, there are real beds in them you know? And showers and stuff like that. No point in hiding away in this hellhole”

Hayley shrugs. “Eh, maybe. But these banana snacks are really good.” She says. “There are all kinds of things in hospital rooms. Chewable things anyway that Wilfred could get his paws on but then again I could just clear some stuff out if possible. I guess I’m just hiding away from people.”

“Don’t go out there when something like that is on your mind. You need to be able to focus, not only your life is on the line but the life of your team. Give yourself time to grief.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Either way though, these training sessions are helping a lot so thanks again. But I just- if I give myself time to grieve then I’m acknowledging she’s gone and I don’t think I’m ready to face that yet.”

Hayley offers a small smile at her friend. “Well, you found me.” She breaths out before offering a lame smile. “Welcome to my humble abode.” She jokes weakly. “Good. Totally good.” She says as she pet her dog, although she knew it was more or less a lie.

“You’re welcome. Well, they need every hand they can get and you got an advantage being a werewolf. Not immune to the virus, but you’re faster and stronger than humans.” He sighed softly. 

“I guess so. I guess I’ve just been preoccupied lately with the whole losing my sister thing but I definitely need to do something to take my mind off of it. But yeah, I’m definitely considering it.”

“Hey” Olivia greeted the younger girl with a weak smile. She knew what it was like to lose everything so she felt for Hayley. “I just needed to grab one of the extra chairs in here- and I wanted to check to see how you were doing? Have you eaten anything lately?”

Hayley smiled weakly. “Hey.” She says quietly as she moves out of the way of the door. “Sure thing, go ahead. I’m using the couch anyway.” She tells her as she goes back over to the small sofa in the room as pets her dog again. She shrugs her shoulders. “I mean, I’ve been snacking on those banana fruit snacks in the vending machine.”

“I told you I’d help you get in shape again, I could use my time training all these kids waiting for some advise so at least keep your head together. Are you planning on joining the supply runners? Or the ones protecting the zone outside the hospital?”

“Yeah, thanks for that by the way. This is a good way to get out all of my anger about everything.” She sighs as she runs a hand through her hair before shrugging. “I don’t know, I might. I may go on a few of the supply runs. I haven’t decided what I’m doing yet.”