Chapter 15 - Parting Ways

"What?" Lia asked in surprise, "Wait, but Rina called her mom. I thought you two were just childhood friends."

"We are. But she was more of a mother to Rina than she ever was to me. A stranger would treat me better than her," I said bitterly.

"You know that's not true May!"  Rina defended, "Mrs. Z loved you."

Seeing her zombified striked something in me. I thought the last time I'd ever have to deal with her was the day I ran away. But even as a zombie she tries to ruin my life. If she never showed herself before Rina I could've lied and given her a valiant death. Instead she pops up and screws everything up, making Rina turn against me.

'Let's be honest, Rina was never on your side to begin with'

The End's voice echoed as she spoke. 

I clicked my tongue in annoyance, "Not true? Love me? Do you seriously believe that Rina?"

She looked taken aback. I guess she didn't expect me to brush those words off so easily. We grew up together, she knew me as well as I knew her. Even if we'd grown apart.

Before she could speak I interrupted, "Let's drop this. Keep thinking that she was a loving mother to me and that she gave her life up to save me. I won't stop you from living in your delusions. But Lia needs medical attention so I won't argue with you any longer."

With that I turned my back on her and walked away.

______

We made it back to the car without much trouble. Though I have The End to thank for that. 

Demi was treating Lia's shoulder while I kept asking if she was any pain.

"If you ask me that one more time I will punch you," Lia said exasperatedly. 

I was about to say that I was just worried about her but she interrupted, "I should be the one asking if you're okay. You just killed your mother and fought with your bestfriend."

"We're not bestfriends," Rina's voice came from behind me.

When I turned to face her, she walked up to me and grabbed my shirt, "I'll only ask once, what happened?"

I wanted to feel sad, I tried so much for her since the outbreak but this is how she treated me. But I couldn't feel sad, instead there was something edging me on to feel...nothing.

It was similar to when I abandoned that woman and those people. If they weren't on my side then I wouldn't feel anything for them. But the same could be said for the opposite, if people helped me I would feel immense gratitude to them. I would want to help them no matter what.

I didn't like that at all. Or maybe I did? I don't know, everything feels so jumbled.

Rina was waiting for my response, she was getting angrier by the second.

Fine. If she was going to get angry anyway I might as well tell her the truth.

'That action would have consequences'

I ignored The End and spat mockingly, "Your dear mother brought that reporter and an angry mob to her house to kill me. I warned her, and you, that the reporter was infected but neither of you even bothered to listen. So when he started to turn, I ran, and bumped into you."

She gritted her teeth, "You abandoned her."

"I did," I agreed. 

She punched me. Demi stepped in to shield me and Lia got up as well.

"Why don't we calm down and talk things through," Demi tried to defuse the situation.

"Calm down? Calm down?!! That bitch killed the only family I had remaining and you want me to calm down?!" She roared and took a step forward.

"And what about me?" I asked her, "She was your family and you mine. How do you think I felt when you constantly sided with her?" 

She glared at me and spat angrily, "You're no family of mine anymore."

"Did you ever even consider me as such?" I asked sadly.

She didn't respond, but her silence was enough. 

"This is where we part ways May Zepher. Be thankful that you have your guard dogs with you right now. Next time, you won't be so lucky," with that she turned her back and walked away.

As her figure got farther away I felt something in me breaking. If this outbreak never happened, I wonder if we would've had the chance to reconcile.

"Let's go," I said and got in the car.

It was a quiet drive, Lia and Demi kept glancing back every now and then to see if I was okay. To be honest, I didn't even know how I myself felt.

"You're worrying too much, I'm fine," I comforted them.

"Good!" Lia exclaimed louder than necessary, "She was a terrible friend anyway. You have Demi and I, we'll always be on your side!"

He nodded in agreement. Their actions and words made me smile. Maybe my life would've been better if I had opened up to Lia sooner. Demi had a hard life as well but if we met just a little earlier, maybe I wouldn't have been so hurt.

"Thanks guys," I said gratefully as I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

______

'You should be careful'

"Why?" I asked.

I was dreaming, but rather than the gruesome deaths that I would normally see, this time I saw nothing. I was surrounded by nothing as I spoke to The End.

"And where are we?" I questioned.

'We're inside your mind. Your actions have consequences. You're being overwhelmed and not thinking things through'

"You're referring to those consequences you mentioned last time right? Just tell me what they are and I'll prepare myself," I said confidently.

'You've become too dependent on what I am'

I let out and awkward laugh, "You always help me so it's to be expected."

The End tilted her head.

'You're right. At this rate you'll never be ready'

"Ready? For what?" I asked in confusion.

'Goodbye for now May, the next time we meet you'll understand.'

"Wait!" I shouted. 

But I had jumped awake, startling Lia and Demi. 

"You okay?" He asked.

"I...I'm fine. It's nothing," I said.

Then End wouldn't abandon me. She'll always be there to help me no matter what. But no matter how much I comforted myself with these words, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I could only hope that it was nothing.