Embers

I followed the path to the Greek camp, the weird boy that had bowled me over hot on my tail. I set my jaw and clenched my fists tight so my ragged nails bit into my palms.

I was too busy churning with anger that I didn't notice where I was going and my toe caught on a stone, I went tilting forward and the ground rushed up to meet me.

At the last moment a hand shot out and stopped my fall, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me to my feet.

I looked up to thank whoever had caught me then my eyes settled on Allen who was looking down at me with the same disgust I felt for him.

"Do you mind?" I snapped, jerking my shoulder from his hands, heading back on my path.

"A thank you would do." I heard him mutter, but he kept following me out the gate of New Rome.

"Why are you following me?" I snapped, marching forward determinedly.

"I'm not followi-"

He was cut off by the slamming of the gates behind us and we both swivelled around to stare in horror at the grim faces of the guards.

"WHAT?!?" Allen demanded of the guard.

"WE'RE UNDER QUARANTINE!" The guard yelled back. "THE FIRST ONE DIED!"

Allen swore under his breath and grabbed my elbow, towing me behind him as he sprinted away from the gate.

"What-? Allen let go of me! What's going-?"

"The sickness." He panted as he ran. "It's getting worse."

"What sickness?"

"The one that started when you came here; the Greeks."

"Where are we going."

"Your camp, we have to get there before the-" A man running beside us broke down in coughs and Allen pulled me away from him, swearing under his breath. "Too late." He said.

Notes