Chapter Text
It’s just you and your mother. Living in a small and smelly house, provided by the QZ. The space was molded and falling apart, the water was always cold and had no pressure. Just walking through the damn house was an eyesore, but you still loved it.
You wince as you move through the house. Your right pant leg is stained with your blood. Rolling up your pants was more gross than you thought. You quickly sit on the couch and stare at the bite mark on your leg. The blood was oozing and any kind of movement in the leg hurt. The ticking of the clock mocks you, frustrating you further. You decide to sneak out of the house, soldiers patrolling since it’s past curfew. There’s only one person you can mildly trust, Wynler.
The only reason why you knew her was because of her affiliation with the Fireflies. Your mother is one, her mother is also.
The gravel surrounding her trailer always annoyed you. Her porch is littered with mildew spots. You knock with a fun rhythm, how she would. You could see a shadow through the clouded glass on the door.
“Yes, Y/N?” She slowly opens the door and leans on the doorframe with her arms crossed. Her face doesn’t show she’s super excited to see you.
“Well, can I come in? Y’know I wouldn’t come to you if it weren’t important. Besides, I’ve scored a few smokes. My treat.” She sighs and opens the door wider for you. She leads you to her small backyard. There’s two milk crates upside down on the grass, your usual spots. You sit on the discolored one, you like that its been worn out by the sun. Wynler slumps on the newer and bluer crate.
“So. What d’ya want?” She reaches in her pocket for a lighter, which has a print of colorful stars. You pass her the stale Lucky Strikes. She picks her cigarette carefully. The flicks from the lighter remind you of that clock.
“I’m infected.” Your hands press against your face. You could hear the cigarette burning while she takes a drag. Wynler blows the smoke in your face. It stings.
“Oh, am I surprised. There must be more to it I assume?” You were still rubbing your eyes.
“I didn’t bother cleaning it. I don’t really know why, but I came back home. Went to sleep. Figured I’d deal with it tomorrow, I guess. It’s been two days, Wynler. I feel the blood oozing out still, reminding me I’m still sane. I don’t understand. I should’ve turned. I don’t know what’s happening.” Wynler takes a drag but is definitely now taken aback. She clearly is thinking for you, the silence proves it.
“You need to go to Marlene. I know. We both aren’t exactly fond of .. them, but this could be .. something. You should or- you need to go.” You didn’t want to help out the Fireflies, really. It changed your mother and your relationship with her. But she was right. You got up and beckoned Wynler. She grunts but gives you your now 19 cigarettes.
“Ok freeze, Y/N.” You turn around to see Marlene with a gun. You roll your eyes. This has to be a fucking joke.
“I don’t even want to know, Marlene.” She flails around some papers.
“For your mom. Give them to her for me, Wynler.” She gently puts it on the milk crate you were sitting on. Marlene jerks her head up, indicating she wants to see your bite mark.
“Show me.” You sigh and roll up your pant leg. She bends down and inspects it. Only blood seems to be oozing. No signs of the fungus spreading within the skin, no severe redness and no infection as well.
“You’re coming with me. I have some other business to deal with after, but I do have someone I’d like you to meet.” She turns and you follow. But you stop in the middle and turn to Wynler.
“Wynler. You better not fucking blab.” She laughs. She even smacks her leg a little.
“As if anyone would believe me, Y/N.”