Chapter 30

Lewis was limping and shouting in the distance. His hand was covering his opposite arm, you could tell something had happened to him. He looked like he was in a lot of pain and he wasn't holding his weapon anymore. "Louis!" I screamed. I lunged forward to help him but Tom stopped me. Lauren opened the door and Lewis rushed in, yelping in pain. As soon as Lauren slammed the door, he fell to his knees. Bradley and Lana rushed to his aid. "Oh my god," I said, "he's been bitten!" I barged past Tom and stood near Lewis.

"Lewis, what's happened?" Faye asked. Her voice sounded choked and strained. Lewis was holding back tears.

"I tried to save Josh," he sniffed, "but... I couldn't..." Suddenly Lewis burst into tears. Faye put her hand to her mouth and slumped to the floor. She too started crying in shock. Lauren looked confused and Bradley and Tom looked as if they'd let us all down.

"Josh... Josh is dead?" I choked out. Lewis nodded slowly and sadly, upset he'd lost his best friend. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry Lewis," I whispered, exhaling. I felt awful.

We all stood, shocked, overwhelmed. Josh had sacrificed himself to save all of us. He was dead. And Lewis, Lewis was going to die. He had been bitten, there was nothing we could do. I burst into tears as I realised what the consequences were.

"What, what do we do now?" Faye sobbed. I looked at the floor, then at Lewis.

"We need to get out of here, away from school," Bradley said. We were all fed up of this and wanted it to stop.

"What about Lewis?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Just go... Leave me here," Lewis whispered.

"No!" I screamed, "we can't just leave him here-" I addressed to everyone.

"Bella, it's okay. I'll go peacefully," Lewis spoke slowly, like he was losing energy, like he was dying. "I just want all the pain to go away,"

My mouth quivered and I couldn't stop myself crying. My cheeks were flustered.

"How could we live with ourselves, leaving you here?" Bradley said, "we'd feel so guilty,"

"Listen, you're running out of time. I'm not going to make it, I'll slow you down, there's nothing you can do to save me," Lewis said. I wiped my eyes. Everyone was speechless. Zombies were approaching in the distance so we had to hurry.

"If it's what you want..." Bradley said, unsure.

Louis half heartedly laughed. It was painful hearing him laugh for the last time, "I'm sure,"

This was a horrible way to say goodbye. Lewis was sweating and in pain, like the life was being sucked out of him. "I guess this is goodbye then," Faye whispered, hugging Lewis tightly. A tear trickled down her cheek and she didn't want to let go. Lauren was in bits, but still hugged him.

"Goodbye, Lewis," Bradley whispered. His eyes were teary.

"I'm so sorry Lewis," Tom said, "it's unfair you have to go like this," I could tell Tom was feeling guilty for everything that had happened.

Then it was my turn. I gulped. Lewis stood up, slowly. I limped over to him. I whispered trying not to cry, "thank you for saving us Lewis-" I couldn't finish, I just had to turn away.

"Goodbye, Lewis," I whispered.

Lewis gulped, "Don't ever forget me, Bella," Lewis whispered back.