Disease

“Summer break here we go!” I giggled as I heard my best friend shouting. Her hair fluttered by the wind as she stood from her seat. Wearing only her shorts, shirt, and sunglasses. We have the same clothes. The only difference is the color and design I wasn’t wearing any sunglasses.

Just like she said, it is finally our summer break. It is finally the last break that we will have before we graduate in college so my best friend went all out for this year’s vacation. We will be staying at her boyfriend’s family’s cottage by the lake. We will have the whole place by ourselves. Their family practically owned a part of the forest! Well that’s what you get when your parents are rich you have all the privileges in the world.

My best friend Elora has been dating her longtime boyfriend for 3 years now. They started going out in our freshman year and he was a transfer from another university. That’s why he was older despite us taking the same course together and that’s when we all immediately clicked. We became friends, the inseparable trio until finally the two admitted to me that they were dating behind my back. Not that it was obvious. The first time I saw Logan, Elora’s boyfriend, and the way he looked at her I immediately knew that he liked her then. So since then I became the official third wheel.

It was hard at first because I’ve known Elora since we were teens. We were neighbors, we went to school together, we were each other’s prom dates because no one asked me out and Elora didn’t want to leave me alone, we even experienced our first period at the same time! We are practically sisters! That is why when we are finally leaving for college we told our parents that we wanted to move in together and they agreed. But then Logan came and I got shocked with all of the changes happening. We are finally becoming adults now and we are no longer revolving in each other’s world. She has a life now different from mine. And I couldn’t be happier for her. I have seen her heartbroken because of her past boyfriends and I just want what is best for her and Logan is that best for her. He makes her happy and if it means being the odd one out so be it.

“Babe, be careful you might get into an accident.” Logan said, using his other hand to hold Elona’s while the other holding the wheel. We were inside his jeep and he just popped open the sunroof so that we’d be able to feel the breeze. My best friend on the other hand has different plans.

“Logan’s right, Elona, that’s dangerous. We’re still on the main highway.” I replied, helping her down from the backseat.

“Ohh, shush. You two are killjoys.” she said finally seating properly.

“Just have some snacks if you’re bored.”

“Ohh, I’ll have a different snack.” she said suggestively and even though I couldn’t see her from here I sure know that she is wiggling her brows right now.

“Ewww. I’m here, please.” I replied, making the both of them giggle.

We just ended up singing along the radio for the rest of the drive until we had to make a stopover in a gasoline station. Logan had to pee and coincidentally my best friend also had to take the bathroom. So, I ended up alone in the car fidgeting with my phone. When they have taken too long I got bored waiting for them so I got out and went to the nearest convenience store. We still have a lot of snacks in the car so I just decided to go look for something to drink.

A few minutes later I ended up getting a soda and a chocolate bar. Something that I can hide because Elora doesn’t know about it since she’ll just end up eating everything. At least I was able to save one for later.

I just went to the counter to pay for my food when I saw my reflection in the mirror. My black long hair that is tied up in a ponytail is now ruffled with the baby hairs sticking out because of the strong wind. I tried combining it with my hand but to no avail it still looks like a nest. I tried to remove the elastics instead but the cashier was already done with my stuff so I had to move to the side since there is a line behind me. I smiled nodding before going out. My wallet, soda, and chocolate on my left hand the other hand opening the door.

As I made my way to the car I felt someone’s presence behind me. Thinking that it was just another customer walking in the same direction to the parking lot I didn’t bother but as I was about to open the car door I was stunned when I felt someone hold my shoulder. My eyes were wide open when I saw that the man in front of me is not Logan but someone else. He is skinny and his face is hollow as if he hadn’t eaten for a while. I thought he wanted some change seeing that he looks like a homeless man but with his blood shot eyes and his yellow teeth I immediately hesitated.

“Sir, do you need anything?” I asked but he didn’t answer. He just stared at me making me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was. I immediately took my phone ready to speed dial for emergency when he growled salivating about to launch at me but I immediately stepped away from the other direction. He is acting like a rabid dog about to strike me again when finally, someone holds him from the back of his collar and drags him away from me.

“Myla! Are you okay?” Elora ran past Logan and the man before holding both sides of my shoulder checking for injuries.

“I’m fine.” I replied slightly shaking because of the frightening encounter. I looked from her to Logan. He was just standing there looking at the man who attacked me now on the ground hissing. Shivers ran down my spine as he looked at Logan hungry.

“Logan.” I muttered as Elora turned around to look at her boyfriend.

“Don’t come close to him, he is dangerous. He might be under the influence.” she said with worry laced in her tone. Just on time an officer came to check up on us.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, looking at the man before his gaze moved to Logan to the both of us.

“This man just attacked my girlfriend’s best friend.”

The officer nodded looking at me to my best friend. His scrutinizing gaze looked at us from head to toe before he turned around kneeling close to the man, “The boy said you attacked the girl, is this true?”

I mentally rolled my eyes when he had to ask the man. Why would I lie for being attacked?

The man didn’t reply and just bared his teeth to the officer. The officer looked unfazed with the reaction as he started asking a few other questions. I just stood there crossing my arms to my chest as we watched the two talk. Well more like the officer having a monologue until at the least we expect the man launch on him biting him in the arm. I covered my mouth with both of my hands out of shock as the shrieking sound of the officer surrounded the whole parking lot. Another officer immediately ran towards his partner to help him as he shackled the man who kept on trying to bite him. Logan runs towards us shielding us from what is happening in front of as the officer tries to subdue him. The next thing I know is that we are at the police station asked to make a statement for what happened.

I was seated in front of a desk as I saw in the corner of my eye the man now imprisoned. He has some sort of mouth gag so that he won’t bite anyone and has a cloth tied around his arm to also prevent him from scratching other people. There are almost three officers that have minor injuries. The one who has his arm bitten, and the two was clawed out who are trying to arrest him. Thankfully all three of us are okay. Even Logan who was the first to help me.

“That’ll be all Miss. If you still want to file charges you can still contact us.” she said giving me a calling card as I nodded.

“Thank you. But that won’t be necessary.” I know that once I filed a report it would just take forever to process and it is most likely to be dismissed by the court because I didn’t suffer any injuries. Besides he looks like he is mentally disabled so I just let this pass. It is up to the officers if they are going to press charges after all they are the ones who are affected.

When I got out Logan and Elora were already waiting for me in front of the driveway. Logan is calling somebody on the phone as Elora is leaning on the car door.

“Hey.” she said lightly smiling. I could see the worry in her eyes.

“I’m fine.” I replied smiling, “Just a little shaken up that’s all.”

She nodded hesitantly before taking my hand and lightly squeezing it to give me comfort, “So, what did the police say?”

“Nothing, just standard procedure. So, let’s go?”

Elora nodded as she wrapped both of her arms to my right leaning his chin to my shoulder, “Everything is going to be okay, it’s just a little bump in the road. Starting now we will have the best summer ever!”