Requiem

Chapter Twelve:

I’ve always disliked Monique, hated her even, at times. She was the female bully of our school, always hasty to pick on the unattractive and weak. I wasn’t one of her normal, everyday victims but that doesn’t mean she never picked on me. 

But I certainly never wanted her dead. 

And when you spend four days alone with someone, stranded without food and water, where you can practically breathe in death, it changes you. 

Monique and I had a strange bond. 

We picked on each other, bickered, constantly clashed together like two brandished swords. But we still respected each other when it came to a life or death situation. She even helped me with my ankle. We were still there and prepared to defend each other. 

We still fought for each other. 

I already miss her. I miss arguing with her. I miss going head to head, snarling like cats, and exercising my witty responses. 

I miss Sebastian, too. 

Now, he’s like a broken toy. He doesn’t talk. He moves when needed to and breathes. I’m really worried about him, and it is obvious Jasper is too. But whenever I ask him about it, Jasper just says to leave him alone. 

We haven’t seen a zombie since Monique’s death and it’s been two days. Secretly, I think it’s because they know that Sebastian will go on a murderous warpath if he sees another one of them. 

Jasper sighs and squeezes my thighs softly. 

I shake my head and he carefully bends down so I can climb off his shoulders. The trees are way too thin around us, so I can’t climb and see where exactly we are. And since Jasper is so tall, I was hoping it would make up for my lack of height. 

But unfortunately, our efforts are futile. 

I take a few steps away from him and we both sigh softly, our eyes flickering towards Sebastian. He leans against a tree several feet away, eyes glued to the sky. I take a deep breath, determination coursing through my veins.

“I’m going to go talk to him.” 

Jasper’s mouth opens, but his protest dies on his lips after a sharp glare. He doesn’t utter a word as I slowly move forward, my hands held up in a cautious gesture. Sebastian doesn’t even look my way or make any sign that he’s aware of my approach. “Sebastian?” I hesitate. 

He exhales loudly. Carefully, I reach out and touch his shoulder. A shudder tears through his body, as if jump-starting him back to life. Blinking, he glances my way, red-rimmed eyes wide. “Scarlett?” 

“Sebastian? Are you alright?” 

A pretty stupid question, but it’s all I can come up with at the moment and he stares at me in response, eyes slowly easing out of their wide state. I purse my lips and decide to rip the band-aid off, “You loved her, didn’t you?”