Return of the dead

Chapter 8: It's over for us

The barn gate crashed as the tractor went through it. I let out a loud whoop as Mary held onto Henry for dear life. Beth was trying to keep her balance as she kept a look out for any walkers. Matt looked green as the tractor moved faster. We had fixed it a bit so we were going faster then we should. Matt's hand grazed mine as he gripped mine. I was a bit surprised and I jumped. He blushed and let go but I grabbed it again and looked away. I wasn't going to get all soft for him now but if I had stopped cursing then I can definitely stop falling for Henry and start falling for Matt. I looked at Henry and he whipped his head back in another direction. He had stared. Charlie had skidded onto a dirt road that was hidden behind a big long grass patch and a small river. The motor of the tractor was stopped and we got off. We could see and smell the smoke from the barn. Beth stood perfectly still as her tangled hair moved side to side from the wind. We couldn't stay much longer. I walked towards her and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me and I looked at her. She sniffed and then her eyes began to water. She hugged me, dropping the shovel. She sobbed loudly as she pressed her tiny face against my side. Her tears were staining through my shirt and I could feel it against my skin. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. She began to shake as she cried louder and harder. I sighed and scooped her up in my arms. I picked up her shovel and walked past Charlie and Henry.
"Come on, We have to walk from here. Stay aware and I'll carry Beth. We can find some woods to sleep in. Someone might have been camping out." I said.
The nodded and followed me as Beth continued to cry. I felt bad for her. I had gone through what she had gone through, but I didn't have to witness one of my own dying in front of my eyes. Before long, Beth was asleep and getting heavy. Charlie made me pass her to him and she hugged him tightly. I rubbed my eyes and looked at Henry. He was staring at me while Mary and Matt walked ahead of us.
"So are you two becoming an item?" He asked me.
"It's none of your business. I don't want to rush into things and mess everything up, or have someone else come in and take him away." I said.
Henry winced and I bit my lip. We continued to walk behind all the others slowly. Henry sighed and grazed my arm with his. I felt tingles ring through me and I stepped a safe distance away from him. I didn't want to to fall for him. Not again.
"I know that it's too much to ask for....but will you hold my hand as we walk?" He asked.
I was a bit shocked but I nodded. I awkwardly moved my hand towards his and grabbed it lightly. He gripped and I felt my body heat up. This is what I missed. I missed him. As a friend, as a boyfriend, as a family member. He was all I had and was taken away from me like everyone else. He was here for me now and I didn't want it to end. Before I knew it, I had leaned my head on his shoulder as we walked. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking as we walked. Did he miss me too or was it all a mistake? The feeling of it all being a mistake made my heart sink, but I didn't want to ruin the moment. I had Henry back, even if it was just for a little while.