The Survivor (Book 2)

Chapter 19

Zack started looking healthier, though he was still a stick-figure brought to life. I knew that would take time to rebuild, and I was happy to see him happy. I kissed the scars on his wrists a lot, and after he made us cheeseburgers, we met up with our group at the fountain. I got to see Blade again, and was glad she was officially part of our group.

Blade and Genesis were giggly, and I was beyond glad to see him so happy and not down about Anne. Zack stayed close to me, kissing my skin at every opportunity.

“Humans,” I said, drawing everyone’s attention. “We need to meet with them. Has anyone gone to actually declare war on them or is that just a thing we’re preparing for?”

“I went,” Lionel said. “We’ve actually, physically declared war on them. After they threatened to kill us.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure,” I sighed. “I gotta go talk to them.”

“No,” Zack said quickly. “No, I just got you back.”

“I never said you had to stay,” I said quietly. He shook his head. “Please, Zack? We can’t have another war. Not so soon. I had PTSD from the last one. I don’t need another round of it. We’re not all cut out for war like you, sweetheart.”

He bit into an apple that he decided to bring along. I could hear his stomach growling, and I smiled upon hearing it. “You aren’t going.”

I sighed. “I’ve got plenty to blackmail you with, Zack.”

He blinked at me. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would.”

There was silence. He stuck out his lower lip and I kissed him quickly. “Please, baby? I just got you back. And remember what happened the last time they got their hands on you? Saint happened, Treble. Saint happened, and you thought you were a whore.”

“We’re not having a war with them, Zack, and the only person that seems viable enough of talking to them is me,” I said. “As conceited as that is, we all know it’s true. You’d take off all of their heads and call it evolution.”

“I would,” he smiled. “But I can’t let you go, my love,” he hugged me tightly. “Not so soon.”

“One week,” I bargained. “I’ll go in a week.”

“No.”

“Two?”

“Nope.”

“Zack,” I sighed. “Fine. I’ll leave in the middle of the night.”

“I don’t sleep.”

“Not unless I get Av to put a spell on you. She’s got a few tricks up her sleeve. Told me she could have you out like a damned light,” I smirked. “One week and you come with me, or I leave in the middle of the night this week without you.”

Tears formed in his eyes, “Treble, please.”

“I’ll give you until sunset to choose,” I shrugged.

“Goddammit,” he shook his head. “No. I’m the leader of Heaven, and I say no.”

“I’m the Savior,” I shrugged. “I overpower you. Keep eating, though. You’ll probably get strong enough by the end of the week to overpower me.”

He pulled me away from the group, pushing up the sleeves of his jacket, “Do you see these?” he held his arms out. “Do you see these scars, Treble? Do you know they’re from you? Do you know that I haven’t eaten in a year because I was worried sick over you? I’m not letting you go, okay?”