Feeding Frenzy

Chapter 26

 Evey was tossing and turning in an attempt to fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she would see her family's dead bodies lying in a pool of blood. The sound of Lila's screaming, especially when she called out Evey's name, never left her alone. She was stuck in the terrible ten minutes that the soldiers were in their home.

She let out a deep breath as she flopped on her back. She heard Ford leave to be on watch and had not heard him come back inside. He had been sleeping on the couch because the third bedroom in the house had been converted into an office.

Evey needed to get her mind off her haunting memories. The twins and the other civilians were all asleep. It was the middle of the night and they were all exhausted from walking all day.

She pulled the blankets back and sat. There was one person that was awake. Despite Ford never saying much, it was better than lying in silence.

Evey dragged her fingers along the wall as she walked down the pitch-black hallway. The stairs creaked under her feet. She did not bother to try and find her shoes before going outside.

Ford was sitting on the wooden bench on the porch. His gun was resting against the bench by his feet. Evey did not think to bring out her knife or gun. She was still not used to carrying weapons.

Ford raised a brow when he looked at her.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

"I was expecting you to tell me to go back inside," she said.

Ford shrugged. "You never listen."

Evey leaned against the railing. Ford had set a large flashlight on the ground and had it pointing up to provide a faint glow. It cast shadows across his face.

"Want me to be on watch for a shift?" Evey asked.

"Never," Ford said.

"But you taught me how to shoot."

"You're not a soldier."

Evey let out a huff of breath. She knew he was right. Could she take on a pack of Infected alone and survive?

"I feel bad you guys never get to sleep," she said.

"You don't sleep," he said.

"True, but that is not by choice."

"Why do you barely sleep?"

Evey hesitated. Did she tell him the truth? Ford knew she was still mourning Lila, but she did not want to look weak.

"I'm an insomniac," she said.

"False," Ford said. "It's because of your family."

Evey broke eye contact. There was a moment of silence before the bench creaked. Evey watched as Ford's feet moved while he walked forward. She gasped when he put his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. She was shocked by his delicate touch.

She could not appreciate how blue Ford's eyes were, like she usually did, because of the darkness. There was a somber look on his face. His brows furrowed as he tried to think of something to say.

"I can't apologize enough," he said.

Evey's eyes widened. Her lips parted, but Ford spoke before she could say anything.

"I wish we met in another world," he said. "One where the world was not falling apart."

"It'll go back to normal," Evey said. "That's why we're going to Toronto."

"It's not enough."

"Why?"

"I'll always be the one who killed your family."