Chronicles of the Apocalypse: Reckoning (2022)

Chapter 16: Slavers

A day later since the group left the mall and Margaret starts using the medicine kit on Sarah. The group is held up in a lodging resort. The group had pulled a mattress down to a basement and placed Sarah on top of it then the blanket over her, to keep her warm. For the past few days, the group have been doing runs for food and taking turns watching Sarah. One day, the group is setting their stuff down into the lodge. James is setting up his bunk as Cassandra stares at Abigail, glaring at the teen.

James: Hey....she helped us.

Cassandra: She's one of them. She was there when that bitch killed my sister.

James: She was....but she turned on them.

Cassandra: What makes you think she won't turn on us?

Abigail approaches Kyle, who looks around before looking back at her.

Kyle: You didn't want to be there. That's why I tried talking to you. I can tell. You're just a kid. Rocky told me he had found and helped you out.

Abigail: Rocky saved my life.

Abigail laughs.

Kyle: That's who we are.

Abigail offers a fist bump to Kyle as he accepts.

Marcus and Margaret are by a pond, refilling their water bottles.

Marcus: You okay?

Margaret turns to her brother.

Margaret: am I okay? Are you?

Marcus sighs.

Marcus: You haven't said a word to me since....since we left the mall....

Margaret: What do want me to say? You threw a person out into a horde of infected and watched her get ripped apart like it was nothing.

Marcus: She killed Vivian....but I understand....I get it....that's not who we are.

Margaret: You saying you regret it?

Marcus: No...she needed to die...but I'm just wishing it wasn't me.

Kyle was sitting on the mattress next to Sarah, who was letting out shivering breathes, and Kyle had to make sure the blanket was secure enough around her.

Kyle: I know, honey. I know.

Kyle tucks the blanket in then places his hand on Sarah's cheek, then her breathing subsides a bit and she leans into his touch.

Sarah: Kyle....

Kyle smiles at this as he starts to lay down next to Sarah.

Kyle: Please.....God, I've missed you, Sarah. Please...I've missed you more than ever. I don't...I don't think I can survive this world without you.

Sarah smirks at a memory.

Kyle: Why are you smiling?

Sarah: You remember when you proposed to me?

Kyle laughs.

Sarah: We were walking along Central Park, near that pond and you were so nervous. I asked if you were okay, and you tried brushing it off, but I knew better.

Kyle chuckles.

Sarah: Finally, we stood by the pond and you reached into your pocket, got on your knee and held out a ring. You said...

Kyle: After Sheila, I never thought I could love again....but then I met you. You came into my life and proved me wrong. The more I spent time with you, the deeper I fell in love with you. You're the most amazing, wonderful woman a man can ask for you and I love you.