The Apocalypse

2

Passing by the three impeccably dressed individuals, who towered over her in both height and strength, Maeve's purpose remained a mystery to them. Kneeling beside Derek, she gently placed the cool towel on his forehead and proceeded to check his pulse.
Confusion clouded the group's faces as they exchanged bewildered glances. None of them knew who Maeve was or why she had taken it upon herself to help. Sophie, unable to contain her apprehension, blurted out, "Is he going to be alright? And how strong is your fence, by the way?" Maeve looked up at her but remained silent, her expression unreadable.
"Are you deaf or something?" Sophie continued, her annoyance evident in her voice. Maeve, finished with her task, rose from her kneeling position and silently made her way to the sink. She washed her hands methodically, then retrieved a bottle of water before sitting down without uttering a word.
Maurits couldn't tear his eyes away from Maeve. He found himself captivated by her ethereal beauty, realizing that she was unlike any other woman in town. Attempting to strike up a friendly conversation, Dylan asked, "Do you live here all by yourself?" Maeve's response came in the form of a subtle shake of her head, hinting at a more complicated reality.
"Where are the others?" Dylan prodded further, attempting to draw her out of her reticence. For a moment, it seemed as if Maeve wouldn't answer, until she finally whispered, "Outside." She rubbed her eyes wearily, curling her knees up against her chest. Maurits, driven by curiosity, pushed the curtains aside to peer into the garden, and what he saw left him in shock. The entire area was enclosed by a sturdy fence, but strewn across the ground were more than ten lifeless bodies.
"Are they dead?" Maurits inquired, his eyes fixed on Maeve as he positioned himself in front of her, ensuring their eyes met. Maeve, her gaze flitting between him and the gun Sophie clutched closer to her body, hesitated briefly before answering, "A herd came." A tremor in her voice revealed her underlying fear. "Everyone got bit."
Maurits grabbed her hand. Her eyes shot to his hand her heart beat picked up. She never liked people touching her, but instead of pulling her hand back she let it be. She never liked it after misses Chumson.
"Everyone?" Maurits asked incredulously, unable to fathom the gravity of the situation. Sophie interjected, her voice tinged with concern, "Did you get bit too?" Maeve's eyes shifted from Sophie to the gun, and after a moment's pause, she replied softly, "Yes."
Seeking further clarification, Maurits pressed on, "When did this happen? How have you managed to survive all alone?" A heavy silence descended upon the room, as if Maeve needed time to gather her thoughts and find the right words. Eventually, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "It was four years ago."
Maeve turned her gaze toward the window, where the herd outside loomed ominously. "They all started turning, so I had to put an arrow through their brains," she murmured, her words laden with the weight of sorrow. "I tried to bury them, but I wasn't strong enough." She pulled her hand instinctively back to her chest.
"You can't be bit four years ago, darling." Maurits said to her.
Maeve didn't responds to his words holding her lips on top of each other.
"Are you good with a bow and arrow?" Sophie asked. She just knew the girl was too sweet for this fucked up world.
She shrugged before giving a small nod. Derek slowly woke up.
"Do you ever leave?" Maurits asked, his growing curiosity evident in his tone. The others couldn't help but notice the shift in his demeanor. He had never been so talkative before.
"I may not leave. It's forbidden," Maeve whimpered, her voice carrying a tinge of sadness and resignation.
"Forbidden? By whom?" Sophie inquired, her brow furrowing with concern.
"By Misses Chumson," Maeve replied, her voice trembling at the mere thought of the headmistress and the punishments she doled out for any sign of defiance.
"Is she still around here?" Maurits probed further. Maeve stood up abruptly, distancing herself from the group. Maurits clenched his jaw, determination etched on his face, as he followed her.
"Stay!" he commanded the others, his tone leaving no room for argument. Grumbling, they reluctantly obliged, allowing Maurits to confront Maeve alone.
Maurits caught up with Maeve, standing before her with an air of authority. "Darling, I asked you a question, and I expect an answer," he demanded, his tone firm but gentle.
Maeve's voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "Sorry," before settling down in front of the front door.
Confusion etched Maurits's features as he asked, "Why are you sitting here?"
Maeve's gaze fell to her hands, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "I like to imagine going out the front door and leaving, but I can't," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. Memories of the devastating months following the arrival of the herd overwhelmed her, tears streaming down her face.
"Why can't you?"
"Because misses Chumson said I couldn't leave when she left and then the herd came everyone died." She whimpered tears streaming down her face remembering the horrible months.
"You can't go against her. She punishes the ones going against her. She owns me so I have to listen." She told Maurits biting the inside of her cheek.
"What if I say I bought the place from her." Maurits quickly responded.
"You've seen her?" she asked, her voice filled with both hope and disbelief.
"Yes, I have," Maurits affirmed. "I now own this orphanage, which means I own you too. And you know what?"
Maeve's throat tightened as she looked up at him, her vulnerability laid bare.
"You are no longer a prisoner if you stay by my side. Nothing will ever harm you again. I promise you," Maurits declared, his words carrying an earnest sincerity.
Maeve swallowed hard, her gaze locked with his, searching for any hint of deception. Finding none, she nodded eagerly, her trust solidifying.
"Will you punish me?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Maurits's expression softened, and he gently cupped her cheek. "Only if you give me a reason to, darling. Will you be a good girl?"
Maeve nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with a glimmer of hope. "Yes, I will. I promise," she assured him, her voice filled with newfound determination.
"Then I won't punish you, darling." He whispered kissing her forehead.
-
"Well she is something new I haven't seen in a very long while!" Sophie said with a smile when Maeve had left them as Maurits ordered her to go pack.
"When do we leave?" She asked him.
"She is coming with us." Maurits told the group. He had decided what he wanted for the rest of his life. He had given his life to that town and he wanted something in return, which was that girl. She was his now.
"What?" Sophie said quickly pulling Maurits close to her. "She can barely make sentences she doesn't know what is wrong what is right. She thinks she was bit?! She is facking naive and innocent. The survivors will eat her alive!" She said in fear of ruining the sweet girl who helped the group. If she had not let them in that herd would have killed them. Not even Maurits understood why this entire herd was here. Maeve stood around the corner hearing every word they spoke.
"Not if she is mine." Maurits told her.