Risen from the Grave

A/N: ...and it's over! this is the final chapter of risen from the grave! i have started brainstorming a sequel (ooo exciting), but that will take a long time to put together. i hope u all have loved reading this and i really appreciate you for sticking with me until the end, and i hope this satisfies you!! love you all so so much, and THANK YOU <3

The first six hours of the drive were fine. There was small conversations here and there and comfortable silences in which we all thought of those we lost. Mom and Carlos, who lost their lives right at the beginning, who helped us learn how the infected work and how their bites will effect us. Tía, who took her own life due to the pain, who taught us that suicide wouldn't end the pain, only pass it on to those we love most. Poor Reggie, who lost his life due to the thing he knew would kill him in the circumstances given, who I could've saved had I been thinking straight, who died too young and too soon. Caleb, who was ripped to pieced in front of his son in a time when nobody could support him, who loved Dad but never knew those feelings could be reciprocated. Alex, who was brutally murdered with his ten-year-old son by his side, his boyfriend on his other, his head smashed to pieces, his killing being completely uneccessary. Owen, the purest of souls who just wanted to be with his daddy again, who went through pain no child should ever have to go through only to lose his life. And Dad, who was there for me right from the start, who helped me navigate a foreign world without even having a map, who stay strong for his kids when his wife and son died, who always put us before himself. I pulled over to the side of the road, barely able to see through my teary eyes. Luke held my hand and squeezed it gently, offering me a small amount of comfort. I gave him a weak smile, just letting my thoughts overwhelm me and take over. Julie came up behind me and stroked my hair, something she hasn't done since we were kids, and Willie kept his distance but gave me a reassuring smile, reminding me of what I was still fighting for. I pulled Julie around the seat into a hug and held her tightly, realising she's the only family I have left. She wrapped her arms around my neck and cried, soaking my shirt like I'd soaked Luke's. Said boy was still sat beside me, rolling up his window and sighing sadly. "I wish it would all just pause,"he said, looking over at me. "Just give us a second to catch up and grieve. It fucking sucks that we have to live like this."

"It'll get better,"Willie piped in. "We'll build a community. We can't bring back who we've lost, but we can remember them, and give them the memorial they deserve." I watched his eyes water, then he turned away, wiping away the tears with the hoodie sleeve. I finally let go of Julie, letting her go back and comfort him.

"I need some air,"I stated, opening the door and stepping out, knife in hand. Luke followed suit, coming around the van and standing beside me, resting his head on my shoulder and crying silently. I cried with him, putting an arm around his waist and pulling him in, bringing him closer and closer until we were fully embracing one another, not wanting to let go. He pulled away from me slightly, opting to look at my eyes instead, and I looked back down at him, taking in the endearing brown surrounding his pupils, and glimmer of hope in them. I reached up and brushed a stray bit of hair out of his face and his cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. I recalled when I first met him, so desperate to be with him but not ready to admit to myself I loved him, the situation too overwhelming, a world with no room for romance. And yet here we were, standing outside my van on the side of the road, just holding each other and staring into the other's eyes.

"I love you,"he whispered.

"I love you too,"I whispered back, and I leaned down slightly, pressing my forehead against his, a thin layer of his brown hair creating a barrier between our skins. I pressed forwards, giving him a moment to back away before finally connecting our lips, after one too many fails. His lips were chapped but soft at the same time from months of dehydration, and I gently opened his mouth, letting my tongue slide inside. I kissed him for a moment, letting myself get lost in the moment before the dreaded sound of moans and groans started getting loud, remembering the fact we are surrounded by the infected. I sadly let him go, and he made his way around the van and into his seat as I climbed back into mine. I started up the engine, taking a deep breath, and he offered me his hand. I gratefully took it, and we continued down the road, still hours left of our long journey to Oregon.