Blood And Ashes

chapter 01: farewell.

Lucy's POV:

It hurts. It hurts so bad. I never thought me and him would break but yet here we are. Anger, hurt, and betrayal were entangled with a lingering sense of sadness. I had loved Tom with all my heart, and seeing him walk away was a painful realisation of the love and cherished that I had lost, but I knew it was for the best. It wasn't just about my pain; it was about protecting Jace and myself from further heartache. Jace stood beside me, his presence a source of strength. We exchanged a knowing look, silently acknowledging the difficult path ahead. We were no longer the same people we had been before Tom's departure. We had faced hardships, fought against insurmountable odds, and survived through sheer determination. And at that moment, I knew we could continue to do so, even without Tom by our side.

As the weight of Tom's absence settled in, I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears. I turned to Jace, giving him a small, sad smile, grateful for his unwavering support. "Jace," I said, my voice steady and resolute. "Thank you, for all of this, for not leaving once." Jace nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "You're right, Mama. We've gone through some of the weirdest shit some kids could have, we've gone through it all without any trouble. We don't need Tom to keep going." And with that reaffirmation, we linked pinkies, a symbol of the unbreakable bond we shared. We had survived this far, and we would continue to fight for a better future, not just for ourselves but for others who needed our help.

As we turned away from the emptiness and despair that Tom had left behind, a renewed sense of purpose surged within me. We had lost one person, but we would find new allies, build new connections, and he'll be a distant memory, but never forgotten as he was once one of us. Our journey was far from over, and I was determined to make sure that the sacrifices we had made for our safety were not in vain. Many we knew in the past have died and their names will not be forgotten, Jack, Seb, and CJ were some to name. And I made it my goal to ensure that nobody else dies in this apocalypse. That nobody else suffers from this hell.

Jace's POV:

It's been an odd few days had passed since Tom left us, and the world seemed to have shifted its weight upon Lucy's shoulders. I watched as she carried the burden of her emotions and everyone's problems as well as her own; her once vibrant and childish spirit was now dulled by the pain of betrayal. Even when, in her moments of vulnerability, Lucy remained strong, resilient, and fiercely determined. The lines on her face were deeper now, etched by the challenges we had faced and the choices we had made. Her face was scarred with images of the past which weirdly still looked good on her. Her eyes, once filled with innocence and welcoming trust, now held a hint of anxiety. Yet, there was a fire within her, burning brightly despite the darkness that surrounded us. Lucy had changed, and I couldn't help but admire the woman she had become, and admire Lucy as more than just my mother figure. More than just a friend.

Gone was the girl who relied on others to protect her. Gone was the sweet and innocent Lucy I once met and protected. Now, in that dead girl's place stood a warrior, unyielding in her quest for everybody's safety. Lucy had hardened her heart, and her soul, fortifying herself against further pain. And while it broke whatever heart I had left after this shit hole, and how having to see her wounded pained me, I couldn't deny the strength she exuded. She had easily taken up the remains of what Tom's job was and had shockingly taken charge like it was second nature to her, assuming the role of a leader when the need arose. Her decisions were measured, calculated, and driven by a sense of responsibility and maturity for those who depended on us. Lucy had become the guiding light that guided us through the darkest of times. Especially to me.

But one thing lingered within my mind, and that was her. I knew we were skirting around something for an odd year, maybe more, but something was there. There for her. It wasn't just her unwavering courage or her determination to survive that fascinated me; it was something deeper, something I couldn't quite put into words. In the dim light of our makeshift camp that we called home, I often stole glances at her, mesmerised by the way her eyes sparkled like the last embers of a dying fire. Her beauty was undeniable, but it wasn't just her looks that captivated me. It was the way she carried herself with grace and strength, like some warrior princess, or goddess of war, navigating the ruins of our world.

Her black hair, now cut to her shoulders, tousled by the harsh winds, seemed to catch the faintest rays of sunlight, turning it into a halo of warmth and hope. I would often catch myself wondering what it would feel like to run my fingers through those sun-kissed locks, to reassure her that we would make it through this nightmare together. With or without Tom, with or without everyone else in our camp. We became a sanctuary to survivors, healing and medicating them as well as aiding them in their journeys. Lucy's laughter, although a now rare and precious sound in this desolate landscape, was like a symphony to my ears. It could lift our spirits even in the darkest of times, momentarily chasing away the horrors that haunted us. I would find myself daydreaming about being the reason behind her laughter, the one who could make her smile even when the weight of the world pressed down upon us.

Her eyes, like pools of deep, mysterious waters, held stories untold. They betrayed the hardships she had endured, yet they shone with an indomitable spirit that refused to be broken. Every time our gazes met, I felt a jolt of electricity pass through me as if fate was trying to nudge me towards something more significant than friendship. As we scavenged for supplies together, I couldn't help but admire her resourcefulness and ingenuity. She had an uncanny ability to turn discarded items into useful tools, a skill that left me in awe. I wanted to be her partner in this post-apocalyptic dance of survival, to stand by her side and support her in every way I could. In the evenings, when the world was cloaked in darkness and despair, we would sit by the dying fire, our shoulders almost touching. I would steal glances at her profile, illuminated by the flickering flames, and wonder if she could feel the pounding of my heart.

Yet, as much as I admired her, I hesitated to reveal the emotions swirling within me. The apocalypse had taught us that tomorrow was never guaranteed, and I couldn't bear the thought of jeopardizing our friendship in this cruel and unpredictable world. So, I kept my feelings hidden, cherishing every moment we spent together and silently wishing for a future where the scars of the past would fade, and perhaps, just perhaps, our bond would grow into something more profound. Until then, I would be content to admire her from afar, an unsung hero etched into the story of my heart amid the ruins of our world.