Apocalyptic Love - The island

Chapter Thirty-Three - A waiting game

In my mind we were all safe, the dead weren't walking the earth, it wasn't a danger every time we stepped outside. We could grow old, be happy, plan our lives without the impending doom at our doorsteps.

But that wasn't real, it was a dream. Just like this place.

My feet dug into the sand, the waves crashing at my feet. I couldn't sit there and watch Hayley die, the girl was calm, laid in bed with everyone by her side. She wasn't crying, she was smiling.

I could feel myself breaking, and all I could do was scream. My throat burned as I screamed into the distance, my voice breaking along the shore.

I didn't realise I was dropping to the floor until I felt a crushing weight around my chest, whispers in my ear as I was cradled against a chest.

"Let it out bug" My uncle held me close, cradling me like a baby as we sunk into the sand "breathe".

"She's going to die Matt" I cried "It should have been me, I did this".

"Hey" Matt twisted me until I was facing him, his calloused hands cupping my cheeks "You did not do this. You can cry, be angry, hell burn this place down for all I care but do not blame yourself. That little girl needs you right now, and I know you Katie. You will hate yourself if you aren't the one sitting by her side".

All I could do was nod and suck in a muffled breath, I knew he was right, I just didn't know if I could hold it together for her.

I let him walk me back to the tent in silence, the only force pulling me was his grip in my hand. Ben and Maddie were sat outside, sadness threatening both their faces. Sarah was stood at the front running a hand over her growing bump, Carter was still glued to Hayley's side.

His hand on top of hers as she laid in the bed, her skin even whiter than the last time I saw her. Her freckles more prominent than ever across her almost translucent shade, the fever was raging through her and we all knew she didn't have long.

I knelt by her side, opposite to Carter who tried to send me a small nod but was fighting back tears. Hayley turned her head slowly to me, her cracked lips turning up in a small smile as she reached her hand out to my face. Mine covered her much smaller one as I lent into her touch "Don't be sad, I don't want anyone to be sad" she turned back to Carter squeezing his hand.

"I'm sorry" I tried to cover my sadness but my voice broke "I told you I would protect you".

Hayley pulled us both closer until we were at her sides "You both did, since the moment you found me. I lost my parents that day but I found new ones" I could see Carter huddling next to her, a fist across his mouth as he muffled his cries.

"We love you" He said first reaching his spare hand over her tiny body to hold mine.

"I love you dad" She turned to him first before turning back to me "And I love you mum".

Time moved in slow motion, one minute we were breaking down and the next we fell into silence. We held each other for hours until exhaustion consumed us, I knew the others were watching over us incase she passed in her sleep but I didn't want to move and neither did Carter.

Hours passed and by the time the sun was rising again I was being shook awake, gently but it didn't stop my body from shooting up. There would only be one reason I would be being woken up and that would be Hayley being gone, Carter was in front of me kneeling over, his face a blank slate.

I couldn't look around, I couldn't move.

"Katie" His voice was soft, his fingers bringing my hands closer to his.

"Is she gone?" My voice was barely a whisper "I cant turn around if she's gone".

He shook his head urging me to turn around, I took a breath before slowly turning my head. Hayley was still asleep, her gentle snores slowly drifting through the tent which I couldn't hear before in my panicked state.

But her skin wasn't pure white anymore, her cheeks were tinted pink, the fever which was burning her the last time I looked, barely even bringing out a sweat. I jumped back onto my knees leaning over her to hold a hand across her forehead, her skin was cold.

"The fever broke?" I turned back to my husband with wide eyes "That doesn't happen" I was on my feet in a flash, Carter opposite me as I launched myself into his waiting arms "The fucking fever broke".

His hazel eyes were misty as he nodded "I think she's going to be okay baby, Matt has gone to get the medic to check her over".

I pulled his face into mine letting the happiness cloud me as I kissed him, that was until a cough sounded behind us. I was still wrapped around his waist when we turned around to Hayley, a disgusted look on her face "I get you two thought I was dying but please stop".

The laughter was uncontrollable from both of us as I jumped down and rushed to her side, if the virus didn't kill her the strength I was using to wrap my arms around her definitely would.

Matt came in a few seconds later with an older woman by his side. obvious dark circles under her eyes after the traumatic night we all bared. We all moved back watching over her as she checked Hayley over her "The fever is definitely gone, and I don't see any signs on infection. In normal cases the fever stays right until after the person passes" the group looked to each other with bright smiles before the lady turned back around "But I do need to stitch up the bite, because of how deep it is the risk of natural infection is much higher. But I honestly think your little girl is going to be okay".