The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Twenty Three

Over the next few days Charlotte and Mia spent their time enjoying doing nothing, they soaked in the unfamiliar routine of not being expected to be anyone or anything.

They would sit by the fireplace and share endless memories, good and bad.

They'd stand by the lake and just watch as the world passed by.

They spent most of their time in bed together, the worry of others overhearing their activities gone and they took advantage of it.

On their last night they lay awake silently.

Mia was stroking Charlotte's arm gently, she froze when she felt the scar, she brought her arm closer and felt something break when she made out the faint outline of the word through the darkness.

forgotten.

Charlotte stiffened when she noticed her sudden change in behaviour, pulling her arm away quickly and tucking it back towards her, hiding it.

"Don't look at it, it means nothing." Charlotte whispered.

Mia leant closer and pressed a kiss to her shoulder, "You're the strongest person I know." She mumbled into her skin.

Charlotte smiled slightly, "No I'm not."

Mia sat up slightly, "You most definitely are."

Charlotte looked to her and watched as her girlfriend looked at her with certainty.

"I haven't been very strong lately." Charlotte sighed shutting her eyes.

Mia reached out a hand and took hers, gently squeezing it, "You're allowed to feel sweetheart, grief is the price we pay for love."

Charlotte held her breath for a moment she could feel the hole in her chest rip open slightly and she struggled to not start sobbing then and there, "I'd give anything to go back and do it right." She whispered into the darkness.

Mia froze slightly at that, she could feel her heartbeat quickening, "What do you mean."

Charlotte took several deep breaths, when she next spoke it was lifeless, "Mia I was supposed to die with them, I'm not supposed to be here, I've cheated death so many times, the plan was to wait for them to turn and let them...," She stopped herself from continuing and looked away afraid to watch the reaction.

Mia's eyes widened and it felt like her whole body had just turned numb, "No Char, you can't think that way baby, there's nothing you could of done."

She went to reach out her hand but Charlotte abruptly threw the covers off of herself and was standing up.

"No, you don't understand." She started repeating as she walked through the room towards the door.

Mia stood up, following her in an instant, immediate guilt flooding her chest at approaching the topic of conversation.

"Char." Mia said as she walked into the main area of the cabin.

"No! No you don't get it! I was supposed to die with them!" Charlotte shouted now, hyperventilating slightly as she walked around the room.

Mia had seen Charlotte at what she thought was her lowest but she was afraid that this was her lowest.

"Sweetheart, stop." Mia said gently as she walked towards her.

Charlotte coward backwards and shook her head frantically, "No! No! Stay away from me!" She whispered as she walked further away, her eyes were wide and frantic as the tears spilled.

Mia was panicked now, unsure on how to help.

"Charlotte look at me, breathe, it's okay." Mia ushered sternly now.