Veil Of The Undying

Chapter 24

Aria

"Maybe Anna if it's a girl or Jayden if it's a boy," I suggest to Daria, who's due any day now. She's anxious, and I get it after all she is nine months now.

"Those are basic names. This child is coming into an apocalypse; they need something unique," she says, rubbing her belly.

"True. But you're asking the person with the worst taste in everything," I reply, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, your taste in men isn't terrible," she teases, glancing at Liam. Ugh. It was just one kiss, and it was a mistake, but she saw.

"Shut up," I say, rolling my eyes.

I didn't want that kiss with Liam. One second we were talking and the next his lips were on mine; I was too stunned and too shocked to push him away, and now he seems to think there's something more between us.

Daria and I have become good friends. She's 21, and the only other person close to my age here is Ronan, who's 24.

We've been on the farm for almost two months,
and We haven't had contact with the outside world. The farm is isolated, and we handle the occasional feeder that shows up. Ronan has also changed his stance on sending me out alone every two weeks. Now, we take turns, and we always go in pairs.

"What about Lunara for a girl?" Daria suggests.

"Do you think it's a girl?" I ask, curious.

"I'm 99% sure it's a girl," she says with a confident smile.

"Aria, if I don't make it, would you take care of her?" Her question takes me by surprise, and my heart sinks.

"I won't have to. You'll be here," I say, though her fear makes me uncertain.

"No, I'm going to fight to stay alive. But if I die, I need to know my child will be safe. My father is old, Ms. Jenna isn't reliable, and Ronan only cares about you. Liam's okay, but I don't trust him with my child, and Ava and Marcus are out of the question. That only leaves you. You're brave, kind, and a survivor."

Her tears fall onto her belly, and the weight of her request hits me hard. "Even if you're here, I'll take care of your child like my own. I promise."

Daria hugs me tightly, and I can see how much this means to her. "Do you promise?"

"I promise," I assure her.

"Lunara is beautiful. There are so many nicknames-Luna, Nara, Ara," I try to lighten the mood.

"Ara!?" she laughs, and the sound is a small relief.

"I'll haunt you if I hear you calling my child that," she jokes, though the topic of death hangs heavy.

"Aria, get up. It's your turn," Ronan calls out.

"See you, Ara. Bye, Daria," I say, running off before she can throw anything at me.

I catch up to Ronan. "Hey, neighbor. Haven't seen you since yesterday," I joke.

"I was hiding from your wretched appearance," he replies, making me wince.

"You mean my beauty?" I retort as we head to our posts.

Night watch is monotonous but crucial. The thought that one moment of distraction could spell disaster keeps me alert.

Suddenly, I hear someone's steps behind me I turn around and see Liam. Here we go.

"Hey ms trying to avoid me after kissing me" Liam chuckles nervously while approaching me.

"Say it louder the zombies need to know" I turn to him.

"Seriously, you have been avoiding me the past two days" he says with a serious face.

"Am sorry that kiss was a mis.." he interrupts me.
"Don't do that, don't say it was a mistake because it wasn't. I like you and we do have a connection and you can't deny it" he seems hurt.
"I don't have feelings for you Liam, I do like you but more like as a friend and that kiss for me was a mistake." Now he is actually hurt.

"Am sorry but post apocalyptic relationship is not happening between us." I say and turn around to keep watch. That was his queue to leave and he does.
I have never even been in a relationship and am not about to start now.
I feel a mix of guilt and relief as he walks off.

Just then, a loud gunshot pierces the night. It's going to attract every feeder in the area. Ronan rushes over, concern etched on his face. "You okay?" he asks, scanning me for injuries.

"Yeah," I say, trying to stay calm. "But that shot came from outside. We need to check it out before it brings all the feeders here."

Before I can finish, three more shots ring out. "I'll go with Liam. You stay here and get Marcus to the gate," Ronan orders.

"No way. I'm going with you and Liam. I'm a better shot," I insist. Ronan hesitates but finally agrees.

Liam, Ronan, and I reach the source of the commotion-a red-haired woman, a man, and two kids. The man is firing at six feeders coming their way. Ronan and I quickly take them out.

"Ron," the woman says, her voice breaking as she looks at Ronan. "Ronan, I didn't know you were out here."

The man, guilt clear in his eyes, adds, "Ronan, man, I didn't think we'd run into you."

Ronan's face hardens, and the tension between them is palpable. The recognition is loaded with unresolved emotions.