The tension and desperation that usually haunt the halls of their hideout seem softer on this particular morning. All Saints' Day has arrived, and for a brief moment, the survivors are reminded of what life used to be, even if only in dreams. It's almost dawn when Utah awakens to find a small note by her sleeping bag.
"Meet me in the gym at sunrise. Dress warmly," it says in Rudy's handwriting. The words surprise her, and a sliver of hope rises, fragile but undeniable.
Utah wraps herself in her worn-out jacket, feeling an unusual excitement in her chest. She arrives at the gym just as the first rays of light spill through broken windows, casting a warm glow over the empty bleachers. To her surprise, Skylar, a few other survivors, and, of course, Rudy are waiting there. It's a rare sight-all of them gathered in one place, some holding candles, others setting out blankets on the floor. The atmosphere is peaceful, almost reverent.
"What's going on?" she asks, glancing curiously at Rudy, who offers a faint smile-a small, almost invisible gesture, but a smile nonetheless.
"It's All Saints' Day," Rudy murmurs, her voice unusually soft. "A day to remember everyone we've lost... and everyone who's still here."
Skylar lights a candle and sets it down in the middle of the circle they've formed on the gym floor. One by one, the others follow, placing their candles alongside hers, creating a soft, golden glow that fills the room. The flickering light is comforting, a reminder of warmth, of life. Utah hesitates but finally places her own candle down, feeling a surprising sense of peace.
Rudy begins to speak, her words measured and thoughtful, her gaze fixed on the candles. "I know we've all lost people. Family, friends... pieces of ourselves. But today... today, we remember them, and we try to find a bit of strength in that."
Utah listens in silence, feeling the quiet bond between them all, even if only for a fleeting moment. She closes her eyes, letting the memories wash over her-the faces of those she loved, those she lost, the life that seems so distant now. And in that moment, she feels the weight of her heartache lift, just a little, softened by the shared sorrow and quiet resilience of the people around her.
When she opens her eyes, she finds Rudy looking at her, a gentle, understanding look in her eyes that takes her by surprise. It's as if, for once, Rudy sees her-really sees her-without the walls, without the tension that usually defines their relationship. And for that single moment, there's a kind of peace between them, a silent acknowledgment of the connection they share, despite the pain and distance.
They spend the rest of the morning together, sharing stories of the past, laughing quietly at memories that feel both close and far away. For the first time in what feels like forever, the group finds a fragile comfort, a sense of unity in their shared grief and hope.
As the candles burn low and the morning sun rises higher, they gather their things and head back to the reality that awaits them in the shadowed halls and empty classrooms. But the peace of that All Saints' Day morning stays with Utah, a reminder that, even in the darkest times, moments of light are possible. And that, perhaps, connection is possible-even with someone like Rudy.
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And with that, the memory of All Saints' Day lingers-a single bright spot in their otherwise haunted world, a reminder of everything they fight to keep alive, within themselves and each other.
YOU ARE READING
The Space Between Us
Romance"I keep reaching for you, but it feels like I'm just holding onto shadows. How can love feel so heavy when it's supposed to lift me up?" In a world overtaken by the undead, survival isn't just about outrunning zombies-it's about enduring the silence...
