Apocalyptic Romance

Chapter 9: What Happens Now?

I visited Jack as much as I could. He seemed to be getting better, but that wasn't up to me. He's able to sit upright on his own and he's talking. Lizzie says he should be walking by next week! The only actual hiccup in this situation is Jack getting used to only having one arm, but he thinks it makes him look cool.

"Chicks dig scars," says Jack, slightly lifting his stump

"Yeah, but there actually have to be real girls around to dig said scars, dingus"

"They're around here... somewhere. There is probably a swarm of girls waiting for me outside my tent," he winks

"Little bro," I say as I put a hand on his shoulder
"There aren't even crickets that are waiting out there for you.

We both laugh and talk until Lizzie kicks me out. "He needs his rest" she always says as I'm being hurriedly pushed out the flap of the tent.

"I'll be back tomorrow!" I yell back as I am outside of the tent. I sigh as I head back towards Jason's and my tent.

It was a long walk, or so it seemed. Jason was still collecting supplies with the crew and I was left here. Over the course of a few days Jason had taught me how to shoot a gun so I would be able to protect myself from a distance if I ever needed to.   I was really lucky to have him; he's my everything. My love, my pain, my happiness. I don't know where I would be without him, really. 

I hear a scream in the distance and I run to it. I see the gates open and then close again, and as I'm running past them I briefly hear what they're murmuring

"He doesn't look so good"

"Oh no, there's Eliza. Poor thing shouldn't see this"

I push my way to the front and stand there in awe. I can barely catch my breath, my head is spinning, and I feel nauseous. I start to sway right before I fall on my knees, familiar tears stream down my face. I managed to utter one single word:

"D...Dad..?"

Then I fell unconscoius