Infected.

Chapter Sixteen

  ***Chey***

  Heart beating out of my chest. Feet pounding. Running. Jumping. Dodging tree limbs and roots. Ash and I forced ourselves to not slow down until we reach the edge of the forest. I began walking into the clearing, about to meet with the dirt road to the house.

"Hold on." Ash huffed out. She rested her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

"C'mon, we're almost there!"

"I can't. Just-" She threw up. Retching all she had eaten in the past two days, which quite frankly wasn't much. I jogged back to her, holding her hair back. "I'm- i'm okay now. Let's just get inside." She trooped the rest of the way. I hung close just in case. Before we even reached the porch, TJ slammed open the door and trampled down the steps. He embraced Ash gratefully.

"Are you three okay?" He asked, inspecting Ash all over.

"Dude, Chris-" I swallowed the guilt. "Chris didn't make it."

"He didn't mean Chris, sweetheart." I tilted my head. What? She rubbed her flat tummy. My eyes widened tremendously.

"Are you fucking serious?!" Ash flinched away. TJ held tight to her. "Why would you go out and fight when you have a baby on board!" I yelled. She was so worried about us not getting hurt; she needed to worry about the living being inside of her over us.

"I'm sorry. You know I could never stay behind and worry myself to death. Yes, I love this blessing. But I love you guys too!"

"Baby?" Keller choked. "And where is Chris?"

People gathered around us. No doubt wanting answers.

"He died." Ash answered. Keller fell to her knees, hugging Ashton as if she could prevent him from finding out. He simply fell with her, body trembling. I looked for Jeanne. She'd gone back inside; thinking no one noticed. I pushed through everyone and followed her.

  I knocked on her bedroom door. She cracked it open and sat on the bed. Tears had ruined her make-up, her posture not as proper as normal. She heaved in labored breaths.

"He told me he loves you. That he didn't regret a single thing, especially loving you." I cooed. She cried harder.

"Why would he do this then?!" She wailed.

"Do what?"

"I'm pregnant. Okay? I'm shocked no one has even noticed my weight gain." Shit on me.

"How far along?"

"Just before coming here. So, a month or so."

"Well, you have a few more months before people will start to notice. You only notice because you know. And hell, you aren't alone. Ash is prego too." I caught her face and held it up.

"Hold your head up high Princess. The world would kill to see you fail." She attempted a smile and hugged me.

"Thanks, Chey. As of now, you're the only one that knows. I was going to tell Chris when he got back from the food run; but it never happened." She burst into tears again.

"Okay. Here, lay down and try to rest. Too much stress and tears could affect the baby." I helped her under the sheets and pulled the cover to her neck. I sent a silent prayer to the Goddess, Please keep your ever growing love around these girls and their babies. They need all they can get.

  I walked to my room, skipping out on visiting Ash. She needs her time. So does everyone else. I'm not crying yet, still numb to it all. I shut the door behind me and looked up. Ricky was laying on his side of the bed facing the wall. His shoulders shook.

"Ricky?" I croaked. It's my fault this happened at all. I should've been the one to die, not him. Ricky shot up from bed and held on to me with welcoming arms. His hair was askew, tears staining his face. This is it. I can no longer hold it, I'm starting to feel every pang of emotion. I fell against Ricky and we rested against the door, supporting each other as we mourn over our loss.

***Keller***

"Come on Kell. You need to come inside." Balz tried pulling me up. Jet had previously succeeded at getting Ashton to move, but not me. Just thinking of our conversation about Ashton made me cry harder. Balz gave up and sat next to me. He wrapped his left arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him. "We never get to keep the good guys."

"All they want is- is me." I mumbled. What if i'd gone? I could've fended for myself. It wouldn't have attacked Chey. It wouldn't have killed Chris.

"And they won't get you. Ever. I will fight with all I've got, just as Chris did, to keep you girls alive."

"Goddess. Can you believe that Ash is pregnant? I mean, yeah, put the two perviest people together and I guess we should have expected that." Balz' chest rumbled with laughter.

"He's taking care of her though. Just like I'd do if you were." If. But of course we haven't gotten that far. And I refuse to until we get through this mess.

"Thank you Josh. For everything. You're my solid rock, after every fight and every tear. I-" He cut me off with a kiss. Tears dripped to our mouths, giving the kiss a salty taste.

"I love you too."