Apocalyptic Liberty

Close Holds

Lucy and Alexander arrived back at the Whitehouse. He walked in and let Lucy off his shoulders. Lucy looked at him with a warming smile. Alexander had never showed much emotions before and some companions didn't even think he had them. The little girls smile began to get to him and her dropped to his knees to hug her.

"Well look, he does have a heart," said a nurse.

Alexander loosened his hold on the girl, but she kept hugging him. "What is this and why is it so great?" said Lucy as she buried her face into his chest and soaked it with her tears.

"It's a hug." said Alexander tightening the hold again.

"I've never felt this before."

The nurse stayed quiet and started to tear up because of the beautiful scene in front of her.

"Lucy?" said Alexander.

"Yes?" she responded.

"I'm gonna have to let go, but there will be plenty more for you."

"I don't want to let go, but do you promise there will be more?"

"Yes. Don't worry," he said as they both slowly let go.

The nurse started to speak, "You're hurt Alex."

"Jessie, I'm fine."

"No you're not, and even if you were the later infection wouldn't be."

"Fine, but hurry."

Jessie walked Alexander over to a couch. He took his shirt as she treated his wounds. As she took care of him he began to pour a drink. Lucy, who had just sat next to him on the couch, sniffed the air and smelled the alcohol. From the all too familiar smell hitting her she smacked the glass out of Alexander's hand. "No! You can't."

"Hey, don't worry. I never get drunk, so don't worry about me doing anything bad."

"I can actually tell you that's the truth honey," Jessie said to comfort the little girl.

"No! I don't accept it," Lucy said as she crossed her arms and started to pout.

"Fine, I'll try to stop just for you."

Lucy smiled with joy and hugged Alexander. "I think it was time we did this again."

Alexander just smiled and hugged her back.

Jessie cut the last bandage. "Looks like you're done. Just don't forget to take your regen-aid."

"Can you please give Lucy a full checkup," asked Alexander.

"I was just about to suggest."

"A what?" asked Lucy.

"Jessie here is just going take you to the other room for a scan."

"Oh okay?"

The three of them went into the next room and put Lucy behind a machine that put a laser over her body. Then a computer reading of any of Lucy's symptoms came up. Jessie began to read it.

"Oh no... Alexander she is showing very early stages of rot. It's luckily only in stage one, but she can not be exposed to anymore radiation."

Alexander stopped and looked at Jessie with terror. "No. It can't be. She can't turn out like one of the rotters," Alexander said with fear.

"Well there's no treatment for this, but you know what will happen when it gets worst."

"Yes she'll start to loose skin and brain cells till she becomes a mindless zombie and becomes violent."

"And then we'll have to put..."

"Stop!" Alexander yelled before she could finish. "I'll just have to get a cure."

"And where will you get that?"

"The place where I got it last time."

"You already got it all right?"

"There was one more container I never got to gather because it was locked way too tight."

"Well you're not leaving tonight."

"I need to Jessy."

"No you don't! The problem will not spread in one night."

"Fine," he said while walking away. Alexander stormed to his room as Lucy ran up next to him and held his hand.

"You are one crazy son of a..." laughed Ben before noticing the child in the room. "Who is this?"

"I'm Lucy," she said with pride in her new name.

"I didn't know you had a child Alex. Doesn't surprise me though, knowing your habits."

"Don't call me Alex and she's not my child by blood. I adopted her from the glowing passage."

"What habit is he talking about daddy?" Lucy said not getting the reference.

"Well Lucy your dad loves the company of a woman."

"Shut up Ben."

"Oh am I a woman yet!" Lucy said with excitement.

"Not you Lucy," said Alexander while shooting Ben an intense stare.

Alexander and Lucy walked to his bedroom. Lucy's eyes opened up as a gasp came out of her mouth after seeing the large comfortable bed.

"It's so amazing," she said jumping on the bed with a bounce.

Alexander pulled out a blanket and a very thin pillow out of the closet and laid it on the hard wooden floor.

"Aren't you going to use the bed?"

"I'm too used to being on the floor."

"I get the bed all to myself?"

"Sleep where you want."

"Yay!" she yelled while rolling in the fluffy blankets and pillows.

Alexander laid down in the bundle of blankets on the floor. He could feel the wood touch his head through the pillow. He was filled with joy that he had a new daughter, but his face only expressed his usual hardened look. He took his mind off the war and his only problem was Lucy's sickness. Before drifting off he swore to himself that he would save her by tomorrow.