Blackout • NH

Chapter 38

Day 123, Monday, September 10th, 7:32pm

Niall's POV

It's been over a month since Jodie has been missing. We lost track of the horse prints when the beach began to become marshy. Aiden decided it was best to call off the search. I argued a bit and had to be held back by Liam when I wanted to get physical. But I was just so hurt.

I lost the only thing I've ever loved and I don't even know if she's alive or not. The family I almost had is gone. And that hurts more than anyone can describe in words.

We were still traveling to Uninhabited as planned. However, the marsh stopped us so we had to take the long way and head north east through Baton Rouge. The city is a dangerous place but we had to stay as close to the shore as we could.

Ellen hast been very vocal since Jodie was last seen. She's became more quiet and reserved and only talks when spoken to.

We begin to make our way into the city as quiet as possible. Ellen rode with me on those trip so I decided to move back and distance ourselves from the group so I could talk to here one on one.

"Hey Ellen, how are you holding up back there?"

"I'm good." She said, sighing.

"It doesn't sound like it." I say.

"I'm just tired, alright?" She says, a bit rudely.

I'll pull the horse to a halt. And jump off, holding the reigns.

"Niall what are you doing? We are going to lose the group."

"Tell me what's really wrong Ellen? I know you miss Jodie but I feel like there's something more that's bothering you."

"Nothing Niall! I'm fine." Ellen shouts a bit loudly.

"Look, I can tell you're unsettled Ellen. You can talk to me, you're like the sister I've never had. I care about you and it hurts to see you like this love."

She sighs and looks around, pondering if she wants to tell me what's wrong. She begins to sob and puts her head into her hands.

"Come here Ellen." I say. I hold my hand out so she can get off the horse. She jumps down and hugs me tightly and cries into my chest.

"What's wrong? You can tell me. I won't be mad." I say soothingly and rub her back.

"I'm so, so sorry Niall." She stutters.

"Shhh, it's okay."

"Jodie's still alive. Elliot didn't take her." She pulls away and pets the horse to distract her.

"How do you know? Nobody saw her."

"She came to talk to me the night before we last saw her. She left Niall." She puts her head down and sniffles.

"What do you mean she left?" I say, shocked and hurt.

"She told me about her pregnancy. She didn't want her and the baby to be a burden on this group. She told me that it will only cause us more stress and make it harder to survive and stay hidden when it will cry and attract glazers or other survivors."

So Jodie may still be alive. She left because she didn't want to burden us with the baby. She
left us...

"I know what you're thinking Niall. She didn't leave us like you think. Before she left, she came to my room and cried telling me how much she hated doing this and how much she loved you. I followed her to your room, she doesn't know but I listened go her talk to you. You were asleep but she said she still loves you and that she didn't mean what she said earlier that day when you two got into that argument. She's still alive Niall. I know it."

I stand there taken back. Not knowing what to think. My mind is spinning and suddenly I feel light headed. She's alive. My baby is alive.

Suddenly, I have gunshots go off ahead of us. The group.

"Hop on!" I tell Ellen.

We get once horse and make our way to the group to see another group standing on the street, blocking our path.

I come closer to see Elliot and Marc? What the fuck.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up." Elliot says laughing.

"Shut the fuck up you cunt!" I shout.

"Easy there blondie, don't wanna shoot you now would I?"

"Let us through!" Aiden speaks up.

"No, I'd rather have a nice chat with Niall, Liam and Ellen here." He smiles sinisterly.

He lifts his hand up and makes a sign, signaling his group to aim their weapons at us.

"Where's Jodie? She's missing out on all the fun. How is she in bed Niall? I'm sure she's a good fuck. Do I get my turn?" He smiles.

"Fuck off you piece of shit!" I yell, angrily.

"Where is she anyway?" Elliot smiles evilly.

"She's dead." Ellen speaks up. Her voice is loud and a bit broken.

"Dead?" Elliot raises his eyebrow, not believing us.

"She fucking committed suicide when she escaped from you and we found her body at the bottom of the cliff. All thanks to you! You fucking sick prick!" Ellen says, busting out into tears.

Wow, she's a good actor. I decided to join her.

"It's all your fucking fault Elliot! I lost the only fucking thing I loved and you caused her to reach her breaking point and she couldn't handle it anymore." I yell so loudly that my voice cracks and my eyes water. I pull my head into my hand and pretend to wipe the non existent tears.

"Thanks to you. We lost the best thing we had." Liam joined in. Looking very angry.

Elliot speaks up.

"Look at this boys, I tore this whole group apart!" He said while laughing. Others joined in.

"Well look at the time, looks like we have to go. Have fun being depressed." He said.

He and the rest of the group left and headed back into the city.

Nobody said a word but we all took off at full gallop to get as far away as we could from the city.