Love Is A Dangerous Word

Part 13: Don't Stop

"Wait...what?" Jorge was confused.

Lilith pulled out her camera from the bag and began recording not looking in the camera, but setting it beside her aiming it at Jorge's feet with a blank tone "It was weird, as we were running I heard music, 50's music, and when I got to the source there was this radio and then I heard something back in the kitchen. Emerging from it was Zargo, he explained to me he wasn't real and I have developed a mild form of schizophrenia."

Jorge was still utterly confused "That's nonsense."

"You wrote a note detailing your biggest regrets last night and in the end you specifically wanted me to take you out when you turned."

Jorge's eyes widened "How..."

"Don't ask," Lilith continued "He seen my death, didn't go into detail just that I would know it when it comes."

Jorge was pretty freaked out, but kept his composure "I understand you went through a lot within the past 5 minutes, but we need to keep moving."

"If we must," Lilith turned off the camera, putting it back in her bag, stood up and walked out not making eye contact with anything. As Lilith was walking out the others could be seen making their way down the street. 

"Lilith?" Hope said "Where did you go?"

Jorge spoke up not allowing her to speak "Don't worry about it guys. Let's just keep moving."

Jorge coughed badly, causing blood to smear on his hand. 

Lang was shocked "Whoa are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jorge said walking past them "Lets keep moving."

Lang and Hugs both looked at each other in worry. Hope squinted her eyes at him "He's infected," as she aimed her rifle at the back of his head. Jorge stopped in his tracks; then Lilith rested her gun against Hope's temple. She stood frozen "What the fuck are you doing?"

Jorge quickly turned around "Yeah, during the escape I got scratched rounding up infectors to save your ass. I want to turn, just to see what its like." 

"You're brainless and have no soul that's what happens. Why would you want that?"

"So I can face death quietly," he snapped back.

"He requested that I do the deed once he turns," Lilith said to her.

Hope seemed frustrated "I'll be on edge until he does, but he must remain at the front of the group," she lowered her weapon as Lilith did hers "You better fucking do it."

"Don't worry," Lilith said "I won't hesitate."

Hugs felt it was awkward and said "Can we keep walking?" 

A dozen of infectors were seen behind them about a block away "Yeah," Lilith said "We should go."

Walking along the street not knowing where else to go, knowing that they are safe yet not at the same time. Jorge was walking in the front followed by Lilith who was by his side. Hope hung at the back making sure the limping Lang stayed up as Hugs stayed next to him.

"You know," Lang suddenly said "Its not so bad. Since the tank I haven't felt more free."

"What private?" Hugs snapped.

"Cut the shit man. I only joined the military so I can pay for college. Why did you join?"

"To protect and serve."

Hope scoffed "The only thing the military ever protected was the lives of people who were oblivious. Post infection government only wanted to do 2 things. One act like thier tough shit and two act like everything is entitled to them. You fought for people like that? Let me ask you something, do you have PTSD?"

"No...but our Sarge did."

"Yeah soldiers gotta suffer through that shit cause the government sent them to die and watch other people die and call it dying for freedom when really they died to be statistics in wars we have nothing to do with."

Hugs stopped in his footsteps and looked down at the floor with his eyes darting from left to right slightly "I seen my friends get blown to bits both here and abroad literally. Then you say it's all for nothing," he looked up at her in a vauge look.

Hope turned to him "You know what is worth dying for though?"

"Hm?"

"The ones you care about. I'm pretty sure your friends abroad died so that you can come home. Now if the time comes," Hope continued to follow the group "You should do the same for us."

"I hardly know you."

"We're all you got," Hope chuckled "so deal with it."

Jorge started to walk in a diorderly pace until he collasped. On his knees holding his arm out to keep himself us he began to cough up blood on the concrete "I can't go any.. " his blood cough interrupted "longer." Wiping his mouth with his sleeve he tried to stand up but couldn't so he dragged himself with his back leaning against a wrecked car.

"Welp..." Jorge looked pale "This is it."

Lilith just stood there contemplating "Which gun do you want me to use?"

Jorge smirked and slightly laughed "One with a bullet."

"My friend David," Lilith smirked "He had the same request you did."

"Oh really?" Jorge said "but you didn't shoot him?"

"Cannibals ate him."

"Yea...I remember that from the logs."

"It seems we have similar mind sets then, except I'm not gay."

Lilith wasn't sure to laugh or cry at this point "Yeah..."

"I want you to take this," Jorge reached in his pocket to grab the note and reached it over to Lilith whom kneeled down to grab it "I want you to read it in full to the camera in your next log."

"Of course."

"Before I go, tell me what was it like seeing him again?"

"I was shocked and didn't know what to do. My heart was flooded with both confusion and love."

"Good to know, honestly," Jorge then pulled out his magnum "Here, do it with this."

Lilith grabbed it and pulled back the hammer "You always knew how to do things. John would have been proud that you made it this far."

"Everyone I know would have. Can you promise me one thing Lilith?"

"What would that be?"

"Don't stop."

"I won't Jorge. Ive made it this far haven't I?"

His tone got weaker as he spoke his final words "I love you Lily."

"I love you too Jorge."

Jorge's eyes slowly closed when his head hung down, breathless. Lilith took a step back and aimed the gun at his head. About a minute passed when his head began to twitch then fully awaken. Jorge slowly began to get up and stood before the group. As he began to growl and charge Lilith didn't hesitate to pull the trigger, his body fell back on the car then slowly fell to the ground.

"Dont worry Jorge..." Lilith said while sheathing the magnum "I won't stop."