The End (Book One)

Chapter 9: Forgotten

Ember's POV

I kept running and running, not knowing where to go. All I heard was the growl8ng and chomping of walkers around me. Then... silence. No even a little bird chirp. I need to find shelter. I stepped forward but stopped instantly as I heard a voice. "Hello? Anybody there?" I hesitated to answer. "Yes. Who are you?" "I'm Cole Rigg. Who are you?" "Ember Salvatore. Or Reedus either one." He stepped out in my view. He was tall with bright green eyes, short messy brown hair which was hot, and he wore torn blue jeans with boots along with a cut off t-shirt. He has a bandana wrapped around his neck. He was actually pretty hot.. wait I gotta stop remember you have Hayes. "So Ember, where you headed?" "I don't know honestly... my group didn't try to find me when I helped them survive. It hurts..." I looked up to see him smiling wide. "You can come stay with me and my group for a while at the Zone. We have food, people, fun, and everything. Guards. What you got to lose Ember?" I looked back at the woods. I got my gear and I can get other bike, my brother will take care of it. I smiled. "Let's go then Cole." I skipped up next to him with my arm wrapped around my chest. "So what happened to your arm?" I sighed. "Got scratched and my big brother cut it off to save me." He laughed. "Well it's pretty hot. Just saying." I smirked, flirt much? "Stop. Let's go." I took off running. I heard Cole laugh. "Hey wait up!"

6 Months Later
Hayes's POV

6 months and we still haven't found her! I can't do this!!! We are currently searching for this place called the Zone. Yeah our new members said they heard it's safe. And get this one of our new members is Ember's dad Norman and other brother Mingus. Norman has been the most worried. Since he hasn't seen her in like 7 years. I however have gone crazy, but I've found ways to distract myself. I've been hanging with Scott, Jesse, and the new girl Rayna James. She's pretty and all but I want Ember. ONLY! I feel so lost without here. As we approached a huge sign it said Welcome to the Zone. We are here to protect. Please enter and come to the main gate. General Cole Rigg and Co-General Em Reed will be with you shortly. Finally some hope. I wonder who those people are? Norman walked through first following the rest of us. A girl with the oh so familiar hair and smile came to the gate with some guy.... holding his hand. "Hi. Welcome. I am Em Reed. It's short for my real name which I never use anymore. And this is Cole Rigg." She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back at her. I felt my heart break. "Yeah I'm Cole. Since little miss Em had to tell y'all before me. Anyways we need y'alls names and see your weapons then we can get y'all showered and get some food in ya." He seemed alright I guess. I took a step toward. "My name is Hayes Jackson. I have a colt python revolver and about 5 knives." As soon as she heard me talk she froze. "Hayes?"

Ember's POV

"Hayes?" As soon as his name left my mouth, I remembered him. After 6 months I remembered him. All the kisses, hugs, everything. I looked at Cole who was looking at me worried. I cleared my throat. "Ok Hayes who else?" "Adrien, Jesse, Scott, Destiny, Autumn, Runs the new girl... and your father and brother." I felt the tears threaten to pour out. "Dad? Ming?" They stepped forward. My dad looked at me with tears falling and nodded. I ran to him. He picked me up. "I finally found you. My sweet daughter. You survived and still are. Gosh I love you so much." I hugged him more and Mingus started hugging me too. I let go and smiled. Then I walked over to Cole. "Cole let them in. This is my old group. They can be trusted." He nodded as he spoke. "You will get one house which is pretty big and the showers are in the homes as well. House 132." Cole walked off and I ran up to him and put his hand in my hand. I looked at Hayes who looked heartbroken. I have to talk to him. 5 Hours Later I had recently found out Hayes got a house to himself along with Jesse and Scott. It was house 450... Which was right next to mine. I breathed in and knocked on the door. Hayes answered. "Yes Ember or should I call you Em?" Dang he's mad. I gotta fix this. "Hayes listen ok. I forgot y'all after I got here. They gave me an arm that actually makes me feel normal. I can feel it. They helped me cope with losing y'all.... apparently too much. I'm sorry Hayes..." he sniffled. God he's crying. "You're with Cole now." His words was as cold as ice. They hurt. "Hayes please don't do this. You know I love you..." "THEN WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME!? YOU DIDN'T LISTEN! YOU KEPT RUNNING AND WHAT FOUND A NEW PLACE TO FORGET US???" "YOU KNOW WHAT I SEARCHED AT FIRST BUT I COULDN'T FIND YOU! SO DON'T BLAME ME!" "YOU'RE THE ONE TO BLAME EMBER RAE!!" "WELL HAYES MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUST SHUT YOUR MOU-" I couldn't finish my sentence when I was pulled into Hayes and our lips connected. My breath hitched. I slowly kissed back. I wrapped my arm around Hayes's neck and pulled back. I was crying at tho point. "Em I looked for days. Weeks. Months. I thought you were dead. I cried for days at a time without you. I can't survive without you." I smiled a little. "Hayes I'm sorry. Please forgive me." He didn't answer he just pushed his lips on mine and smiled. "I found you, Em. You're not getting away that easy." He just smirked as I laughed.