After The End

Chapter XI

Gavin sat in a kitchen. He appeared to be waiting for something. The sound of a baby crying was heard from another room. Gavin said, "Would you like me to handle that"? Grace said, "Sure, thanks". Grace was cooking dinner so she didn't have time to take care of Albee.  By now Grace and Gavin grew close enough that she invited Gavin over regularly for dinner and quality time whenever Gavin wasn't busy with Tyler. Gavin approached Albee as he saw the crying baby squirm. The smell was awful as Gavin held his breath in order to change the diaper. After changing the diaper, Gavin picked up Albee and swayed him back and forth until he calmed down and quit crying. It didn't take long before Albee was asleep. Gavin walked into the kitchen with Albee in his arms. Grace looked at Gavin and smiled, "He really likes you. Usually, he'd have me up for hours". Gavin said, "Well I guess I just have that aura that makes babies calm". Grace said, "I'm really thankful for all you've done for me. Most people here would turn a blind eye to me because I have a child. The only people who would help me are the military officers and that's only because they're instructed to. I've been on my own since I arrived here and you're the first person who's really cared for me". Gavin said, "Well of course. I just wish I could've arrived sooner". Grace then stopped cooking to kiss Gavin. She said, "Food's ready". As they ate, Gavin thought about Ronny. He knew he was alive. He knew Tyler would bring him here. He knew he had to make sure Grace didn't see him. However, for now, he suppressed those thoughts. He looked at Grace as she ate. Gavin said, "So I feel like I need to ask you something". Grace looked up from her plate, giving him her full attention. Gavin said, "I know we've been on several dates and, well, I seem to be here more often than not. I just, I don't know what we are and I don't wanna assume things that may not be real. So what are we"? Grace chuckled, "Well, what would you like us to be"? Gavin hesitated. Even though Grace appeared as if she would like any label he gave them, he still stuttered as he said, "I'd like to believe we're in a serious relationship". Grace said, "Well then I guess we are. And if we're in a serious relationship that means we can't live apart". Gavin was caught off guard as he said, "Are you suggesting we move in together"? Grace said, "Yes. I would say we should be traditional, but it'd be a pain in the ass to move all of the stuff for the baby into another house. So we could live here". Gavin reached over to Grace as Grace did the same. As their lips met, they felt a different feeling than before. The kiss turned into an extended one with more moving. Suddenly, Grace pulled away as she said, "I love you". Gavin stared at her for a moment lost for words. He gathered himself as he said, "I love you too".

Elsewhere, Ronny, Thomas, Jackson, and the group trudged through the thick forest. They had been walking for hours as it was now almost dark. The leaves on the trees began to fall in greater numbers as the autumn wind forced more to detach from the branches. The collective group began to walk slower as many became cold. As the sun set, the heat set with it, leaving the cold winds of the night. Ronny was fortunate that he was with someone who knew the land as he remembered trying to find Jackson, he and Thomas were lost several times. Finally, as the last of the sun rays set over the horizon, a clearing appeared where Ronny could see a distant light. As they approached, Ronny saw it was Omar's camp. Omar was waiting for them as they approached. Finally, the silence was broken as Omar said, "Jackson. It's great to see you're still alive. However, your visit is so -- unexpected". Jackson said, "We were attacked. Shortly after Ronny appeared, we were attacked by Mount Vernon". Finally, Ronny's suspicions were proven true. Omar said, "How unfortunate. Luckily, we're ready for the operation to begin, now that we're all here. How many did you capture"? Jackson said, "We managed to collect six". Jackson moved to the side as he gestured his hand toward the prisoners. Omar looked at the prisoners as he said, "You know where to put them". Jackson nodded his head as the group dispersed into the village, with Jackson and several others guiding the prisoners to a nearby tent. Omar looked at Ronny and Thomas and said, "Thank you both for helping me. I'm sorry I was so vague with you on the details. This was a sort of test to see how faithful you are. Despite the lack of information, you both went without question. And for that, I will allow you both to know the plan we're initiating. However, we must celebrate first. Tonight, we shall have another banquet. Go rest now as we prepare dinner".