The Arising: Something To Fear

Chapter 26

I made it back after my run for supplies. I got food and water as well as the necklace I was giving Megan and a ring to marry Hunter with. I parked the car in the Adelaide Oval and got out. Hunter came walking towards me. I hugged her.

"How did you go?" Hunter asked.

"I went fine. I got what I needed, and a few other little things as well" I said.

"Do you need help to bring them in?" Hunter asked.

"Uh, yeah ok" I said.

Hunter and I both brought in the supplies and stored them in the storage room.

"Thanks baby" I said kissing her.

We hugged each other and I walked towards the cells. I saw Anastasia guarding them.

"Hey" I said.

"Oh, hey Sam" Anastasia said.

I sat down next to her.

"You can keep secrets right?" I asked.

She looked at me confused and giggled a little.

"What do you mean?" Anastasia asked.

"Well, I got a ring and I was thinking of marrying Hunter. I'm gonna ask her today" I said.

"Really? Wow. That's cool. Um, yeah I can keep that a secret. But why did you tell me?" Anastasia asked.

"I need someone who can give me confidence to do it. You know" I said taking a breath in.

"Wow, really? The fifteen year old kid who has no fears, who saved everyone and who was the person who got us all to this point, who has gone into battle for all of us and has killed many people for us is scared of just getting on one knee and asking someone he loves to marry him? Really? You have the confidence. You can do it. I mean back before all of this I would be saying, wait till you're older kid. But times have changed. I say go ahead with it. I know you can do it" Anastasia said.

"Huh. That was nice of you to say. Well thank you" I said patting Anastasia on the back as I stood up.

"Go get her" Anastasia said smiling.

I walked into the cell and turned into Lauren's cell. I grabbed a stool and sat down in front of her cell door.

"So, you marrying a girl are you?" Lauren asked giggling.

"I am. Well I'm proposing. How did you hear all of that?" I said.

"These walls aren't very thick" Lauren said.

"Anyway. Seeming that you will be in here for a long time. A very long time. I wanna know more about you. So tell me your story. How did you get here?" I asked.

"You really want to know?" Lauren asked.

"I want to know every single detail" I said.

Lauren cleared her throat.

"Oh ok. Um well it all started with my parents and my brother in Perth. We were together for a while. But then we were attacked by bad people. Really bad people. Cannibals. They got us all and they raped my mother and they... raped me and my little brother. They then took my dad and that was the last time I saw him. They then took my mum. They ate them both. But then they were attacked by some group and my brother and I escaped. We were alone on the road for a while. With no food, water or company. All we could think of was our parents being eaten. We walked South East towards Adelaide. But before we even got here my little brother died from infection and disease. He turned to a Walker and almost bit me. I almost let him. But I was saved by the Silent. They brought me in. The Silent changed me. Changed me into someone who just wanted to kill. I believed that men because they saved my life. I was with them for a while we killed lots of people. We brought down tens of small groups of people for no reason. I didn't like it, but these people saved me and it was the least I could do. Then our leader died, and everyone looked up to me to become the leader. Even at this age. You know what it's like. I led them into more and more battles. But slowly I began to forget about my parents deaths and my brothers too. I could remember them but I just moved on. So we started to only kill groups that got in our way. If they did something to us we would kill them. They agreed with me. We made it here around that time. We killed a few groups of people that tried to kill us and we moved more into the city. We then came across you. I was with Two Hundred and Nine. I told him to steal your car while you were trying to lead that horde away. I'm very sorry about that. But anyway we meet Anthony at that point and Two Hundred and Nine came back to us. He showed us your place and we went from there" Lauren said.

"I'm very sorry, that all of that happened to you. I know what it's like to lose a mother. My mother died before all of this though. Which I guess is a good thing. But my brother and dad. I don't know if they are still out there. I mean it would be nice to meet them again but, I have a new family, and they didn't really treat me with respect anyways" I said.

"You don't have to be sorry. I need to be sorry. For all I did to you" Lauren said.

"Well living in this cell for a long time will help me forgive you. Thank you for sharing your story with me. I've gotta get going" I said standing up and putting the stool back to where it was.

"Wait! Make sure you tell me how the wedding goes" Lauren said.

"That's if she says yes" I said.

"Oh, she will!" Lauren said as I walked out.

I nodded at Anastasia as I walked past her and went to find Hunter. She was sitting at a table. I walked over to her and put my hands on her shoulders.

"Hey hon' do you wanna go for a walk quickly?" I asked.

"Yeah ok. Where?" Hunter asked.

"Just up to the top of Adelaide Oval" I said.

"Ok" Hunter said.

We held hands up to the top of the Adelaide Oval. We both sat down and looked out at the view of the river flowing and the small city in the distance. I stood up and so did she.

"Hunter. I need to tell you something" I said.

"What?" Hunter asked, she looked nervous.

"Um. During these years we've been together. I've enjoyed being with you the whole way. I love you so much, and I care about you so much. Too much. Both you and Megan. I know it's been a hard week with what's been going on but there's the small moments that can make the year the best it can be" I said getting on my knees.

Hunter looked shocked and she put her hands over her mouth as tears ran down her cheek.

"Marriage doesn't really mean anything these days. But to me, it means that we are showing love. With these rings. So, Hunter Rose, the most stunning and beautiful person I have ever seen in my life. Will you marry me?" I asked.

Hunter just looked at the rig in my hand. She started to smile as she wiped her tears away.

"Sam, you really think I would say no? Of course I will marry you" Hunter said.

I stood up and hugged her.

"Really?" I asked.

"Really" Hunter said.

Hunter and I both kissed as the sunset behind us. Hunter put her hand out and I slipped on the wedding ring onto her finger. We kissed for awhile longer.

"I love you so much Sam" Hunter said.