My Light in the Darkness

Thank You.

The rest of the way to camp, we walked. I knew it wasn't smart to take our time, but Zach couldn't keep up with his condition. I slung his arm over my shoulder to help take off the pressure. He refused profoundly, but I didn't let up. Eventually he gave in and put some of his weight into me.

Corbyn, Jonah and Jack were waiting for us at the gate. When Jonah and Jack took Zach away from me, I stood tall until they were out of sight. Corbyn leaned against the gate post and waited with me.

As soon as they were out of sight, I crumbled. I fell to my knees and sobbed. Corbyn knew it was coming, that's why he waited. He scooped me up in his arms and rocked me back and forth.

He kissed my temple and whispered reassuring words in my ear.

"It's my fault," I let out between sobs, "if I never came here aunty and uncle would be alive, Reese wouldn't have been taken and Zach wouldn't be staring death in the eyes!" I cried out. I've been holding it together for too long. I've been strong most my life because the people around me needed me to be, but I couldn't anymore.

He pushed me away from his body and held my head to look at him. "Listen to me," he demanded, "none of this is your fault. You helped get Reese safe, you got Zach back alive! You were willing to sacrifice yourself for people you barely know. We owe you," he smiled.

I didn't say anything, just fell back into his arms.

*                                        *                                 *

I walked into the medical tent quietly. Zachs back was turned to me as Corbyn worked on the last stitch.

"Oh, Abby!" Corbyn greeted. "You're just in time. I have to check on Reese, could you finish cleaning him up?" I nodded my head to which he smiled.

Corbyn cut the string and told Zach he was good to go. He nodded his head and sat upright with a groan. Corbyn walked past me, giving me a little nudge in Zachs direction.

He looked pale. I knew it wasn't a good sign, but I also knew he would be alright.

I grabbed a cloth and pail of water and walked over to Zachs bed. I didn't speak to him or look him in the eyes, even though he never took his eyes off me.  I climbed onto the bed behind him and dipped the rag into the pail. After wringing it out, I gently dabbed Zachs back.

I wiped his lower back where the blood had trickled down. I wanted to stay away from his wounds as long as possible. I didn't want to hurt him anymore than I already have.

"Thank you," he spoke gently. It was the first thing said since we left the camp. I didn't reply, just kept washing away the blood.

I was horrified to say the least. He could have died because I wasn't fast enough. He could have been shot, tortured a lot worse, he could have never seen his little sister of brother again. It would have all been because of me. Jake was probably plotting his revenge at this very moment, planning ways to kill Zach and make me watch before he took me as a sex slave. I knew he would.

I didn't realize I was crying silent tears till one fall onto his shoulder. I quickly wiped them away. I didn't want him worrying about me when he was weak himself.

I wouldn't be so lucky though. He looked at me in the eyes and I wanted to break again. He took my face in his hands, his thumb rubbing my cheek gently. "Abby," he cooed. I tore away from his gaze. I hated people feeling sorry for me.

I avoided him by dipping the cloth back in the pail and winging it out once again. I went back to his wounds, finally cleaning around the cuts. I tried to be as gentle as possible.

He drew in a sharp breath and knew I had hurt him. "Sorry," I apologized.

"It's okay," he let out. I continued to work while he spoke. I guess he took my apology as sign he could talk. "Thank you for saving her, and me. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to her."

"Don't do that." I told him. "Don't beat yourself up over something that wasn't your fault."

He chuckled, "it wasn't your fault either."

"I never said it was," I defended, even if it was a lie.

"But you think it was," he protested. "I can read you better then you think, Abby." I stopped washing for a minute, hesitating to tell him the truth.

I stayed silent. He didn't need to know that right now. "Just try to relax, okay?" I told him. I finished washing the blood away and climbed off the bed.

He sighed. "How can I relax when you're here?" He asked with a devilish smirk.

He stood from the bed and hovered behind me. His finger tips trailed up my arm and fiddled with my tank top straps. "What are you doing?" I asked. It came out weak and breathily.

"Almost dying made me realize how bad I want you," his voice was husky in my ear. He gently kissed under my ear, sucking on the skin. My head turned to give him easier access on instinct. He moved to my ear lobe and bit down on it, giving it a playful pull. I knew I wanted this too, but right now wasn't the time. He was hurt and needed rest.

I turned in his arms and gently pushed him towards the bed. The back of his legs hit the metal, causing him to sit. I stood between his legs, my hands playing in his hair.

"Stay with me?" He asked, looking up with puppy dog eyes. I was planning on going back to my own tent and sleeping, but sleeping here with Zach would be so much better. I gave him a little nod.

He tugged on my tank top, telling me to sit. I straddled his lap and sank into the crook of his neck.

I attached my lips to his neck making a breath my moan escape his throat. I got a devilish feeling crawl up my spine and shivered. I kept sucking on his neck, giving him a hickey for sure.

His hands played with the hem of my shirt before slipping under it. His hands were cold, making me gasp.

I backed away from him and admired my work. As I looked it over, his eyes studied me. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he brought me closer to him.

"What are you doing to me?" He asked, his lips hovering over mine.

"The same thing you do to me," I answered. He smiled before kissing me gently. What started as a meaningful, gentle kiss turned into something much more heated.

"As much as I'm enjoying this," he spoke through kisses, "I don't think I can handle the heat right now." I laughed and pulled away from him. I got off his lap, allowing him to lay down on the bed. He moved to the far side, then held his arms wide for me to crawl into.

I happily did so and his arms wrapped around me. "Thank you," he whispered in my ear.

"For what?"

"Saving my life."

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I didn't really like this one as much, but 2 updates in a day? Fuck yeah.