Only Love Survives (Love and Zombies) by Renee Charles Page A

chin.
    “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but not only am I not sorry, I hope to do that again…soon. Only the right way next time, with a bed under us.” He kissed her on the nose, then reached behind her and grabbed his shirt, along with the bar of soap.
    She stood dumbfounded, watching him rub them together until he handed her the bar of soap. Megan decided to wash her own clothes while they were on her body. It was just as easy.
    “Is that giant watch of yours waterproof?” He rinsed out his spare shirt while he spoke.
    Her hand automatically went to her wrist making sure the scar was covered. “Yep.”
    She dipped under the water, more to escape his scrutiny than to rinse off. When she surfaced, he was looking to the far side of the river and reaching for his gun. She spun around to see the brush moving and lost her footing. He reached out with his free hand and steadied her, then pulled her behind him.
    “But they don’t come out here, in the middle of nowhere.” She tried to reason the danger away.
    The bush shook some more and he leveled the gun on it just as a mangy dog appeared. The beast’s coat hung in matted clumps, but the collar and tags around his neck said he once belonged to someone.
    Megan wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
    “Are you all rinsed off?” The appearance of the dog didn’t alleviate the tension in Sam’s voice.
    She nodded.
    “Let’s go.” He took her arm and helped her up the riverbank. Megan felt exposed and vulnerable in so many ways. He slung his clean spare shirt over her shoulder, picked up her hand and led her to the Suburban. For a moment, it had all melted away. Now, it was back. What was it he kept saying? How things used to be didn’t matter anymore? Something like that. Suddenly, she didn’t feel embarrassed by what had happened in the river. They’d found solace in one another, if only for a brief moment.
    Sam dropped her hand to unlock the doors. He reached into the Suburban and pulled out his spare gas can. The only can he had left because of her. Megan stood motionless while he poured the last of his fuel into the tank.

Chapter Five
    They drove south down the country highway while the sun set in pink and orange streaks. Megan watched the shadows grow along the shoulder of the road. Seeing Sam top off the tank with his last drops of gas filled her with immense guilt. She silently stared out the passenger window.
    Sam had given his fuel away to save her. How could she repay him? What did she have to offer? A map, some apples, a watch that covered a lie, and not much else.
    “What’s up?” He nudged her knee with his knuckles.
    She met his gaze and forced a smile. “Nothing.”
    “Really? Because this is the quietest you’ve been since I met you.”
    She sighed. “You’re out of gas.”
    “No. If I were outta gas, we’d be walking right now.” He graced her with a smile meant to dazzle. “Don’t worry. We’ll find more. I always do.”
    Megan turned back to the window. She didn’t share his conviction.
    The road rose ahead of them and when they finally crested the hill Megan’s heart leapt in her throat.
    “Do you see that?” She pointed at the valley in front of them. A circle of trucks, cars and RVs surrounded a large campfire that flickered in the failing light. Blue tarps hung between some of the vehicles providing additional shelter.
    “Yep.” He slowed and came to a stop right in the middle of the highway and watched them in the distance. “What do you think?”
    “After the guys we ran into this morning, I don’t know anymore.”
    The entire campsite was surrounded by, not one, but two twisted barbed wire fences. The kind with wooden supports she’d only seen in war movies. Not all that inviting. A chill ran up Megan’s spine.
    “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Megan. They might have gas they’d be willing to trade.”
    “I have apples.” She laughed because her contribution was so lame.
    “How ‘bout we