one day I would die, just like I was sure everyone else did. It was so far off in the future, though, that it wasn't anything I'd ever seriously considered. Until now.
Nobody should have to die like these people had. I didn't know each of their circumstances, but I had a good guess. These people had died in terror, horror, and pain. More than likely, they had to watch their friends or loved ones die at the same time. Their last moments would have been spent knowing that they would come back and do the same to anyone they could get their hands on, even people they'd spent their life loving.
It was not the way any human being should have to go.
I let the curtain fall back in place. Just in time, too. Jayden came up behind me, his tall body warm against my back as he whispered in my ear, “How bad is it?”
His body caused a strange sensation to shoot through mine, but I pushed it aside to examine in my mind at a later date. “It's bad,” I responded softly, facing the door. He was close enough to hear me though. “Let's go check the other windows.”
He moved away, and I exhaled gently. My back was still tingling from his nearness. It was a close call. If he'd moved the curtain to have a look himself, I had no doubts he would have seen his dead sister.
We went from window to window, but I purposely guided him away from the front ones. The dread inside of me increased with each glance into our dark yard. We were completely surrounded, with more piling in. Eventually they could force their way in, simply by the sheer numbers amassing around our house.
By the backdoor, Jayden stopped me. He grabbed my shoulders and bent down to meet my eyes. He had a ways to go, actually. I was on the short side. I stood 5'4 with my shoes on.
It was hard to be this close to him and not blush. Maybe my crush wasn't as dead and gone as I thought it was. Even in the circumstances, I couldn't help but react to his face being only inches away. All I'd have to do was move my face forward to kiss him.
He must have noticed I was lost in my daydreams, because he gave my shoulders a quick shake. “Tabitha, I need you to focus.”
I could feel my skin mottling in embarrassment. I just hoped he didn't figure out what I'd been thinking. “I am focused,” I responded, my voice a bit harsh. My eyes finally met his. His dark eyes had a golden hue, one I'd never noticed before. “What did you want to talk about?”
His eyes were intent upon my own, and for several seconds he didn't reply. My body felt hot and tingly. I swallowed hard. I was ashamed to admit it, but I hoped he would kiss me. Apparently attraction could override even the most dire circumstances.
I wouldn't have known that before. Even though I was eighteen, the truth was I'd never had a boyfriend, much less been kissed before. Apparently short, slightly-plump teenaged girls weren't in high demand, especially in my town.
He blinked, and the moment was over. He grimaced momentarily and said, “I'm just going to get right to the point. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings or anything, but it's apparent that the stress of this is getting to your Dad.” His voice was low, his eyes focused and concentrated on mine. “I just want you to be mindful of this. I'm not eager to go out there, but I don't want to be so hesitant that I die, still waiting for help that isn't coming.”
“ What can we do, though?” It was frustrating, not knowing which direction to turn.
“I have a gun,” he replied, releasing my shoulders and reaching one hand to the back of his waistband. He pulled out a pistol, showing it to me before putting it back where it came from. “I am trusting you to keep this secret, though. It belonged to my dad. With James dead-set on an outright war we can't win, I don't want him knowing about it. I won't give it up, Tabitha,” he warned me, his eyes narrowing. “So don't bother telling anyone
Nobody should have to die like these people had. I didn't know each of their circumstances, but I had a good guess. These people had died in terror, horror, and pain. More than likely, they had to watch their friends or loved ones die at the same time. Their last moments would have been spent knowing that they would come back and do the same to anyone they could get their hands on, even people they'd spent their life loving.
It was not the way any human being should have to go.
I let the curtain fall back in place. Just in time, too. Jayden came up behind me, his tall body warm against my back as he whispered in my ear, “How bad is it?”
His body caused a strange sensation to shoot through mine, but I pushed it aside to examine in my mind at a later date. “It's bad,” I responded softly, facing the door. He was close enough to hear me though. “Let's go check the other windows.”
He moved away, and I exhaled gently. My back was still tingling from his nearness. It was a close call. If he'd moved the curtain to have a look himself, I had no doubts he would have seen his dead sister.
We went from window to window, but I purposely guided him away from the front ones. The dread inside of me increased with each glance into our dark yard. We were completely surrounded, with more piling in. Eventually they could force their way in, simply by the sheer numbers amassing around our house.
By the backdoor, Jayden stopped me. He grabbed my shoulders and bent down to meet my eyes. He had a ways to go, actually. I was on the short side. I stood 5'4 with my shoes on.
It was hard to be this close to him and not blush. Maybe my crush wasn't as dead and gone as I thought it was. Even in the circumstances, I couldn't help but react to his face being only inches away. All I'd have to do was move my face forward to kiss him.
He must have noticed I was lost in my daydreams, because he gave my shoulders a quick shake. “Tabitha, I need you to focus.”
I could feel my skin mottling in embarrassment. I just hoped he didn't figure out what I'd been thinking. “I am focused,” I responded, my voice a bit harsh. My eyes finally met his. His dark eyes had a golden hue, one I'd never noticed before. “What did you want to talk about?”
His eyes were intent upon my own, and for several seconds he didn't reply. My body felt hot and tingly. I swallowed hard. I was ashamed to admit it, but I hoped he would kiss me. Apparently attraction could override even the most dire circumstances.
I wouldn't have known that before. Even though I was eighteen, the truth was I'd never had a boyfriend, much less been kissed before. Apparently short, slightly-plump teenaged girls weren't in high demand, especially in my town.
He blinked, and the moment was over. He grimaced momentarily and said, “I'm just going to get right to the point. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings or anything, but it's apparent that the stress of this is getting to your Dad.” His voice was low, his eyes focused and concentrated on mine. “I just want you to be mindful of this. I'm not eager to go out there, but I don't want to be so hesitant that I die, still waiting for help that isn't coming.”
“ What can we do, though?” It was frustrating, not knowing which direction to turn.
“I have a gun,” he replied, releasing my shoulders and reaching one hand to the back of his waistband. He pulled out a pistol, showing it to me before putting it back where it came from. “I am trusting you to keep this secret, though. It belonged to my dad. With James dead-set on an outright war we can't win, I don't want him knowing about it. I won't give it up, Tabitha,” he warned me, his eyes narrowing. “So don't bother telling anyone
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