Page 64 of Once Upon an Apocalypse

The three of us burst out laughing, a sound that should not be possible after the week we had. As if the universe needed to knock us back in balance, Norman comes rushing over, staring at Amos and what’s left of his arm.

“What happened? Why did you bring back a member of the Praetorian Guard? Where is the rest of your arm?”

Comedic relief scene over. Now it’s back to business.

“Let’s go somewhere private. One of the medical rooms, perhaps?” I suggest, now seeing all the curious eyes looking our way. My mom nods, leading us upstairs and into the room I had once occupied as a pseudo prisoner.

Norman keeps quiet in the corner, allowing my mother to examine the healing wound that is Amos’ arm. Angie had stitched a large patch of my skin over the stump, covering more than was necessary to allow for a bit of cushioning over the bone. To everyone’s astonishment, my skin healed the incision. It took longer than if it was a wound on my body. Still quite miraculous. Even the stitches have been removed.

As my mom continues to examine the closed wound that should have taken weeks to get to this stage of healing, I say without thinking, “I keep wondering if I could have prevented this from happening. If my skin can do this, what if I acted faster and…I dunno…sucked the zombie venom out like you do with a snake bite?”

My mom gasps and Norman jumps up from the corner, whisper shouting, “You were bitten! And you came back to The Valley? Amos, you know our rule. Anyone bitten must remain outside our walls. There are no exceptions.”

“It’s almost like you wanted me to die out there, Norman,” Amos says casually, doing his best to keep his cool-guy persona up even though he’s about to collapse. “I was bitten four days ago. No fever. No sign of infection. Jonah sliced off my arm within seconds. He stopped the virus from spreading. He saved my life. That is why I brought him here.”

Anna and Jeremy walk in with questions and concerns for Amos while my mom asks, “Jonah’s here?” and Norman says, “Fascinating. Where exactly was the bite?”

“Okay, okay. Let’s do one question at a time, folks!” I yell, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden. “First, we need to let Amos rest. He had to be on alert during the entire drive to give me directions back here.”

“I’m fine, Lori,” Amos says, reaching out for me with his injured arm as if he forgot he had no hand attached. I can see the sorrow in his eyes at the realization of what he tried to do.

In two steps, I stand in between his legs, holding him tightly in my arms. “I know you arefine, Amos. But you need to sleep. Please. I can handle their questions.”

I feel him sigh in relief, his breath tickling against my collarbone. When I release him, he looks up at me with tired eyes, ready to give in. I lie him down on the bed he’s been sitting on and press my lips against his forehead. “I’ll be close by if you need me, okay?”

He smiles drunkenly, eyes fluttering closed as he falls effortlessly to sleep.

Amos needed more sleep than I thought, so I stayed in his hospital room for the night, cuddling up on the armchair in the corner. I spent hours with my mom, Norman, Anna, and Jeremy, answering their endless questions. There was only so much I could say. The rest was for Jonah to answer.

As everyone recessed for the night, I pulled Anna back into the office we had been conferring in, asking what Amos and I needed to do to get one of those couples rooms. I thought I’d surprise Amos when he’s ready to leave the health center. Turns out it’s a bit of a process to secure one of those couple suites. They are exclusively for couples in a serious relationship.

I hadn’t thought much about the seriousness of our relationship, as it’s brand freaking new. But I know one thing: I don’t want anyone else but Amos. Still, I’m not sure we are meant for this kind of relationship. The steady climb to marriage, which will then lead to having children. Amos and I are fighters. Domesticity isn’t the life I had imagined.

Maybe once we defeat Doctore. Maybe. And yet…I still asked Anna if we could apply for one of the couple’s suites.

I fell asleep thinking about how different life would be with Amos if we didn’t live in this messed up world. Then again, would we have ever met? I’d likely still be with Jonah.

The door to Amos’ hospital room opens, but my mind is still too groggy from sleep, so I keep my eyes closed, hoping whoever it is will leave us alone.

“Can I come in?” Jonah asks. I don’t hear another voice. That must mean he’s on his own. Or perhaps someone has escorted him here. My eyes are too tired to see for myself.

Amos lets out a grunt of approval and the next thing I hear is the door closing behind Jonah and his footsteps approaching Amos’ bed. Their hushed tones spark my curiosity, so I keep my breathing even, pretending to be asleep as my ex and my new boyfriend have a civil conversation.

“Did anyone try to kill you?” Amos asks.

“A few. Lori’s mom and Norman were very convincing. I answered all their questions, kept nothing from them.”

“So you kept your word. Good.” Amos sounds stronger today, his voice rich and deep. Just the vibrations of his voice send me into a frenzy.

Jonah clears his throat before saying, “I hope you know I won’t try to get in the way between you and Lori. I love her. I will never stop loving her. But I don’t deserve her love again for what I’ve done to her. To us. When I saw the two of you, I felt a pang of jealousy but also relief. All I want is for Lori to be happy. Thank you for being that person to bring her happiness. Thank you for saving her life. Two things I couldn’t do for her.”

Amos is so silent I’m about to open my eyes to see his reaction when he says, “Then I won’t have to kill you.” There’s no tension or anger in his voice, just a passive understanding of a simple fact.

“Before I go, I wanted to fill you in on something I briefed the other leaders on.” Jonah pauses, waiting for Amos to respond.

“Go ahead.”

“Doctore has been looking for Lori. That is why our attacks have been more frequent and, well, messier. He’s been able to replicate her reaction to the cure, but he needs more of her DNA to purify the concoction. A few more subjects were successful but didn’t have a lasting effect like Lori. They ended up turning after a few weeks. Lori has been the only success. He’s becoming desperate to create this army of super soldiers. Even testing on his own soldiers which has created doubt among his people. I’ve weeded the doubtful out, careful not to shine a spotlight on us. There were not enough of us to fight and win, but I’m hoping they are continuing to plant more seeds of doubt.”

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