Ash has been my go-to for years. The only person who’s ever done what he said he’s gonna do.
I can count on his word above anyone else’s.
“It’s ironic, I could really use some of that miracle girl’s life juice, man.” His torso jerks as his body tries to pull in on itself.
“Ash, you gotta swear you’ll never tell anyone.” I pull out my knife and stare down at him.
He doesn’t even look at me, his gaze unfocusing to some vague place in the treetops.
All he does is grunt.
Slicing my arm deep enough to bleed thickly, I cover his wound in my own fluids, then drop some into his mouth.
He doesn’t blink.
Fuck, am I too late?
“Ash? Ash! Swallow asshole!” I smack his chest in an effort to force a response.
Nothing.
I hit him again, harder.
With a gasp, he shudders a long inhale and his tongue works over his blood soaked lips.
Good.
Wrapping my wrist so he can’t see my cut, I rock back on my heels to wait.
Watching the gaping hole where the front of his thigh used to be is my main interest.
By the count of thirty, I start to see the arterial purge start to lessen.
His pulse is slowly becoming more regular. And stronger.
“That was a close one.” I pat his chest one last time, then sit back next to him.
I think he’s gonna make it. It’ll just be a long ass night waiting for him to heal.
Jen is going to have to use her wits to survive. I might be delayed, but I’m not quitting.
I’ll find her, somehow.
Chapter 12 - Jenny
I don’t have tothink about holding on anymore.
My legs instinctually hug his waist and my fingers knot into the thick fur around his shoulders as he lopes easily through the dense woods.
Fragments of asphalt still keep a rough trail, but trees have taken root in many of the crevices.
All of this is nearly unrecognizable as a highway after only twenty-something years. How much longer before every trace of humanity is gone forever?
Will it ever rebuild?
Not as long as these creatures exist.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I burrow into the back of his neck, hoping for just a moment that I can forget abouteverything.
