“Do you ever see them doing foot patrols?” I asked, glancing at her.
She was close. Close enough that I noticed the smattering of freckles across her nose for the first time. “Not anymore. Once they cleared everything useful from the businesses and apartments around here, they stopped walking from place to place. Now, they only do circuits in their cars. I have no idea what they’re getting up to on the other side of town.”
I stared out the window again, waiting for more cars. None came. “I’ve been watching the way they operate from the office building. My guess is they’re looking for more people to boost their numbers. Since it looks like they already have more than enough men, women would be their focus."
“I've noticed that, too," she said, heading back to the dining table to collect our dishes. "It's the thing that worries me most about them.”
We spent a few minutes cleaning up in the kitchen and when we were done, the two of us returned to our positions on the couch and recliner. “Do you know how to fight?” I asked, wondering if we should go through some basics before we took off.
She moved into a cross-legged position. “Before the electricity went off, I watched self-defence videos over and over again, and Haruto practised Aikido in his younger years, so he taught me some moves before... you know.” Her eyes clouded over, and she pulled in a deep breath. "I'm okay with fighting; I've done enough of it defending myself against the dead. It's the thought of being seriously injured or captured that scares me the most.”
Being part of a group and living somewhere stable would help ease the concern when it came to our day-to-day safety. As far as the other part went…
"We'll do our best to keep you off their radar while we're leaving town, and if we see anyone before they see us, hiding is our preferred option. I don't want anyone getting near you."
The ghost of a smile passed over her face, and her gaze generated a buzz of electricity that had the same impact as a physical touch. "That sounds good."
Her eyes intrigued me; they were the brightest blue I'd ever seen. Soft one minute, intense the next. If I'd met her before the virus, I would have steered clear of her to avoid being pulled in too deep too fast. She was the kind of woman you built a future with, and back then I was so focused on advancing my career that I didn't want to make room in my life for someone else.
It took a pandemic to make me realize what I'd been missing.
Stupid.
Liv must have picked up on the subtle change in the atmosphere, too. She made a soft huffing sound and smiled as she glanced away.
I watched her for a beat longer fighting a smile of my own, then sank deeper into the couch satisfied with the progress we'd made today.
Seven
Liv
I handed Cruz the last of the supplies, and he stacked them in the boot of the white sedan he’d hidden in the parking garage near my building. The sun hadn’t begun peeking its head over the horizon just yet, and the streets were quiet. We hoped that leaving early meant we could avoid the gang, but it was still a risk being out in the open no matter what time of day we made our escape.
Closing the door to my apartment for the final time left me with bittersweet feelings—anticipation at the thought of going somewhere new, sadness at the idea of leaving behind Haruto and every memory of my time before the pandemic. I’d lived all my adult life in the city, and walking away knowing I’d never go back there again had me struggling to control my emotions. When we finished transferring every box and bag to the car, I locked my apartment door and slipped the key into my pocket, a physical reminder that my previous life had existed.
Cruz lowered the boot lid and clicked it closed. He turned to me and gave me an expectant look. “Ready?”
Filled with excitement and apprehension, I drew a deep breath and nodded. I hadn’t been anywhere unfamiliar or spent more than two hours outside each day in years. I'd already come to terms with the idea of being physically and mentally exhausted. It was the thought of seeing the big, wide world again that was a little overwhelming.
His gaze searched my features. “Is your head in the game, Olivia?”
Hearing him use my full name had a completely different effect from when Haruto used to say it. A tingle worked its way down my spine, and I shivered.
I knew what he was getting at, though. When I’d first found Haruto lying in bed, I thought it would take days for me to get over the crying jags that seemed to come out of nowhere. Having Cruz around to distract me had made all the difference. I’d woken this morning feeling lighter with the knowledge that my old friend was no longer in pain, and my new friend wanted to create a future with me. “I’m fine, I promise.”
He gave me a brief nod, taking me at my word, and wandered around to the driver’s side of the car.
Simple as that.
I watched him for a moment, appreciating the way he treated me like a capable person rather than a fragile woman who needed protection. Although I knew he’d protect me if the situation required it, he didn't display his masculinity in a domineering or patronising way.
When I lowered myself into the passenger seat, he gave me a quick smile and turned the key. It took him three attempts to get the car started, and relief rushed through me as we began easing our way out of the underground car park. The novelty of being in a moving car lasted until we'd rolled onto the main street then my attention shifted to our surroundings.
It was just before dawn. Cruz drove with the headlights off to avoid attracting attention.
My eyes swept over the debris littering the streets, the dead wandering in small clusters, the abandoned cars parked haphazardly here and there. I’d seen all of this before on my morning runs, but with the darkness blanketing the streets, it made the atmosphere feel heavier somehow, more intimidating. I sat up straighter, more alert than ever. My gaze jumped from one spot to another.
Tall buildings loomed over us, and I imagined their empty windows as eyes watching our every move. It was a surreal experience knowing how much my life was about to change from the comfortable routine I'd maintained for the past couple of years.
