“I really do need you. You understand, don’t you, baby?” she whispered into my ear.
I gasped for breath, trying to free myself. When I finally pushed her away, our eyes met and my heart screamed out in anguish.
“Come back to mommy,” she rasped, holding her gray, mottled arms towards me. “I need you so. I love you, Cassie.”
I nodded. “I love you, too.”
Then I closed my eyes and sobbed as I let her have me.
~~~
I woke up to someone gently shaking me.
“Cassie?” whispered Bryce softly.
Sighing, I opened my eyes and found Bryce staring down at me. His dark wavy hair was damp and he wore nothing but a pair of soft, gray lounge pants. I stared at the dragon tattoos on his forearms. They blazed with fire as did something inside of me.
“I just stepped out of the shower across the hall, and heard you crying. I was a little worried.”
“Oh,” I said, sitting up. Remembering that all I had on was a thin tank and boxer shorts, I pulled my blanket up higher.
He smiled and sat down on the edge of my bed. “Listen, you were really fantastic earlier. It took a lot of courage to do what you did.”
I shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad once I reminded myself that they were already dead.”
Bryce chuckled. “Still, it was pretty impressive.”
“Thanks.”
He brushed a strand of hair away from my cheek. “I think we make a pretty good team.”
I stopped breathing when I gazed into his smoldering blue eyes. Bryce slowly leaned towards me and I felt the heat of his breath on my lips.
“Bryce! Where are you?” hollered Bobby from somewhere else in the house.
Bryce shut his eyes and swore under his breath. “Hold on, Bobby!” he called.
With my heart pounding frantically, I released a shaky breath.
Bryce opened his eyes and licked his lips. “You know, you’re pretty amazing,” he whispered, staring at my mouth.
“Bryce!” yelled Bobby again.
Bryce groaned with frustration and then stood up. “Coming, buddy!”
When he left my bedroom, I felt a mixture of disappointment and relief. I wasn’t sure how I would’ve reacted if he would have kissed me passionately right here, in my bed. Normally I would have been paranoid about my parents walking in. But things had changed, and at this moment, I didn’t have anyone to answer to.
I got up, slipped a hoodie over my tank top, and pulled on a pair of shorts. I’d slept for almost eight hours; it was well after midnight, and I was starving.
Sara was feeding Megan dry cereal when I entered the kitchen. “Hi,” I said. Goldie sat at their feet waiting for bits of food to drop.
She looked up and smiled wearily. “Hi.”
“Where’s everybody?”
“Kristie and Hannah are on watch duty, to make sure none of the zombies make it into the house. Kylie, Paige, and Eva are sleeping, I believe.”
I nodded and then sat down next to her at the table. “I’m sorry, Sara; I haven’t even asked if you’d gotten a hold of Kevin.”
She paused for a moment and her eyes filled with tears. “No, my cell phone doesn’t work.”
I covered her hand with mine. “It’s possible he’s getting the medical attention he was promised by the military.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she replied looking away.
“If you want, we can go look for him later,” I said.
She wiped her eyes. “You’d come with me?”
“Of course I would.”
“Mommy, I want to play with Bobby,” Megan demanded.
I tickled Megan’s tummy. “Isn’t it a little late for you to be up playing?”
Megan giggled and shook her head “no.”
“Her schedule is totally messed up,” said Sara.
“I’m sure. Mine is too,” I replied. “I can watch her if you want to get some sleep. You’re pregnant and need it more than anyone.”
She released a deep sigh. “Would you? I could use some sleep. I’m so exhausted.”
“It’s settled. Go to bed and get some sleep,” I replied with a smile.
Sara gave Megan and I both a hug, then left the kitchen.
I had a peanut butter sandwich, gave Goldie some fresh water and dog food, then took Megan downstairs so she could play with Bobby, who I figured was probably still awake. What I actually found stopped me cold. Eva was dressed in a skimpy nightgown with her arms around Bryce’s neck and her lips pressed firmly against his.
“Hi, Megan!” cried Bobby who was on the floor playing with Legos.
Bryce turned towards me and sighed.
“Um, I’m sorry,” I said, backing away.
“Cassie,” said Bryce, pushing Eva away. “It’s not what it looks like. She was just thanking me for getting a painful kink out of her neck.”