“I’m confused!” Taz said from his corner.
“Maybe it’s something about you being twins. Maybe there is something in your blood since you had the same DNA. I won’t know without a sample of her blood.”
“That’s not possible,” I said.
“I know.”
“Does this mean I’m not going to turn?” I asked.
“I think that’s exactly what it means,” he replied, wrapping his arms around me.
I dropped to my knees, Nathan still wrapped around me, sobbing. I was so confused, excited, nervous, and anxious.
What if Nathan is wrong? What if I’m going to turn?
My mother sat down and cried. Dad collapsed onto the bench and Meaghan jumped up and down the hall right outside the cell.
“What’s going on?” Andrew asked, emerging from beyond a door at the end of the hall.
“She’s not going to die!” Meaghan shouted in glee.
“What?” he asked.
“She’s not going to turn,” Liz mumbled, staring into the eye piece of the microscope.
“How is that possible?” the goon asked.
“I don’t know. But her blood kills the virus,” Nathan said, getting more slides ready.
“You wouldn’t be lying to save your girlfriend would you, doc?”
“Why would I jeopardize the lives of every person in the town?” he snapped.
Andrew shrugged his shoulders and glared at me. “I’m watching you. The first sign of a sniffle I will take you down.”
Nathan stood up and above me. “If you come near her I will kill you. I told you she’s okay. She’s not infected. Leave her be.”
“It’s not possible! She was bit. She’ll turn like the rest,” Andrew snapped, storming out the door.
“Can we leave now?” I asked.
“Yes. I want you to stay at my place so I can do more testing.”
“Absolutely not!” my mother hollered.
“Mom!”
“No, Emma! I’m not letting you out of my sight!”
“If he can figure out how this is happening maybe he can find a cure!” I tried to bargain with her.
“It won’t be a cure,” Nathan spoke up.
“It won’t?”
“No. There’s no coming back once you’re turned. The zombies are dead. They have died. However, I could create a vaccine; something to keep more people from turning.”
Mom chewed on her bottom lip and got lost in thought. I saw the tears flowing down her cheeks and I knew she has having a horrible internal struggle. She nearly lost her only living child. She wanted to keep me close. I didn’t blame her, but if Nathan could create a vaccine from me. It would be something she would have to deal with.
“Mom, I’m going with Nathan. I’m safe now.”
“You said you would be safe going out there too. And now look at you!”
I sighed heavily. “Yes, yes I know. But I may hold the key to a vaccine. Don’t you want that?”
“Of course I do,” she relented. “I know you need to go with him. I just don’t want to lose you again.”
“You never lost me.”
“For a moment there…I did.”
Chapter Thirty-two
What’s It Like Having Sex with the Cure to the Zombie Infection?
“Let’s go,” Nathan said packing up his portable chemistry set.
“Okay.” I stood and hugged everybody.
“Be safe,” Mom cried.
“I’m going to be three blocks away. Literally. I don’t think I can get into much trouble three blocks away.”
“I know, but still, be safe. Humor your mother.”
I kissed her cheek lightly. “I’ll see everybody in the morning. We should all be happy, nobody has to shoot me!”
Taz, Liz, and Meaghan followed us out.
“You sure you don’t want us to go with?” Liz asked.
Nathan shook his head. “No. We’ll be alright. I’m just going to monitor her for a while. I don’t think it’s necessary though.”
“Be safe.” Meaghan hugged me tight.
Taz patted my shoulder and sighed heavily.
Nathan grabbed my hand and led all of us out of the dungeon. Andrew stood right outside the door smoking a cigarette. I could feel his eyes on me the entire way up the staircase. We all parted ways in front of the courthouse. I watched as my parents and Meaghan headed toward the row of stores turned into homes.
“Come on.” Nathan squeezed my hand and led me to his nearly abandoned apartment building.
“Why are you having me stay with you? Are you really going to work on a vaccine tonight?”
“No,” he said quietly.
“Then what?”
“I want you to myself.”
“Why?”
“I almost lost you, Emma. I love you. I-I just need you with me tonight.”
“I love you, too,” I replied.
We ducked under the broken door and climbed up to his apartment. The hallway seemed to be even more silent than usual. You could have heard a pin drop. Nathan pushed open the door to his apartment and deposited the chemistry equipment on a side table. He turned toward me and stared at me with a smoldering gaze.
“What?” I asked softly.
He shook his head while placing one of his hands on the small of my back and the other knotted in my hair. He gently tugged my head back and pressed his lips to mine in a determined and rather unexpected kiss. The kiss was so demanding and firm.
“Emma,” he breathed into my ear. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I want to spend every moment of every day with you.”
I could feel the blood rushing to my face. I had no doubt my cheeks were a bright red. His lips returned to mine. His tongue and lips coaxed mine open. I obliged and allowed his tongue to invade my mouth. I tentatively allow my tongue to meet his. The hand that knotted in my hair moved down my back. He pulled me against his firm body and squeezed tightly. Both of his hands travel to my ass and he hauls me up onto him. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Our lips still connected he carried me to his bedroom. He deposited me onto the bed and leaned over top of me. I reached up and pulled off his shirt. His bare chest was remarkable. I trailed my hands up his arms to his biceps. His muscles were surprisingly large. I run my hands to his shoulders and down his chiseled chest. His mouth parted slightly and he moaned. As the sound escapes from his mouth, I covered his lips with mine. I placed my hands on either side of his face and trace my fingers back into his hair. It was my turn to have my hands knotted in his hair. I pulled him down onto me. I moved my hands to his back and scratched softly. He arched against my touch and began a more determined assault on my lips. He released my mouth and lay on his side. He pulled my t-shirt over my head and unbuttoned my jeans. He trailed his hand from the top of my jeans, up my stomach, between my breasts, and to my neck.
Everything he did was so hot.
My breath hitched and I could feel a surge of desire rush through my body. I felt my temperature rise as my heart pounded in my chest.
Why did I wait so long to do this with him? Why didn’t I enjoy such immense pleasure four years ago? Oh yeah…I thought he was going to die.
“I want you, Emma.”
“Okay,” I said breathlessly.
“Be mine. Forever.”
“I’ve been yours since I met you,” I replied, leaning toward him pressing my lips to him in a softer, gentler kiss.
I felt his body shudder next to mine. I glanced up and into his eyes. His gaze was intense and full of lust. He quickly pushed himself up to his knees and unbuttoned his jeans. He pulled them along with his boxer briefs off. He reached down and pulled my jeans and panties off. I lay there, nude, staring up at the impressive specimen of a man in front of me.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, biting his lip.
I propped myself up on my elbows and gently kissed his chest. “More than anything.”
; “Okay,” he said, reaching into his night stand.
He produced a square foil packet and maneuvered between my thighs. I could feel myself shake with anticipation. I bit my bottom lip trying to stop the moan that wanted to make its presence known.
“Okay,” Nathan said before pursing his lips and slowly easing himself into me.
My eyes widened and my mouth opened slightly. Absolutely glorious. I hadn’t experienced such ecstasy and pleasure in years. Truthfully, I had forgotten how amazing sex was.
Why the hell didn’t we do this sooner?
“Emma!” the sound of my name coming from Nathan’s lips heightened the pleasure.
I looked to his face. Such relief and happiness. His eyes slid shut as he began to thrust harder and faster.
“Oh God, Nathan!” I called out, holding onto his back and wrapping my legs around his waist.
Sex is amazing for the zombiepocalypse.
****
When I woke it was still dark. My body ached and my nether regions…well they were sore. I rolled over and stared into the peacefully sleeping face of Nathan. He looked relaxed and had the slightest smile on his face. I gently kissed his forehead before sitting up. I grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around my body. I stood in front of the large window and stared out over the landscape. I could see the sun just beginning to crest the sky. Beyond the border I could see zombies shambling about. They walked around without rhyme or reason. I felt bad for them. At one point they had been people. They had lives. They had families. And now, because of my sister, they were mindless flesh eaters. Hopefully because of me nobody will ever have to be one again.
“A penny for your thought?” a voice like melted chocolate asked from behind me.
“How did this happen?”
“What? You being here?” he asked.
I laughed lightly. “No, the state of the world. Nathan, how did it get to be so awful?”
“I don’t know,” he replied quietly.
“Do you think my blood could end this?”
“If I can come up with a vaccine, absolutely.”
“Will the world go back to normal after everyone receives it?” I inquired, turning to him.
“It’s possible. It won’t be immediate. I won’t be able to take tons of blood from you all at once.”
“How much is needed?”
“I don’t know. I’ll start off with enough for everybody here and then start making batches to take to the other fortified cities.”
“Then what?”
“Dispose of the undead,” he said lying back on the pillows.
“Even Becca?” I asked quietly.
He looked at me solemnly and the corners of his mouth turned down.
“Of course and Becca. We can’t let her roam around,” I answered myself.
“I can do it if you want.”
“No that’s alright, Nathan. I’ll do it when the time comes.”
I walked toward him quietly; my bare feet barely made any noise on the cold hard wood floor.
“You’re so beautiful,” he lilted, gazing up at me.
“Not really,” I replied.
“Yes you are, Emma. Move in with me.”
“Nathan! I can’t. My parents…”
“What about them? They’re three blocks away.”
“I can’t leave them,” I whispered.
“You’re twenty-four years old. It won’t kill anyone if you move in with me. I love you. I want to be with you.”
He was right. Nathan was always right.
“I’ll think about it,” I told him, climbing back in bed.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his body. His chest hard, his stomach chiseled, but he was so warm and smelled amazing. I closed my eyes hoping to get a few more hours of sleep before someone came looking for me.
Chapter Thirty-three
How Do You Explain to People You’re Some Kind of Zombie Immune Freak?
I didn’t fall back asleep. I tried. I squeezed my eyes shut and listened to Nathan’s steady breathing. At a time when I should have been thrilled I felt hollow inside. Numb, I turned toward Nathan as he slept. He didn’t move. He didn’t reassure me that everything was okay.
If I knew about this four years ago how many lives could have been spared? Becca wouldn’t be dead.
I took a deep breath and tried to swallow my apprehension. I knew I had an important part to play in the world now. I moved off the bed slowly and across the room picking up my clothing as I went. It had to be well past ten. I dressed and walked around the apartment examining it as if I had never been there. A wall had been knocked down between the living room and the next home. The occupants had vacated long ago. Nathan had transformed it into a miniature laboratory. He did his experiments, had all of his samples, and medical supplies stored there. Well, most of the medical supplies. His emergency back-ups and the narcotics were kept safe in his apartment.
This is where he turned me into his human guinea pig.
A cold sweat broke out across my forehead. Suddenly I was terrified of what we discovered.
“What’s wrong?” Nathan asked from the other side of the demolished wall.
“I don’t want to be turned into one of your science experiments.”
“You’re not!” he exclaimed coming toward me. “I promise I’m going to do this as fast as I possibly can. I know it’s going to be rough having your blood taken so much, but I swear you’re not a science experiment.”
“How long will it take?” I wrapped my arms around his waist, closed my eyes, and inhaled his scent deeply. He smelled so spicy.
“I don’t know,” he replied.
I gazed up at his face. He looked so concerned. I reached a hand up and stroked his cheek.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I know this is hard on you,” he sympathized, grabbing my hand.
“Nathan, I’m fine. I know I seem all over the place, but whatever is in my blood is important. I know this has to be done. Don’t worry.”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone about it. I’m just going to tell them I came up with a vaccine or something.”
“Why not just tell everyone?”
“I don’t want you harvested for your blood and becoming government property,” he crooned wrapping his arms around me.
“Harvested? What?”
“I’m probably just overthinking everything.”
“Don’t freak me out, Nathan.”
“I’m sorry, Emma. You won’t be harvested.” He smiled down at me.
“I better not be. I like being alive now that, well you know.”
“No I don’t,” he replied.
“Yes you do.”
“Tell me.”
“Now that we’ve finally told each other the big L word.”
He laughed lightly and pressed his lips to mine.
“I hope we’re not interrupting,” my dad said from behind us.
“Not at all,” I told him stepping away from Nathan.
“Did you guys get anything done?” mom asked peeking around dad.
“Not really. It’s going to be a long process,” Nathan told her with a smile on his face.
“How long?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “There is no way to tell really. I don’t usually create vaccines and the sort.
“When it is finished how do you intend on distributing it to the rest of the colonies?” dad asked.
“I guess by boat. It is the safest way.”
“Our rivers don’t extend the entire way up and down the coast,” mom responded biting her lip.
I wondered how she had any lips left. She was always biting and chewing on them.
“That is true, but the barge stops will have transportation to other rivers and the ocean. I plan on getting as far east as I can and taking the Atlantic up and down the coast.”
“Don’t you mean us?” I asked.
“Us?” Nathan repeated, furrowing his brows at me.
“Yes,
I’m going with you.”
“Absolutely not!” Mom yelled.
“Mom, stop saying no. You know I’m going. If he runs out of the vaccine he’s going to need me. I’m going.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes momentarily. “And when we get back I’m moving in with Nathan.”
Dad’s eyes grew as wide as saucers and Mom’s jaw dropped.
“I know it seems sudden, but if you think about it; it’s not. We’ve known each other for four years. Things are different now-a-days. It’s the end of the world. I love him, and I want to live with him. I’ll be three blocks away so it’s not like I’m going far.”
“I can’t deal with this right now,” mom muttered while walking out the door.
“Can’t you spring one thing on us at a time?” Dad shook his head and followed her.
“Sorry!” I called after them. “They took it better than I thought they would.”
“I thought your dad would kill me.”
“I think he’s too in shock to do that right now.”
“Do you think they’ll be okay by time we leave?” he wondered out loud.
“Probably. It’s going to be a few weeks right?”
“More like a few months.”
“We’re coming with you.” Taz strolled up to us, bag already packed.
Liz and Meaghan stood beside them, sacks slung over their shoulders.
“Who’s going to protect the fort?” I asked.
“Eh, they’ll be fine,” Meaghan said.
“How did you guys know we were leaving?” Nathan asked.
“The only logical thing to do with the cure to this thing is to go where it can be mass produced,” Liz replied.
“Yeah, I guess it is. Too bad your parents didn’t think of it like that,” Nathan said, turning to me.
“My parents should be fine by time we get back. Do you care if I slowly start moving my stuff over here? Maybe if they see me moving stuff they’ll get more used to the idea.”
“Do you think it will work?” Nathan queried.
“No, but it’ll show them that we’re serious.”
“What have I gotten myself into?” he groaned.
“A happy relationship during the zombiepocalypse,” I replied arching my eyebrows at him.
“Of course! And I love you.”
The Last Alive Page 18