by Tatiana Xavi
“There are other men in the world.”
“I am Death, Sub Sami. I used to be more once, but then the government blew up my family. Rather than waste your time worrying about me, you should worry about yourself.”
I didn’t like thinking about what happened in the woods. “I feel in control now.”
“Good for you,” Rue said, shrugging. “I always feel in control, yet I spill blood wherever I go.”
“What should I do?”
“Let all those infections settle in and make you whatever you are now. Everyone can hang loose until it’s time for the world to weep.”
I studied the zombies who were once people living their lives. “Billions of people are dead, and civilizations have fallen. Don’t you think the world has wept enough?”
Rue turned to me and smiled in her crazy way. “Oh, the Soul Eater ain’t done yet. Soon, the world will shudder under the horror of so many subs until nothing is left except the cockroaches. This world is doomed to fade away. Personally, I can’t wait.”
Giving me a wink, Rue walked past the group. Her gaze never flickered to Ryan who was oblivious to her anyway.
My mind quickly returned to how I enjoyed killing those men. Before I might panic at what I had become, Daddy and Leo approached. Thinking maybe I was in trouble, I kept waiting for someone to get angry about what happened in the woods.
Instead, Daddy wanted me to take Leo to our townhouse and let him clean up. Leo looked exhausted and battered, but I sensed Daddy just wanted me settled. The others were nervous with the zombies in the area, even if they were leaving. The group was also uneasy about how exposed the area felt. After the day we had, they couldn’t view this place as possibly safe.
Taking charge, Daddy and Zippy pointed out the homes and how they would be distributed. Clearly hoping to win over a group of people who hadn’t truly relaxed in nearly a year, Daddy also reminded them of all the amenities at the townhomes.
While the rest of the group got organized, I showed Leo the model townhome Daddy claimed for us. A quick tour of the place later, we ended up in the master bathroom. Switching on the shower, Leo smiled like a little kid when the water turned hot against his hand.
As Leo enjoyed his first hot shower in six months, I waited in the bedroom because he needed me to remain close. Sitting in a chair, I again thought back to the violence earlier in the day. Mostly I couldn’t believe Leo’s first thought was to kiss me after finding me eating the man. He wasn’t repulsed, only happy to find me alive.
Startled out of my thoughts, I heard Zippy calling me from the hallway. When she saw me, her face relaxed, and she gave me a hug.
“Evan and I are going to show the others around and help them get settled into the townhouses. I don’t think they even believe this place is our home now.”
“It’ll be nice once everyone can feel comfortable especially after today.”
Zippy nodded and then glanced toward the bathroom where the shower continued to run.
“Your daddy and I will be gone for a while. Will you be okay?”
Nodding, I wanted things to be good between Zippy and me again. “I’m sorry about today.”
“Which part? Where the bad men died?”
I finally understood how her feelings for me weren’t to make Daddy her ally. She cared for me and had been willing to die to protect me.
“Thank you,” I said then whispered, “I love you.”
Zippy’s face lit up, and she hugged me. “I love you too, baby. I’m going to take care of you, and your daddy like you take care of me.”
When she let me go, I wiped the tears off both of our faces. Hearing voices downstairs, Zippy sighed.
“I need to go help the others get settled in. Now, remember, we’ll be gone for a long time.” Zippy fished in her jacket pocket then took my hand. “Your daddy likes Leo. Even wants him for a son, so he’ll understand. I know you haven’t gotten your period in awhile, but you need to be careful anyway. See you later, baby.”
Stepping back, Zippy headed for the stairs. I watched her go then looked down at what she left in my hand. Swallowing hard, I shut and locked the bedroom door before looking at my hand again.
Hiding the condoms under a pillow, I walked to the bathroom. Stripping out of my clothes, I reminded myself of Leo’s reaction earlier. He loved me, all of me, even the ugly parts.
Stepping into the shower, I smiled at how Leo didn’t notice me. His face was pressed upward, soaking in the feel of the hot water on his skin. Shutting the door behind me, I touched him, and he flinched.
Once he saw me, Leo studied my face. His gaze then lowered, taking in everything about me from head to toe, before returning to my face. Smiling softly, Leo kissed my forehead.
“Do you trust me?” he said gently.
“Yes.”
“Prove it,” he said with more intensity.
“How?”
Leo glanced down at where my hands covered my breasts. When he looked me in the eyes, his gaze was tender, and I felt a shiver rush over my body.
“Trust me to love the things you don’t,” he whispered.
Smiling, I forced my hands to my sides. “Thank you for not being mad today.”
“And thank you for killing those men. I need you to stay with me. If I have you, I can still see the beauty in the world. I’m glad you came back to me, Sami.”
“The good news after today is I’m apparently hard to kill, so I’ll never have to leave you.”
Leaning down to kiss me, Leo smiled. His arms wrapped around my back, pulling our bodies under the water. Laughing, I shivered at the wonderful feel of the hot water and his bare skin.
“Can I wash your back?” I asked.
“I haven’t even touched the soap yet. I was too amazed at the hot water.”
Rubbing soap on each other, I felt like I was reliving my Speedo dream as my fingers explore his skin. We shampooed, using the suds to create beards. We gave ourselves mustaches too, in honor of Rue. Laughing and being silly, I didn’t worry about what happened next. I just knew it would be beautiful because Leo was mine.
No one could change me except me. No matter the beast or the hunger, I was still Samantha Adkins. I still loved Daddy and wanted to sweep this beautiful boy off his feet.
I guess there were some things even living in hell couldn’t take away.