Dane was able to step in and stop her, getting a deep scratch on his left cheek for his trouble. His eyes were sad when he told us he put her in the pit for her own safety and ours while we figured out what to do with her.
After we checked on James, who was still unconscious but doing well, we took Azami to get something to eat. Over breakfast we began to question her about the abduction. I was completely amazed that she slept through most of the ordeal. When she asked where she was, he told her they were going camping, and that he was going to bring her to me. She remembered him from the cave and thought camping sounded like fun.
“But den he made me walt ferevor.” She said dramatically, causing everyone who was there to laugh.
“Was he ever mean to you, baby?” I asked her.
She concentrated. “He yewed at me sometimes. But den he would say he was sowwy and howd my hand. He had dees icky tings on his neck. He didn’t wike me wooking at it.”
“Well we know now that Jeff is a bad man and you can never go with him again, right baby?” I looked at her very seriously to bring my point home.
“Yes, mommy.”
“Good.”
“After everything that’s happened, I think we should have a meeting and discuss where we go from here. Gather everyone up and meet us in the main cavern.” Dane dislodged his large frame from the table and walked out of the kitchen.
“Let’s take Azami to school for the morning and head to the meeting.” Ian said.
“Mommy!” Azami squealed. “Tan Daddy take me to sthool?”
Her eyes were large with hope. I looked at Mason and he nodded. “Yes baby, that’s fine, but his name is Mason, not Daddy.”
She scrunched her brows down, not liking my correction until Mason chimed in. “You better hurry up munchkin or you’re going to be late.”
Her smile returned as she finished shoveling her food in her mouth.
“I think I’m going to go to school with you for a little while if that’s okay?” I asked Azami.
“Yes!”
“You two should go to the meeting. I don’t want to leave her just yet. You can fill me in later about whatever you all decide.” I smiled as Azami tugged me out of the kitchen
~~~~~~
The night was cool when we headed to bed. I had spent most of the day with Azami in school, leaving her only once with Sarah in the kitchen so I could check on James for a while. His coloring was good and he was beginning to show signs of waking. We insisted he stayed in our room, this way we could watch him constantly. After we removed the small shelf, we were able to build him a comfortable pallet at the top of the room. I didn’t want to take the chance of Azami jumping on him or hitting him while she slept.
Jen had been in our room before us checking on his progress when we arrived, she excused herself shortly after, stating he was making more noise than normal. I’ve never prayed before in my life, but I found myself wishing and hoping to someone, anyone who would help him through this.
Azami climbed on the bed and fell asleep almost instantly. I scooted her over so she was closest to the wall and covered her with a light blanket. I moved back over to James, sitting on the ground next to him.
Ian sauntered over to me and sat down. “What are you thinking about?” He wiped a strand of hair off my forehead and grazed my cheek with his fingers.
“Everything.” I sighed. “Azami being home safe, James still being unconscious, you making it home after all this time.”
“Everything will be alright, baby.” He tilted my chin.
“I hope your right.” I looked back down at James and brushed his arm with my fingers, causing his arm to jump a little. A large smile took over my face.
“You see. He just needs some time.” Ian reassured me.
I giggled as happy tears filled my eyes.
“Come on. You need some sleep.”
I didn’t resist when he pulled me over to the mattress and laid down next to me. He was right, I was dog tired. Once I was comfortable, I still had trouble sleeping though.
“Ian, tell me what happened at the meeting.”
“We decided on Becky’s fate.” He paused to gather my reaction.
“What did everyone decide?”
“We all think she should be given mercy. She doesn’t know herself anymore. I saw her. She’s one of them now, an Infected. They’ll be doing it while the majority of us are sleeping.”
I leaned in and laid my head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you two were close before this all happened.”
“Yeah. Uncle Dane volunteered to do it and I’m actually relieved that he did.” He let out a long breath, releasing some of his stress.
“I also told them about the people that saved me.”
That got my attention. I wanted to know about them too. “What were they like?”
“When I was being attacked, I didn’t think I would ever see you guys again, but then out of nowhere, these people showed up and put the Infected down. I was badly injured; cracked ribs, twisted ankle, dislocated shoulder, and damn near black and blue everywhere. Which is why it took me so long to get back.
“The group that found me has no means of transportation, other than walking. I offered for them to follow me back, but they didn’t want to chance it. One of the girls had just given birth and fearing the little bundle would make too much noise, they decided to wait for me to come back for them.
“I promised to return with a vehicle large enough for everyone. Their living conditions were horrible and declining by the day. We’re extremely lucky to have such a self-sustaining place to live. They didn’t believe me when I first told them about this place.” He laughed, remembering a time when I wasn’t with him. “I promised it was real, that I would return for them. I worry now that I’ve taken too long. It took me quite some time to get back here. Traveling long distance still bothers my injuries. I had to stop and rest more than usual.”
The idea of more people living in the caves lightened my mood. Another child for Azami to play with would be amazing. “When are you supposed to go and get them?”
“Tomorrow. We’re gathering supplies and leaving at dawn the next morning.”
“Who’s going?”
“Mason, Luke, and myself. Michael wanted to come, but I asked if he would stay behind to keep an eye on James.”
“I wish I could go with you.” Not that I really wanted to go out there, or leave the kids, but it was almost impossible to let him leave again. I knew I had to, though. He was saving other people―a baby. I closed my eyes, trying not to think about his next journey.
“Hey. Come back to me,” He put his forehead to mine.
“Sorry, but thinking about you leaving again is sending me into a panic.” My fingers were beginning to shake.
“This is just a rescue mission. In and out. I’ll be back in only a few days, not weeks. Just long enough for you to work on getting my daughter to stop calling another man daddy.” He chuckled, lightening the mood.
I patted his hand. “I’m working on it. She understands that he’s not her real father, but she says that he does all the things that a real Daddy does.”
“So do I.”
His childlike retort drew out a laugh. “You have to understand, you were away from her for a while. Give her some time to warm up again. Mason has been with her through all of this. She spent a lot of time with him when I didn’t.”
He nodded. “I know.” He said, softly. “That’s why I’m giving it time. She’ll come around.”
We studied each other, neither one looking away. I was so happy he was here. Now that I had time to actually process the fact he had returned, I was still shocked.
“I love you.” I whispered.
He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “I love you too, babe.”
Everyone in the cave was a part of my everyday life. We were like one big extended family. Having Ian back was like locking in the last piece of the puzzle. We were complete.
&nb
sp; Thank you for reading, INFECTED, book one of The Flash series. Keep your eyes peeled for book two, IMMUNE. Coming in 2016.
Also by Jessica Gomez
After Trilogy
After the Before, book 1
Slipped Away, book 2- coming soon
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Flash Series (Book 1): Infected Page 21