In Passing

"You think I don't know that Caleb? You think I didn't go through my fair share of depression? She's two years old. I don't want to make any decisions about it until the three of us discuss it together. I said you could meet her right now, but I'm not going to spring everything on her at once. It's too much."

"Will you please get out of your defensive mode and calm down? You don't have to be like that with me."

"I'm not trying to be, I'm sorry if I'm a little stressed out right now," I said and ran my fingers through my hair.

"It's alright."

"I'm sorry," I said again. "Let's just... get there. Please."

"It's alright, really. Everyone is just under a lot of stress." 

I nodded. "Yeah. Hard not to be right now."

We finally made it to the "village" and it didn't look so hot. "Which house?" I asked. 

Dec 21, 2016 at 5:55 PM

The fight was coming to an end, I could tell. The roads were mostly empty of the living but everything else was chaotic. "Just try not to look at it," I told Timber, reaching over and taking her hand in mine, wondering if my kids and family were still safe.

Dec 28, 2016 at 3:27 AM

"I saw it all on the way down here. I'm fine," I said, giving his hand a squeeze as I tried to ignore the carnage on the other side of the windows.

Honestly, I was trying not to drive too fast but I needed to get to Ross's. I rounded a curve though and had to hit the breaks to keep from plowing over another car and people in the road. I unbuckled my seat belt and got out in time to see it was Caleb and some other people. "Caleb? What's going on?" When he turned to look at me, I remembered that he probably thought I was dead and long gone.

"I heard the news but to be honest I wanted to see you before I believed it. We just ran into an issue or two here but it's taken care of now. These guys needed some help." I nodded towards Travis. "This is Travis. Your brother-in-law."

"My what?" 



"Brother-in-law. I'm Ezra's husband." I moved towards him and extended my hand. "It's nice to formally meet you. These are my brothers Damien and Ryker."



"I see." 

"Where's Ezra?" I asked as I got out of the car too.

"I left her at the training center with Ashlyn but I'm sure she knows I snuck away by now." 




 
I wanted to say something to that be I held back. He had been hanging out with her so that must have meant he met Ashlyn too which was great, she's his daughter. "How was she? Was Ashlyn okay?" 




 
"Ashlyn was perfect, I spent some time with her before I came out here looking for you." 




 
"Why did you come looking for me" 




 

"Because that's what Ezra wanted." I told him and then went to Timber, taking her in my arms and hugging her. Our history wasn't all that good, but like me she couldn't help who her sperm donor happened to be and he had put her through hell. "It's good to see that you're okay, Timber. Do you know where Abi might be?" 

"I hope you're right." 




 

"We've all been separated. We need to get the word out and get a roster of survivors and start a search and recovery of those missing." Saying the words hurt. I didn't know where Dani was. Molly had gotten separated from us in an ambush. Damien was worried out of his mind and so was I. What if we didn't fine them or worse, found them dead. I wouldn't be able to handle it. 

"I'll stay with them and then head back to the training center." 




 

"Alright, be careful. I can get everyone moved out that way when I feel it's safe." 

"Where would she go? Any ideas? I can't see her sticking around to fight."

"She'd stick around to make sure everyone else got away first. She always worries about herself last. We should check back home... what used to be home anyway."

"Alright, let's go. Are you two coming?" I asked Caleb and Travis.