Page 2 of Shattered Love

By now, they had all seen them. And although I realistically knew I had nothing to be ashamed of, they were a flashing beacon of my fear. Screaming to everyone around that I was too weak to fight back.

“Yes, we can see the infection. But you’re insane if you think going back into town is a better idea.”

Realizing what this fight was finally about, I held up a hand. “How about we all get an opinion on what happens, especially the person who has the infected legs?”

Arching my brows, I glanced at the four of them, thankful when they all nodded. Now that they were no longer at each other’s throats, the rest of the group joined us, the eleven of us sitting around the fire.

As I sat, Stephanie clambered over to me, taking a spot beside me and settling her small hand in mine. I took comfort from the contact. She and Lucas had given me bravery while we were at the camp and the need to protect them still filled me when they were near.

“Leaving the woods is ridiculous. We know what happens now in town, why would we willingly go there?” Rainer started the conversation, his words harsh and slow.

Letting out a tired sigh, Aiden said, “I’m not saying we go to the camp. In case you forgot, I’ve been there for months. But we can’t stay here forever.”

Rainer opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted, sensing this had been the discussion that had them going in circles. “Rainer, even you admitted that we wouldn’t survive here once winter comes.”

Gritting his teeth, Rainer reluctantly nodded. “I did. But it’s not winter yet, is it?”

Murphy added, “We still have a couple months before the cold comes. We have time to figure something out before then.”

Debating what to say next, Sasha piped up, her eyes wide in bewilderment as she glanced around the circle. “Are we all just going to ignore the fact that once winter comes, it won’t even matter where we are?”

Stephanie’s hand tightened in mine and I squeezed back. I knew Elizabeth and Emmanuel had told the twins a watered-down version of what was happening, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear. Not for any of us.

“We haven’t forgotten, Sasha. And in fact, Elizabeth and I have been discussing a plan.” All eyes turned toward Emmanuel, surprised to hear him speak up.

The quiet older man never seemed to want to give his input, content to keep us all fed and his family safe. But honestly, he knew more about what was happening than any of us. Too bad the young and stubborn men had louder voices.

“Well, care to fill us in?” Warner drawled, drawing Emmanuel’s attention.

Emmanuel shook his head, his dark skin weathered from dealing with us all. “That’s why I spoke up, boy.”

His snarky response had a small smile curling my lips up, and I leaned forward, hoping Emmanuel’s plan would give us some sort of solution.

“Elizabeth’s parents had a cottage on the outskirts of town. They passed a few years back and the property remained ours, although we only used it for weekend trips. If I had a guess, the fires didn’t reach that far out. And due to the location, it’s quite secluded.”

“How far away is it?” Murphy asked, his eyes focused, as if calculating how realistic a trek would be.

Shrugging, Emmanuel responded, “If I had to guess, about a week’s walk. And that’s with going from sun up to sun down.”

“But there’s a well on the property and it has a wood burning appliances. Plus, there may still be some supplies,” Elizabeth added, glancing at me with her final sentence.

Everyone sat silently for a moment, taking in the option, and I knew we were finally getting somewhere when both Aiden and Murphy nodded. However, Rainer still looked unsure, the frown never leaving his face.

“And if it was burned from the fires? If it was raided? What’s our plan then?” He asked, trying to meet someone’s eyes, but we all looked away.

We all knew the answers to his questions, but Sasha was the only one willing to utter the words aloud.

“We’re fucked anyway, so why the hell not?”

And with that, the decision was made. We spent the rest of the evening planning on when to leave, settling on the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow would be spent gathering food and water for the long hike, although we would need to stop multiple times to replenish the water.

As I settled onto the ground that night to sleep, I couldn’t help the shivers of fear that wracked my body. And I knew the second I closed my eyes, visions of the camp and Vex would invade my mind. Because it didn’t matter that the cottage was on the outskirts of town, we’d have to pass through to make it there.

And the worry of getting caught wouldn’t leave, like a virus that infected every inch of my being. Because I knew that if I ever stepped foot in that camp again, I wouldn’t be leaving alive.

Chapter Two

“If it starts to hurt, tell me and I’ll stop,” Aiden said, holding the hunting knife against my right arm.

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