Page 139 of Afflicted

“Juliet. Monroe.” She lowers her hands to her sides, still shifting uneasily on her feet.

Sutton takes a step closer to her. “You seem a little anxious, Juliet, is everything alright?”

“Just… It’s been a long time since I talked to anyone new.” She rubs the heels of her hands along her thighs. “I was locked up in that place for five years. They took me when I was 19.”

“I’m sorry to hear it.” Sutton points a finger in my direction. “So, he hasn’t been hurting you?”

Juliet shakes her head emphatically. “He saved me. He’s… he’s my…” She looks over at me helplessly.

Sutton raises her hand, and the men behind her lower their weapons. “It’s OK, I understand. I’m glad you escaped that place. They’re barbaric.” She opens her hands in front of her, then clasps them together. “This colony has some strict rules, but they keep us safe. If you’re willing to work hard and as part of a team, you’ll have a place here. Is that OK?”

“What kind of rules?” Juliet’s voice wavers.

“Nothing unusual. No fighting, no stealing, things like that. Like I said, rules to keep us safe.”

“I can live with that.” Juliet plays with her fingers, and Sutton’s flickering eyes seem to notice the anxious movement. For the first time, her face breaks into a smile.

“I can see you’ve been through it, honey. No one will hurt you here, I promise. We have families living here, kids, babies. They’re all happy and healthy. You’ll be safe here.”

“What about the Afflicted?” I ask. “Have you been attacked?”

Sutton’s shoulders square as she looks back at me. “They’ve never made it into the colony. Not once in three years.”

“You’ve been out here three years?” Juliet asks.

Sutton's expression shifts instantly, smiling warmly at Juliet. “That’s right. We’re well established. We have gardens, livestock. Even a hairdresser if you can believe it.” She gives a little laugh. “It’s safe here. Somewhere you can call home after those compounds.”

Juliet’s face relaxes a little. “OK. Well, that sounds good.” She looks over at me. “Right?”

I smile and nod. “It sounds great.”

Juliet exhales and turns back to Sutton. “OK, well, if you’ll have us-”

“Us?” Sutton’s smile dissolves instantly. “No Us. Just you, honey.”

“What?” Juliet tenses with panic. “No, no he’s-”

“A vampire.” Sutton cuts her off gently, before looking back over at me. “I’m sorry, but we can’t have your kind in here. We did it once before, and it never ends well.”

There’s no point protesting. I can’t negotiate my way into this. To them, I’m still a monster. I can’t blame them. My shoulders slump.

“I understand.”

“No!” Juliet rushes at me, throwing her arms around my neck. “No, you’re not leaving me, I won’t let you.”

I look over her shoulder at Sutton, whose face is still neutral. “You can take care of her, right?”

Sutton nods. “Yes, of course.”

Juliet spins around, tears racing down her cheeks. “He’s not dangerous!” Her voice cracks, and she dashes her hands against her face. “He’s a friend! He rescued me!”

Sutton shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but he can’t come in.”

“But they said you had vamps living here!” Juliet’s voice wavers, becoming more and more strained. “They said we could be together here!”

“Jules, it’s OK.” I put my hands on her shoulders and turn her back to face me. Her wide eyes are red-rimmed, and she shakes her head as I stroke her cheeks. “I told you I’d do whatever I needed to do to keep you safe.”

She pulls back, swaying slightly on her feet. “You promised you wouldn’t leave me. Yousworeto me you’d stay with me.”

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