Page 37 of Surviving Her

“It’s clean. I’ve cleared the infection. I need to wrap the leg now, but I think the worst of it is over. I’ve reset the bone. If I can bandage it tight enough, he’ll most likely be fine.”

Eliza exhaled deeply, her shoulders sagging as she took in the sight of Thomas. River, overwhelmed with relief, let her own tears flow freely. The sight of her father, his fever now breaking, was a balm to her frazzled nerves. She collapsed into Eliza’s arms.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” River whispered, her voice muffled against Eliza’s shoulder. “I don’t know what I would have done if...”

Eliza’s embrace was gentle, her presence a steady anchor in the storm of reality. “I think he’s going to be okay,” Eliza assured her softly. “I did everything I could. He has a real chance now. But he needs strict bed rest and close monitoring.”

Their eyes met, and River saw the depth of Eliza’s commitment mirrored in her gaze. The gratitude and affection River felt for Eliza was almost overwhelming.

Oh my God, thank you for this woman.

As Thomas slept, his condition stabilized, and River and Eliza finally had a chance to catch their breath. They stepped outside for a moment, seeking a brief respite from the confines of the cabin. The world outside was calm, the forest stretching out in tranquil silence. Even if at any moment the infected could appear, it almost seemed like the world was normal out here.

“I totally get why you love it out here,” said Eliza quietly.

“I know. My dad and I were going to really make something of this place. But, well…” replied River, the disappointment in her words evident.

“You still could,” suggested Eliza.

“You think? Like…a zombie retreat center? Kill a few walkers on your way in and then enjoy some home-grown veggies? Yeah, I can see the pamphlets now.”

Eliza took River’s hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “This has all been so much,” she said softly. “Seriously. I mean, what the fuck? I could laugh just thinking about it. Goddamn zombies, Riv. It doesn’t even sound real. The zombie apocalypse! But at least I found you.”

River nodded, her gaze drifting over the landscape. “I never imagined this would be our reality,” she admitted. “But maybe we can really start over out here. It feels safer than the city, that’s for sure. There’s a chance we could have a life beyond just surviving. I’ll help you make contact with your family, too, I promise.”

Eliza’s smile was filled with confidence. “Thank you. I pray they’re out there safe somewhere. I’m certain we can make it work here, at least for now. We’ll build something real. And when your father is better, he’ll help us. And we can even venture out and see what else there is. Fort Haven, huh? That’s what it’s called?”

River’s thoughts drifted to the conversation she’d had with Kara Wilson. The chance encounter had helped remind her that they weren’t alone. There were other people out there who were getting through this. That felt like a lifeline.

“We’ll get through this,” River said, her voice firm with resolve. “Life ain’t over yet.”

Eliza lowered her head as if she was embarrassed. “I’m with you, you know? No matter what. My feelings for you have come on so quickly. It almost feels as unreal as the zombies. I didn’t even know I was gay.”

“I’ll never rush you, y’know? We can take this at your pace. There’s a fuckload to get our heads around right now, and your sexuality is the safest problem we have,” River said with a gentle laugh.

The day turned into evening, and River and Eliza returned to the inside of the cabin. They barricaded the doors and windows to make it their safe haven for now. Thomas was resting peacefully, and his condition was stable. River’s mind raced with thoughts of the future—of what lay ahead for them once Thomas was fully recovered.

What is this I’m feeling? Is it real happiness? Apocalyptic happiness?

In River’s bed, they moved closer without even saying a word, their connection pulling them in. A sense of safety finally allowed them to relax, even if only temporarily. Their kiss began gently, but soon became more passionate. As they lost themselves in each other, the tension of the last few days dissipated, replaced by relief and comfort.

“I want to feel every part of you. Every curve, every scar, every inch of your skin,” Eliza whispered.

River’s fingertips moved gently over Eliza’s skin, feeling her warmth. The softness of her body responded with the slightest shiver. Eliza’s breath caught in her throat as River’s lips brushed against hers. The kiss began slow and tender before deepening. The scent of Eliza’s skin, now just as familiar as it was intoxicating, enveloped River, pulling her deeper into the moment, her heart racing.

As their mouths met fully, Eliza shifted closer, her body naturally aligning with River’s. River’s hand moved to Eliza’s breast, cupping the soft curve. Eliza’s breath hitched, her chest rising to meet River’s touch as her back arched slightly, pressing their bodies closer together. The heat between them grew, intensifying with each passing second, their connection more than physical—it was something instinctual, primal.

River’s hand slid down, her fingertips tracing the curve of Eliza’s hip before dipping lower. She felt the warmth and slickness between Eliza’s legs, the subtle pulse of blood rushing through her swollen clitoris. Eliza trembled beneath her touch, her body opening, her labia soft and wet as she shifted instinctively to welcome the sensation. River explored her gently, her fingers gliding over the sensitive skin, each movement eliciting a quiet moan from Eliza, whose hips arched in response.

River listened to the rhythm of Eliza’s breathing, every gasp and shudder guiding her. Her fingers moved with deliberate care, stroking Eliza’s clitoris in slow, measured motions, feeling the soft tension building in her body. Eliza’s hands gripped River’s waist, pulling her closer, and soon they were fully entwined. River’s thigh pressed between Eliza’s legs, the friction heightening the intensity of their closeness.

“Let me touch you, please,” Eliza groaned.

River took her hand and pushed it to her swollen clit, guiding her to massage it in time with her own body movements. As River continued, she felt Eliza’s pelvic floor muscles contracting in rhythmic pulses around her fingers.

The tension built within Eliza, her body moving in time with River’s hips as they found a shared rhythm. The feeling of being so connected, so profoundly attuned to Eliza’s every movement, overwhelmed River. The heat between them and the sound of their bodies moving together filled the room.

Eliza’s orgasm came in waves, her body tightening and her breath catching in a series of soft, gasping moans. River felt it in the way Eliza’s muscles clenched and her clitoris pulsed beneath her fingers as Eliza’s release washed over her. She could make her come so quickly. She already knew how to work her body into pleasure. The sight of her coming undone pushed River into an intense radiation climax as Eliza’s fingers moved firmly against her clit.

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