Chapter 53
Kate
“I said I was sorry.”
“Your apology doesn’t fix my wounded shoulder.”
“At least it was just your shoulder. I could’ve hit you between the eyes,” gripes Michelle.
I roll my eyes for what feels like the millionth time.
After Michelle shot Helena, Jordan quickly intervened, helping patch up her shoulder to make sure the wound heals properly.
Sitting Michelle down, I told her everything: the variants, the journey with Jordan, and what Parker told me.
Then Helena explained who she was, sharing her own infection, further proving that this virus is mutating in numerous ways.
The safe zone is officially destroyed—gunfire and infected snarls rang out all night, not letting anyone get a wink of sleep. Not that we would’ve been able to, anyway.
Now, Helena and Michelle bicker from across the room, both of them staying as far away from each other as possible. Michelle is struggling to wrap her head around all that I’ve shared and that Jordan won’t attack her.
Though I can’t speak for her safety from Helena.
I stare at Parker’s walkie in my hand, the weight of everything pushing me into the ground with each breath I take. All that I worked for, all that I wanted, is gone. Maybe it never really existed. My drive to save Harry—to save everyone—was for nothing.
As if sensing my despair, Jordan’s arm slides across my shoulders and I’m pulled into her side. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs.
My face crumples. “I wanted to fix everything.” A sob builds in my chest. “I wanted to save Harry, save you, but I can’t.”
Jordan pulls herself back to crouch in front of me, expression soft and open. “You did save me, but not in the way you think. I don’t need to be cured, Kate.”
I sniffle. “We know what the virus will do to you eventually.”
She shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe this variant is different; maybe it isn’t. But if curing the virus means I can’t protect you anymore, then I don’t want it. All I want is to be with you and to keep you safe.”
“I have to let go of Harry, don’t I?” My voice sounds pathetic.
Jordan nods, her eyes sad. “I think it’s time.” She wipes the tears that stream down my cheeks before pulling me against her chest. I collapse against her, letting every emotion I’ve bottled up pour out of me, letting Jordan hold me as I break apart.
“I’m sorry,” she repeats against my hair as she gently strokes my back.
“Parker, come in. Are you there?” The voice through the walkie fills the tiny room. We pull back to stare at it, the reality of a potential rescue sinking in.
“What do we say?” I whisper as if the person on the other side will hear me if I speak too loud.
“Just listen,” Jordan instructs, eyes glued to the walkie.
The voice returns. “Come in, Parker. I need confirmation that airlifting you out won’t be a waste of my goddamn time.”
Shit. Trying my hardest to mimic his voice, I reply, “It won’t.”
Jordan and I share a grimace as we hold our breath. Surely, I just fucked it up—
“Great, we’ll be there in two hours.”
All four of us breathe a sigh of relief. “Parker said they’re getting him from the college.”
Jordan nods and stands, holding her hand out to me. “Then we better get going.” She pulls me up and I lock eyes with Michelle, who is already on her feet.
The three of us move to the door when Jordan turns to face Helena. “You coming?”
I twist to see her still sitting on the floor, looking up at us with a calm expression. “Nah, I think I’m gonna stay here.”
“What? But if you stay—”
She interrupts, “I already know the risks.” She gives a smile. “I’m not interested in getting off the island, to try going back to a normal life just so people can ogle at me like they did before.”
I’m about to push it when Jordan looses a breath before nodding. “Good luck to you, Helena.”
Helena’s smile turns feral, making the hair on my arms stand at attention. “I don’t need it, but thanks.”
I guess she doesn’t.
With one final look, the three of us keep moving.