Chapter 28
Waiting Game
Olivia
Three days.
That’s how long it takes for the infection to overtake a still-living host, killing them and then turning them into a ravenous monster. That’s how long Andy has left to live.
We all stand in the hallway outside the isolation room that’s become Andy’s cell, shivering and clutching our blankets against our almost naked bodies.
Rachel has a look of abject devastation on her face as she stares blankly at the wall.
She’s been like that ever since the doctor told her no one could see him.
Tamsin stands beside her, arms wrapped around her as she whispers soothing words into her partner’s unhearing ears.
“There’s nothing else that can be done?” Rhys asks the serious-looking doctor. He’s on the older side with salt-and-pepper hair and watery blue eyes. “Nothing that can help him fight it?”
The doctor shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do aside from keep him comfortable and isolated while monitoring him,” he says. “Honestly, I’m surprised he’s as lucid as he is. Although that might be because the injection site was so small, he only got a small dose of the virus.”
Alex, who’s been hugging me against his side and stroking my arm, perks up at that. “Does that mean there’s a chance his body could fight it off?”
The doctor grimaces. He told us his name when we first arrived, but I can’t remember anything aside from him telling us how long Andy had to live. “I’m not certain about that. While there’s a chance he could survive, it’s so remote he’d have a better chance of winning the lottery.”
Alex deflates and tightens his hold on me. I wrap my arm around his back and squeeze, silently thanking him for the way he’s been comforting me for the past hour.
Theo leans down on my other side and presses a kiss to my head before straightening.
“How long will it take for us to know if he’ll survive or not?
” he asks. I’m grateful the guys are asking all these questions because I can’t seem to find it within me to speak.
Or think really. I can only imagine how Rachel feels.
“We’ll know within the next twenty-four hours if he’ll survive,” the doctor says. “Although it could be as soon as twelve hours, depending on how fast the infection takes hold.”
Tears sting my eyes and I blink them back. So Andy might not even have a day, let alone three? My chest aches like it’s being ripped open, spilling blood everywhere and revealing my torn, scarred heart to everyone. Only I look down and see nothing but unblemished skin.
“You should go back to your homes and to your beds,” the doctor says with a heavy sigh.
“I’ll be sure to contact you if anything changes, but there’s no need for you to be here when you should shower and rest. Especially after everything that’s happened tonight.
” His gaze flick between us, lingering on the blood and gore still stuck to our skin and hair.
Tamsin is the first to move, pulling Rachel away from the wall and down the corridor. Rachel barely reacts, only stumbling slightly as she follows her partner’s directions.
Theo kisses the top of my head again. “Come on, baby. Let’s get clean and snuggled into bed.”
Between him and Alex, they have me down the corridor and outside in the blink of an eye.
I glance over my shoulder to see Rhys talking quietly with the doctor, a heavy, grave expression on his face.
My stomach clenches, and I know exactly what they’re talking about; what to do with Andy if he turns.
I suck in a sharp, choked breath and stumble as my legs give way beneath me.
Alex lifts me up into his arms and cradles me against his chest. “Whatever happens, sweetheart, Theo and I will be there for you. Even if we have to hold you together, we’ll get through this.” He presses butterfly-soft kisses along my cheeks and forehead.
Theo’s fingers brush strands of my dirty hair from my face as he gazes down at me with adoration. “You can let go, baby. Alex and I have got you.”
I do just that and allow grief and sorrow to wash over me, knowing that my two men will take care of me.
Afuneral is held the next morning.
The weather perfectly matches the sombre mood.
It’s bitterly cold, the wind cutting through the crowd gathered in front of the pyres like knives.
The sun barely peeks through the thick, black clouds that threaten rain.
Pools of blood and gore still stain the ground, and the stench of rot, death and smoke saturates the air.
The shed I burned is no more than a pile of ash, along with the zombies who’d shuffled towards it to meet their ultimate demise.
The rest of the horde are piled on top of the flaming funeral pyres as the councillors stand in front of them and deliver a eulogy.
People sniffle and sob as Katherine talks about how brave the ones who’d died were last night, giving their lives to keep Haven safe.
No one talks about the reason why Haven needed saving.
I know punishments have been doled out to those who endangered the community, although I have no idea what they are. Rhys seems satisfied with what the Council came up with, so I don’t bother asking. My mind is too busy worrying about Andy.
It hasn’t been twelve hours yet, but it’s drawing close. I can’t help but dread the inevitable bad news, even as I keep replaying the scene of him being bitten over and over. Was there something I could have done to save him? Could I have been faster or done something different?
A hand squeezes my shoulder, jarring my spiralling thoughts. I glance up to see Theo gazing down at me with concern. He volunteered to stay with me while Rhys and Alex stood with the Council to help with the funeral, including lighting the pyres.
“You okay, baby?” he asks softly. He looks awful with dark rings around his eyes and his dark hair sticking out at odd angles, like he forgot to brush it this morning. I probably look just as bad with how shitty I feel.
I shrug, not really sure how to answer that.
There’s no point in saying I’m fine because anyone with eyes and functioning brain cells can see that I’m not. But I also don’t want to burden him with the grief and guilt clinging to my shoulders, weighing me down. Although right now I’m feeling a little numb.
Harlow, who’s refused to leave me the moment we got back last night, whines and presses her cold, wet nose against my hand. I run my fingers through the thick fur at the scruff of her neck, allowing the repetitive motion to soothe me. “Not great, but I don’t really want to talk about it.”
Theo hums and squeezes my shoulder again, but doesn’t pry.
That’s the thing with Theo; he knows when to push for answers and when to just let me stew.
Unlike Alex, who would have kept digging regardless of whether or not I wanted to talk.
I know he means well, but sometimes I just don’t want to talk.
The funeral finally comes to a close. Most people move on, hurrying away from the stench and reminders of death that linger in the area.
A few people stay, most of them sobbing as they watch the pyres burn.
Rhys and Alex stand talking with the Council members, Rhys wearing his signature scowl at whatever they’re saying while Alex looks calm, if a little frustrated.
A few moments later, the guys nod and stride away from them towards where I stand with Theo and Harlow.
“How bad is it?” Theo asks as they near us.
Alex immediately envelops me into his arms, almost crushing me against his chest like he can hold me together with his strength alone. Not that I mind. He’s so warm and solid around me, soothing some of my sharp edges, but the grief and guilt remain.
Rhys is the one to answer Theo. “Could be worse. Elsa’s still pissed, but at this point, I don’t care. At least the others appear apologetic and onboard with upgrading our security protocols and training. I just hate that it took this much death for them to finally see the danger.”
He presses his lips together into a grim line. He looks just as exhausted as I feel, with dark bags beneath his eyes and pale skin that make him almost look sickly. I can only imagine the stress he must be under with all of this.
“Have you heard anything about Andy?” I ask him hesitantly, dreading his answer.
He shakes his head. “The doctor said we probably won’t hear from him for at least a few more hours.”
Not sure if that’s better or worse than just knowing immediately what his fate is. Probably worse because no matter how hard I try to squash it down, there’s still a flutter of hope in my chest that maybe he’ll survive. When the inevitable happens, it’s going to crush me.
I must make a sound because Alex’s arms tighten even more, almost cutting off my ability to breathe as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You’ll get through this, sweetheart. Me, Theo and Rhys will be right here for you, I promise.”
I should be annoyed that Alex included Rhys in that statement, but I’m not.
Something changed between us last night when he cupped my cheek and told me he was going to make the ones responsible for last night pay.
There was a fierceness in his amber eyes, a silent promise that he’ll do anything to keep me safe and make me happy.
The part of me that’s been reluctant to cross the line with Rhys after how he acted at the barn is gone. Obliterated thanks to the hard work he’s been putting in. He’s defended me multiple times, and last night he offered me comfort and justice.
We’re definitely more than friends. But with everything going on, now isn’t the best time. Judging from the way Rhys stands slightly apart from the three of us with his hands in his pockets and a wariness in his eyes, he agrees. Or maybe he’s having second thoughts…
Just the thought is enough to have my stomach squirming with nausea. I squeeze Alex once before untangling myself from him. “I’m going to go see Bean and maybe go for a ride.”
Alex clenches his jaw and I can tell that he wants to say something, but a sharp look from Theo has him staying quiet.
“Alright, princess. I’ll come find you as soon as I get word from the doc about Andy,” Rhys says, a knowing look on his face.
I swallow hard and nod. “Thank you.” We all know I’m thanking them for more than just promising to tell me the moment he hears news.
From the moment we met, they’ve been nothing but patient and have done so much for me.
I have no idea how I’ll ever repay them, especially since a part of me feels I don’t deserve them.
“Of course, baby. We’ll always be here for you,” Theo murmurs as he presses a kiss to my forehead before stepping back.
I offer them a small, sad smile before walking away towards the fields, Harlow pressed against my side.
The fields are mostly empty of people, save for a few workers who are hauling bales of hay around for the animals.
They don’t spare me a glance as I pass them to the field where Bean and the ponies live.
The moment I step up to the fence, the black and white mare snaps her head up and nickers at me before trotting towards the fence.
The other two ponies snort in my direction before stuffing their heads back into the hay.
Something unclenches in my chest at the sight of Bean coming towards me and tears sting my eyes. “Hey there,” I say in a distinctly wet voice as the mare pushes her nose into my chest and sighs. “I missed you, too.” I stroke her nose and head as the first tears fall.
At some point, Ketchup joins us, cawing softly in my ear as she perches on my shoulder. My eyes flutter closed, and I sink into the feeling of being surrounded by my animals.
There’s something so comforting about animals that you just don’t get with humans. They never judge you or insult you. They just exist with you, giving you companionship without the complications that can come from people. It’s freeing.
And exactly what I need as the guilt of Andy’s impending death eats away at me.