Page 230

“Wherever,” Saff answered, just happy to be outside and moving.
They’d taken her around the safe zone every day in the wheelchair, but it wasn’t the same.
There were parts of the safe zone that were too difficult to get through, so she still hadn’t seen most of it. And although James and Josh had both assured her that it was set up well, she still wanted to see it all for herself.
They ambled through the different areas, stopping every so often for James to explain things to her, or show her different details.
The entire island reminded her of one large military base, with barrack-style buildings for them to stay in. They'd each been assigned their own rooms, but she and Maddie had agreed to share one.
After everything they'd gone through, neither of them were willing to stay apart.
Apparently, a large network of military run safe zones had been set up along the coast, with more being set up every month.
They were still being attacked by both raiders and hordes of zombies, but according to them, more were being built than destroyed. And week by week, the attacks were becoming less and less frequent.
They’d learned from their mistakes and set up better defenses, allowing them to slowly grow and flourish.
And maybe one day, Saff thought, allowing a tiny seed of hope to take root, safety and survival wouldn’t be such a foreign concept.
They continued moving through until, finally, Saff needed time to rest. They went to a large grassy area by the docks, andshe lowered down onto the earth, relaxing beneath the warmth of the sun.
She caught the slightly excited look pass over Maddie’s face as she took a step back. “Um—mom, I have to go grab something. Can you come with me for a sec?”
Erin gave her a knowing smile before taking her hand. “Of course, honey.”
Saff watched them walking away as James sat down in the grass beside her.
A line of boats bobbed in the calm water at the docks before them, where a group of people stood, unloading supplies from their latest trip to the mainland.
“Glad Maddie seems to be getting back to her old self,” James said from beside her.
Saff nodded, watching the seagulls coast through the air before diving into the ocean water below.
James stilled beside her, and she glanced at him, watching the way his brow furrowed in thought.
“I’ve never seen her that way,” he said, his words slow and careful. He swallowed, tilting his head back up to peer out at the ocean in front of them. “The way she was when we found you guys.”
Saff swallowed, her eyes flicking down to the grass.
James cleared his throat softly. “I can’t bring myself to consider how it might have been if we didn’t get you here in time.”
Saff pursed her lips. She hadn’t thought about that—how the whole situation might have affected him and Erin.
“The outbreak forced us all to do things at times that we probably wish we hadn’t,” he said softly, and Saff wondered then if Maddie had told him some details of her past. “But,” he continued, his words careful and precise once again, “you are avery brave woman. And I want you to know,” he said quietly, finally looking at her, “how proud I am of you.”
She swallowed, meeting his gaze, as a sudden tightness burned in her throat.
Something deep within her lightened at the words, as if a long forgotten wound had finally begun to heal.
Her eyes dropped back down as she swallowed again. “Thank you,” she whispered.
And before she could say anything else, she heard the light click of Erin’s crutches approaching.
They both glanced up, watching as Erin and Maddie approached, the latter holding a large silver bowl in her hands.
Saff watched them curiously, and when they were just a few steps away, Erin smiled down at James.
“I’m getting hungry, honey,” Erin said to her husband. “Want to come with me and grab a bite to eat?”