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CHAPTER 35

Reed

I squat behind the last vehicle, watching from the shadows, my heart pounding harder against my chest with every swing, every movement Noah makes. I wait for him to run, but when the first zombie is within a few feet, he swings back, the mallet connecting with the dead guy's head. I smile when it drops to the ground, unmoving. Noah widens his stance when the second zombie nears him; only when I expect him to swing, he falls back.

I stand up, my feet ready to move, when Noah kicks the zombies in the head. My pulse picks up, waiting to see what he’s going to do. I hate standing here, watching, waiting. The third one snaps its jaw towards Noah, looking at him like he’s a hamburger.

I reach back towards my bat, not being able to stand by and watch him any longer when Noah rolls over. He gets to his knees, slamming the mallet into the third thing's head. Don’t forget the girl. Don’t forget. I chant in my head, wanting to scream at him to not forget. I bite my lip, stopping myself. Noah twists around, the mallet coming on the girl's head, blood and brain flying everywhere.

A smile spreads across my lips, wanting to cheer him on like I would have if he knew I was there. But I don’t. I ease myself back, out of sight, but keeping my gaze plastered on him.

Silence spreads across the air. Even from this distance I follow his shoulder moving up and down. I want to step in to remind him he’s strong, that he can make it. He has to do this. He needs to learn to survive on his own. So when his mallet falls from his hand, a sob echoing around the empty road, I ball my fist.

My chest tightens, my skin twitching with the need to go to him, to tell him it’s okay. But I don’t move.

I can’t.

If I show myself now, he’ll never learn to trust himself. He’ll never learn to survive. So against what my heart begs me to do, I stand planted against the car. Hurting for him—with him. Watching and waiting for him to stand back up.