by Stephens, L.
Jake felt blood on his ribcage and instantly looked at his hand, which was dripping red.
“It’s not what it looks like man!” Jake pleaded. “Trust me!”
Jennings’ eyes narrowed as they focused on the area of blood at Jake’s rib cage. It stood out prominently against his dusty shirt.
“Stand up!” Jennings barked. “Lift up your shirt.”
Jake grimaced but complied instantly. He was not going to test Jennings at this point in time.
Jennings saw the wound on Jake’s rib cage was clearly inflicted by some sort of straight-lined object, not a bite mark, and relaxed his gun. Jake let a breath out. He was confident that this situation would be resolved, but there was still a little apprehension to say the least.
“You better have some one dollar bills in those fatigues, army boy,” Jake said as he dropped his shirt and wiggled his ass towards Jennings. “Looking is for free but this ass ain’t cheap!”
Jake slowly got down from the truck to the bloody mess that was the ground.
“Satisfied?” Jake asked as he stood face to face with Jennings.
“For now,” Jennings mumbled. “Don't make me shoot you, ‘cause you know I will.”
Jake scanned Jennings’ face looking for something underneath, something that could give him insight into what he was thinking, but there was nothing, no hint of emotion, just an intense stare that could defeat global warming.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jennings said as he shook his head.
Jake didn’t listen to him and Jennings didn’t stop him. He threw his arms around Jennings and hugged him the best he could.
“Thank you for saving me, more than once today,” Jake whispered in his ear. “You’re my fucking hero, you know that, right?”
Jennings didn’t move. Statues had given more warmth, Jake mused, but when Jennings breathed out theatrically, Jake saw it as a sign not to push him and with a pat on the back Jake stepped back and away from Jennings.
“My girl…” Jake said, catching himself. “There are a couple girls on the roof. We need to get them down.”
Jennings looked up to Sarah and Ava who were peering over the edge. Ava waved a cute little girl wave, and to Jake’s surprise Jennings waved back.
“They been bit?” Jennings said quietly, still waving up at Ava.
“They’re fine,” Jake lied. He actually didn’t know if they had been bit or not.
“Don’t lie to me!” Jennings said as he tapped the magazine of his assault rifle so Jake got the impression he wasn’t kidding. “I’ll shoot you all if you lie to me!”
“She's fine, I swear,” Jake said, being as sincere as possible. “What's your deal anyway? You save people, which is highly commendable, but then at your first opportunity, you want to shoot them? You got trust issues, man.”
It was Jennings’ turn to scan Jake’s face. He relaxed and gave Jake the smallest of wry smiles.
“There’s a ladder in the back,” Jennings said, pointing a thumb towards the back of the truck.
@KillingJake never wake me up from this dream. I’ve got a new lease on life. My knight in shining armor, my man crush has saved me from certain death. #DreamsComeTrue #Jennings
CHAPTER 142: BROMANCE
Jennings had seen the sun catch Jake’s razor blade that hung from his neck, glinting like that hand-me-down lure, and, frenemy or not, he had driven straight down the alley to rescue him. He had wondered what had happened to the annoying low life scumbag that he had been lumped with for an hour or two. Seeing him there dangling as a crowd of zombies waited for him to fall into their mouths was almost comical, but in the moment it made total sense. What would have been surprising to Jennings would have been to meet him again in totally normal circumstances, walking past him on the street or in a crowded restaurant. Their relationship had been short and intense. It was only fitting that they be reunited in a similar fashion.
Bones crunched and a river of blood and guts oozed down the alleyway as Jennings moved the truck so it was closer to the wall. He helped Jake pull out the ladder from under the axles and put it on top of the truck, and the ladder extended to thirty feet, reaching just under the bottom of lowest part of the fire escape.
“For a second there I thought you were going to have to go back into the building.” Jennings said as he made sure the ladder was sturdy.
“You mean my knight in shining armor wouldn’t come too?” Jake said.
“Nah,” Jennings said softly. “I don’t want your girlfriend falling in love with me, too.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Jake mumbled. “Yet, anyway.”
“Stockholm Syndrome’s a bitch,” Jennings joked. “You better get up there before she comes to her senses.”
Jake visibly winced as he reached above his head to grab a wrung.
“You want me to go up, big shot?” Jennings asked softly. “You don’t look too good.”
Jake massaged his shoulder and rubbed his ribs.
“I’ll be okay,” Jake said. “I’ve gotten this far after all. Anyway, I don’t think you’d trust me to man the fort down here while you’re off trying to steal my glory and my girl.”
“That’s true,” Jennings chuckled. “And for the record, if I wanted your girl… I don’t think she would have any objection in trading up for me.”
“There he is!” Jake said as he climbed onto the ladder. “I really have missed your warm sense of humor. Once this is all over, we really need to hang out more. You know, get some drinks, have some laughs, maybe buy a bar in the Bahamas together or something.”
Jennings nodded with a hint of a smile. He wasn’t actually sure if Jake was serious, but he didn’t want to let him think he was opposed to any of those ideas. All of those ideas, even buying a bar in the Bahamas, sounded amazing to him, and after today dreaming about normality, even if it was with the biggest piece of shit he had ever met, filled him with hope.
He kept watch at the bottom of the ladder as Jake ascended and the little trinket he had around his neck caught the last of the day’s light. He likened Jake’s razor blade to a set of dog tags, but he would never tell him that. He didn’t want to give him credit even if it was due.
CHAPTER 143: SECOND CHANCES
The more you are motivated by Love, The more Fearless & Free your action will be.
― Dalai Lama XIV
Sarah tried to carry Ava down the fire escape to access the ladder Jake had set up, but she just didn’t have the mom arms to carry her safely down the four flights of rickety stairs. She tried to get Ava to walk down on her own, but the second they stepped out on to the fire escape and it let out its groans and wobbles, Ava raced back to the safety of the rooftop.
“Don’t worry!” Jake called up. “I’ll come get her.”
They both watched as Jake slowly climbed the fire escape. With each step the fire escape shuddered.
“See, it’s not so bad,” Sarah whispered to Ava. “If he can do it, so can you.”
It was an unconvincing lie, but one that she had to make.
“Ready to get the fuck out of here?” Jake said as he reached the top of the stairs.
“Jake!” Sarah scolded, giving him the disapproving look that she gave him each and every time he stepped out of line. “Watch your language!”
The scowl on Sarah’s face disappeared and was replaced by a cheeky smile, and Jake returned her smile tenfold. Even though they both knew they were in the middle of the zombie apocalypse, they both wanted to just have a moment. It could be their last after all. Ava shyly peeked her head around Sarah's legs and looked up at Jake.
“Hey there,” Jake said brightly, his face matching the tone of his voice. “You ready to go home, princess?”
Ava quickly hid back behind Sarah.
“Still a charmer with the ladies I see.” Sarah said as she rolled her eyes.
Sarah crouched down so she was face to face with Ava.
“Ava, this is my... Jake. This is Jake. He’s a rea
lly good friend of mine,” Sarah said softly, keeping eye contact with Ava. “He is going to carry you down, okay?”
Ava nodded slowly, but Sarah could sense some concern in her little furrowed brow.
“Don't worry,” Sarah said sweetly. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Ava’s eyes brightened, and the hint of a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as Jake slowly picked her up. He grimaced as Ava wriggled, but as she relaxed he seemed to loosen up.
“You okay, babe?” Sarah asked.
“I will be, if you keep calling me babe,” Jake said with a smile.
Sarah kissed Ava on the forehead, a sweet touch to let her know everything was okay, but she regretted it instantly. Sarah had seen Lynne kissing her there, and it must have stuck, so instead of comforting Ava the tender interaction had awoken memories of her mother, and Sarah could see her squirm a little. She held her breath as she waited for a meltdown to ensue, but all that Ava offered was a resigned sigh.
“Be careful with her,” Sarah said as she touched Jake on the arm.
It was like lightning. The first time she had touched him in months. Sure, he had touched her ass as she got off the roof of her place, but that didn’t count. This time she was touching him. He felt it too and smiled so richly her heart fluttered.
“Hey…” Jake said with a smile as he looked at Sarah one last time. “It's me.”
Sarah didn’t know exactly where it was from, but she knew he was making a reference to some shitty movie.
“Just get down there, dingus,” Sarah said with a smirk.
“Oh,” Jake said, looking back up at Sarah as he started heading down the staircase with Ava. “I’m looking forward to the story of why my best friend is lying dead over there.”
Sarah turned back to look at Daryl’s lifeless body.
“Jake,” Sarah started softly as she turned back to him.
“It’s okay, babe,” Jake said quietly. “It’s been a strange day.”
Jake and Ava slowly descended the first flight of stairs, and Sarah stepped out onto the fire escape. A loud groan sounded as the whole fire escape shook.
“Whoa!” Jake whispered as he slowly turned back to Sarah at the top of the stairs.
Sarah stood frozen as she waited for the fire escape to stop moving.
“I’ll wait for you to get to the ladder, okay?” Sarah said quietly as if a loud noise would collapse the structure.
“Okay,” Jake said. “But I want you right behind me. I don’t want to be away from you any longer.”
“Ewww,” Sarah said with a smile as she stepped gently off the fire escape. “Shut up you cheese ball!”
“I’ll give you that one!” Jake called up to her. “It’s tough down here in the friend zone!”
Sarah smiled. He was testing her and she liked it. David may have been dead for less than ten hours, but she didn’t care. He was long forgotten now that Jake was back, and even though they were smack dab in the center of a war zone, she had a feeling they had a future. Everything was going to be fine.
Sarah surveyed the rooftop one last time. Daryl hadn’t been a bad guy. He had saved their lives, but nothing could change what Lynne had done, and in that moment she didn’t feel guilty, so she wondered why there was something nagging at her. The remains of Zombie Ryan lay in a heap where she had left him, and Zombie Hardy was there too with the butt of the assault rifle still sticking out of his head, but there was something missing, someone was missing.
“No!” Sarah said to herself as she wheeled around.
Zombie Jill was a yard away, reaching for her with her bloody hands outstretched.
CHAPTER 144: LA MÉRE
“Ava,” Jake said as he handed her to Jennings, “this is your uncle Jennings.”
Even though he didn’t know how to hold her, Jennings took her. He had never held a child before, and it was made even more awkward by the fact he was also holding an assault rifle.
“Hello, Ava,” Jennings said stiffly.
Jennings gripped her like a roller coaster restraint, with his forearm holding her tight to the side of his body, her face pointing away from him. As per usual with Jennings, there was no warmth or maternal instinct, but by God did he wish there was. Ava struggled and squirmed to get free, but Jennings held tight until Jake got off the ladder and took her from him. He was sad and at the same time relieved because he sensed she was about to start crying or suffocate, either slash or.
“See sweetheart,” Jake said as he put her on the roof of the cab. “That wasn’t that bad, was it?”
Ava hid her face in his thigh and hugged it, and Jennings let out a sigh. He could smell Jake and he smelled like shit, but the kid had no problem sticking her face in his leg. Totally opposite of when he was holding her. All she wanted to do was get free. She can probably sense the amount of people I’ve killed, Jennings thought, taking his reasoning to his usual dark place.
“Where’s the other one?” Jennings asked quietly as he looked up the ladder.
“She’s coming,” Jake said with a smile before looking up the ladder himself. “She’s a bit of a nervous Nelly.”
“Sarah!” Jake yelled up the empty ladder.
There was no response.
“You sure she’s okay?” Jennings asked softly.
“Give me your fucking gun, man!” Jake said fiercely.
Jennings saw the intensity in Jake's eyes and passed his assault rifle to him. This wasn’t the time for egos and cock measuring. Jake gladly took the gun and started up the ladder again.
“Look after the kid,” Jake said, looking down to Jennings. “Fuck!” Jake mouthed, his voice escaping him.
Jennings looked where Jake was looking and saw that Ava wasn’t there anymore. He swiveled on his heels and caught a glimpse of her running through the sea of squashed zombies.
“There she is!” Jennings said, pointing towards the end of the alley.
Jake had bustled past Jennings and jumped off the front of the truck before he had even finished his sentence.
“Jesus Christ!” Jennings whispered as he looked at Ava running towards a figure covered in blood.
Jennings didn’t know why she was running towards it, and briefly questioned his existence, seeing as the little kid preferred the pigpen that was Jake, and the zombie at the end of the alley to him. She was ragged, her head hung at a right angle to her neck, and she walked like her hip was dislocated. It looked like she had been hit by a bus or survived a swan dive off an eight-story building.
† Wink, fucking, wink. †
“Mommy!” Ava screamed.
“Kid!” Jake yelled. “Stop!”
Ava didn't stop and she didn’t turn back to Jake who was in hot pursuit. The zombie moaned a little as she registered the little walking meat puppet coming towards her. Her pace quickened, which made her hip give way. The way she fell made it look like she had awkwardly gotten down on one knee and was welcoming her daughter into her arms. Jennings went for his side arm but realized it was resting on the dash in his truck. He knew the kid was fucked and that Jake was the last person he wanted dealing with this situation.
“Shoot it!” Jennings yelled.
Jennings watched Jake raise the rifle to his eye line and aim as he ran.
“You’re gonna shoot your eye out, kid,” Jennings whispered.
Jake pulled the trigger, and the butt of the rifle recoiled into Jake’s weakened shoulder, sending the rifle sideways, spraying bullets everywhere. Bullets hit the alley wall near Ava and she stopped dead. Well, not dead, she just stopped. The sound of the gunfire and the bullets hitting the wall froze her in place. Piss started trickling down her leg and pooling at her feet, as tears started spilling from her eyes as she quietly sobbed.
“Fucking amateurs,” Jennings said with a shake of his head.
He thought about jumping down to get his gun, but there was no time. All he could do was watch the horror unfold in the best seats in the house. The zombie got to her feet again and st
arted scampering towards the little girl.
“Get out of the way kid!” Jake screamed as he raised the rifle again.
“Slow down,” Jennings whispered to himself.
Jake stopped, and Jennings saw him take a deep breath.
“Good,” Jennings whispered. “Be calm.”
Bullet casings flew out the side of the rifle just as the zombie was about to pounce on the little girl, but this time Jake fired true. The zombie’s head exploded as her body flew backwards onto the ground. The little girl spun around to shield herself from the blood spraying from what Jennings assumed was her zombie mom. Jake turned back to Jennings with a shit-eating grin.
“Lynne Van fucking Wylde!” Jake beamed. “I fucking knew I recognized her from somewhere!”
“Get the kid, asshole,” Jennings scolded.
Jake lost the grin and ran to quickly swoop up the child in his arms. Jennings jumped down from the truck and watched with a grin as Jake ran back towards him. He looked heroic for once, not the shit bag loser he had grown accustomed to.
“You done being a hero?” Jennings asked with a nod of respect. “Let's get out—”
Once more, Jake thrust the little girl in his arms.
“Take care of her,” Jake hissed.
“Ava, it’s okay now,” Jennings said softly. “We’re going to get out of here and away from this mess. Does that sound like a good idea?”
Still sobbing, the little girl burrowed her way into his chest, and he could feel a slight nod. She was covered in blood, piss and tears, but Jennings didn’t care. The small fragile life in his arms was the exact reason he had defied orders and had gone out into the Dead Zone.
CHAPTER 145: WHAT THE FUCK
Fuck God and fuck the devil and fuck the church too. I’m responsible for my actions. I don’t need to hide behind nothing. The devil didn’t make me do it, I did it – whatever I did.
― Lemmy Kilmister
As Sarah watched Jake and Ava gingerly transition from the fire escape to the ladder below, she was lost in that fictional happiness in front of her. The whole time she had been stuck on the rooftop, Sarah had envisioned that once Jake and her were together again, all her problems would be over and that there would be a new world waiting for them. A new world where Jake and her finally got to be together, forever. As always, she had been too nice. She should have ripped the fucking Band-Aid off and pulled the little shit down the fire escape by her precious little curls. Then she wouldn’t be in the mess she was in now.
