Juliet put her arm around Greg and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey now, we did it.” He opened his mouth to reply, but all that came out was a gurgle of blood. Juliet held him by the head as blood poured down his neck through a deep slit. He fought for air, his chest spasming. The shotgun dropped from his hand and Greg grabbed at his throat before he fell to the ground. Bullets echoed in every direction as both sides realized what had just happened.
Bill gassed the van in reverse, running over one of his own men in the chaos. Metal crunched and glass shattered as bullets whizzed through the air. Polly and Rus took cover behind their motorcycles. Bullets dinged like hail on a tin roof. Rus and Polly attempted to fire shots whenever an opportunity presented itself, but the ratatatat of the rifles hung heavy in the air. Rich had done as instructed and was already halfway down the driveway, a trail of dust in his wake. The van and one car had managed to escape, bolting into the field. Cedric held his ground behind the truck, shooting to varying degrees of success. Vinny had been left behind and was still holding his ground. He hid behind the door of the old car, shooting off rounds through the shattered window. The door was riddled with bullet holes, but he remained untouched. Dust floated in the air from the spinning tires of escaping vehicles.
Juliet rushed towards the truck and Connor took her in his arms, carrying her to safety behind it. She still held the bloody knife in her hand. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, but there was no time to talk. Now was the time to fight. Rus screamed in the distance and Connor saw him fall to the ground, his chest covered in blood. Polly lost herself and in a fit of passion, she stood up, pressing forward towards the man who shot her lover. She fired with each step, the kickback rippling through her shoulder. The bullets ripped through the metal door Vinny crouched behind. She pounced like a lioness, protecting her pride. Five steps later, Vinny lay dead on the ground.
Connor rushed to Rus’ side. The man had taken a bullet for Connor. He was sprawled on the ground, gripping his shoulder. Soft groans escaped through his clenched jaw. Blood had soaked through the shirt he wore, dying it red. Polly pushed Connor aside and crouched over Rus, whispering comfort in his ears.
“That’s twice you’ve saved my life,” Rus said weakly. “I guess we know who wears the pants in this relationship.” He gave Polly a grimacing smile and she kissed his cheek.
“We need to get him inside,” she ordered to whoever was around her, her gaze never leaving Rus. There was no room for argument. “Get the others back here so they can help carry him in.”
Connor grabbed the walkie-talkie from the truck and called for Rich. “Rich, we need you back here, now. Rus has been shot, please hurry.” Connor didn’t wait for his cousin’s response. Phil lay in the back seat, weak and probably dehydrated. Connor knew he needed medical attention, too.
Connor shouted for Juliet, who was trying to help with Rus. “Juliet, I need you to drive Phil and Mom up to the house. I’m going to carry Rus.” Connor lifted Rus over his shoulder and with Polly walking close beside, he trudged up to the house.
Inside the house, Connor placed Rus on the table and then helped carry Phil to the sofa. Peggy and Allen immediately got to work. Allen might have been old, but his experience in the military had prepared him for dealing with wounds. He guided Marie through removing the bullet from Rus’ shoulder. It was a clean wound that missed the arteries. With a few stitches, Rus was patched up, though he would need to keep his arm in a sling while it healed. He had been lucky.
“You might have a future in this sort of thing,” Allen told Marie. She beamed with pride.
Connor had to hold Phil down while Peggy poured alcohol on his severed stump. The wound had festered underneath the unchanged bandage and was covered in slime and pus. Phil shook violently as the alcohol burned away at the infection.
“We’ll need to get him on antibiotics as soon as possible. He’s lost a lot of blood, too, no doubt,” Peggy told Connor. “But he’s going to be okay, I think.” She broke down crying on Phil’s chest. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. We’re just glad you’re back.” Phil lay passed out on the sofa. It would be a long road to recovery for him. His life would be forever different.
“Give him some rest, Mom. It’s been a hellish two days for him.”
With Rus and Phil in stable condition, Connor finally had time to talk to Juliet. She stood in the corner, talking to her father in hushed voices. They both had tears in their eyes.
“Do you think they’ll be back?” Connor asked.
“I don’t think so,” said Juliet. Her eyes were puffy and red. “Greg called the shots, mostly. I don’t think Bill has it in him to be that kind of leader.”
“I’m sorry about what I said. About you bringing them here.” He looked to Cedric. “I’m sorry to both of you.”
Cedric gave Connor a nod and a pat on the shoulder. “You two kids have some catching up to do.” He went and sat on the sofa next to Peggy.
“Can we step outside?” asked Connor. He ached for a moment away from the madness.
Juliet took him by the hand. “Let’s go.”
Outside, it was a clear and bright morning. The blue sky overhead was a complete contrast to the chaos that had befallen only hours before. It already felt like a different world. Connor could see the outline of Rich in the lookout. I need to tell him how great he did today. It will be good for him to know how proud we are.
“Juliet,” Connor began, “I really fucked up. Everything happened so quick and I was worried and angry. God, I never should have taken it out on you and your dad.” Connor held her tight, thankful to have Juliet safe at home. “I thought we were coming to save you, but it turns out you don’t need saving.”
Juliet sat quiet for a moment, staring deep into his eyes. Connor noticed how her green eyes popped against the smears of blood on her cheeks. He worried whether she would forgive him, if she could forgive him. He knew in his heart that she was the one for him, and he wanted to spend every day trying to make things right.
“The whole time I was over there, Connor, I was thinking ‘how do I get Phil and myself out of here?’ And I had no clue. I didn’t know if you would think I betrayed you or if you would understand why I left. I’ll be honest, there was a small part of me that wanted you to feel some of the hurt that I felt when you treated my father so badly.” Connor wasn’t sure what the look in her eyes was. It seemed somewhere between sorrow and anger. “I left because I wanted to sneak Phil out without anyone getting hurt. I guess I thought I was more capable than I was, because I got caught. And from that moment on, I felt the weight of mine and Phil’s lives in every decision I made. I was so scared, Connor. And all I wanted was to get back here to you.” Tears cut through the dirt and blood on her face. “I love you, Connor. As screwed up as it might be, I do.”
Connor embraced her, pulling her in until her tears ran hot against his chest. “I love you too, Juliet. I don’t ever want to be apart from you again.”
He kissed her. It was as if she kissed new life into him under the morning sun. The world seemed like it held more promise than ever before. He knew they had a lot of rebuilding to do, not just on the farm, but in their relationship. But Connor was determined to see it through. He pulled Juliet closer, feeling her soft body against his. In the pandemonium of the past two days, Connor forgot how soft a woman could be. The hot tears ran between both their lips, but Juliet never stopped kissing him. Their tongues embraced in a way that was impossible hours before. Their kiss was not the hot and quick kiss of passion; it was slow-burning kiss that promised many to come. Connor held Juliet tight, afraid to ever let her go, knowing that moments were precious and should be cherished.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Being alive and safe behind the wall allowed Juliet to drift off to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She had a peaceful, dreamless slumber until a gentle kiss woke her. She had been sleeping so well. Connor leaned over her with a smile, sparking her to life. He bent down and Juliet could smell the remnants of
his shampoo. His cleanliness wafted over her. She briefly thought of the stench of Greg and Bill. She had shared a night with each of them, the most terrifying nights of her life. Never again.
“What is it?” she asked, sleep still coating her voice.
“It’s my turn to take watch. I was hoping you might want to join me.” The prospect of more sleep was alluring, but Connor’s company was more so.
Juliet grabbed her coat and together they went out into the chilly night. The air was cool against her cheeks. Summer was finally on its way out and the nights would get colder until they slowly overtook the day. At least we’ll be safe behind the wall, she thought. Connor and Juliet held hands as they walked to the lookout. It felt good to be able to touch Connor, to know he was real and that this whole situation was behind them.
Polly peered down from the lookout when they arrived.
“Is Rus okay?” she asked, alarmed at their approach.
“Everything is fine. Rus is sleeping,” said Connor. “We’re here to relieve you.”
“I thought I had two hours left?’ asked Polly, confused.
“Go get some rest, you’ve done more than enough.” Polly gave Connor a quick hug and took off running towards the house. Juliet admired Polly’s jacket. It was an older bomber jacket with a tiger hand-painted on the back. Very fitting. Connor turned to Juliet. “They really have something special. God help the soul who ever tries to tear those two apart.”
“God help the soul who tries to tear any of us apart. We’ve all been through enough.” She briefly thought of Greg. He was the first person she had ever killed. She could still hear the gurgling sound his throat made as he gasped for air. Juliet hoped he would be the last, but it was a long and dangerous life. “Connor—” she started. She wasn’t sure how Connor would react to what she was about to say.
“What is it?” He lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. Juliet felt his concern radiating.
“When I was with them—there were things—” How could she explain?
“Hey,” Connor cut her off. His eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I just want you to know that. Whatever you did out there, you did it to survive. You did it so that you could bring my brother home. You did it to save our way of life. So if you want to talk about it, or if you don’t, that’s your choice.”
“Oh, Connor.” Juliet didn’t know how to respond, so she buried her head against his chest.
They sat in the lookout, the skies dark and starry overhead. Juliet scanned the horizon, the moon shining brightly behind the church steeple that poked above the trees. She remembered the family at the church. Would they be a threat someday? she wondered. If so, was it better to end the threat before it began? No, we’re not monsters. With Greg, it was different. He attacked us first. She knew Bill was still out there and the thought terrified her. There could be an entire world out there of people like Greg. People worse than Greg.
“You’re awfully quiet over there. Everything okay?” asked Connor. His voice was kind and welcoming.
“Yeah, just thinking.”
Connor took her hand in his. His was warm, strong. It held both infinite promise and all her hopes and dreams. “Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, it’s been such a crazy couple of days, I’d rather not.” She just wanted to enjoy the moment. They had somehow made it through this terrible mess. She hoped the messy days were behind them.
“Have it your way then.” Connor leaned in to kiss her, his powerful arms gripping her side gently. He squeezed, pulling Juliet to him. His touch sent shock-waves through her body. “I’m so happy to have you back,” he whispered between kisses. The delicate brush of his breath sent goosebumps down her neck. Her body relaxed in response.
The wind whipped around them, masking Juliet’s gasps for breath as Connor guided his hand down her side. He kissed her neck, tenderly sucking her supple skin. Juliet spasmed in pleasure when his fingers found her wetness. He touched her, soft and tender, making her stomach clench, but she wanted more. She unbuttoned his shirt in haste, exposing his muscled physique. As Connor knelt over her and tossed his shirt to the floor of the lookout, he looked more Greek warrior than farm boy.
Connor ripped off Juliet’s clothes, kissing each new area of exposed skin. In the chill of night, her small pink nipples were as hard as ice. Connor took her breast into his mouth, gingerly nibbling the nipple and sending Juliet’s head back as she tossed in a wave of pleasure.
Juliet pushed Connor away and on to his back. She unbuttoned his pants, taking in the sight of his manhood, outlined even through his jeans. Connor’s eyes were wide in anticipation.
Juliet gripped Connor in her hands and his body went rigid. His eyes smoldered as she bent closer to him, her mouth watering even before she tasted him. She took him in her mouth, feeling the blood rush through his member as he throbbed against her tongue. She cupped his balls in her hand as she moved her head up and down. Connor’s moans dotted the silence and she felt herself soaking through her panties.
“Connor, I want you inside of me,” she told him.
A ravenous smile crept across his face and before she knew what happened, Connor had Juliet on her back, legs in the air. He slipped off her pants and she lay there, naked except her panties. The air was cold, but Juliet’s body burned for Connor. He slowly pulled the panties over Juliet’s rear and teased her as he guided them inch by inch down her legs. He stopped at the knee and gazed down upon her body.
“You’re beautiful. Every inch of you.”
Juliet felt she might explode if he wasn’t in her, but still Connor waited. Connor tossed her panties to the side and moved in closer, his face inches from her sweetness. His tongue was molten when it touched her, liquid metal against her womanhood. He buried his tongue inside of her until she felt his nose touch her sweet spot. Her body clenched and released, a constant torment of pleasure. He licked her up and down until she could take no more and pulled his face to hers.
“Connor, please,” she begged him. Connor reached for his pants that lay beside them. He pulled out a condom.
He put it on and then she felt his large shaft pressing against her opening. She felt herself stretch as he slowly inserted himself, inch by inch. They gazed into each other’s eyes while he guided himself into her. Connor seemed to see into her very being.
His first thrust caused her to moan loudly into the night. She felt like a wolf, howling at the moon. In the moment, she forgot that other people existed in the world. Connor lifted her off the ground and she felt weightless. She straddled him as he stood into the night, the cold wind blowing hard against her bottom. Connor’s embrace kept her warm as he thrust in rhythm with her racing heart. From such great heights, Juliet could have seen for miles, but her eyes stayed locked with Connor’s.
Connor laid Juliet down gently, his muscles never failing. He pinned her to the floor of the lookout, hands over both her wrists, as he kissed her chest and thrust himself deeper inside her. She felt the pressure building with each rhythmic pounding until she thought she might burst. With Connor’s strong arms pinning her down, she felt helpless to fight against release. She shuddered underneath him as she came, screaming into the wind. This pushed Connor over the edge as he thrust faster and faster, nearing his own release. He exploded with one final moan that bellowed into the night. He collapsed on top of Juliet, spent and panting for breath.
“Holy—” His words were cut off as he pressed his lips to Juliet’s. “That was amazing.”
“Yeah,” she echoed. “We’re pretty good together.” They lay on the floor of the lookout, the only heat coming from each other’s touch.
“Can we put our clothes back on? It’s pretty freaking chilly up here,” Connor asked as he shivered against her. They both burst out laughing and held one another closer.
The night crept by. Connor wrapped Juliet in his arms, not wanting to ever let her go. Crickets chirped from the woods below. Thoughts of t
he men they hadn’t killed began to weigh on Connor’s conscience. Juliet said Bill was not the leader that Greg was. But what if he finds another leader? Is it worth it to track them down? Would killing them change anything in the end? Maybe they learned their lesson. I sure to God hope so.
Movement near the edge of the woods caught Connor’s eye. He grabbed the rifle and looked through the scope. It was hard to line the sight in the darkness, but he found it after a moment. He edged the scope along the woods, searching for the source of the movement. A hand emerged from the darkness and Connor rested his finger on the trigger, waiting for the body to appear. They should have left. He could feel Juliet watching him.
“Connor…” she whispered, letting the rest go unsaid.
He was locked on the dark spot beneath the trees. The branches were shaking. Whoever was there had no clue they had been spotted.
“Connor, you need to see this.”
If he took his sight off the body now, he might not find them again.
“Connor, for Christ’s sake. They are everywhere.” Her voice was panicked.
Connor took his eye off the sight. Juliet’s eyes were wide as she pointed to the ground below. Zombies rushed out of the woods towards the wall. They approached from every side. Dozens of them.
“Oh, hell—”
“Connor, what do we do?” she asked.
“Look, it’s okay.” Connor tried to remain calm. “We are safe behind the walls. The bastards, they must have found a way to empty the pits.” He cursed beneath his breath. “There’s got to be close to a thousand zombies in those pits.” Had they emptied them all?
Over the next few hours, zombies continued to emerge from the woods. By sunrise, there were hundreds of them surrounding the wall. Juliet and Connor kept their eyes peeled for any sign of Bill or his remaining gang, but they saw nothing. The undead owned the land below.
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