A World Fallen

by Carter, Nicholas Lawrence

  The shorter Adapted winces at the loud boom, its gaze momentarily falling away from Karo. The rugged man steps forward and swings with all his might. The crowbar slams into the leg of the infected, dropping the monster to its back. Karo's forward trajectory does not slow, bringing him on top of it as it hits the ground. He spears the crowbar into its eye socket, jamming it against the inside of skull. He digs the weapon in deep, swirling it around until the convulsing beast relents.

  Norman leaves Patrick's side, running to his downed companion. The boy turns to see the carnage not more than a few yards away from him. He swoons, his legs lose feeling, and he passes out. Norman scoops his lover's torso onto his lap, cradling Jack's head against his chest.

  "No, no, no, no." the distraught man cries.

  Jack's hand gingerly moves up Norman's body, until it rests on his cheek. His eyes squint, Norman's well with tears, a smile cracks across Jack's face.

  "I love you."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  “Please, please!” the young child croons.

  Rosaline chuckles, her head lightly shaking, amused by the young boy’s insistence.

  “You could get sick buddy. I don’t want you to get sick.”

  “But Rad and Outlaw are doing it!”

  “Yeah, well, they’re not my kids, are they?”

  Sweetie tucks the strands of fallen hair on Rosaline’s face behind her ear. The two sit comfortably on the couch in the living room, their sides pressed against each other.

  “Come on nena!” Sweetie playfully teases.

  Rosaline glares at Sweetie, a playful gesture, but a hint of seriousness rests behind it.

  “Let him have some fun.” the Latina says, rubbing Rosaline’s leg with her hand.

  “Please, please, please!” the boy croons again.

  Mikey’s eyes beam, as the child stretches himself out to the tips of his toes, shuffling his feet back and forth. Rosaline chuckles once more, throwing her hands up in the air, finally relenting.

  “Alright, fine, but not for-”

  Before she can finish her sentence the excited boy is already out the door. He runs down the steps, and out into the rain. He hurriedly joins Rad and Outlaw, as they stomp in the shallow puddles that have formed in the front yard around the fire pit.

  “Now we have to go out there, in the cold rain, and watch him.” Rosaline says, her eyes wide as she gazes to her partner.

  Sweetie rises from the couch, extending her hand to Rosaline.

  “I’ll keep you warm nena.” Sweetie says, with a sly smirk.

  Rosaline blushes, her bottom lip curls under her teeth, gingerly biting down on it.

  “What’re you tryin’ to do to me with that look?” Sweetie moans.

  “What?” Rosaline replies, trying to appear as innocent as she can.

  “Oh yeah” -Sweetie pulls the teasing woman up from the couch- “like you don’t know!”

  Rosaline giggles as she’s brought up to a standing position, and into the embrace of the vivacious woman before her. Rosaline’s arms wrap around her taller companion’s waist. Sweetie throws her head to the side, swinging her hair off her face, then rests in a titled position, peering at Rosaline.

  Sweetie’s finger runs up Rosaline’s neck, circling around her cheek, then rubbing her bottom lip. Rosaline inhales deeply, leaning up into Sweetie, as her taller companion leans into her. Their eyes close as their lips meet, pressing firmly against each other, and holding for a long moment, before parting to allow Sweetie’s tongue to sensuously slide across Rosaline’s. As her tongue pulls back Rosaline closes her lips around it, gently biting down.

  Sweetie quivers, a chill running through her entire body at once. Her eyes still closed, she speaks softly.

  “Oh, nena.”

  “Yeah?” Rosaline giggles.

  Sweetie’s eyes open, sharing the same longing as the woman in her arms.

  “You get me goin’.”

  Rosaline's lips curl seductively, beckoning to her lover.

  “Just wait until later.”

  A half grin forms upon the Latina’s face, a warmth rapidly spreading throughout her.

  “I like when you tease.”

  “I” -Rosaline steps back, leaning away from Sweetie- “need to check on Mikey.”

  Rosaline pulls away, their hands still clasped, and turns to the door. Sweetie pulls her back in, rotating Rosaline to face her. Her free hand finds the back of Rosaline’s head as she tilts her face down into Rosaline, passionately kissing her again. Sweetie smirks, her eyes glistening.

  “We’re finishin’ this later!”

  Elation filling her, her face glowing, Rosaline smiles.

  “Damn right we are!”

  Rosaline leads Sweetie to the door, their grasp never breaking, then outside onto the porch. Mikey, Rad, and Outlaw are still stomping about, jumping in the few puddles that have formed in the front yard. The rain isn’t heavy, and the sun still shines from beyond the lightly shaded clouds above. A spring rain, one Rosaline imagines children of the old world enjoyed without a care.

  Sweetie moves them to the longer, cushioned, patio lounge on the deck. It’s old, and stained, but The Family cleaned it up as best they could. The smitten women plop down on the ragged lounge, their hands still linked. Sweetie rests a leg in between Rosaline’s, hanging over one of the short warrior’s slender thighs, and resting up against her other. Rosaline leans her head against Sweetie, resting it on her romantic partner’s shoulder. Sweetie kisses the top of Rosaline’s head, then lays her cheek against it.

  They watch as the two youngest members of the family, and the tallest, most brutish member, frolic in the rain, allowing the worry of their daily struggles to escape them. In this moment the farm feels like a paradise. The brutality of the wild fades away, the ruthless nature of the land they inhabit slipping from their minds. In a rare moment they’re able to experience a level of peace they never thought they would.

  Mikey peers over to the porch. Rosaline smiles at him, waves, and he waves back. An extra bit of happiness rises forth upon seeing the woman who has become a mother to him being embraced by someone she cares about. Even though he doesn’t quite understand the bond the two women have formed, he sees the joy it brings his caretaker, and she deserves to be happy, to experience something good.

  A splash of water drenches his face, soaking his hair. His mouth drops in surprise. Rad and Outlaw laugh wildly. Rad scoops him up off the ground, holding him horizontally, his legs over one of Rad’s arms, and his upper body over the other. Rad spins him around, picking up speed with each rotation. Mikey throws his arms out in front of him, closes his eyes, and soars like the birds he sees way above the trees and buildings.

  “He looks so happy out there.”

  A voice breaks the loving trance the two enchanted women have been caught up in. Rosaline turns her head to see Zee standing by the front door, her effervescent glow as present as always. She had fallen so deeply into serenity that she didn’t even hear the door open.

  “I wish it could be like this all the time for him, you know?” Zee says.

  “Me too, but at least he’s free today. That’s more than he’s ever had before.”

  Zee takes a sip of water from the mug she’s holding, with both of her hands. Rosaline turns to face her again.

  “Thank you, by the way.”

  “For what?”

  “Without all of you, and the farm, this moment wouldn’t be possible for him.”

  “We’re glad to have you.”

  Sweetie puts her arm over Rosaline’s shoulders.

  “Yeah, we are.”

  Zee’s brow raises, curiosity overtaking her. She moves to the small chair opposite the lounge, a sly expression engulfing her face. Her finger weaves back and forth, pointing at each of them.

  “So, this is new?”

  Rosaline’s gaze slides from Zee to the woman embracing her.

  “New, but good.” she says, biting her bottom lip.

>   “Real good.” Sweetie replies, not able, or wanting, to hide her exuberance.

  “This is unexpected, but great, I think. You two deserve to be happy, you’ve earned it, we all have.”

  Their attention not breaking from each other, the lovers share the same cheerful expression.

  “Just, you know, be careful.”

  Zee’s statement brings a curious glance from both of them.

  “What do you mean?” Rosaline asks.

  “It’s great you two have found feelings for each other. I’m happy that you have, really, I couldn’t be happier about it.”

  “Aaaaand?” Sweetie interjects.

  “Well, just that, relationships aren’t easy. In the beginning it’s all butterflies and sex every chance you get, but maintaining that kind of connection takes effort. Hawaii and I love each other, and that makes all the tough times worth it. All I’m saying is, just remember that.”

  Sweetie gives a gesture of understanding, but neither her nor Rosaline say anything. Zee relaxes in her chair, her back resting against the porch railing. She peers over her shoulder at the three care free members of their family.

  “Graceful delights, bound by stars, flowing in rivers of sunshine, basking in elegant embraces.”

  Rosaline’s brow furrows, her mouth scrunches, a puzzled look glimmers on her face. Sweetie giggles at her reaction.

  “What’s that now?” the bewildered warrior inquires.

  Zee's gaze doesn't move, staying fixed on the playful boys in the yard.

  “Just...a feeling of the moment.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Karo drags Jack’s heavy, but loose, infected body across the muddy earth. Norman, full of fright and worry, follows behind, agonizing over the trauma his lover is enduring. Karo props the moaning man against the side of the trailer, in a seated position.

  Daisy, trying her hardest to grasp the reality of the situation, while also maintaining some semblance of sanity, rolls Patrick over to his back. She wipes away the stray patches of wet dirt sticking to his cheeks and forehead. She retrieves the canteen holstered to the side of her leg and gently pours water over his face.

  The languished teen coughs to life, a fit of wheezing accompanying his resumed cognizance. His eyelids flutter, their corners glossy and damp. His pupils race back and forth, searching for the memory of what drove him to this state of confusion. Suddenly, his hand comes up to his chin, his chest quivers, and his heart skips.

  "J-Jack." the skittish boy mutters.

  Daisy's eyes well, her cheeks flush. She slowly nods, biting her bottom lip. She cradles the boy's head in her arms, the back of his neck resting within the bend of her elbow. Her face slumps, their foreheads touch, and, together, their bodies convulse in despair.

  Norman drops to his knees, plummeting to the mud between Jack's legs. The distraught doctor's hand comes up to his own forehead as tears steadily stream down his face. Jack's leg scoots across the marsh-like soil, bringing forth grunts of displeasure, until it rests against his husband's thigh.

  His chest feels heavy, fighting to heave up before slogging back down. The lids of his eyes droop, his neck writhes in pain, and sensations of burning and throbbing careen throughout his extremities. His hand remains pressed firmly against the gaping wound, not doing much to abate the river of blood pouring from it.

  Norman's body bounces, the action beyond his control. His mind races to the darkest recess, finding only horrors he already knew were there, but could've never imagined the true nature of their realization. A surge of rage bounds to the surface, he cries out loudly, and recklessly, with no fore thought, or care, to the possible results of this action.

  Jack tries to lean forward, but his body betrays him, and only a slight hunch is achieved. He reaches out with his other hand, meekly grasping the air, searching for the cloth of his companion's jacket. Norman falls forward, lightly laying his head on Jack's sternum. Jack's hand finds his husband and strokes his hair.

  Karo squats next to them, peering shamefully at the red death that has soaked Jack's attire.

  "I, fuck, I'm sorry Jack." the guilt ridden man says.

  Jack's face slowly tilts, bringing the fighter into his field of view. His dry lips part, but the words take a moment to leave them.

  "It's not...your fault."

  "It is. I should've-"

  Jack's hand leaves Normans hair and slashes the air.

  "No...no."

  Norman bellows, the intensity of his emotions reaching a climax. Jack slides his weak and frail palm across his grieving lover's cheek.

  "Hey...hey…"

  The blood purged man's breathes are short. His words are feeble and hollow. Norman's head weaves left to right, an abrupt sense of denial striking him.

  "No, no, please, no."

  "I'm...sorry."

  Norman's gaze raises from the dirt to meet that of his downed lovers.

  "No, no."

  "I never...meant...to leave-"

  "Don't! You're going to be fine, we can-"

  A sorrowful regret glimmers in the bitten man.

  "No...we can't."

  "There has to be-"

  "There...isn't."

  Norman's face contorts, his lip nearly touching his glistening nose, the watery gates open upon him again.

  "I...love you."

  "No, I'm-I'm not ready, I'm not ready."

  "Me...either. I don't...don't want to...leave you."

  "Then don't!" Norman blurts out, feeling scorned.

  A slight, but noticeable, smile cracks on the weakened man's face.

  "That...simple?"

  "That simple. Just-just stay."

  "I'll stay...as...as long...as I can."

  "I love you."

  Norman quakes, his body shivers, he wraps his arms around his doomed husband. Jack's attention turns to Karo, his hand falls on the shoulder of the knelt man.

  "When I go...do it...quickly."

  Norman shrieks, a piercing cry of gloom cracks the sky. His tears and snot mix with the mud on his shirt, smearing across his face. His legs sprawl out, his hold on his husband tightens. Jack kisses the top of Norman's head, causing more convulsions to charge forth.

  Daisy and Patrick, back to their feet, approach the morbid scene at the trailer. Daisy's gaze meets with Jack's, and she sees no fear behind his eyes, only regret and grief. Jack rubs Norman's head, Daisy nods, understanding the gesture, words between them not being needed.

  Patrick moves to Jack's side. Karo departs making way for him. The teen slides on the trailer until his bottom reaches the mud, then he lays his head on Jack's shoulder. Jack's brow furrows, his tears roll again.

  The group will sit here with this dying man, this caretaker, this lover, this husband, this friend, until his last breath. Until all the life he has left in him drifts away. They mourn the loss they are enduring, the tragedy that has befallen them.

  This man that has cared without concern, that has loved without hesitation, that has lead without resent. A vanguard of one for morality and valor, a virtuous and ardent soul. A great loss for the world, old and new. A man who never allowed the troubles of life to weigh him down, who never gave in to the hatred before the fall, or the morbidity after it.

  In life Jack was kind, caring, generous, and nurturing, and in death, in his final moments, those qualities held strong.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  “You know chacho, I don’t really care what you wanna do, you’re helping.”

  The younger Puerto Rican sighs loudly, making sure his sister knows he’s annoyed.

  “This is so laaaaame!” he moans, heavily emphasizing the last word.

  Sweetie whips around, her eyes wide, her brow raised. Her attention moves from the fruit she’s cutting to her exasperated younger brother.

  “¡Ay, coño! Don’t be a jerk, celebrate happiness!”

  His eyes roll in the most exaggerated of manners, he sighs loudly once more, but his sister’s stern look of displeasure do
es not cease. She slams her fist on the counter.

  “¡Pendejo!”

  Outlaw jumps, her fierce show of emotion catching him off guard. He holds his hands up in defeat.

  “Okay, okay! I’ll help, sheesh.”

  “Don’t sheesh me cabrón!”

  Zee’s pops around the corner, standing in the entrance way of the kitchen.

  “You know Outlaw, not to pry, but one month is a long time these days, especially with how scarce good people are.”

  “Okay yeah, just take her side!”

  “I’m not taking sides, but I’m happy for Sweetie and Ros. You should be too.”

  “You’re not taking sides huh?”

  “What can I say?” -she winks, her grin widening- “Love wins, every time.”

  “Whatever!” -he throws his hands up again- “What do you want me to do?”

  Her looks to his sister, whose gaze never left him, continuing to burn a hole through his head, even as he was turned away talking to Zee. She grits her teeth, takes a deep breath, and points to a large clump of cloth on the table.

  “I made this sign, hang it in the living room, above the couch. PLEASE!”

  “Okay!” Outlaw replies sternly, as he forcefully snatches the cloth from the table.

  "¡Chacho!”

  “Don’t yell!”

  "¡Vete pal-”

  “Sweetie!” Zee interjects, interrupting the angered woman.

  The heaving sister exhales vigorously, spinning around to resume cutting the fruit. The activity only lasts momentarily, her mind still racing with rage. She slams the knife down, and snaps around to see Zee still in the kitchen.

  “Is it too much to ask to have a nice day?! To celebrate an anniversary? Yeah, it’s only a month, but it’s the first one month I’ve ever had!”

  Zee moves closer to Sweetie, putting her hand on the upset woman’s arm.

  “I know. He’s happy for you, we all are. It’s training day, he wants shoot, and hunt, he’s a boy.”

  “I asked you to move training day to today just so Ros would be away from the house, he knows that!”