He grabbed the first-aid kit from one of the scooters and cleaned his wound; then he resignedly rose to his feet and trudged back to camp. His body felt as if it weighed a ton. If only he’d had one more night with Molly, to show her how much he loved her. She was going to be so hurt. And he would hate himself. But this was the only option: to push her away.
Maybe someday it would be okay. He’d find out he was immune. That he wasn’t going to turn into a monster. Then he could explain. Once she was safe and sound at Disney World. But only then. For now, Chase had to be the bad guy—or at least push her away so she wouldn’t want to be with him and tempt him. It was the only way to save her life. He would make any sacrifice for that.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The meeting ended and the kids dispersed, leaving Trey, Chris, Molly and little Tara hanging out on the stage. Tara contented herself with her Barbie dolls, as she was too young to really understand what was going on.
“So, do you think everyone’s on board?” Trey asked Chris and Molly. “I mean, they seemed to be listening, right?”
“Yeah, you did a good job,” Chris said. “I think everyone’s really happy to have someone come up with a real plan. Everyone’s so scared, you know? It’s good to have someone take charge.”
Molly nodded in agreement. “You were great,” she said. “And I think you totally gave everyone hope.”
Trey pursed his lips. “Yeah,” he said. “I just hope it’s not false hope.” He got up and paced the stage. “I mean, we have no way of knowing if the mountains are really any safer than here, right?”
“It makes sense though,” Molly argued. “There are fewer people to begin with, and probably even fewer who went through with their AIDS vaccines. Not to mention, I doubt the monsters here are really taking many road trips, so it’ll be safer on that end as well.”
“True,” Trey said. He shrugged. “Well, I guess we’ll see soon enough. You guys going to be ready?”
Molly and Chris nodded in sync. Chris reached over and squeezed her hand. Trey rolled his eyes.
“Freaking lovebirds,” he muttered. “Y’all don’t even care about the end of the world, do you? Not as long as you can sit there and make googly eyes at one another.”
Chris turned tomato red, and Molly could feel her face flush as well. “Yeah, yeah,” Chris said at last, waving his brother off. “You’re just jealous ’cause I got the hot chick.” He winked at Molly then leaned over to give her a kiss.
“Argh! My eyes! Warn a guy before you do shit like that,” Trey cried.
Molly and Chris pulled apart, smiling at each other. In a weird way Trey was right. It was a little easier to deal with all that was going on when they had each other. And it was good to know they always would.
“Anyway, I got some crap to take care of,” Trey continued. “You mind taking Tara home?”
Chase shook his head. “No problem.”
Trey grabbed his bag, said good-bye to his adopted sister, and vacated the stage. Molly glanced at her watch. “I’d better get home, too,” she said. “Before someone notices I’m gone.”
Chris made a mock pouting face. “Boo,” he said. “I want you to stay and make out with me.”
She laughed and kissed him on the nose. “Believe me, I’d much rather do that,” she assured him. “But if my dad kills me then I won’t be able to meet you guys for our mountain adventure.” She smiled at him. “Just think, soon we won’t ever have to say good-bye. We’ll see each other every hour of every day.”
“I can’t wait,” Chris whispered, leaning in to kiss her neck. His mouth tickled and she laughed, pulling away.
“Me neither. Now let’s get out of here.”
“Hang on a sec.” Chris squinted. “Where’s Tara?” In their canoodling, they hadn’t noticed the little girl slip away. “Tara?” he called. “Where did you go?”
There was no answer.
Molly scrambled to her feet and scanned the darkened auditorium. She looked over at Chris, worried. “You go down each aisle,” she suggested. “I’ll check backstage.”
They split up, Chris going down the main steps and Molly stepping into the darkness behind the curtain. “Tara?” she cried. “Honey, you can come out now! It’s time to leave.”
No answer. Molly scratched her head. Where did the kid go? The place wasn’t that big.
Suddenly she heard a crash stage right. Then she smelled something awful. She ran over to the area of the noise and flipped on a light. The first thing she saw was Tara, playing in a wooden box used for a stage set. Then she saw the monster.
Where it had come from was anyone’s guess, but no matter what, it was here now. And it was staggering toward Tara, moaning, its arms outstretched.
Molly remembered what her dad had said: one bite and you could become infected, too. Still, she couldn’t let it get Chris’s sister, so she dove toward the box. But she was too late. It reached the little girl first. Tara whirled, saw the creature. Her little mouth opened up in a scream.
“No!” Molly cried. Drawing on all her martial arts skills she round house-kicked, slamming her foot into the monster’s side. It bellowed in rage, then reached out and knocked her away. She was no match for its strength and crashed to the floor.
“Come get me!” she cried, trying to scramble up. “Fight me, you bastard!”
But the monster wasn’t interested. It already had Tara. And it wasn’t going to stop.
Without meaning to, she averted her eyes. There were noises she knew she’d never forget for the rest of her life. Then a gunshot. And a scream. She turned back. The monster had fallen to the ground, its eyes bloodshot and its head blown off. It was dead.
“Tara!” Pistol still in hand, Chris ran to his little sister, throwing himself on the ground to check her.
Molly swallowed hard, unsure what to do. What to say. “Is she…?”
“Oh God. Oh God, no!”
It was a definitive answer if she’d ever heard one. “Oh, Chris,” she cried. “I tried. I really tried.”
Her father’s words came crashing back to her. If only she’d accepted his offer of cybernetics. They would have helped her battle these creatures. She would have been stronger. Faster. Better. She would have been able to overpower the thing before it stole the life of a little girl.
Chris cradled the broken body of his sister, sobbing. He looked at Molly. “I promised to protect her,” he whispered, his eyes wild with grief. “And I failed. I failed her.”
Molly ran to his side, putting her arms around him, holding him tight. “You did what you could,” she told him. “And you saved my life. I would have been next.” But she knew her words could only comfort so much. They couldn’t bring Tara back.
Another senseless death. And this one was a little child. It couldn’t go on. Molly couldn’t let it. She thought of her father again and knew what she had to do.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“And then Sprinkles rolled onto her back. And then she swatted at the string with her paw and…”
Molly tried to pay attention as Darla excitedly recounted in excruciating detail the further adventures of the amazing glow cat she used to own. But the day’s journey had really tired her out and it was admittedly a bit hard to follow Darla’s chatter at the best of times.
They’d entered Florida that day and celebrated that night with candy and wine found in a local gas station. The kids were ecstatic about their journey finally nearing its end. Molly was pretty psyched, too. Only a few more days and they’d reach the Magic Kingdom’s front gates, where she could be re united with her father and do what she needed to help restore the world.
But her excitement was tempered by her diminishing physical well-being. Each day she felt a little weaker. A little more cloudy. The nanos were breaking down, eating her up inside like a sort of high-tech cancer. If she didn’t get to her dad and the other scientists soon, she might not make it at all.
At least she had Chase. He had promised no matter wha
t that he would get her down to Disney World, even if he had to carry her on his back. And she believed him. Even if he had been acting a little weird and stand-offish earlier today. He was just tired from being on watch all night, she was certain. Because, besides that, everything between them was great. Beautiful, amazing, loving. She’d never been happier.
He was so good to her—he had been, even when she’d refused to appreciate it. And now that they were together? It was a feeling she’d never experienced in her life, that she’d never thought it would be possible to experience. Love. Overwhelming, all-consuming, burning love. Sometimes it was desperate and passionate as they clung to one another, fighting against the hardships of the world. Sometimes it was soft and sweet, two people becoming one mind and body. Caressing, feeling, losing yourself in the other. But it was always beautiful and magical and unbearably wonderful, and she knew it would last forever.
“And then my kitty took a ball of string and…”
Molly stifled a yawn. Helga looked over from her spot by the fire and grinned. “If you want, I’ll watch them so you can go to bed,” she suggested.
Molly shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
Helga looked unconvinced, and Molly understood why. She wasn’t just internally exhausted and sick; she looked terrible on the outside, too. The color had drained from her face and her lips were now all but translucent. She’d lost weight, too. Muscle mass. The stuff that helped her fight.
She watched Chase pass by and gave him a small wave. He had his eyes to the ground and must have missed the gesture, because he didn’t wave back. Instead, he headed into his tent and pulled the flaps closed. Concerned, Molly turned to Helga.
“If you don’t mind watching them…”
Helga waved her off. “Go see your man.”
With effort she rose to her feet and headed to the tent. All she wanted was to crawl inside and snuggle up. That always made everything better.
Chase pulled the sleeping bag over his head and closed his eyes, trying to force sleep. He knew it was futile; it was probably only around seven. The sun hadn’t even set. There was no way he’d pass out for hours. But what else was he supposed to do, go hang out with Molly? She’d only want to cuddle up to him, hug him, kiss him. Press her delicious body against his. That would be too hard.
He turned over on his side, staring at the tent wall. The day had been almost unbearable as it was. Every itch, every tingle, and he was positive he was transforming into one of them. Even though he knew for a fact it’d take weeks for any noticeable change to take place. If a change took place at all, he reminded himself. It was entirely possible he was immune. Like Tank. Still, hope was little comfort. And not being able to share his fears with Molly made them all the more unbearable.
He tried to think of other things, but without much luck. Impending demise did that to a guy. Not to mention it took every ounce of willpower to stay clear of Molly. She’d noticed his avoidance; he was sure of it. He’d caught her questioning look a few times as they rode down the highway. When they’d all celebrated their arrival in Florida, he’d held back. She noticed everything.
If only he could tell her the truth: that it wasn’t her, it was him. And not him exactly, either. He would tell her there was nothing on this planet he’d rather do than curl up in her arms and make love to her until the sun rose, caressing each curve, kissing each sweet inch, worshiping her like the goddess he knew she was. But he didn’t want to face her questions. What was wrong with him? Why was he holding back? Questions he couldn’t answer. Not when it put her life at stake.
If only she wasn’t getting sick. If only she wasn’t running out of time. They could have set up camp for a few weeks, put him in quarantine like they used to back in Wal-Mart. Or he could have let them go, promising to catch up if he didn’t turn.
But he didn’t have that luxury. She was getting weaker every day. Soon she wouldn’t even be able to ride a horse without being held up. She had to get to Disney. Soon. And he had promised he’d get her there. Without him, she’d die. And he wouldn’t—couldn’t—let that happen.
“Chase?”
He stifled a groan as her blonde head peeked inside the tent. Great. He should have known this was coming. Next thing she’d be crawling inside, wanting him to touch her. To make love to her, as had been their habit. As he couldn’t do anymore. There was no way he’d take the chance of her getting infected.
He tried not answering, praying she’d think him asleep and would wander off to play with the children or chat with Helga. But he knew in his heart she’d never do that. And sure enough, a moment later he heard her enter the tent. Felt her sitting down beside him. Her hand reached up to stroke his hair. He lay still for a moment, sad and angry at the world. Then he jerked his head away. It took effort.
He could see her in the shadow, cocking her head in confusion. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. “You’re acting weird. You’ve been acting weird all day.”
It wasn’t fair. He’d finally regained his true love. The woman he’d waited a lifetime for. His goddess. And now he had to push her away. Make her hate him.
Not fair at all.
“Molly, we have to talk,” he said, hoping she didn’t hear the trembling in his voice. There was only one thing to do, and it was likely going to kill him to do it. Kill him and crush her.
But better crushed than dead.
Her hand reached out to touch him again. His arm. It was probably okay that she was touching his arm, right? Though he didn’t want to take any chances.
“Talk?” she repeated. “Chase, you’re scaring me.”
“It’s just…” He struggled with a way to phrase it. One that would cause the smallest amount of pain but at the same time make her want never to touch him again. “Molly, what do you want from all of this?”
“All of…?”
Ugh, he was doing a terrible job. “From this. From us.”
Even in the dim light he could see her already wan face drain of color. “What do you mean?” she asked. Now her voice was completely fearful. He felt like such an asshole.
“I don’t know,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I mean, sure, we’ve had some fun. But I don’t see us being a long-term item, do you?”
He’d made her speechless. Her silence pierced his heart, because he knew he didn’t want her hurting. He wanted nothing more than to throw his arms around her and say it was all a joke. But he couldn’t. In fact, it was very likely he’d never be able to touch her again as long as he lived. It was the worst thought in the world.
“Look, you’re a nice girl,” he said, struggling to drive his point home. “And I’ll get you to Disney. But I think it’s best if we don’t hook up anymore.”
“Hook…up?” Her voice trembled, and he knew any moment she’d burst into tears. He didn’t deserve to live for hurting her like this. But what else could he do? It was the only way he could think of to save her life.
“I thought you loved me,” she said.
“Yeah, well, you know, we’ve said a lot of things and…”
“Chase, did I do something? Tell me what I did! Don’t shut me out!”
“You didn’t do anything. I just don’t want a girlfriend. I want to be alone.” His words sounded so stupid, so lame. Surely she could see right through them. But no, the look on her face told him she bought every last lie. His words worked. Too well, perhaps.
“Fine.” She pursed her lips, obviously fighting for some control. “I’ll leave you alone then.” She stumbled as she tried to crawl out of the tent, tripping over a tangle of blankets. A small sob escaped her, and the sound broke his heart.
He’d hurt her. After they’d promised each other the world. After she’d freely offered up her mind, body and soul to him. He’d crushed all that in one fell swoop. She’d probably never forgive him. She’d probably hate him forever.
But what else could he do? Her life was worth more to him than his own. He’d prom
ised to get her to Disney World, and he’d do so. If it took him to his last dying breath, he’d do it.
Even if she never understood why.
Molly burst from the tent, finally allowing tears to stream from her eyes through the drainage vents of her lenses, vents she’d demanded her father include as modifications when he did the operations. She didn’t want to be like Molly Millions; she wanted to cry when she had to. In some ways, that was an important part of life. Being caged wasn’t living, and neither was caging your emotions. Of course, what had indulging her emotions gotten her?
She probably looked completely crazy. A total wreck. But her heart was broken. Chase was gone.
She should have never gotten involved with him. She’d been right from the start. If only she’d concentrated on her mission, left him in Wal-Mart, or at least not fallen for him on the road. She should have stayed strong, not let love cloud her judgment. Her dad would be so ashamed. Thinking about it now, maybe he’d been right.
She’d thought Chase was different. That he was the same boy she’d loved so many years ago. But he had changed. They all had. And there was no going back to a fairy tale.
She considered leaving. Sneaking off in the night and heading to Disney alone. But that wasn’t possible anymore. She’d put herself in the position where she needed help. She was too weak to make the rest of the journey on her own. She’d left herself vulnerable. Stupid her, for trusting him and allowing herself to be dependent on another person.
That was why her father’s beloved Molly Millions had always worked on her own, she reminded herself, never partnered with anyone for more than a brief mission. It’s just how I’m wired, she’d said in her good-bye note to the hero at the end of the book. Molly should have wired herself the same way. Trusted her dad’s instructions. But she’d been emotionally weak. Allowed herself to believe, to hope, to love. And look where it had gotten her.
She sank to her knees at the edge of the camp, choking on her sobs. She could hear her dad’s words at the back of her head. Molly Millions doesn’t cry. When she’s sad, she spits.
Razor Girl Page 25
