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Seventy Two |

"I don't think we'll make it," Lisa said nervously.

My teeth found my bottom lip as I looked across the roof once more. The closest roof was about five feet away and slightly lower than this roof. Normally, jumping such a distance would be insane but the height difference was an advantage for us.

I really think we could.

"I can go first," Sebastian offered, "Then if I can't make it you can figure out a different plan. I think that's our best option now."

My eyes rolled, "Not happening. If anything I'll go first. It was my plan."

"No," he tried to argue before I gave him a dirty look, "Fine. Fine."

After our discussion I realized Jax hadn't piped in once. I tilted my head to see him sitting on the edge of the roof silently. His gaze towards the sea of undead. Leaving Lisa and Sebastian to talk I moved beside him. Carefully sitting beside him, he tilted his head towards me slightly.

"Are you afraid?" he then asked quietly.

I was surprised by his question but only for a moment, "No."

He chuckled, "Of course not. I think that's one of the differences between us. You're fearless, you know what needs to be done even if it means to put your life on the line."

"I didn't say I was fearless," I replied softly, "I just meant right now I'm not."

"Why?"

I said nothing for a moment because I needed to think about my answer. It was like a tornado of emotions inside me. Why was I not afraid right now? My eyes drifted towards Lisa and Sebastian before a smile dipped onto my face. Sebastian pretended to throw her over the roof, Lisa shrieked pulling away. But not before kneeing him in the crotch. As he bent in pain, Lisa laughed in victory. It made me giggle softly before turning back to Jax.

It made me think of my father. Of the countless situations where we were faced with certain death. And yet, each time my father seemed to be fearless. It gave my younger self hope, adoration because I knew I could be afraid and he'd take on all that fear. He'd soak it up and let me cry, then when I couldn't cry any longer, he'd share his strength with me.

"It's easy to be afraid," I then said, smiling at the sweet memories, "It's so easy to strive towards self preservation and bask in that fear. But what then? When it's all said and done you're left with loneliness and more fear. I'm not afraid because I know even if I fail I would have failed instead of them. And if I succeed, then I get to live another day and survive with those I love. We live in a world where we must fight every day, but that doesn't mean we have to just survive. We choose to live, so why not live a little happier?"

He chuckled, "I guess you're right."

"Self preservation is boring without friends," I giggled before standing, and holding out my hand towards him, "And it's worse with enemies. We could die at any moment, so until then let's be friends."

His eyes widened in shock then he relaxed, his hand met mine, "Friends."

"Eh love," Sebastian whined, "I want to hold your hand too!"

I rolled my eyes turning away from Jax and walking back over to him, "Way to ruin the moment. We were bonding. You know, so we don't have to fight the zoms and ourselves?"

Sebastian pouted, "But you don't hold my hand."

Suddenly, Lisa was screaming as a loud bang sounded behind us. I spun on my heels to see Jax no longer on the edge of the roof. My heart stumbled as my breath caught. Pure horror filled me. His name ripped from my lips as I ran to the edge. My palms slammed into the roof barrier as I looked over. Desperately trying to spot him. Below us, the sea was going ballistic, arms wild.

"Jax!" I screamed again, "Jax!"

Then, across the way, something on the other roof caught my gaze. A figure near the edge of the nearby roof. He was on all fours, panting hard. A sword in his hand. Relief filled me, hot tears flooding down my face. He stood on shaky feet before turning back to us. With a grin he waved. Unfortunately, he didn't see the two zombies approaching from behind him.

"Christ, he made it," Sebastian muttered shocked.

My eyes widened, "Jax! Look out!"

He continued waving not able to hear my words until it was too late. A scream tore from my lips as one grabbed him. He turned, too late. Falling onto his back, he had just enough time to raise his sword. Keeping it a barrier between him and the zom.

"We need to get over there," I panicked, "We need to jump."

"Wait a minute," Sebastian argued, grabbing my arm, "Calm down or you won't make the jump let alone save him. Take a breath, he can handle himself. We need a plan."

My eyes narrowed as I pulled away, "Had it been anyone else, you won't be trying to make me hesitate. You can stay here and think, I'm going to act."

"Mira," Lisa trailed off.

I shook my head, backing up a few feet before pausing. My dream haunting my judgement. My fingers curled into my hand and without thinking I bolted to the edge. Pumping my legs as hard as they'd go, I launched off the edge and towards the other apartment complex.

Air rushed toward towards me as I fell. Hope sparked inside me as my hands reached out to that goal. That cement edge near Jax's head...

That edge that went past me as I missed. My fingers skimming that edge as I freefell straight down. A terrible scream tore through my lips as I figured this would be the end. My back slammed into something terribly hard and cold. My oxygen was sucked from my lips as pain slammed into my back.

However, it was the blunt pain that made me realize I wasn't dead nor was I being pulled apart by the hungry undead. Looking around I took in my new situation. My body had lazily hit the metal fire escape that lead down the twenty floors and to the horde below. Taking a deep breath I realized from this angle neither roof could see my survival.

"They might think I'm dead," I muttered, standing.

Rubbing my back, I looked at my current level. It lead to a broken window to an apartment that looked much like a slaughter feast. Dried blood stained everything but luckily, the place was long abandoned. Crawling inside, I regained my breathing before looking around the apartment with extreme caution. Luckily, it was empty. So, I neared the front door. It was closed and locked, my guess these people turned before stumbling through the fire escape. Maybe falling into what now was the sea of death.

Peering through the little peep hole my heart sank. The narrow hall was packed from wall to wall with the dead. Some dragging their tattered bodies towards my current location, others standing in place and wobbling back and forth.

Moving back to the fire escape I looked up. It didn't quite reach the roof (the roof landing seemed to had long ago either rusted off or broken off) and I quickly noticed the multiple rusted patches on the connecting bolts. Not to mention the horde quickly lumbering up from the bottom.

Neither seemed like options and yet both were my only ones.

"Any ideas?" I whispered to myself in hopes Zero would talk.

Nothing.

I sighed. If I didn't move I'd die, and that fucking sucked. So, I'd have to move and the fire escape seemed easier than fighting my way to the roof. Moving quickly, I searched the apartment not sure what I was looking for. Honestly, anything to help me or signal to my friends that I was alive would do.

I found nothing until I reached the bedroom. Beside what looked like bones was a safe half open. My heart rose in hope as I opened it all the way. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the sight of boxes of pistol ammo.

But no pistol.

"Fuck."

I moved to the kitchen. Lots of knifes and canned food. Also a few bottles of alcohol. I chewed on my bottom lip before a plan came to me. Grabbing a bottle of vodka, I scanned the room before coming across a moth chewed towel. I ripped a piece off and shoved it into the bottle. Next, I went to the stove and attempted to turn it on. Of course that didn't work, so placing the bottle on the counter I ripped the kitchen apart trying to find the thing I needed.

Fire. I needed fire.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find fire and time was running out.

"This fucking sucks," I snapped, throwing the stupid bottle against the wall.

It shattered, raining down glass pieces. At the front door there was a bang. I knew what it was too. Dead rotting arms slamming against the aged wood. My heart hammered in my chest because I knew how quickly I was losing time. I moved back to the fire escape and looked down, only a few feet below the zombies were quickly moving up the escape.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I cursed knowing it was now or never.

I just hoped Sebastian and Lisa would wait for me. So I moved, up the fire escape, my boots clambering against the unsafe metal. At the top, I paused. It was less than I thought, about a foot missing. I could jump it, I hoped I could because I was out of time.

"Hey!" I screamed up the building hoping anyone could hear me.

I was sure the sea under me was much too loud. So I had no one to trust but myself. It didn't hurt, I had a difficult life like that, one that always meant I was eventually left alone. No matter how hard I tried. I was always left to survive by myself.

I sighed softly.

Pushing the sorrowful thought from my head, I backed up. Quickly my own fear was building hesitation. I couldn't let that happen of I'd miss terribly once again. So, without any more delays I began running towards the edge. My hand ready for the roof edge and my legs determined.

Jump.

The command in the back of my head was so sudden I felt myself hesitate. And yet I didn't. A quick gush of lava melted through my veins as my legs pushed off from the rough edge of the fire escape. It was a strong and powerful push off—so strong the entire fire escape under my foot fell away with a loud bang. All undead attention was on me now.

My fingers dug into the edge of the roof a grin on my face. I had no idea where the sudden strength came from but I loved it. My entire body felt like it was on fire. I let it consume me. My other hand moved to the roof edge and now I was hanging but I feared nothing. I could pull myself up and I would.

"Ey love," a sudden voice said, "Hanging out again?"

And suddenly, the warm familiar voice cut off all that sudden strength as I looked up. Sebastian smiled; it was a smile full of relief. I noticed his hands hovering above mine. I was entirely glad for that because within a second all my strength was gone, and my fingers slipped.

Once again, he was there to catch me.

Quicker than a hawk, his hands caught my wrists. Then, slowly he pulled me up. I couldn't explain why my body had suddenly lost all function and strength, so I blamed the sudden loss of adrenaline. My eyes fluttered as I was pulled up high enough for him to sweep me up in his arms.

"Is she ok? Is she bit?" Jax voice was erratic.

Sebastian snorted, "She's fine. Fuck off."

"Check her," he pushed.

My eyes fluttered closed for just a moment of peace. Until I realized I couldn't hear Lisa's voice. My eyes popped open and I sat up suddenly. So suddenly, Sebastian dropped me onto the new roof on my ass.

"Eh shit," he cussed squatting down to my level, "Are you alright?"

"Where's Lisa?" I demanded forcing my shaking limbs to stand.

Noticing my wobbling, Sebastian placed a hand on my back. I was grateful for the silent support, and grateful he was so kind to me. My eyes flickered around until I spotted her, on the other side of the roof peering over the edge. She turned, a grin on her face.

"I wasn't worried because I fucking knew you'd be good," she called.

My eyes rolled, "Thanks. What are you doing?"

"Looking for our path. Which I found. Are we doing this or what?"

Jax frowned, "We should check for bites."

"I'm fine. There were no zombies. I landed on the fire escape," I muttered.

"And you're fine?" he was shocked, "You should have internal bleeding, broken bones. How are you fine? You look like you're going to pass out at any second. We should rest here for the day and move tomorrow."

"No," I was firm, "One roof a day is going to get us no where. We move. Now."

He sighed, running his hand through his golden locks I once adored. Seeing I was set in my ways he gave me a nod. Storming off towards Lisa. As he did, Sebastian squeezed my back. My gaze rose to scold him when I realized it wasn't a groping but one to get my attention.

"Are you alright love?" he asked worried, "You're eyes were glowing again. You go supersayian again? Could explain why you're so weak now."

I frowned, "Supersayian?"

"You know, power up?" he chuckled suddenly excited, "Too bad we left the city of ash. Could have shown you my badass anime collection. I found a Goku figurine. Oh! And a Trunk's sword replica. Oh babe, you should have seen my comics."

Suddenly it was like Sebastian was a child and I honestly loved it. He was cute when he let down his tough, reserved exterior. I didn't know what the hell he was talking about but I wanted to listen to his cute, passionate rantings forever.

"Should have stayed," I joked.

He smirked, "Yeah but I found something worth more than a few collectables."

"Oh?" I couldn't help the grin on my face, "What did you find?"

The man winked at me, "A badass bitch."

I laughed so loud a snort slipped from my lips. He smirked, this time his hand pinching me playfully. Suddenly, Lisa called us over and we began walking. Sebastian glanced at me making my cheeks grow bright red. Once we were at the other side of the roof I instantly saw the path she was talking about. Almost touching this roof was a lower on. Then another, and another. A perfect path all the way to a group of two-story townhouses.

"Amazing!" I laughed excited.

Even Jax nodded, for once not arguing.

"How far away is the hospital?" I then asked, focusing myself.

Jax pointed in the distance. As soon as I followed his finger, my heart sank and I frowned. Normally, it would be a half an hour walk but from here? With zombies walking around from here to there? We would be fucked.

"We might need a new plan," I muttered softly.

Sebastian sighed, "One thing at a time. Let's get to those houses first."

"That's something we can all agree on," Jax nodded, "So how do we get down there? It's still a hard drop down. Landing wrong might break bones and if that happens we'll have to leave that person behind."

My eyes widened, "What the fuck?"

He stepped back, "It's true. How the hell would we get someone with a broken leg off these roofs let alone back to the town? It's harsh sure, but the truth."

Sebastian stepped between us, "So let's come up with a plan so that doesn't happen."

Once again, Lisa wasn't with us. I turned, my sudden bad mood lifting and I grinned. In her hands, a shocking discovery. Rope! I laughed out loud, how in the hell did this woman find long, black rope? Beside me, I slapped both men in the arms. They turned too.

"Goddamn," Sebastian smirked, "You beautiful crow."

Lisa huffed over, dropping the long and heavy rope. From closer I realized it wasn't rope but some sort of heavy-duty cable. It made more sense that this would be up here and not rope. Actually, rope would be horrible to use after ten years of sitting on a roof.

"A crow?" I questioned.

She shrugged, "Man likes to compare people to animals. Crows are dope, I've got no complaints."

I turned to him, "I thought you were being cute when you called me a bitch!"

Jax's eyes narrowed, "You called her what?"

Sebastian's eyes rolled, "Love you're not a bitch. I haven't decided yet actually."

"Why?" I was curious.

He smiled, "Too many to pick from. You're strong like a tiger, sly like a fox. Smart like a raven, beautiful like a swan. You fight like a wolf but strike like a snake. Then you're also kind like a mother cat, and delicate like a butterfly."

"Awe," I giggled.

Jax grunted, grabbing one side of the cable and storming off. I watched him go confused at his actions before Lisa's previous words played back in my mind. Was Jax really jealous after all the shit he had done? After proving he was done with me long before I was done with him? It annoyed me so I ignored the childish behavior.

"Alright," I hummed, "Let's get moving."

So we did.