Siege (As the World Dies #3)(113)

“She will. Things are getting better for all of us,” Kevin answered. It had been weeks since the last zombie had been seen around the fort. Of course this didn’t stop the constant reinforcement of the walls or the defensive traps being put in place. Catapults were up on the walls now, giving the fort a medieval feel. Large bins were full of all sorts of heavy trash to lob at any invading zombie horde. The walls were higher now and topped with razor wire. The new areas were being reinforced.

Everyone, including children, were being given regular training to defend themselves. Someone nicknamed the fort “Sparta.” After seeing a five year old spearing a zombie dummy over and over again, it somehow seemed appropriate.



What a bizarre world to bring a child into, yet, they had to move on. Live on. “I know that,” Travis said after a long moment. “I know things are better. But it’s hard not to look back and mourn all that we have lost.”



“How is Katie doing about Jenni?”

“She won’t talk about her anymore. She’s doing great with the pregnancy and we’re fine. Jenni is a topic we can’t address at all.” Travis rubbed his chin and sighed. “I miss Jenni, too, but they were out there on their own for awhile and that really bonded them. Katie is taking her loss very, very hard.”

Kevin’s expression was sad and understanding. “Yeah. After awhile you feel you can’t lose anymore or you’ll lose yourself.”

Thinking of Katie and her radiant smile, Travis silently agreed. He couldn’t imagine a world without her. The feel of her soft hair, the kiss of her lips. In every way he completely adored her. If he lost her…

It killed him to see Juan working so slowly, but so diligently on his small memorial garden for Jenni. Juan was not only in physical pain, but he was emotionally hurting in a way Travis could only imagine. Yet, what Travis imagined was so painful, he couldn’t fathom what the reality must be like. Juan had to live that reality. Juan joined them for the Thursday night poker games, but he seemed a muted version of himself. He still laughed and joked, but his expression was haunted. Rosie told Travis that Juan just needed to find something to live for. Maybe that little garden was it. At least, for now.



Slowly, the helicopter banked over the ranch the fort had reclaimed and Travis caught sight of the cowboys riding their horses alongside the herd of cows. They were moving them to a reinforced pasture surrounded by a new high fence. “This is really amazing. We’re really doing it. Building the new world,” Travis said in awe.



“Yep,” Kevin grinned. “We are.”

“As long as-” “Don’t jinx it, man!” Kevin gripped his arm and gave him a stern glare. “Don’t say anything to jinx it. Just enjoy it.”



Travis laughed, then inclined his head. “You’re right. You’re right.” The helicopter finished its pass and headed back toward the fort on the hill.





2. Daddy One

It started slowly as all love stories do.

It started with one lone man working long hours on a small garden in a corner of what had been a construction site. Day by day, he toiled slowly and painfully. His long curly ponytail fell over one shoulder as he worked and he rarely looked up as people strolled by.

Silence is what he craved and silence is what he received. Everyone seemed afraid to talk to him and he was relieved. He didn’t want to talk about her.

His Jenni.

His loca. His heart and his love.

So he toiled on the memorial garden, the last thing he could give her.

True love comes slowly, they say.



In Jenni’s case it had hit him so hard he had never seen it coming. Just one day it was there and it was good. He had relished every moment with her. In his mind’s eye he could see her laughing until she fell over in a heap or dancing with wild abandon to some horrible song. Then there were the quiet times when she lay in his arms and her smile made this life beautiful and good. Now she was gone and he could find no beauty around him. Everything was gray and dark.

So he was planting flowers for her. Something beautiful to remind him of her beauty.



When he had started his little endeavor, Charlotte’s strict rules ringing in his ears, he had felt he would never love again.

He was wrong. Working hard one morning, a shadow fell over him. He did not look up. Most of the time he was working with tears in his eyes and he did not want to reveal them to anyone. This time was no different. He did not look up.



“Whatcha doing?”

“Planting a memorial garden.” Standard reply. Standard neutral voice.



“What does that mean?” The voice was tiny. Female.

“It’s for those who died. To remember them.”



“Oh.” A long pause. Then, “My Mommy and Daddy died.” Hesitating, he looked up slowly.



A blond girl around eight or nine years old stood above him. Her long blond hair trailed around her face and her eyes were so dark and vivid, they reminded him of Jenni. Holding tight to the girl’s t-shirt was a little boy around four or five and another girl maybe around six. The little boy had masses of dark hair and big chestnut brown eyes. The second girl was blond with clear blue eyes. It was the three children Jenni had given her life for.