“Juan, you should know me by now. Nothing, not even death could keep me from coming to see you,” she said with a laugh.
Her kiss was soft and wonderful and he touched her wet hair lovingly.
“Loca, I missed you. ”
“I missed you,” Jenni whispered, her smile beautiful and loving.
“You’re hurt,” he said with concern, looking at her hand.
“You know me. I do crazy shit sometimes,” she giggled. She tucked her hand out of sight and winked.
“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly. He was sure they wouldn’t let her into the fort if she were infected.
“Yeah, I’m fine now. I promise. ”
“But you’re so wet. ” Something didn’t feel right and he struggled to decipher what was bothering him.
“You make me wet, baby,” she teased.
“Loca, I’m shot and you’re beat up and you’re thinking about sex,” Juan teased right back.
“Uh-huh. Well, mostly thinking about how much I love you,” Jenni said in a more somber tone.
“I love you. I promised myself that I would ask you to marry me when you got back. This really isn’t all that romantic, but…”
Jenni kissed him again, then gazed deeply into his eyes. “In my heart, we were always married. ”
Juan smiled softly and tried to focus on her, but it seemed so hard.
“You’re getting me wet, Loca. ”
“I know. I have to go now anyway and you need to sleep. ”
“Loca,” Juan gasped, suddenly feeling very emotional. “Loca, I love you. ”
She stood up, her hand holding his. She felt so cold and wet. He was worried about her.
“And I love you. ”
To his chagrin, sleep pulled at his eyes and he felt himself fading into slumber. “Jenni, be with me. ”
“I always will be,” Jenni assured him.
As his eyes flickered close, the light behind Jenni seemed to brighten.
“Jenni,” he whispered desperately as he finally understood.
She was engulfed in the light, but her voice whispered, “I love you. ”
And then he was asleep.
Chapter 20
1. Exodus
Trembling, Katie lowered the rifle. Tears, hot and angry, flowed down her cheeks as she watched Jenni’s body fall. She choked back sobs as Jenni’s body caught on the edge of the waterfall, then fell into a hidden spot behind the water. The zombies pursuing Jenni began to tumble into the pool below, thrashing around. Jenni’s body remained hidden behind the waterfall out of the reach of the dead, her blood turning the flowing water red.
“Katie, we need to go,” Travis said in a firm voice. He stood on the other side of the doorway waiting for her. His hand reached out to her. “Katie, you did the right thing for her, but now it is time to go. ”