Page 122 of After the Burn

We had discovered long ago that animals didn’t experience the effects the way humans did. Thank God, because Max would’ve changed at the beginning of this shit show.

Wren pulled Rory away while Colson stepped in and caught another rotter by the throat. Its teeth snapped inches from his face. He slammed it into a tree hard enough to shake dead needles from the branches.

On the first impact, the back of its skull collapsed. He released it and kept walking, wiping the gore on his pants.

Just another Tuesday.

Wren glanced at him. “You’re very efficient. I like that in a man.”

I could swear he was blushing under all that hair. “Thank you.”

“Were you following us after we left the store?” Wren asked Colson, eyes never leaving Rory.

Colson looked down at her. “Yes.”

“All of us… or just me?” Wren glanced up.

“You.”

Wren stumbled over a root, and Colson caught her arm before she fell, set her upright, and released her.

She stared at him for half a second, then smiled. “I think I’m going to keep you.”

“Yes, you are.” I heard him mumble under his breath.

We paused to get our bearings, and I took a moment to appreciate the joy on Wren’s face.

Even with rotters on our heels, Harper unconscious in Beck’s arms, and our future uncertain, Wren looked pleased. I didn’t blame her. In this world, you had to grab joy by the balls because tomorrow wasn't guaranteed.

A branch cracked behind us.

“Save the courtship for later,” I teased her. “We need to gain more distance before you can swap spit with the giant.”

“It’s not a courtship.” Wren snapped back. “He hasn’t even invited me to dinner yet.”

Colson reached over his shoulder and dropped two rabbits at her feet. The same rabbits Beck must have abandoned when he ran toward us.

Where the hell had the big bastard been keeping those?

Wren’s mouth fell open.

“Now it’s a courtship,” Colson stated.

Wren finally recovered from her surprise and scooped them up. “Hell yes, it is.” She tied the rabbits to her belt.

We pushed deeper into the trees.

The ground sloped sharply downward, thick with wet leaves and exposed roots. Beck slowed, protecting Harper from every jarring step.

Finley stayed beside him, holding the fluid bag above his head. “Her breathing changed.” He gave her his full attention.

Beck stopped.

“No,” Adrian snapped. “We have to keep moving.” You could hear the frustration in his voice over our slow progress.

Finley protested. “I need to check her.”

“You can check her while walking.” Adrian put his arm around me, knowing I was growing weaker with every step. “We’re still being followed by the infected, and Taryn needs to get somewhere safe to rest.”