Amelia

It took hours until Tristan finally came back. Or at least that's what it felt like. His eyes were red, his shoulder slumped, and he looked insecure.

We weren't going to get any sleep tonight. Instead we avoided talking about it, and packed. We planned our leave for Montana until this whole thing blows over, and maybe we'd even see Ryan. Nothing was promised, so I didn't try getting my hopes up.

Tristan arranged a small plane for us to get out of here. I guess Montana was the way to go, like he mentioned. I felt like we were just moving every time someone died, but I guess if leaving would give us a chance to outrun this, I'd take it. Whatever this was.

No one spoke any friendly conversation as we all headed to get our belongings. We moved our bags from the townhouse to the plane on the tarmac.

Everything just seemed dull, mute is the word I'd use. My legs took me through the motions, getting breakfast, getting on the plane. The sky was a bright white, completely covered in clouds. The plane ride was shaky, but I didn't have any nerves left to let it bother me.

I spent the entire two hours looking through the window, and no one tried talking much. Everything was wearing me out. I just had to hope that Kayla, mom, and dad were being protected and were fine. I had to hope that Ryan was alive somewhere, and he'd know somehow that he saved my life by letting me stay with his parents.

I had to hope, but I had none.

When we landed, they immediately took us to a quarantine stage where they tested us, taking blood samples and checking our vitals.

When we had cleared the quarantine stage, we were escorted out of the initial inspection zone. I glanced at Matt, who turned to me when I looked, his eyes were still red. Tristan's face was still sullen. Unfortunately for our guide, we were all having a bad day, "Welcome to Malstrom! We've got a cafeteria here usually open twenty four hours since we've got aircrafts flying in at all times. Guests will be moved to the nearest available hotel, less than a mile from our base, for accommodations."

Our guide led us down the hallway to the cafeteria, "You probably won't be here too often if you're in a hotel. Everything you need will be there." I stared at our guide. Her blonde hair wrapped in a bun, her smile was soft, almost genuine. Did she not know what was going on? What did these people know that we didn't? They seemed to know our vitals would change if we were infected. She seemed too happy for an apocalyptic event like this. Even I was still waiting to wake up at any point, but the tightness in my chest made this all too real.

"Don't worry about paying for the meals here, we just ask that you volunteer wherever you're accommodated, to give back." She finished as we entered the large cafeteria.

Most of the people here looked so clean, like they hadn't been exposed to the outside. It was humid under my jacket, but I didn't want to take it off for fear of the rank. Matt still had a bit of blood on his shirt from helping to move Elmer and Linda.

I lost my appetite at the thought of Linda. I had blood on my hands. Hypothetically, but blood nonetheless. Tristan was the only decent looking one out of us, but I'm sure he washed up after giving Emma mercy. I hadn't seen a speck of dirt on him since.

"Thank you." Tristan nodded to the girl, and she smiled before walking off, "Are you guys hungry? What do you want to do now?"

I shrugged, "I don't know." My voice was barely audible, and I didn't even care to repeat myself.

"I think we should eat, even if we don't want to. We don't need to kill ourselves over something we can't control." Matt whispered. We all shared a silent moment.

"Dad? Mel? Tristan?" I peeked behind Matt to see Ryan. Or someone who looked like him. He was growing a short beard, his light eyes still crinkled as his lips turned up.

Matt threw his arms around his son, and my heart warmed at the sight. Ryan's face was in his dad's neck as they squeezed each other.

"I tried getting over to Tobyhanna, but when I called, they said you'd left. Where's mom?" Ryan glanced around our group, and Tristan shook his head. Ryan's brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened.

Ryan went to greet Tristan, "It's good to see you again."

"You too." Tristan responded quietly.

I gulped, knowing I was next to greet him. I felt out of place. Matt was his dad, Tristan was his friend from a while ago, I was new to the picture. I felt like Emma should be here, not me. Being here myself, without her, felt like I showed up empty-handed.

My heart fluttered in my chest, and my vision started to blur. He turned to me, "Hey." He breathed with a chuckle.

He extended his arms, and I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his neck. His warm arms wrapped around me, and I squeezed my eyes harder. I let out a deep breath along with some tears. I took a deep breath in trying to calm myself. He smelled like pine.

"You smell so- clean." I chuckled softly, bringing out a sob at the same time, "I thought-" My voice choked off. I sniffled, pulling tighter into his neck, his arms still holding me up by my waist. "I wasn't sure when I'd see you again." I ranted before another sob racked my body.

I focused on the soft material of his jacket under my fingertips. He was really here. He was really holding me. Having his arms hold me felt more than comforting, and this hug made up for the past few restless nights and missing him. He was the last thing I had before the whole sickness began spreading.

"I'm sorry." I sniffled. His shirt must be soaked from my tears.

"Don't worry, I told you I'd hold you for however long you want." He whispered, my body tightened around his.

I pressed the top of my head against his chest as I wiped my endless tears away. He kept his arms around my waist, trapping me close to him.

"I thought I got to her in time." My voice cracked with another sob.

"If it weren't for Amelia, your mother would've been worse off." Matt spoke up, a third hand rubbing my back gently.

I shook my head against Ryan's chest, "I wish i could've saved her like she saved me."

"It's okay, Mel. The fact that you put yourself on the line to save my mom means a lot more than you know." He paused, "You guys haven't eaten yet right?" I turned my face to the side, Ryan still holding me to him, Tristan shook his head.

"I'll get food with you guys, and then we can go back to the table I was at." Ryan's arms shifted from around me, to hold my hand.

We stood in line behind Matt and Tristan. I continued to glance at Ryan, "I can't believe you're really here." I squeezed his hand in mine. I smiled as he wiped a tear stain away, and I brushed my fingertips along the stubble on his cheek.

His eyes were soft as he looked down at me, "I couldn't find a razor." Smiles slowly slid on our faces and we laughed. He had small bags under his eyes and his hair was grown out a bit too.

"I missed you, Mel." Ryan kissed my forehead, my eyes closing at the touch.

"I missed you so much." I whispered. He pulled away, smiling down at me like I was all he needed. I felt a broken smile form on my lips, "Don't make me cry again."

He pulled me into him, my hand keeping me at a small distance, "I'm going to get you dirty."

A soft laugh came out, "That's the least of my problems." He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. Butterflies knocked around my empty stomach, and tingles shot through my body.

"The water's still working here, so after we eat, I can take you guys to the nearest hotel to get washed up." Ryan spoke up.

*

I took a long shower, washing every part of me twice. Tears would randomly fall as I thought about this whole experience. My chest was tight, but I wasn't scared, it was more out of excitement of having Ryan here. One less person to worry about now that I could hold him.

I finished dressing, and came out to Ryan's room. When his eyes landed on me a smile lit up his face, as if seeing me for the first time. "I don't think I'll get used to having you here." His hand slipped to my neck as he pulled me close to kiss my forehead again.

"Me either." I blushed.

"I'm just glad your safe." He sighed, resting his forehead on mine. His eyes shut, and his hands moved around my waist to pull me closer.

I shook my head, his eyes opening at the movement, "Ryan, you saved my life- and so did Emma. I probably wouldn't be here if you hadn't called me, or asked your parents to let me stay with them." I paused, my breath becoming shaky, "I'm sorry about your mom, Ryan."

"Thank you," He sighed, "and thanks for trying to save her... I just wanted to keep you safe, Mel. I really like you." I could feel my chest rising and falling at his words.

"I really like you too." I whispered, my eyes dropping to his lips as he leaned in. His hands cradled my neck as my heart thumped in my throat. The butterflies made me nauseous, but I found myself pulling him into me closer when our lips brushed.

Our kiss was gentle and relaxing, everything I needed right now.