Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2) (22 page)
Read Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2) Online
Authors: Bonnie R. Paulson
Thuds hit the back of our truck. From the side-view mirror, misshapen shadows flew through the air, landing helter skelter and pelting our rear. The sight in the mirror was enough to make me slow. And stop.
“What are you doing?” Brian turned toward me, glaring.
I turned in my seat and tried to see out my window. I didn’t dare open the glass. I’d been tempted by an explosion before. The call of the flames would pull me in. Like it pulled in the zombies passing the truck. I pointed. “Look.”
They’d been locked in a trance. The zombies. Passing us, without another glance. The heat from the explosion shimmered and waved in the dark night.
Brian watched through his mirror. He reached for his door handle. I grabbed his arm and shook my head. He lifted a hand. “What’s going on?”
With near reverence in my voice and I know worship in my eyes, I spoke with hushed tones. “The heat is calling them. They’re starving and cold. The only thing that can kill us is right there.” There was no cure. I’d never be able to be with Heather and I’d die young. Someone somewhere might bury my body, but my brain would continue on. I’d live, trapped inside my skull with an eternity of star-crossed lover syndrome.
Unless I had the guts to walk into the flames. I could do it. I could face the heat and welcome the slow burn. Why make my mom deal with a slow death? My tendons and ligaments intact long after my muscles had deteriorated to dust didn’t seem right.
James…
Heather…
A tug on my sleeve pulled my attention from the bright orange flickers. I looked down. Brian’s grip left his knuckles white. I had slid to the edge of my seat, cracked the door open, while I’d stared at the promise of the flames. The call of the fire was dangerous. I hadn’t even known I’d been doing it.
He pulled me back in. “If I can’t, you can’t.” He shook his head. “Not yet anyway.”
Defeated, I slumped back into my seat and closed the door. I had to get to Sandpoint. I had to make sure Heather was safe – my mom and James, too.
Maybe then. Maybe then I could go into the flames. Welcome the warmth. And let myself fall all the way.
“Call Heather. Find out where she is. We’re on our way.” I didn’t remember shifting into park, but I shifted into drive with purpose.
Brian picked up the phone. “What about Dominic?”
The last truck in the disappearing caravan moved forward toward us. Dominic had the female humans and I had the remainder of his army. Two trucks left and we both had the goal of moving north.
“I got Dominic.” For once, my resolve erased the fear the asshole usually struck in me. I’d protect Heather. She’d know my feelings, if not by my presence then by my actions.
I’d be the knight in shining armor with dying flesh. I was falling apart anyway. As long as I could, I’d be there for her. The truck picked up speed. I hardened my jaw.
If only Dominic could hear my thoughts.
It’s on, Dick. It’s on.
After Heather was safe I could start my affair with the flames.
End of Book 2
Stay tuned for Book #3 of the
Barely Alive
series –
Mostly Dead
.
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Other titles by Bonnie R. Paulson
Into the End Series:
Barely Alive Series:
Standalones:
Dictating Desire (releasing early summer 2013)
About the Author
Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.
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