I also knew it would solidify the pace of our relationships. I've had heated moments with each of them, yet still craved that headfirst dive into our desires. This past week progressed us further into our feelings. I learned each of their pasts, their needs, and how they responded to chaos. There was something to be said about finding love on the cusp of destruction. You learn a lot about someone by seeing how they cope. Ultimately, there was no doubt or insecurities. I loved Huxley, Patrick, Cyler, Jacob, Maverick and Kemper, so why waste precious time?
With a boldness that seemed foreign to me, I maintained eye contact with Patrick as I popped one of the pills from its packaging and plopped it in my mouth. Its citrus flavor dissolved on my tongue, and once it was gone, I smiled triumphantly. "Easy enough."
Kemper groaned before walking over to me. Without looking back at Maverick’s, Patrick’s and Allaire's amused expressions, he guided me towards the entryway, hidden from their knowing smirks.
"I can't focus on fixing this fetter problem with you looking so kissable," he said before biting his fist and trailing his eyes down my body. "And lately, you seem so confident. It’s like you’re glowing. Whenever you're near, I physically can't stop looking at you." Kemper had a job to do, and I respected it, but I liked seeing how on edge I made him. I drank in his frazzled appearance and found it attractive and concerning. There was a lot riding on his ability to disable our fetters.
"So, what can I do to help?" I asked while adjusting the collar of his shirt.
"I can't decide if I need to feed my addiction or keep away. I know once I start kissing you, all I'll want is more," Kemper whispered. Patrick's laughter from the lab echoed off the walls and surrounded us.
"Ash...I'm getting a little reckless, lately. I've always been so private. But with you? I don't really care that they would hear your moans in the next room," he whispered and I let out a shocked gasp.
“I happen to like you reckless, Kemp,” I whispered back.
“Ash, you haven’t even seen my version of reckless. I’m a perfectionist. I lose control with purpose.” I sucked in a breath as Kemper leaned closer. I widened my stance so I could feel him proudly between my legs. He lifted my hand up and gazed at my fetter before kissing the skin around the dull metal.
Kemper then snaked my arm around his neck. He closed the remaining inches between us, and just as he was about to tug at my lip with his teeth, the front doors opened and collided with the wall, resulting in a loud bang. The sound ricocheted off the walls, startling us. Dominique and two soldiers who were straining under the weight of a stretcher, barged in. Kemper acted purely on instinct and moved me behind him.
"What’s going on?" Kemper asked in a stern tone, all hints of our banter from before completely gone.
"The cook started showing symptoms of the rejection, I-I didn't know what to do," Dominique stuttered while leading the two men carrying the cook inside. Allaire rounded the corner, practically colliding into them.
"Dominique? Are you okay?" he asked loudly while pressing his body against the side of the wall, allowing room for them to pass.
Dominique clutched her chest and walked over to him. "He's dying. Third one this week. It’s been almost a decade since he received the vaccine," she said in shock. Allaire's fingers twitched, as if he was aching to hold her, to comfort her. “I thought maybe you could use a test subject,” she then explained.
Allaire peered at the cook with concern. “We’re just now getting our findings to the testing stage. We can try, but I can’t make any promises.”
"Elites that started the rejection were given rooms at the main clinic, but he's just a Walker. At least his death can be put to good use." Her voice was a strange blend of methodical and concerned. She paced towards him with us following close behind. Maverick had already begun reading his vitals, and I backed away to give them space.
"How long?" Maverick asked.
"Six hours, maybe more. When he started showing symptoms, he wanted to go to his room, but I brought him here instead," Dominique explained while wiping the older man's brow of sweat. He moaned, and Maverick promptly began gathering his supplies for a blood draw and IV while Allaire secured