Free Jade: Earth's Last Hope Against the Undead by Kenneth W. Cain Page B

said something amazing.
    "I've been thinking."
    "I hope you didn't break anything."
    He chuckled. "No, really. Since you used the
sword for so long, wouldn't you have at least remembered something?
I mean, isn't it a little like riding a bike?"
    She rolled to him and grinned. "That's your
great thought? It's nothing like riding a bike."
    "No, you don't get what I'm saying."
    She brushed the hair out of his eyes. "No, I
don't. Explain."
    "When you get on a bike after a long time,
your feet just sort of know what to do."
    "Yes."
    "Well, your muscles have used that sword for
a while now. Maybe your arms just know what to do despite your
mentally not knowing how to use the sword."
    She began to dismiss this idea, but then
stopped. Instead she rolled over and stared at the sword. After a
long moment, she picked it up. Meanwhile, he moved in close behind
her and together they stared at the weapon.
    She sliced it lightly in the air. It felt
cumbersome, too awkward to be effective. However, just then she saw
something else, too. The sword moved with precision. Not with the
accuracy it once had, but it did still have the correct movement.
Perhaps Trent was right after all.
     

 
    CHAPTER 6

    The Long Road Home

    She'd made the decision, despite his plea to
continue westward. He'd wanted to move on, to leave this all behind
now that they'd defeated the bad vampires. They could be together,
start fresh, and see where things went. Perhaps, he'd stated, they
might even find a home of their own and maybe someday have
children.
    The thought enticed her. But she also knew
the truth; this would never be over. She demanded they handle
matters once and for all.
    It was dawn before they started making their
way back east. Even then, Trent didn't seem so content with the
decision. It left her wondering whether they'd still be together
when this business was finished. None of that mattered, though,
until Hiru and whatever other vampires she'd colluded with were put
to death.
    So they didn't talk much and maybe even a
little resentment existed between them, though for different
reasons. But she wouldn't have it any other way. As long as these
other vampires were still alive there would be no other option.
This had to end, even if no one else would ever know the
details.
    It was a long road with many stops and lots
of down time. Sadly they hadn't connected in that time and she felt
they were growing apart. It made her wonder if his emotions for her
had also been part of the programming.

    By the time they'd made the border, she and
Trent had started talking again, but they still didn't say much. He
seemed rather bothered by her decision and because of that fact she
thought it best to stop for the night.
    On their journey, they'd encountered
evidence of others having lost their programmed abilities as Jade
had. They'd come across at least two weapons similar to hers, one a
pole-arm and the other an axe. Both had been discarded on the side
of the road, their owners likely frustrated by the loss of control.
Besides, they would have no longer thought it necessary to do
battle against the undead because they no longer existed. They
would've been wrong of course.
    Jade had experienced these precise emotions
when the ability left her. It had felt as though an essential part
of her being had been cut away, taken from her like the air she
breathed. It had been deflating and if Trent hadn't expressed his
theory on the matter so early on, she too might have left her
weapon behind. Might have even continued west and lived a long and
happy life with Trent by her side. Unfortunately, that hadn't been
her path and she knew why.
    Trent poked a stick into the fire. "We can
still go back you know?"
    "No, Trent. We can't."
    He poked again. "I'm just saying."
    "I know." His listless mood bothered her. "I
hope you aren't angry with me."
    He didn't look up. "Not mad. Just
disappointed."
    "But why?"
    His eyes found her, looking hardened
and squinty. "Because what
if?