Free The Deepest Red by Miriam Bell Page A

expression.
    “I doubt your mentor knew about the infected. I had thought about this earlier and I’ve come to the conclusion the small mountains south of here keeps the stray infected out of the area,” he says, his hands gripping a short tree branch. “They seem not to like the extra effort it takes to hike up the steep hills. The journey takes a toll on their already rotting bodies.”
    He breaks the thin stem and tosses a piece to the ground.
    “Even so,” I say “you think at least one infected could find it’s way to our community.”
    Connor ponders this, rubbing his fingers along the rough texture of the pine branch.
    “About 10 miles back south, I found a guy that had snapped one of his leg bones trying to make the trip. I killed him as he was crawling over a dead tree.” He pauses. “This is the only area that isn’t crawling with them. It’s the only reason we’ve stayed as long as we have.”
    He drops the remaining stem.
    “We’ve come across maybe twenty tracks as Clover and I’ve scoured the old houses. I haven’t been able to track and kill them all. You gonna need to inform your people if they haven’t already met one.”
    “Why are they here?” I ask as I search his grey eyes.
    The unusual color is so captivating I find myself breathless. I lean toward him unable to stop myself. I yearn for his touch, for his embrace and his words telling me I can trust him and everything will be alright. I blame my loneliness and inexperience for my actions. Meeting him for the first time has taught me the taste of fear but also of desire. I want his presence to erase the worry of the infected and finding my way back home. If I could just have one kiss then maybe this ache would cease to exist. His eyes knowledge the change in my body language but I don’t see a smirk like I would expect from him- not this time. Only the spark of what I can only guess is longing in his stormy eyes. He leans toward me, hand reaching toward my face.
    “We should leave the question for when we settle into our campsite tonight.” Clover’s voice surprises me out of my trance.
    I stumble to my feet, breaking any moment I had with Connor. I wipe the dirt from my clothes, waiting for the color of my cheeks to return back to normal.
    “Hey cousin. Feeling better?” Connor squibs from his seated position.
    “Probably not as good as you,” she replies.
    I listen to the sounds of Connor standing and dusting off his clothing.
    “As long as you’re not  still angry, that’s all that matters,” he teases. 
    I hear the smile in his voice and turn. Clover’s face is a mask of indifference but a current of attitude races just underneath her skin. When I study her, I realize she is just like me, both stuck in this world of fears and obstacles. She had been thrilled to meet me, excited for a female companion. Now I worry that I’m not able to meet her expectations, that one day she will regret our friendship.
    The loneliness I felt before surfaces as I outstretch my arms and embrace her. I take from her some of the comfort and companionship I need. Scenting the perfume of her skin, my arms lock around her shoulders. She smells of sweat and freshly cut grass. The aroma invades my nose and sends a calming effect through me. Clover’s body stiffens against my arms but I don’t let go. I gradually feel her relax and in a moment her arms fold around my waist.
    “I’m sorry, Clover. I was so focused on the bad that I didn’t accept we’re on the same team,” I say. 
    She leans back away from me still in our embrace.
    “I’m sorry too. Lack of sleep must have gotten to me.”
    She smiles a soft smile and I can’t help but return one of my own. Giving her one last squeeze, I feel my spirit lighten for the first time today.
    “Well, that was touching,” says an annoyed deep voice from behind me.
    I turn to face Connor. His demeanor tells me the smart ass guy of last night is back in full force. Clover sticks her tongue