Chapter 10
Amy looked on in awe as they were led into the control center again the next day.
The night before had been fantastic! First a hot shower and a warm meal. The company wasn't bad either. She blushed at the thought of Dr. Jenner, or rather Edwin, as he had offered her his first name. At first the group had been a bit cautious with their new host.
They didn't know him, his past, or why he was still here, when there was obviously nobody else in the center. What had happened to them? Why didn't he leave?
Soon after their dinner the alcohol loosened tongues and Edwin admitted that the other scientists had committed suicide, seeing no way out of this, no cure at all.
Now Amy looked at Edwin with bright eyes. She had not known him for long, only one day, but she felt drawn to him. She couldn't help admire his actions, his resilience.
Edwin looked at the group. Sorrow in his eyes when he thought about these people dying as well, his Amy…
"Vi, please show the records of TS-19." He sat down, not looking at the recordings again. He focused his gaze on Amy. Would he lose her, before even being able to court her properly? The energy of the center was running low…
Rick was stunned. He could see the virus working in the patient. How the brain died, only to come back online. But just a small part came back. Hunger was all they knew. The person it had been before death, gone. The feelings it had, erased. Only the body remained, an empty shell, always hungry and looking for the next meal.
"Who was TS-19?" Rick couldn't help ask.
Swallowing hard Jenner looked at the omega, "She was a scientist, had been bitten when one scientist died… She was my wife… Candance."
There were gasps all around. How cruel was it to have a person taken away like that? And to have to use her death for research...
Amy gasped. She couldn't believe it! He had lost his wife… A dark part of her whispered that she would never be anything but her replacement.
Clearing his throat Edwin looked at them, "I was getting ready to end it. Had the liquid courage and the gun right here." He chuckled weakly, "But I was interrupted. An omega and kids, attacked right outside. I couldn't leave them there…" Seeing the realization in Rick's eyes Edwin continued, "And now, I wouldn't even consider killing myself. Not now. Not since I found you, Amy." He breathed out her name in benediction.
When Amy looked at him, hope and fear waring in her eyes, Edwin stood up, "I know we're basically strangers. I know that I'm so much older than you. But I couldn't stay away, even if I was threatened. I can't leave you unprotected." Swallowing hard he looked at her firmly, "Since meeting you I've been drawn in. I've never felt this before…"
Amy's lips interrupted him. Pleasure and belonging swept over them both. The certainty that this, here and right now was right, was fated.
Andrea looked ready to protest.
Dale looked away, moved beyond compare.
Glenn blushed and turned around.
Rick grinned at the beautiful start of a new relationship.
Merle scowled at the doctor touching one of his betas, stopping only when Daryl hit his arm.
Daryl was glad that Amy had found someone.
Carol was nearly in tears. Both seemed so happy!
Carl and Sophia thought it gross! Kissing wasn't something they'd ever do. Never ever!
Lori was burning with jealousy and resentment. Why would the stupid beta get a new mate, but she couldn't get one herself…
When Amy broke the kiss, blushing heavily, she leaned forward and felt herself enveloped in his strong arms. "You really mean that? I'm not just a replacement?" Uncertainty tried to crawl back into her.
Edwin tightened his arms around her, "Never! I loved Candance, but she was an omega and we knew that the time we had would be over if she ever found her alpha." Breathing her scent in deeply, he looked up as something came to mind.
"We've got to leave! The center is going to self-destruct soon!"
tbc