I so don't approve of the violence lovers who read this... This story is about more than blood and guts. Whatever.

Chapter 25: Bittersweet Embrace

As Jack was leaving Gotz and Mayor Thomas, a commotion arose behind him. Somebody was running down the street, screaming something. Gotz moaned and whimpered, "not another one..." Foolish Gotz. There was not another death yet. There would be, all in good time, but not yet. But it did spark Jack's curiosity enough to make him pause in the middle of the road to wait for the person, who appeared to be Elli, to arrive.

Elli stumbled up and shouted gleefully, "Carter is awake! He's out of his coma!" She then glanced over at Rick and Lillia and stifled a gasp.

Jack didn't notice, "Really? You mean it?" He was so excited. As soon as Elli nodded, he dashed away to Mary's house. He had to go tell her. She'd be so excited. Jack couldn't wait to see the smile on her face when he told her.

Elli reached out after Jack and tried to call him back, "But..." She saw he wasn't going to stop, so with a sigh, she turned to address the Mayor and Gotz, "There is something more than that... And you, Gotz, were one of the people I was looking for."

Gotz shuddered as he broke his gaze away from the morbid scene at his feet, "What do you want me for? And what do you mean, something more than that?"

Jack knew that Mary wasn't in the library yet, it was too early in the morning. So at the front door of the house, he quickly rapped as loud as he could on the door with his scythe. A few moments went by, with nobody answering. Jack didn't have time for this. He rapped on the door even harder, causing little bits of brown paint to flick off the door.

Finally Anna ripped opened the door, nearly bringing it off it's hinges, "Stop it right now! You are tearing apart my door you... you... you Kappa!" She spat in Jack's face.

Jack scowled back at her and brought the butt of his scythe hard into her gut, sending her sprawling across the ground. "Shut up you witch!" Jack stood there, towering over her, scythe raised and ready. He wanted to kill her right there, but then he remembered Mary. Jack slowly lowered his blade mournfully, and quickly ran up the stairs.

Anna howled angrily, "You can't go up there!"

"Just sit and watch me witch." Jack went into Mary's bedroom. She was lying down on her bed, reading a book.

Mary sat straight up on her knees and looked at Jack in surprise. She leapt out of bed and excitedly asked, "Jack? What is it? What are you doing in my house?"

Jack took Mary's hand and began to gently pull her across the room, "Mary, it's wonderful! Carter has woke up from his coma!"

Overjoyed, Mary wrapped her arms around Jack's neck, "Really? That's so wonderful." Realizing what she was doing, she blushed and dropped her arms to the side briefly before grabbing Jack's hand again and pulling him along. "We have to go see him."

Half dragged down the stairs and out the front door, Jack had only enough time to return Anna's evil glare as they left. Mary started to turn left down the road, but Jack, seeing the crowd down at the Mayor's house, dug his heels into the ground, bring her to a halt.

"What is it Jack?"

Jack had trouble finding the right words to say, but managed to compose himself, "Please, don't spoil the good news. Trust me, let us take the long road back to the hospital."

A tear rolled down Mary's cheek. She knew that another one of her friends must have died. But she believed in Jack. She was going to enjoy the moment. Jack lightly brushed the tear from her cheek and without another word, they went to see the revived Carter, running hand in hand, struggling to lay to wayside the hurt in their hearts for loved ones lost.