What if R and Julie hadn't met outside the city? What if R had been captured and taken by soldiers inside the fortified city of the Living? A different version of the R/Julie story, one where they meet in her world, not his.

Isaac Marion owns Warm Bodies. I just enjoy playing with the characters.

A Dark Negative of Love

This chapter came from a suggestion made by haiku-reviewer COMET MOON

- The next (and final) chapter of R's experience will go up at the usual time tonight. -

MOTHER'S DAY

(This chapter is in Third Person Point of View)

As the night of the battle began to turn to morning, an exhausted General Steiger formally promoted Colonel Rosso to General Rosso with the full support of the leaders of the other domes.

They had spent several hours on high level calls to the fortress cities, reporting the events of the evening. Not surprisingly, their news had been met with a mix of guarded optimism and incredulity.

Newly appointed General Rosso was once again taking the lead, in talking to the Memphis Dome. "Trust is key," he said. "Last night, the Living forces were badly outnumbered. The fact that the Dead were not only willing to fight the Boneys, but also to take the lead and act as the front line gave our soldiers critical cover on the field. My men were able to make targeted shots at the advancing Boneys, who still fought, however briefly, after their leader was taken down."

There was a short pause on the other end of the line, and then the Memphis General came back on the line. "My sentries are reporting that the Dead are massing outside our gate. They are not trying to break it down, though. They are just standing out there, or rather, kind of moving back and forth on their feet. It's as if they are waiting for something."

"That's what we have here, too," replied Steiger. "I'm not saying to just open the gates and let them in. You need the trust of your soldiers, as well, for this to work."

Rosy and Steiger exchanged pained looks after Steiger made this remark. Having R shot by one of their own men had been devastating to their hopes of turning the plague around. But it underscored for them that they needed their soldiers to act out of trust. Obeying orders while carrying guns may have created a disaster. No one was sure how things would happen with R gone. Would the transformation process continue for the other Dead?

The call was interrupted by a knock on the door. The Lieutenant opened it to admit one of Rosy's top aides.

"Colonel Rosso, Sir, may I speak to you?" asked the aide. "I think it's important."

Steiger and Rosso exchanged looks, and Steiger nodded for Rosso to take a break while he continued the task of briefing the other domes.

"What is it?" Rosy asked his exhausted aide once they were outside.

"Just something I think you should see," replied the aide. "I'm almost one hundred percent certain, but…I would like you to confirm the identity of one of the Dead outside."

As they walked to the gate in the early morning light, the aide continued. "She came with part of a larger group. I didn't notice her at first, but I thought you should see as well."

When they arrived at the front wall, the soldier led Rosy up to one of the watch towers, then took the spotlight and moved it in a sweeping motion over the crowd of Dead below, finally stopping on one.

Rosy looked down through his binoculars, and then exclaimed, "Oh, my God. I see her"

"It's who I thought?" asked the aide excitedly.

"I believe so," said Rosy.

The both stared at the slender woman with familiar blonde hair, wearing a blue dress that was now torn and ragged.

"I believe it's Sharon Grigio, John's wife," said Rosy.

They turned around to see Steiger climbing up to their post. "We decided to take a short break so that the other domes could brief their staff," Steiger said. "What is happening? Are the Boneys reforming their lines?"

Rosy pointed to the woman in the spotlight and passed him the binoculars, saying, "Julie's mother is out there."

Steiger took a deep breath before looking. "Are you sure?"

Rosy nodded.

"Then let's go get her," Steiger said simply.

Together, the three men went down to the front gate and out into the assembled Dead to reclaim Mrs. Grigio.

She came with them quietly, her grace and free spirit long gone, replaced with vacant gray eyes and a gore-stained, torn dress. Though Rosy said her name several times, she didn't show any sign of recognition.

"We need to get her bathed, at least, and into clean clothes before letting Julie see her," said Rosy.

"Is Julie still in the operating room?" Steiger asked. "The doctor said they lost R late last night, though they tried everything. Nora and the tall blond Dead, M I think he was called, insisted on staying with her. None of them have come out yet. We should probably go see about her."

"She might not have been able to save her father," Rosy said quietly. "But the change she and R brought about may yet allow her to save her mother."

VERY SHORT, I KNOW. JUST A SWEET LITTLE MOTHER'S DAY GIFT.

I do not remember that Isaac Marion ever gave Julie's mother's first name. If it was in there, send me a PM, and I'll update the chapter.

PLEASE REVIEW. NEXT CHAPTER IS THE LAST ONE, GUYS! I WILL BE POSTING IT TONIGHT.

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