Chapter Three
The sun is setting, and it has been weeks since me and Mel since that night. I find her in a tree in front of the cabin. I sneak behind her, grabbing her shoulders.
"You're easy to sneak up on." I chuckle into her ear. I feel her stiffen at my touch. Still angry.
"I saw you coming before you took the first step," she says without turning. "I have eyes in the back of my head." I smile. tracing my fingers along her face. She's so beautiful.
"You look like a dryad hidden here in the trees," I whisper. "One of them. So beautiful that you must be fictional." But she's real.
"We should plant more trees around the cabin." She says.
"Not necessary," I chuckle again, feeling her smile. "You always look that way."
"Says the last man on Earth to the last woman on Earth, on the eve of their separation." Her smile fades. She has decided to go looking for her family, or cousin, Sharon, and possibly Aunt Maggie. She won't let me say no. Even though I have said it a million times.
"Jamie might resent that implication." I reply.
"Jamie's still a boy. Please, please keep him safe." She pleads. It sounds like she thinks she won't come back. I'm not so sure she will. But I don't want to think that way.
"I'll make you a deal," I offer. "You keep yourself safe, and I'll do my best. Otherwise, no deal." It's only an attempt at a joke, but it's what I really want.
"No matter what happens," She says, her voice drifting into thought.
"Nothing's going to happen. Don't worry." I say. It's more a reassuring for myself than her.
"Okay." She says her voice flat. I pull her around to face me, and full her into me. She rests her head on my chest, and breaths in deeply.
"You and I won't lose each other," I promise. "I will always find you again." I smile before I continue, "No matter how well you hide. I'm unstoppable at hide-and-seek."
"Will you give me to the count of ten?" She asks, going along with the joke.
"Without peeking." I bite my lip to stop it from trembling.
"You're on," She mumbles. I hear her voice is thick with tears.
"Don't be afraid. You'll be fine. You're strong, you're fast, and you're smart." I'm not convinced yet.
"And you?" She asks, her vice still thick. "Will you be safe?" she repeats.
"Neither heaven nor heck can keep me apart from you, Melanie." I say, blinking away tears.
I pack the car as she talks to Jamie. Every movement is against my will, but it is her choice. She comes out. She walks towards the drivers seat, away from me, but I take a few short steps to her, and then she's in my arms. I will not cry. I say over and over in my head. I hold her tightly, never wanting to let go.
" I'll be okay." She whispers. I nod, pretending to agree with her. "If I don't find her within a week, I swear I'll be back. If I don't come back by then-" she chokes on the last words. "you'll know." Her voice comes out quiet, and calm. I wish I could speak, but if I try, I know the tears will come. She pulls away from me, but before she turns away, I put my hand to her face. She stares up to me.
"Don't go." I say,restraining the tears. I trace my fingers down her cheek, then onto her neck. I slide them under her hair, to the back of her neck, then pull her face to mine, and I kiss her. I kiss her like she is the last woman on earth, and I am the last man. Which is true. she kisses me back, wrapping her arms around me. It feels like hours but must have only been seconds, when I pull away from her. I wrest my forehead against hers. "Please, please, please Melanie St ryder, please stay with me." I plead. She shakes her head.
"It's my family. I know she's out there." She pulls away.
"all you saw was a video. That doesn't mean she isn't gone." I whisper desperatley. I grab her hand, lace my fingers with hers, and bring our joined hands to my mouth. I kiss her fingers each, one by one. "please." When im done, she pulls away, turns around, and gets into the car. Jamie comes out, and leans against me. We both whacth as the dust settles in her wake. I have this haunting feeling she won't be back in two weeks. That she won't be in the meeting place we planned.