Everything in me protested the statement, but there was nothing to hide anymore. "Ok," I said.
My gaze slid to her as she stood surrounded by Abby and Aiden. Bret stood slightly to the side with his arms folded over his chest. Jenna stood beside him, and though they weren't showing it around anyone yet, I'd noticed a subtle change in their scents when they were around each other now. A spike in their hormone levels that no human would have been able to detect but I knew it indicated that they had resumed their old relationship.
"There could be something in her blood that could help us, maybe," Bishop said.
I turned my attention back to the doctor. I trusted these people with the most important thing in my life, it was something I'd never done before, but as Bishop held my gaze I knew I was doing the right thing. They would all do what it took to keep each other safe. Even Lloyd, who was still sullen and resentful toward Bethany and me, was standing protectively behind the others with his rifle pressed against his chest.
I nodded as Darnell stepped beside Lloyd and they spoke softly. Darnell took hold of Lloyd's rifle before he came toward me. "I told you I'd give you something that could cause some damage to that monstrosity." Lloyd dug into his pocket and pulled out a grenade. "It's our last one so put it to good use by blowing those assholes out of the sky."
"I will," I assured him as I took it from him and slipped it into my pocket.
"Do you know how to use it?"
"I've got a pretty good idea."
"I've also got these for you." Lloyd pulled a small pack forward and pulled out an oilskin cloth from a pouch within it. He rolled the oilskin open to reveal a small pipe with a single fuse sticking out the end of it.
"You're going to have to be really careful with these," Lloyd told me. "I'm good with explosives but these certainly do not contain military grade materials. They contain a hodgepodge collection of whatever I could find in the nearby homes that could be used as an explosive. Too much jostling and these things could blow. I would suggest ditching them if you have even a little doubt that they'll be able to make it through."
He handed me a Zippo lighter and a small pair of scissors. "You've got about five seconds after you light it before it explodes. I normally would never make it so short but you guys are so fast that five seconds may be too long even. If you feel you need less time cut it shorter before lighting it."
I studied the deceptively innocent looking soldier as he folded the oilcloth and tucked it into another pouch that had been sewn into the inside of the shirt. He'd been resentful after learning the truth but as he handed me the shirt I realized that he hoped for my return. It was a strange realization as I thought Bethany was the only one that had any real concern for me, but as I looked at the group I saw the strain on all of their faces. Abby and Jenna even had tears in their eyes. Perhaps, if I somehow made it back, these people could become my friends. Or perhaps they already considered themselves my friends and I had never realized it. Either way it wouldn't matter unless I returned.
"Good luck and don't blow yourself up first," Lloyd said to me.
I forced a smile to my face, I didn't feel as distant and cold as I had before tasting Bethany's soul, but I wasn't entirely sure what was changing within me yet either. "I'll try not to." I assured him before turning away from him. I slid a t-shirt over my head and turned as Bishop held out the black button up shirt to me. I could feel the weight of the pouches against my chest but the baggy black shirt hid them well as I slid the buttons into place.
Bishop nodded his approval. "You can't even tell they're there."
"Good."
Taking a deep breath, I turned to Bethany. This was going to be the worst part. Bethany forced a smile as I walked over and took hold of her hands. "I promise as long as I draw a breath I will try and come back to you."
Her hands clenched around mine. "I'll be here."
I clasped hold of her cheeks as I bent and kissed her forehead. "I love you," I whispered in her ear.
Her hands clenched on my arms. "I'll always love you, always."
I reluctantly released my hold on her but her fingers dug into my flesh. "Bethany..."
Her eyes were closed as her hands slid away from me. "Be careful, don't do anything to get yourself killed, if you can't succeed then come back and we'll figure out another way," she gushed out.
There was no other way; this was the only chance we would have to defeat them, if we failed in this than all hope for humanity would be lost. I didn't say this to her though, I couldn't take away this bit of hope she had. Unable to resist, I kissed her quickly again before tearing myself away from her.
"Stay safe Bethany, don't do anything crazy."
"Never," she replied with a fleeting smile.
I didn't look back as I turned and walked away, but I caught the scent of her tears as I made my way out of the small clearing. It took everything I had to keep walking, to keep putting one foot in front of the other instead of turning back and refusing to let her go again. Darnell fell into step beside me and Bret appeared on my other side as we moved further into the woods.
"Are you sure about this?" Bret asked.
"Can you think of another way?" I inquired.
"I mean are you sure about leaving her? With the way that she is now and the changes she's gone through?"
I stopped walking and turned to face him. Bret almost walked into me but managed to catch himself in time. "She's the same girl you've always known; she's just stronger and faster."
"With a taste for blood."
"She's controlling it and she will continue to do so. Do you think Bethany would ever purposely hurt someone?"
Bret's eyes flickered behind me and his shoulders slumped. "No but she's so different and without you to lean on..."
"Bethany is far stronger than she, or you, ever gave her credit for. It's time you started to realize that because she's going to need all of her loved ones in the coming days."
Bret's eyes widened as realization set in. "You don't plan on coming back."
"I have every intention of trying to make it back here."
"But you don't think it's possible?"
"No, I don't."
Bret's gaze went back to where we had left the others. "It almost destroyed her when she thought you were dead the last time."
"She knows what my leaving means this time." Bret swallowed heavily as he turned back to me. "It's the only way I can give her a chance to live, the only way to give her the life she deserves. It will be a difficult one but she'll at least be alive. It's all I've ever wanted for her."