Streets of Childhood
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2pEQ8xbn7
“Ez…” Aqil looked over at her as she kept herself busy with reloading. She had almost finished reloading the thousand rounds they had in the last week of taking time off. “How are you doing?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6v5gssyOw
“Fine.” She answered automatically, not even thinking of an honest answer.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMZoih5Fpe
“Ez. Come one. Actually think about it for more than a second.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS33rev4zt
She took a deep breath and moved in her chair to face Aqil. “It’s scary. I’m scared.” She quietly muttered. “This kid, whoever they are, they’re making me realize I’ve got something to worry about other than myself. Now I’ve got another being to care for-to live for. I’ve barely cared since the outbreak,” she wrapped her arms around herself, “but now I guess I’ve got to.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2q11kUPGy
“It’ll be alright, Ez. Things won’t be easy, but we can figure it out like we always have.” Aqil tried to reassure her but knew he didn’t have the words to make her feel better.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwsU6IbIHx
“I need some time to think. I’m gonna take the bike out for a drive.” She stood up from the chair and walked to the door, not hearing anything Aqil said to try and stop her. She pulled the old dirt bike they had fixed up from the garage, praying it’d turn on. Once she got it running, she left their little compound and drove to their old neighborhood. To her parent's sterile and empty house and to the neighboring house she had grown up in.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa6dbTabbI
She pulled into the driveway and got off the bike, walking up to the front door she had already broken into. Anytime she needed to think, she’d come here, which meant Aqil would come sooner or later to pick her up and talk.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVeEqDqIVD
Ezra walked up the stairs and into their old room, looking at the poster-lined walls. She ran her hand along them before sitting on her old bed and taking a deep breath. Before too long, Aqil showed up, sitting down next to her in silence.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsyAZKZeZz
Eventually, Ezra spoke up. “This baby is going to change everything, and I’m not sure I can do it.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsk2KHKXlX
“It doesn’t have to, Ezra.” He placed his hand on top of hers. “You don’t have to keep the child. Abortion is an option, or I’m sure one of Roan’s rich friends would adopt an infected baby.” He paused, waiting for her to speak, but when she didn’t, he spoke again. “No matter what you choose, I’ll be here for you.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszWInIHyyP
“I know.” She looked up at him. “Thank you.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5URNansA8d
First Taste of The Good Life
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLplR6fPZs
“Ez!” Liza, one of the girls staying with Ezra’s family, yelled out from the other room. “Some old guy is here asking for you.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFYkJ8tRGa
Ezra jumped up from her bed, looking down at herself to make sure she looked decent before going out to greet them. She already knew it was Cohen, as she had given him her address, so she wasn’t surprised when he was the one standing in the doorway.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZPotHiuCd
“Don’t yell that, Liza.” Ezra harshly whispered to her as she walked by to greet Cohen. “Hey.” She casually leaned on the doorway.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjKt9rRj8R
“I’ve got a job for you if you’re free.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEmi1XaIgd
“I don’t have work until later.” She shrugged. “I’m free.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7gTCoqH8P
“Grab a backpack if you have one.” He nodded inside. She quickly walked past the kids that were still home and hungry for some drama and into their room to grab her backpack before returning to him. “Come on.” He motioned for her to follow. She turned back to the other kids and glared, warning them not to tell of this moment to the parents or else.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tni5Rrtiw
“What’re we doing?” Ezra finally asked once they were on the elevator headed down.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhekl19cuAl
“I know a guy who makes food tickets.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSkuih3HQ8
“Fake ones then.” She interrupted him.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1fGQcUDkE
He nodded and continued on. “I need them transported through multiple checkpoints from one side of the city to the other. I need someone who looks unimposing, so you will be going alone. I’ll meet you on the other side.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRX8PxuzV2
“And if something goes wrong?” She looked up at him.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ124Sxwf4As
“I don’t know you.” He shrugged casually. “But if we succeed, I’ll give you some things from outside the zone worth more than a year's wages around here.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnjVI6aw6z
“Deal.” Ezra’s eyes lit up at the mention.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97PboFNBBe
Ezra pushed the door open, closing it behind her, breathing heavily. She leaned against the door, keeping it closed as she regained her breath.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T5BRaEDRP
“You the courier?” She jumped as a man spoke to her from the darkness.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qdlSKlQyi
“Ye--yeah.” She stood up off the door, trying to seem as tall as possible.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON4Pd98jyp
“Come here.” Her eyes adjusted enough for her to follow him into the dark until they came to a door which he knocked on. There was a metallic noise before the door opened, bright light flooding into the warehouse. She followed after him, past the person who had opened the door: Cohen.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4LuzfEJxQ
“Good girl.” He smiled down at her, closing the door and latching it before following after them.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbA9yYKV2S
Ezra looked around them. They seemed to be in a workshop of sorts, or maybe a marketplace filled with items she hadn’t seen in the year she had been here: weapons of every variety, canned foods of fruits that had been eaten first, leaving each person with drab MREs or vegetable stew.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp7NEY2oxx
“Show them, show them.” The man excitedly rubbed his hands together, looking at Ezra.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXZx9CxOey
“Go ahead.” Cohen placed his hand on her shoulder.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwpWjnVWx2
Ezra removed her backpack, taking the tickets out, and placed them on the table. “There--there you go.” She looked back at Cohen expectantly, seeing a large smile grow on his face.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW4hwCrnzR
“You’ve got some real potential, Ezra.” He picked up the tickets, handing them to the other man.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLANFoZBam
“Now, why don’t you pick something out from the stock as a reward.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97VoYa5pLp
Ezra stepped back from them, her eyes scanning the walls again. Bottles of booze piqued her interest, but she knew if Karim saw, he’d kill her. Baggies of what seemed to be weed was also an option, but in the end, Ezra picked up a bar of deodorant. She had run out of hers shortly after arriving here and had been making do with a spray of perfume to keep her from smelling so bad. Admittedly it didn’t work as well as the real thing.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXXIAVSlkV
“Practical girl.” Cohen chuckled from behind her.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzQEc24kJG
“How about I buy us something to celebrate, and we go back to my place?” He grabbed a bottle off the wall, tucking it into his bag. She smiled at the thought.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPnUjsjqd0
More Than A Friendship
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCef6FBxnR
“Fucking house is falling apart.” Ezra, frustrated, yelled out as she hammered another board onto the siding.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdGHfN8eYG
“Better than no house at all.” Aqil called back to her as he scooped the leaves out of the gutters. Asuka was currently running around the yard chasing a butterfly below the ladders. Aqil climbed down the ladder and moved it so he was now closer to Ezra. As he climbed up, he watched her hammer overhead, her chest jiggling as she did. He tried to tear his attention away, to give her privacy, but didn’t seem able to in the moment.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNLEaCHTTu
Ezra looked over at him with a questioning glance. “Something you like, Aqil?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoWnpFwAeH
“Oh, no.” He looked away quickly to hide his fierce blush. “Ez.” He finally spoke after a few moments. “Do you…find me attractive?” He quietly muttered his question.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzW5G7KOD1
Ezra shrugged, not turning her attention away from her work. “I’d sleep with someone who looks like you. Sure, you’re hot, but it’s different; you’re my best friend.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk5kCfoXBL
“I…I get it.” He nodded, not really getting it.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGet5vE3WZ4
Both of them looked over as Cohen arrived outside the compound. Ezra climbed down the ladder to open the gate for him, allowing him to drive in.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKbvl57xff
“I’ve got some news with you two.” Cohen called out to Aqil, who climbed down his own ladder to walk over.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfuMOAC16o
“What’s the news?” Aqil asked, wiping his hands on his pants.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1UZ4qCVEM
“I’ve got a job for you. One I think you’ll enjoy.” Cohen put his arm around Erza’s shoulders. “A job sent from Biotech to wipe out an infected hoard. They’re providing ammo and weapons.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWnuOFgP19
“Sounds like fun.” Ezra smiled widely at the thought. She always loved getting her hands dirty when it came to the infected.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZBwaQET6d
“Only one downside: they’re sending some of their agents to oversee it.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8cfLtMsKZ
“Not the best, but as long as they let me shoot some runners, I’m excited still.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnNCjRu0SC
“Ez. Maybe we shouldn’t do this. Not with your…condition.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSf3jrg6Iy
“I can still shoot and run.” Ezra crossed her arms.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmofY6JaZbO
“Ezra, please.” Aqil spoke seriously, looking at her with pleading eyes.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms1SVCepln
“I’m not going to sit back and do nothing while you have all the fun.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qg2eYVTti
“Just snipe, at least.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeSQQHNYVW
Ezra sighed deeply before dropping her arms. “Fine.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdTDbjTdmJ
“What exactly is this ‘condition’?” Cohen asked after the two stopped bickering, looking down at Ezra.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3xVGHgNvV
“I…” She looked away from him.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7RTb69YE5
“It’s nothing.” Aqil quickly answered, regretting bringing it up without Ezra’s permission.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PslrGEIyA
Thinning Their Numbers
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wjMoNGVOn
“Ezra.” She had her arms tucked behind her back as she nodded at the Biotech agents.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvFL0VyCu3
“Aqil.” He held his hand out to the head solider who towered over the others.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyi54wfRzx
“Mack.” The man smiled at them, shaking Aqil’s hand. “This is Felix and Shaheen.” He motioned towards the other agents. “Are you ready to head out?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkMQkEO7sC
“We are.” Aqil nodded.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoz86AUxxf
“We’ll take the Humvee.” Mack patted the hood of the large vehicle.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqMI0moTJl
“Only if I get to be the one on that gun.” Ezra smiled over at Mack.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx8H9nLDtD
“I doubt you can convince Felix to let you shoot ‘er.” Mack laughed heartily, before waving everyone into the Humvee. They all put on headsets so they could hear one another, as well as protect their ears from the sounds of the guns.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyggGQC2fCl
“Where are you two from in New-I’m sorry, No Man’s Land?” Shaheen asked.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg7pN3WmcZ
“39.7392° N, 104.9903° W.” Aqil answered, having long ago memorized the quarantine zone’s coordinates.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMLJn3nCxw
“Old Denver.” Shaheen responded. “Heard some bad things about the quarantine zones.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtp95XLxFA
“I’ve heard some are still going, ruled by a new leader.” Mack added.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm701llrHV
“We try to stay out of politics.” Ezra ended the conversation. If they wanted information about No Man’s Land, they’d have to find it out through someone else.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3bvkmBQo3
“Heard.” Mack simply responded as the line became quiet until they got closer to the sawmill. “This is your drop-off point, Ezra.” The Humvee came to a stop.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7aMLwFdPe
“Thanks for the lift.” She opened the door and jumped out, taking her rifle with her.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkkR0BopA2
“We’ll be in touch.” They drove off to get closer to the sawmill as Ezra got set up to snipe from the hilltop. She was a good three hundred meters away from the mill, perfect range for her and her rifle though.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3oAFzZMeJ
The others made their way down to road to the sawmill. The ground down here was muddy but not an issue for the Humvee that tore through the soil. After getting down there and pressing the explosives as well as everyone getting themselves ready, they sounded the alarm, attaching all infected in the area. They started pouring in from every direction. Sometimes in groups up to the hundreds, but some by themselves. As they came, the group tore through them, triggering explosions when they came too close or a hoard too big came in. This zone had already been prepped previously for a hoard showdown, but had yet to been used, making the perfect place to do this.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaMZPfm9t7
Ezra pulled back on the bolt, sliding it forward again before looking down the scope, shooting and taking the zombie’s head off. Cohen’s reinforcements pulled up, adding to the firepower.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorwzF1790B
They all clinked their drinks together before pulling them away and taking a sip. “To one helluva fight!”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwHTO9OXg0
Everyone cheered, filling the bar with cheers and laughter. No lives had been lost and only minor injuries inflicted, leaving everyone in high spirits. Even Ezra who was drinking a soda instead.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx8IxYJPvf
“So, tell me about all of you.” Aqil inquired. “You all hold your own well.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqNAujZ9zI
“Oh, are you sure?” Mack asked, receiving a nod from him. “Well, how much do you know about Biotech? Specifically the leader.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXlJRSOzNC
Aqil shrugged. “Not too much. Know it’s some rich guy.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbnzo38S76
“With a hot wife.” Ezra added in.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjNqKPcuLH
“I’m an ex-NCR soldier. I was sent by General Miller to protect Avery, LaCroix’s ‘hot wife’.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7LM1RVzCb
“Oh wow, the honor to be a babysitter.” Ezra laughed.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3XikYHN0
“Avery’s one tough bitch. She doesn’t need a babysitter, trust me.” Mack shook his head, laughing. “We’ve all worked with her.” He motioned towards Shaheen and Felix.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzOC8LnRxN
“Then why aren’t you protecting her now?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHQEfyLChb
“Life still goes on, and they’ve got another baby on the way.” Mack shrugged casually. An uneasiness buried itself in Ezra’s stomach at the mention of a baby. Aqil looked over at her, before placing his hand on top of hers,
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzucxQIBBM
“What--what about you two? Don’t let loud mouth outshine you.” Ezra attempted to continue the conversation.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHBYfvBNra
“Let the loud mouth take this.” Mack held his phone up and walked out of the bar.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFzSmzkaeq
“I’m mostly the medic.” Shaheen stated. He was still wearing his keffiyeh, which Aqil recognized as his father used to wear one when he did outside work.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCcVSOY7BH
“I’m just a gunner.” Felix shrugged casually.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW334z8utEN
“He’s more than just a gunner. He’s originally from the Soviet State of America.” Shaheen added. “That makes you more than special in my eyes, Felix.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0IWygIAat
“I’ve only heard of the Soviet State.” Ezra spoke up, interested to hear more about it than what they were taught in school.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltT2dSrhhb
“I didn’t live there too long.” He shook his head. “They don’t allow trans people, so I had to leave to seek refugee in Biotech, where it’s accepted.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTFnBxjjX8
“Oh wow, well I’m glad you found it.” Aqil looked at him in surprise, rarely having met someone who was trans, not out here, at least.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPOAOmpVfB
“I’ve got another job for you two.” Mack walked back into the bar. “We’ve got an ex-employee who got smuggled out here. He’s a traitor with information we can’t have getting out. We want him dead. You two down?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxwaEBFksb
“Sure.” Ezra glanced over at Aqil before confirming.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rglsBaKCT
Outside The Walls
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmragyqeVB
“Keep pace, Ezra.” Cohen looked behind at her as they jogged through the city streets. It was early enough in the morning that no one was out except guards, who they were careful not to be spotted by.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvYr515mfB
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMjTFQIA8N
“Not yet, Ezra.” He shook his head, looking forward again. She followed him in silence until they found themselves at a warehouse on the edge of the wall. “Come in here.” He motioned her into the warehouse before lifting a grate, which he slipped inside. Ezra followed him without question, following him through a dark passage. Within a few minutes, they finally were on the other side of the barely-lit passage. Cohen knocked on the metal door in front of them, which was promptly opened by another buff man.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsy0Q7U7Hv
“Where are we? Are we…on the other side of the wall?” Ezra asked quietly.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjqbeysAFe
“We are.” Cohen smiled.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MMbfj8gTD
“She looks young, Cohen.” The other man spoke up. “We shouldn’t bring her along.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEY5lYxcwg
“She can hold her own.” Cohen shook his head. “She’s coming with us.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhpm4kVtgd
“Fine, fine.” The other man held his hands up.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J0Es7mRjG
“Ezra. Today you’ll kill your first infected.” He faced her with a smile on his face.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7eZcrgsV2
An Easy Job
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX47xSlQ11C
It didn’t take them long to find the man they were after, as he had left obvious tracks of his presence. Before long, they were at the doorstep of the house he was hiding out in. Aqil kicked the door open, both walking in with guns out, mimicking an army of two.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTTJlsEhxH
“Hands up.” Ezra yelled as she saw a man cowering in the corner.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yohdx87Sf
The man instantly put his hands up his face lit up by the flashlight on her pistol. “Please--please don’t shoot me.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFq1OXA43u
“Sorry pal, that’s exactly what we were here to do.” Ezra shot, the center of his head turning red as he fell to the floor.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcoWDWQVIs
“Easy enough, I guess.” Aqil sighed and he put his gun away.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQHEB7IPMZ
A Prisoner of Circumstance
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLJZ4FinlL
“Kids.” Karim looked back down at Ezra and Aqil. “You’ll need to stay quiet. This is very important.” The two teens nodded in sync, not planning on talking out of turn. Karim took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66kgtiU6xj
Karim greeted the receptionist, telling her they had an appointment. She pointed them up the elevator and to a different floor where his office was. They boarded the elevator, rode it, and got off on the right floor, walking into the man’s office.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAcMraJ16p
“Jason Cadwell.” The man stood up, holding his hand out to Karim. Just by the look of him, they could tell he was a military man, likely NCR.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTFRSaZ4kf
“Karim.” He shook Jason’s hand before sitting down in one of the chairs.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5wmDZodcX
“You came to talk about your wife, correct?” Jason asked, sitting back down in his own chair.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGTr4F9xDO
“Yes. I would like to request she be transferred back here.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgkPFxvHAo
“I cannot do that, unfortunately.” Jason shook his head.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM68CIEGAzO
“Why? Why not?” Karim gripped tightly onto the chair. “She deserves to be here with her family.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNn0xxLc16
“She is needed outside these walls.” He shook his head.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOJVkuUzXA
“This is bullshit.” Karim stood up, leaving both teens surprised as it was the first time they heard his curse. “Where is my wife?! Let me talk to her!” Karim leaned over the desk.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTDcePcoMn
“Do not yell at me.” Jason stood up. “Your wife is busy helping people and cannot be contacted.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOqhFCiqoQ
“She didn’t sign up for this!”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaJbCT3eGo
“Oh, but she did.” A smirk grew on the man’s face.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXmox62Iu1
“What do you mean?”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBulsYD8Uz
“Your wife literally signed up to be sent out to the frontlines, outside the quarantine zone.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DUDFLR1NA
“Jade…” Karim looked down sadly, before looking at the kids. “Come on, let’s go home.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOmwWH2WC2
All Or Nothing At All
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvlPrwS98N
Ezra is lying down on the couch, watching the ceiling fan as it slowly rotates. The house is quiet except for the hum of the generator and the occasional hiss from the cockroaches. Aqil walked over and sat down next to her on the floor and tries to strike up a conversation. After a while of little progress, he got up and turned some music on and began dancing and signing along.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvLTexilbT
“Play the funky music, white boy. Play that funky music, right!” He sang at the top of his lungs. He danced his way over to the couch, grabbing Ezra’s arm and pulling her up to her feet. She reluctantly began dancing along with him, but in time a smile grew on her face and she began singing along to some of their favorite songs.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zpeVdIsaB
Eventually, the record stopped, and Aqil put on an Al Bowlly album. They began to slow dance.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSqCeBYXny
“I’ve finally made my mind up.” Ezra spoke quietly with her lips next to his ear. “I’m going to keep the baby, no matter what. I want to give this kid a good life, better than we’ve had.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoZ2R8SrfB
“I’m glad you figured out what you wanna do, Ez.” They continued to sway to the music as Aqil built up his courage before finally speaking. “Ezra. I love you.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug0BKfmMk5
“I love you too, Aqil.” Ezra spoke, her eyes closed as they swayed.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQWVKXabpr
“No, Ez. I love you. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. Watching you sleep with all those men broke me, and I just wanted it to be me. To give you a real relationship and support.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKweV0Aqp5e
Ezra pulled back from him to look in his eyes, both now standing still. “I’ve seen you as a brother for so long, I…” She trailed off.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZlekso3yR
“Whatever you choose, Ez. I’ll still love you and help you raise this child. But…I want to be more than just that. I want to be their father.”
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82m0RhJnVJ
Ezra sat there for a while, thinking it over, thinking about how she had known for so long but denied herself of any kind of affection like that. But maybe it was time to open herself up to a real relationship, to someone who wouldn’t hurt her.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gTNg4z2jM
Ezra stepped forward, kissing Aqil.
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80xTBMtoWH
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9of5ZkZTnv
