{"id":454,"date":"2014-07-17T10:43:34","date_gmt":"2014-07-17T10:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=454"},"modified":"2014-07-29T08:20:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-29T08:20:37","slug":"chapter-107","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-107\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 107"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 107<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

I hate saying goodbye.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019m lucky I even get to this time.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like I got to say goodbye to my mom or my dad or Makayla or Kayleigh or Spunky or anyone else I know who\u2019s died.\u00a0 It always seems to happen so fast, there isn\u2019t time.\u00a0 But time can make things harder too.\u00a0 I can\u2019t stop thinking about it, that moment when I\u2019m going to have to say goodbye.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to suck.\u00a0 Still, at least I have some choice in it this time.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always been the one left behind, but this time I\u2019m<\/span> the one who\u2019s leaving.<\/i><\/p>\n

Does that make it any easier?<\/i><\/p>\n

I guess I\u2019ll find out.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Monday, October 7, 2013<\/b>
\nWeek Seventy-Seven<\/i><\/p>\n

There was a definite chill in the air.\u00a0 Sitting in her favorite spot at the top of the spiral staircase, Gabby shivered as the wind rushed in through the open window, whipping around her long hair and raising goosebumps on her skin.\u00a0 She knew she should close the wooden shutters over the window and go down to the kitchen, where a warm fire and food awaited, but she wasn\u2019t ready just yet.\u00a0 If all went well, it would be her last night in England, and although she couldn\u2019t wait to get back to sunny Florida, where she\u2019d never have to spend another winter in a freezing cold castle, a part of her was sad to leave.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t so much the castle she\u2019d miss.\u00a0 It was the people, all the new friends they\u2019d be leaving behind:\u00a0 Shaun\u2026 Liz\u2026 Lucio\u2026 In-Su\u2026 Abby\u2026 and, of course, Callum.\u00a0 She would miss him the most.<\/p>\n

Not since Makayla died had Gabby had a friend close to her own age.\u00a0 Even Kayleigh, the second youngest in their original group on the base, had been eight years older, and she was dead now, too.\u00a0 Callum could never replace Makayla, but still, he and Gabby had gotten close in the eight months since she\u2019d come to the castle.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t looking forward to leaving him.<\/p>\n

In fact, she was dreading it so much that she\u2019d secluded herself here so as to avoid the awkward goodbyes.\u00a0 She knew she could only delay the inevitable so long \u2013 in a matter of hours, it would be morning, and they would be on their way \u2013 but for now, she was content just to sit still in her special place and pretend that time had stopped, too.<\/p>\n

But of course, Callum knew just where to find her, for her favorite spot was his special place as well, one he\u2019d been kind enough to share with her.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t at all surprised to hear a small set of footsteps and see his familiar, ginger head coming up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cHey,\u201d she said, turning toward him, forcing a smile onto her face.<\/p>\n

Callum smiled back crookedly.\u00a0 \u201cHi.\u00a0 I thought you might be up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged a shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhere else would I be?\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled again and came over to sit beside her.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing.\u00a0 Just\u2026 thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout anything in particular?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby\u2019s first inclination was to shrug him off again, to shut down, like she had in front of almost everyone else who was left in her life after her mother\u2019s death.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t like talking about her feelings, and she hated when people tried to press her to do so, so it came as a surprise to even her when she found herself opening up to Callum.\u00a0 \u201cAbout everything.\u00a0 And everyone.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna miss you guys so much,\u201d she admitted, giving him a quick sidelong glance before she turned to look out the window again.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just sick of losing people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019m not going anywhere,\u201d said Callum lightly, trying to sound cheerful.<\/p>\n

She looked at him sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI wish you were.\u00a0 I wish you were coming with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes I wish I was too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d she said, raising her eyebrows, as hope sprung up inside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why wouldn\u2019t I?\u201d he replied, sounding surprised that she would assume otherwise.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never been to Florida, but I hear it\u2019s quite lovely.\u00a0 Sunny skies\u2026 sandy beaches\u2026 Disney World\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how many people go to Disney each day?\u00a0 It\u2019s probably overrun with zombies\u2026 wearing Mickey Mouse ears\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He chortled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd zombie Mickey himself, I\u2019d expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget zombie Minnie,\u201d Gabby added, giggling too.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd zombie Cinderella\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus Prince Charming \u2013 not so charming anymore, I bet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about zombie Snow White?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack from the dead \u2013 again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSleeping Beauty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure wasn\u2019t true love\u2019s kiss that woke her up this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

They went back and forth like this for awhile, rattling off as many Disney characters as they could come up with, until Callum was cracking up too much to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d laughed Gabby along with him, as she watched him with amusement.\u00a0 He was cute when he laughed, the way his nose crinkled\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cJust\u2026 you,\u201d said Callum, shaking his head.\u00a0 He heaved a sigh, catching his breath.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re hilarious, you know.\u00a0 Who knew you could still make me laugh, after everything I\u2019ve \u2013 everything we\u2019ve<\/i> seen?\u201d<\/p>\n

A warm sensation worked its way through Gabby\u2019s body, making her squirm.\u00a0 She shrugged off the compliment, feeling self-conscious and oddly flattered at the same time.\u00a0 \u201cWell, when you\u2019ve spent almost the entire apocalypse with guys like Nick and AJ, you learn to laugh at really inappropriate things, I guess.\u201d
\nCallum chuckled again.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Shaun as well.\u00a0 I wish I shared that same warped sense of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, you\u2019re funny, too!\u201d Gabby insisted.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if you spent more time with AJ, I swear, you\u2019d be just as warped as the rest of us real soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled wistfully.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should,\u201d she said, and then, on sudden impulse, she reached out and grabbed his arm.\u00a0 \u201cSeriously, Callum, you should!\u00a0 Come with us!\u201d<\/p>\n

He hesitated, and for a few seconds, he looked like he was actually considering it.\u00a0 But then he sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI want to.\u00a0 But I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u00a0 Selena\u2019s coming!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but Selena\u2026 Selena\u2019s sort of always done her own thing.\u00a0 She\u2019s not accountable to anyone.\u00a0 I, on the other hand\u2026 I\u2019ve got Abby to consider.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby marveled at the mature way he spoke.\u00a0 He was actually about a year younger than her, but sometimes he seemed so much older.\u00a0 Maybe it was the accent.\u00a0 \u201cShe could come, too!\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we ask her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Callum cocked his head to the side, and then he shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cSure, we could,\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt she\u2019ll want to come, though. \u00a0Her son\u2019s body is here \u2013 not here<\/i> here, like in the castle, but here in England. \u00a0I can\u2019t imagine she\u2019ll be too keen on leaving him.\u00a0 But it\u2019s worth a try, I suppose.\u00a0 Maybe we can convince her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby could understand why Abby wouldn\u2019t want to leave.\u00a0 It was one of the many reasons why she couldn\u2019t wait to get back to Florida.\u00a0 Her mother was buried on the base, her father only a few miles from it.\u00a0 Even if she couldn\u2019t see them, couldn\u2019t touch them, it was still sort of comforting to know they were there, a few feet under the soil, where she could talk to them.\u00a0 She knew that was stupid \u2013 it wasn\u2019t like they could hear her, and if they could, it was because their souls were listening from Heaven, not their rotting corpses underground.\u00a0 Still, she was looking forward to seeing the crudely carved cross that marked her mother\u2019s grave in the memory garden they\u2019d started at the base.\u00a0 Maybe, if Kevin was right about the zombies decomposing, she could even go visit her father\u2019s grave again when they got back.<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon!\u201d she exclaimed, all keyed up over the idea that Callum might actually come with her.\u00a0 She sprang to her feet and pulled him up with her.\u00a0 Down the spiral staircase they raced, leaving Gabby dizzy with excitement.\u00a0 Both breathless, they burst into the kitchen, where Abby was cooking dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d she asked with alarm, when she caught sight of their flushed faces.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2019s wrong,\u201d Gabby replied quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWe were just talking about how great it would be if\u2026 if you and Callum came with us!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCame with you?\u201d\u00a0 Abby laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat, to America?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u00a0 Our base there, it\u2019s really awesome!\u00a0 It\u2019s got a bowling alley and an arts and crafts center and a whole library full of books; you\u2019d love it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I would.\u201d\u00a0 Abby smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds lovely, dear, but it\u2019s such a long ways away.\u00a0 We\u2019ve made a home for ourselves here.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I\u2019m ready to leave it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby and Callum exchanged glances.<\/p>\n

I told you so,<\/i> his seemed to say.<\/p>\n

I know<\/i>, hers sadly replied.<\/p>\n

Abby must have seen the look of disappointment on Gabby\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, I\u2019m only speaking for myself,\u201d she added quickly.\u00a0 \u201cCallum can do as he wishes\u2026 although I do hope he chooses to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby saw the way she looked at Callum.\u00a0 It was the same look she\u2019d seen her mother give her a million times, whenever she\u2019d said things like, \u201cYou\u2019re growing up too fast.\u201d\u00a0 Following Abby\u2019s gaze to Callum, Gabby watched the way his adam\u2019s apple bobbed in his throat, as he swallowed hard.\u00a0 She knew then that he would not be going with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said after dinner, as they sat at the top of the tower once more.\u00a0 \u201cI just can\u2019t leave her.\u00a0 It would break her heart.\u00a0 She thinks of me as another son\u2026 and\u2026 and she\u2019s like a mother to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabby nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could stay here,\u201d he offered, but the tone of his voice told her he already knew she would say no.<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t, for the same reason you can\u2019t go.\u00a0 I want to be with my mom, too.\u00a0 And Kevin… he\u2019s kind of like what Abby is to you, like another dad or something.\u201d\u00a0 It was the first time she\u2019d said it out loud, but it was true, wasn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Kevin had been there since almost the very beginning, taking care of her, making sure she was safe.\u00a0 Being separated from him when he left the base to look for survivors had been hard, especially after her mother died.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t imagine letting him leave without her again, nor could she imagine him letting her stay.\u00a0 Of course, he wasn\u2019t her real dad; she could do what she wanted.\u00a0 But she didn\u2019t want to hurt him, and she didn\u2019t want to be left behind again.<\/p>\n

Callum smiled tightly.\u00a0 \u201cI figured.\u00a0 So I guess it\u2019s goodbye for now.\u00a0 Hopefully not forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lump rose in Gabby\u2019s throat.\u00a0 She hated saying goodbye, though it wasn\u2019t often in this world that she even got the chance anymore.\u00a0 \u201cI hope not.\u00a0 Maybe we\u2019ll come back someday,\u201d she said, though she knew it was unlikely she would ever see Callum again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe I can convince my group to come to you,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 His freckled face looked ghostly in the moonlight that came through the window.\u00a0 Reaching across one of the moonbeams, he grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.\u00a0 Silently, she squeezed it back.<\/p>\n

For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, and then she thought, Maybe I\u2019ll kiss him.<\/i>\u00a0 She took a tentative step toward him, pulling him toward her.\u00a0 They met in the middle of the moonbeam.\u00a0 As the pale blue light shone down upon them, bathing them both in its beauty, they drifted closer to each other.\u00a0 Gabby closed her eyes as their lips connected in a brief kiss.<\/p>\n

Not since Colton had she kissed anyone, and afterwards, Gabby wondered if she ever would get the opportunity again.\u00a0 It was then and there that she made a promise, one she intended to keep.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come back for you, Callum,\u201d she whispered, as she slowly pulled away.\u00a0 \u201cSomeday.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

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Chapter 107 I hate saying goodbye.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019m lucky I even get to this time.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like I got to say goodbye to my mom or my dad or Makayla or Kayleigh or Spunky or anyone else I … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/454"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":476,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/454\/revisions\/476"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}