Page 85 of Romancing in Rot

“They didn’t even have a chance,” he says, quieter now.

No one answers.

What the hell do you say to that?

Luis sits down next to Carlos and wraps one arm around him.

Carlos stills under the touch. Wesker pads over slowly, nails clicking through broken glass. He whimpers and nudges Carlos’s face.

Carlos breaks completely.

Both arms shoot out, dragging Luis and Wesker against him. His fingers bury themselves in the dog’s fur. His forehead drops to Luis’s temple.

“Lo siento mucho,” he whispers. “Lo siento mucho.”

The whole store shudders with the dead outside. Frames tremble on the walls. Glass ticks softly as it settles across the floor. Somewhere near the back, a loose sign swings on a rusty chain, creaking in time with the pounding.

My thigh burns where the gate tore through my jeans. Blood sticks denim to skin. I ignore it.

Clair is still on overwatch.

Part of the plan.

Still, knowing that doesn’t make my hands any less restless.

I step forward before Jacob can speak, pulling out my pen and flipping open the notebook. My hand moves fast, letters cutting hard into the paper.

I flip it around and hold it out where Carlos can’t miss it, even through tear-filled eyes.

Come with us.

Carlos looks at the paper.

Then at me.

His eyes are red. Wild. Empty in a way I know too well.

“What’s the point?”

The question hits the room and stays there.

I hold his gaze, but before I can write something, Joanie speaks.

“The point is proving to yourself that you’re stronger than what life throws at you.”

Her voice is quieter than usual.

That alone makes everyone look.

Joanie stands with one hand still curled like she wants to punch the world and can’t decide where to start. Her glittery star sticker is smeared with dirt. Blood flecks her cheek. Her mouth twists, but the usual joke doesn’t come right away.

She glances at Lyla.

Something soft passes between them.

“It’s fighting back. Or fighting for people who can’t.” She shrugs, like the words don’t cost her anything even though they clearly do. “Basically, you find your point and keep fucking going.”

For once, nobody tells her to watch her language.