WARNING: Needles

Carter

“Get to the safe house,” I mutter quietly to myself. “Just get there and you’ll be fine… at least for a bit.”

When the sanctum was first established, my partners and I were very skeptical about the “everything’s fine” sales pitch. So we spent the entire time in this “safe haven”, building a stash of weapons, non-perishable foods, clothes, and everything else we could think that we needed. I get to the old shed and it looks like I’m either the last of us left or the first one here. I try not to get my hopes up wishing for the latter. 

“Carter!” I hear the beautiful sound of Ethan's voice and am immediately flooded with relief. I turn in time to catch him as he jumps into my arms.

“Thank god you're okay! I was so worried, ma’s gone now and I was so worried you got infected too and I- wait… where’s Matt?” I say looking around, they live right next to Ethan, They should have gotten here with him.

“...They said to go ahead. They went to go back to grab the package, you know the one that we ordered last month,” he said, his eyes watering. “I haven’t seen him since.”

The antidote, I think to myself knowing exactly what Ethan is implying  we really got it. A package of 15 vials of antidote, we really got it… and right on time to. 

“I-if he- no, They got it. They got it and they’re on their way right now. I know they are,” I say, cradling Ethan’s face in my hands, wiping away a stream of tears. “Y’know why? Because nothing in the world could keep them from us.” 

Ethan takes a deep breath and nods. I help him up and we go inside our safe house. 

“From here we will wait. They will come back to us, I know it,” I say, filling my voice with as much determination as possible.

We waited and waited for 3 hours. Counting rations, resting and cuddling. Finally we hear a knock at the door. Ethan jumps, his face flooding with hope.

“Matt?” he says cautiously, slowly inching his way to the door.

“Yeah it’s me,” we hear them huff, out of breath.

Ethan swings the door open and jumps into their arms.

“Thank the gods you two are all right! I was so worried I got here as soon as possible but I got trapped in the apartment, Mike is finally gone for good though.” they say closing the door, they hold up a large black briefcase, the most beautiful smile on their face. “I got it. Though, er… I might need a dose myself though.”

Ethan is the first one to react, pushing Matt onto the nearest chair and opening the briefcase grabbing one of the vials and preparing the syringe. Letting loose a string of insults, terms of endearment, and curses.

“Matt, you reckless piece of-”

“I think that’s enough insults for now, hun.” I say, putting my hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “They’ve been through quite a bit, let's give them at least a minute without cursing at them.”

“Plus, uhrm… needles….” Matt adds squirming and pointing to the large needle in Ethan's hand.

“I know, love, but it’s gotta happen, we don't want to lose you too.” I say, kneeling next to them. “You wanna hold my hand?”

Matt nods slowly. 

“Alright, get ready.” Ethan mutters softly.

Matt squeezes my hand tight and whimpers quietly as the needle pierces their arm, I squeeze right back.

“Sshhh, it’s alright sweet.” I hum, rubbing their arm where the shot was administered. “It’s okay.”

“I know, I know.” Matt mutters quietly. “Hey, carter?”

“Yes, sweet?”

“Earlier you said ‘lose you too.’ who…?” Matt asks slowly.

“...Ma… Didn’t make it.” I utter quietly.

“Oh, darlin’.” Matt says, holding their arms out for a hug. 

“I should have seen it!” I whisper, falling into their arms as tears begin to stream down my face. “Ma’s gone, and it all my faul-” 

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” Ethan commanded, pointing a finger to my face and joining the embrace. “It is not your fault! So don’t you dare blame yourself!”

“Please?” Matt added quietly.

“Okay,” I sniffle, wiping my face.

“Good,” Ethan says, planting a soft kiss on my forehead, then Matt’s.

“Um,” Matt whispers softly. “What do we do now?”