The girls were on the verge of tears. Their father. He was alive. He didn’t die, he managed to survive and found the training camp in New Hampshire. Against all odds, they had found each other in a place where everyone is accepted, for the good of humanity. Thank God he’s still alive, Isabel thought as she tried to keep her composure. We have another ally in this, and I just know he’s going to protect us both. Lucia and me. I don’t have to worry anymore. 

After a long moment of silence and of sweet happiness to meet each other again, Lucia and Isabel pulled away. They both stared at their father in awe, shocked to see him again. They had expectations, of course. Yet they couldn’t be happy for too long, as they had to tell him that their mother was dead.  His own wife. The eldest didn’t want to admit she killed her, considering how he could decide to disown her and to panic with all of this. 

The man remained calmed, yet the corner of his lips twitched in anticipation. It’s as if he already knew what they were going to tell him. But he couldn’t be quite sure since he wasn’t with them from the start. He knew it was difficult for them, and he felt guilty to be leaving them. Thomas Fletcher adored his daughters, but now he had to find his wife. He was starting to be a little impatient. He wanted the truth. 

“I’ll repeat myself again, have you seen your mother?” Their father murmured softly, taking the time to pronounce every word. His gaze was loving and tender, yet there was a hint of despair in his eyes. Visibly, he was looking for something. 

Isabel met Lucia’s gaze, and she knew what she thought. She couldn’t tell him right away, because it would be a huge shock for Thomas, who would be breaking down as if his life was fading away. Yet if they didn’t tell him, they didn’t know what to say. They’d try to speak, but their voices would come out faint and muffled by the fear that invaded them. A wave of guilt washed over the teen, and she felt herself tearing up. 

“I don’t know...” She spoke with difficulty, her voice trembling. Her eyes flickered around the place, alert, as if an odd creature was seeking them from afar. She then looked back at her father, avoiding his gaze as she bit her lower lip. “I haven’t seen her in a few weeks. Well, the last time I did, she was kissing me goodnight.” 

Thomas’ face fell, but he didn’t loom surprised. He shut his eyes tightly and exhaled, playing with the ring on his finger. His hand reached for his hair, his bottom lip quivering. He mumbled incoherent words, his lashes batting as she groaned inwardly. 

“It’s okay, girls. We’ll find her eventually...” The man uttered as he forced a smile, tilting his head. “I know she’s out there somewhere.” 

Isabel’s heart throbbed. She wanted to scream that his wife was dead, and her hands, holding what killed her right through the heart, but she couldn’t. He’d hate me for that. I’m sure he wouldn’t know anyways. If we come back to the city and see her there, he’s never going to believe I did this. He knows I usually don’t do this. 

“Dad...” The youngest started, stepping closer, “We have something to tell you. Something particularly important that you may not like. But we’ve got to tell you anyways, because if we don’t, I feel like I’m never going to forgive myself. Neither Isabel.” She said as she glared at her sister, her eyes screaming "I hate you but I’m sorry” at the same time. 

“Lu, don’t. I’ll tell him when the time comes. But now I’m not ready. I feel like it’s going to break him down.” Isabel mentioned, before she shifted to her father, an awkward smile creeping across her face as she laughed nervously “Just forget what Lucia said, dad. She became a bit crazy with that apocalypse, don't mind her.” 

“What?” The youngest said, her eyes wide with embarrassment and confusion. 

But neither Thomas nor Isabel looked at her. He wanted the truth, but he knew he wouldn’t like it. And since Lucia called it out, he couldn’t forget it as if she didn’t say anything. Is it possible that my own daughters would be hiding something from me? The father thought in suspicion as he scrutinized their expressions. 

“What does your sister, mean, Isabel? I’m your father, you know you can be honest with me, always. Don't try to hide anything from me. Uno, it’s going to hurt me, and secondo, you won’t be very subtle. You’ll feel guilty hiding it, and you’ll just make yourself feel worse through the days. So go ahead, tell me.” 

“I don't want to.” The girl whimpered as she shook her head, “We’ll tell him later in either way, it isn’t really important.” 

“It is important! Dad needs to know the truth!” The youngest hectored, her voice a low growl as her eyes were filled with tears. She then lowered her voice, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she stared into her sister’s eyes with pain. “Tell him. Now. He needs to know.” 

Isabel took a few deep breaths. She knew how right Lucia was, but she didn’t want to admit it. Neither to her father, neither to herself. And yet it was necessary to tell him one day or the other, and it would have been better if she did today. A wave of guilt would wash over her for the time being if she didn’t say anything. 

“We did meet her.” She spoke faintly, parting her lips as she looked down. “I-I don’t know how to tell you this...We didn’t stay with her, b-because...” The teen stammered, trying to form coherent words. “She was a zombie when we met her. A-and I didn’t want to, but I killed her, because if I didn’t, I would've been the one to die.” 

Thomas’ face fell, as if he had lost hope. His eyes became dark, filled with tears as despair dug rivers in his cheeks. He had that one broken smile, his eyes flickering as he tried to keep his composure. The man wanted to believe it was all a lie, that they were playing with him, but he knew that they were right. There wasn’t an ounce of mischief in his daugther’s eyes. Even Lucia looked troubled. 

Thomas wanted to scream and run off, to avoid reality, but he couldn’t. He had to face it, whatever it took. He caught his breath, trying to understand how he felt. He felt frustrated, broken. But he wasn’t mad at Isabel. He knew that she didn’t have a choice. I wish I could tell her how sorry I am. How I wish she never did that. And yet she did. We can’t change the past, neither the actions that have been done. 

“It’s fine. You girls didn’t really have a choice. It must’ve been terribly difficult for you to see what you’ve done, Isabel.” The man spoke weakly, clearing his throat. 

“Really? You aren’t mad at us?” Lucia asked as her expression lightened, her ears perking up as she seemed relieved, a sparkle in her eyes. Visibly, she was certain he would be furious. 

“I don’t know.” He mumbled in a voice lower than a mumble, that only he could hear. Well, that’s what he thought. His oldest daughter’s brows furrowed, but she remained silent. 

“I’m glad you’re not mad at me.” Isabel exhaled sharply as she pressed her lips together, rubbing her left arm with the palm of her hand. “You're right, it’s not like I wanted to kill her. I would’ve preferred not to do so, you know? She’s literally my mother, the one who always took care of me, and I feel like I failed her. I should've sacrificed myself.” The girl admitted, her eyes watering. 

Thomas’s heart throbbed and he swallowed. He did not expect her to react this way. His eyes widening in confusion, he rushed to the teen and took her hands in his, trying to act the best he could. Now that the sisters didn’t have a mother anymore, all that they had left was him. And they were all he had left, and he wanted to protect them. His touch was gentle as his thumb brushed Isabel’s palm, his expression growing into a frown. 

“Don’t say that, Isabel. You aren't worthless. I’m glad you feel this way about her, considering how she takes care of you.” The man paused, his gaze leaving Isabel’s for a moment. “Well, took. Anyway, both of your lives were valuable, and I’d be even more hurt if you would be dying right now, in this instant. I don’t care of someone more; I care about you three equally. But now it’s only you two, and you’re all I have left.” 

The sisters stood there in silence, feeling their self-esteem gain a boost. Their father was such an awesome man, and he knew how to make them smile, to lighten the mood. He wasn’t like Juliana, their mother, but at least he was resilient and wasn’t mad at them for stupid reasons. The man saw the truth, read the lies, and had a warm heart filled with understanding. He knew how it felt, to be misunderstood. 

“Thank you, dad.” Lucia whispered as she hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his waist, breathing shakily before she muttered “You don’t know how hard it was.” 

The girl then pulled away, her expression filled with worry and relief, the one you have when you had just finished a task you always wanted to complete. Isabel felt a warmth spreading on her cheeks, and she couldn’t help herself from smiling, although it was hard to find joy in those situations, she managed to find happiness in places she never thought she would. And so, the teen sighed, watching her family thoughtfully. 

She knew Lucia would always be there for her, whatever happened. And her father would stick along, bringing hope and protection. Her sister had loyalty, her father warmth, but her mother’s joy wasn’t there. She needed it, and yet she was still excited to see her father again. He was alive, and he came back. For them both. 

“It’s nothing, girls.” The boy laughed softly, though no amusement was heard in his warm laughter. “I can’t let my girls run on their own in the wild, mostly not when there are zombies running around that could invade them. If we stay together, it should be fine.” 

“It’s not fine, mom died because of those monsters.” Lucia replied as she frowned, grinning slyly. “I know you’re trying to find hope for us, but it’s hard for me to accept that when we’ve lost someone important. I’m still in shock, and so is Isabel. I bet she feels even worse.” 

“I feel guilty.” The girl agreed, “I don’t know what we’ll do nor become without her. She was such a ray of sunshine; she would help us whenever we needed to. We didn’t even need to ask, she would be right there, even though she’d be busy with work.” 

Thomas didn’t know what to say. In a way, he knew his daughters were right; it wasn’t the same way as it was before, with Juliana. On the other hand, she was gone, and he couldn’t do anything about it. He wanted to be the best father for both, but he knew he wasn’t enough. The man didn’t dare telling them that, though. 

“I’ll do my best.” Thomas simply said, shrugging his shoulders as his breath caught in his throat. “I may not be the best you’ll ever meet, but you can be certain that I’ll do my best.” He then paused for a moment, wistful, his gaze wandering around the place. The girls didn’t say anything, because they knew he was about to say something else again, something important. “How about we leave this place? It got ruined because of the zombies; I don’t think it’s a promising idea because your protection isn’t completely assured.” 

Isabel stood there, in shock. She never thought that her father would say something like that. Leave the only place that gave them protection? No way. Although it was damaged, she never would’ve considered leaving the place to be on the run. She wanted to be safe, and for Lucia and Thomas to be safe as well. 

“Leave this place? Dad, you can’t be serious. We must finish our training before, that’s necessary before we leave. Those guys helped us a lot, we owe them to keep listening to them, don’t ya think?” The girl implied as she tilted her head. 

“I mean, you girls can protect yourself, no?” 

Isabel and Lucia’s gaze met. Protect themselves? Erm, not really. The same day, the youngest was on the verge of death, and she could barely do anything to defend herself. Isabel wasn’t so bad, but Lucia clearly needed more training. And they couldn’t leave her there. 

“Yes.” Said Isabel  

“No.” Retorted Lucia at the same time 

Thomas watched them cautiously, and he paused as he noticed they weren’t certain about it. He wasn’t surprised Isabel was able to defend herself. He narrowed his eyebrows and pursed his lips, running a hand through his hair as he watched them silently. 

“Hm, let me ask this another way, then. Do you girls want to leave this place, and why? Explain yourself clearly, don't just tell me yes because you think the mountain is pretty. That may be true, that’s the last of our concerns right now. The goal isn’t to have the prettiest house, but to be safe. Once that need is assured, then the esthetic can be something to worry about.” 

At the same time, a guard passed by, bewildered to see them there. His shield was covered in blood, and he looked young, a small scar crossing his bottom lip. He eyed them suspiciously, but when he saw Thomas, his doubts faded away. 

“You guys should go back to your places. It isn’t safe out there. There are zombies everywhere. This is an emergency and getting you guys to a safe place is our top one priority. Please follow me to your campus.” 

The boy was then startled when he saw the dead bodies on the ground next to them, and his breathing became quicker. He relaxed when he noticed they weren’t conscious. The sisters as well as their father then realized it was quite odd that they were standing in such a murky place, and so they stepped back, hiding their amused smiles the best they could. 

“Follow me, please...” He mumbled under his breath, closing his eyes for a second before shifting his gaze away from the zombies, walking to the campus. 

*** 

Isabel was lucky. During the walk, she didn't meet any zombies, and neither did Lucia, her father and the young guard did. The darkness was slowly beginning to creep in, the owls sitting on trees, their piercing eyes scrutinizing them. They weren’t a danger, though. Neither the owls nor the humans that strolled in the forest at night. 

“The sky is beautiful at night, isn’t it?” Thomas whispered as his eyes shined in adoration 

The girls looked over, gasping as they saw a star crossing the sky. Lucia immediately joined her hands and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before muttering something incoherent. Isabel didn’t understand it just yet, but Lucia was making a wish, since a shooting star passed by. 

“I wish for dad, Isabel and I to be happy, and to stay together forever and be safe.” She whispered, sighing softly. 

The oldest wanted to join in and pray with her, but she felt her heart throbbing. She didn’t want to wish again, in case something bad happened. So instead of taking a risk, she joined and sat next to her, praying to God that nobody would disturb her happiness ever again. But she knew that would surely happen again.