End of the Line (Book 2): Stuck in the Middle by Lara Frater Page A

unto some cushions and dry towels and blankets. His body was icy and his brown eyes were opened wide. I put one blanket around him. I didn’t want to get him overheated.
                  “That sucked,” he said. “I hate being here. More will come.” He looked out towards the water.              “Can you close the swim deck when we’re finished?” I asked Dena. She nodded. 
                  “Can you walk?” I felt nauseous but since I only had water nothing came up.
                  He tried to stand but wavered. He could walk but he needed our help. Keith and I helped him up. Dena stood in the corner, waiting for us to leave. Grace followed us from behind, her rifle slung to her shoulders, but she was looking at the water probably for more floaters. None came.
                  It took some effort but we got Henry up the ladder and on to the deck. My robe was soaked as was my pants. Keith and I helped him inside and I heard the sound of the swim deck shut.
                  We walked Henry into the salon. I tossed off my boots, not caring where they landed. Fatigue overcame me and I was desperate to get back to bed.
                  I was feeling like utter crap so I when I dropped Henry into the bed, I collapsed with him even though my pants and robe were damp. I felt someone cover me with a blanket.
                  “Thanks, Keith.”
                  “You’re welcome,” Grace replied.
                 
                  When I woke up it was dark and I had no idea what time it was. For a moment I thought everything was a bad dream and Mark was next to me, but that faded immediately and cold reality hit me. Mark, My parents, my friends, my life were never coming back.
                  I didn’t have a fever and was freezing. I wrapped the blanket around me tight. I shivered but not as bad as before. Now it was the regular cold of winter and a boat with rationed heat.
                  “Henry,” I whispered, suddenly frightened that he had died in the night. That I had a cold dead corpse next to me but I could feel his warmth and heard his breathing.
                  “Yea,” he said, his voice low.
                  “You feeling better?”
                  “Yes, now I’m freezing.” I realized he was probably still wearing only underwear.
                  “Did you drink any water?” I couldn’t see in the dark.
                  “A little. If I drink too much I feel sick.”
                  He probably needed to drink more but I didn’t want to pressure him. I figured if it got worse maybe Hannah could give him an IV.
                  “Do you want me to get you some clothes?”
                  “Just an extra blanket.” We kept four blankets on the bed, so I covered him with my extra one. I took off my damp robe and hung it to dry.
                  He didn’t say anything. I thought he had fallen asleep. I was about to join him.
                  “We won’t be together after we get off the boat?” He started me because it had been at least a minute since we spoke last and it came out from left field.
                  “Yes,” I said with no hesitation. I didn’t want to be with Henry or anyone for a while. “Are you okay with that?”
                  “It’s cool,” he said, but his voice cracked a little so I knew it wasn’t really cool. I felt bad. I didn’t mean to lead him on with something this serious. I wanted to say I’m sorry. It wasn’t fair to either of us. He wasn’t Mark. He was one bed in a string of warm bodies. I thought about the other men I was with, Jake, and Harlan. I felt bad for trying to force Jake into a relationship and leading Harlan on when I couldn’t get Jake for