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to.
    “You’re not taking me with you, are you? You’re just
gonna leave me here,” I accused with surprising steel.
    “What? Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’m taking you with
me.”
    I released a relieved breath. “Oh…well I just thought…I
guess I don’t really know what I thought…” He’s taking me with him! I won’t
be left alone! “Thanks, Jason.”
    “Yeah, of course,” he said. “But the thing is, you need
to know…” He hesitated, searching my eyes across the three-foot distance
between us. “You need to get some rest. You look exhausted.”
    I was confused, knowing he’d been about to say something
entirely different. Regardless, I said, “I need to talk to Zoe.”
    “The phones went down a little bit ago.”
    “I’ll email her,” I countered.
    “After you’ve rested.” He sounded like he was used to
being obeyed.
    “I’ll do it now.”
    “No. Later.”
    Impatiently, I set my empty glass on the table and tossed
my arms up in exasperation. “Are you serious? Why are you being such a…”
    His eyes narrowed. “Such a…what?”
    “Nothing.” I hastily changed tactics. “Please, Jason.
I’ll sleep so much better if I can just let her know that I’m alive.”
    “She knows you’re alive. I told her…before the phones
crapped out.”
    Closing my eyes, I took a deep, calming breath. “I am exhausted. But…I’ll rest better if I tell her I’m okay. I can’t explain
it…I just needto do this. It’ll only take a few minutes—I promise—and
then I’ll behave like a nice, cooperative little patient.”
    “Fine,” he said and broke our magnetic stare. “You have
ten minutes. Then you’re resting, even if I have to hold you down.”
    I smiled at him, reveling in my victory. I wasn’t going
to let Jason order me around like one of his soldiers.
    “Thanks, Jason. And, um, thanks for coming here. I
probably wouldn’t have made it if…you know.” Examining his appearance, I noted
the clean fatigues and missing coat. Hesitantly, I added, “And I’m sorry about
getting you all dirty earlier.” I looked away, embarrassment coloring
everything above my shoulders.
    Jason reached across the table and placed his hand under
my chin, turning my face toward him. He held my eyes and murmured, “It doesn’t
matter.”
     
     
    Date: December 11, 9:30 PM
    From: Danielle O’Connor
    To: Zoe Cartwright
    Subject: To My Savior
     
    I’m alive. Cam isn’t. Jason’s here. You probably saved my life
by sending him to me. I’m feeling better, but I need to rest for about a year.
I’ll fill you in later. I can’t even express how much of a difference it makes
to have your brother here. Thanks, Zo.
     
     
    Date: December 13, 6:00AM
    From: Danielle O’Connor
    To: Zoe Cartwright
    Subject: Your brother’s really bossy
     
    Zo,
     
    I’m still alive. Sorry it’s taken me a few days to write. I
slept for the past day and a half, literally. I just woke up an hour ago and
had to barter with Jason over access to my computer. My computer!
Anyway, here’s what happened...
     
    Two nights ago, I awoke in Jason’s arms. Apparently I’d been
breathing so faintly that he’d thought I was dead. He was crying, Zo. Real
tears! Who knew the guy had it in him? One of his crew members, a woman named
Chris, cleaned me up and fed me. Makes me sound like a baby. Or a dog.
     
    Anyway, your brother brought 12 other people with him from
his base, but I’ve only met Chris so far. I guess the base was on lockdown when
they left, so they had to grab some vehicles and go. They managed to take two
Humvees.
     
    Jason said we’re leaving tomorrow morning. We’ll be heading
down the coast to Bodega Bay to check on your dad and Grams (and some other
people). But, because we’ll be stopping along the way to check on those other
people, it’ll take us a little while to get to BB. I’m not sure what the trip
will be like. Is there gas? Do we use money? How many people are dead? How many
are alive? Is