The hot water hit Joe like a wave of relief. Washing away the grime, the gore, the stress, if only for a moment.
He leaned against the shower wall, eyes closed, letting the water do its work.
Amy had claimed dibs on showering with him, not that Andrea didn't object. But she ultimately backed down.
She was gentle but thorough, washing his blood-caked hair, scrubbing the dried rot from his skin.
The water ran dark as it swirled around the drain... red, brown, almost black.
Occasional kisses broke the silence. No words, just small reminders that they were still alive, still human.
Joe, tipsy from the wine, didn't move much. He leaned into her touch, heavy and relaxed. Amy didn't mind.
She seemed to take pride in it... cleaning him, caring for him. When it was done, she stood still for a moment, water running over both of them like a curtain between worlds.
By the time they stepped out, Amy looked refreshed. Tired, but content.
They dried off and found clean, white uniforms in the locker room... leftover CDC issue. It was strange to wear something that didn't smell like sweat or dirt.
Andrea met them just outside, arms crossed and a playful pout on her face.
"Have fun?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Amy.
Amy laughed. "Yep!"
The sisters started bickering softly, voices low and tired but still fiery.
Joe sighed and stepped between them. "Alright," he muttered.
He pulled them both close and gave each a firm squeeze on the hip. The bickering stopped instantly, replaced with flushed cheeks and soft, involuntary sounds of pleasure.
"Better," he said simply.
The sisters glanced at each other, then at him, rolling their eyes... but they didn't argue.
They followed him quietly as they headed back down the corridor.
.....
Joe and the sisters looked around at the area before choosing a remote room, and settling down for the night.
The three of them had set up their cots. Andrea going out to check on the others and maybe find some entertainment for the night.
Amy snuggled up close to Joe, her body pressed against his. She looked up at him with a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.
"I have an idea," she whispered, her voice low and seductive. "Why don't we warm up with a little body heat?"
Joe didn't need to be asked twice. He wrapped his arms around Amy, pulling her close and kissing her deeply.
He could feel her body responding to him, her nipples hardening against his chest.
Amy reached down, running her hand over the bulge in Joe's pants. She stroked him gently, feeling him grow harder in her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes full of desire.
"I want you inside me," she whispered.
Joe didn't hesitate. He stripped off Amy's clothes, revealing her naked body. She was beautiful, with full breasts and curvy hips.
He couldn't resist running his hands over her body, feeling her soft skin beneath his fingers.
Amy lay back on the cot, her legs spread wide. Joe knelt between her thighs, his dick hard and ready.
He teased her entrance with the tip of his cock, making her squirm with anticipation.
"Please, Joe," she begged. "I need you inside me."
Joe couldn't resist any longer. He thrust into her, filling her completely. She gasped, her eyes rolling back in her head.
He began to move, fucking her slowly at first, then faster and harder.
Amy matched his rhythm, meeting each thrust with one of her own. She could feel herself getting close, her pussy clenching around Joe's cock.
"I'm gonna cum," she gasped, her voice hoarse with pleasure.
Joe didn't slow down. He kept fucking her, driving her closer and closer to the edge. She came with a loud cry, her pussy pulsing around him.
Joe couldn't hold back any longer. He groaned, his dick twitching inside her as he came. He collapsed on top of her, panting and sweaty.
They lay there for a moment, catching their breath. Then Amy looked up at him, a happy grin on her face.
"Let's make absolute sure I'm pregnant this time." she whispered.
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
Amy nodded. "Why not? We're already naked, and we've got the whole night ahead of us. No worries about safety."
Joe couldn't argue with that. He rolled onto his back, pulling Amy on top of him. She straddled him, lowering herself onto his still-hard dick.
They moved together, their bodies slick with sweat. Amy's breasts bounced with each thrust, her nipples hard and sensitive.
Joe reached up, cupping them in his hands and teasing them with his thumbs.
Amy moaned, her head thrown back in pleasure. She rode him harder, faster, her pussy clenching around him.
Joe could feel himself getting close again. He reached down, rubbing her clit in circles. Amy gasped, her pussy tightening around him.
They came together, their bodies shuddering with pleasure. Joe wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as they caught their breath.
They lay there for a long time, their bodies entwined. Finally, Amy looked up at him, a satisfied smile on her face.
"I think we did it," she whispered.
Joe grinned. "I think you're right."
Just then, Elize, who had come to fetch them at Andrea's request entered without knocking.
She saw them entwined on the cot, her mind blanking before her face turned beat red.
She saw Joe's hard cock, hilt deep in Amy some white goo slipping out.
"Um, guys?" she said looking away, an embarrassed look on her face. "I hate to interrupt, but Andrea was calling for you."
Joe and Amy looked at each other and laughed. Elize face burning even more.
"Sure thing, Elize," Joe said, grinning. "We'll be right there. Just give us a sec."
Elize closed the door quickly, the sound of quick, heavy steps reaching them. Joe smirked, "I think we traumatized her."
Amy laughed, "No... We made her horny." Joe laughing heartily, kissing her soft lips.
"I love you," Amy whispered, her voice soft and sleepy.
Joe smiled, kissing the top of her head.
"I love you too," he whispered back.
...
With the tension from earlier finally melted away, Joe and Amy rose from the cot and dressed quickly in the white CDC uniforms.
They didn't say much. Just exchanged a look, a silent understanding. Moments like this were rare. They had to hold on to them while they lasted.
Stepping into the hallway, they made their way toward the rec center they'd spotted earlier.
The space was dimly lit, but not lifeless.
Andrea sat cross-legged on the floor with a group of kids gathered around her. A small, battery-powered CD player clicked softly as it spun a scratched disc.
Faint music filled the room. Old pop, static breaking in every few seconds. The opening of Shrek.
A few of the younger ones bobbed their heads, giggling despite themselves. Across the room, a couple of teens hunched over a battered board game.
Moving pieces without much energy but enough to say they were trying.
Elize sat nearby, withdrawn. Her face flushed, eyes glued to the floor. Her posture was different, holding her stomach.
Glancing around to see if anyone noticed. She sat like she wanted to disappear but couldn't. Joe clocked it instantly but said nothing.
Andrea spotted them and smiled. "You two finally rejoined the living."
Amy rolled her eyes playfully. "Clean and refreshed. Miracles do happen."
Andrea glanced back at the kids. "We were just about to play a game. Something to keep their minds off... everything."
Joe raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"
Andrea smirked. "The kind that doesn't involve walkers, bullets, or machetes. You in?"
Joe exchanged a glance with Amy, who nodded.
"Sure," he said. "Let's make the most of this peace." 'For now.'
The kids perked up at the mention of a game. Even Carl sat up straighter, eyes narrowing with interest.
Andrea clapped her hands together and smiled. "Alright... simple game. I'll ask a question, and you answer. Truth only. No lying. That's the rule."
Groans from a few of the teens. Elize pulled her knees to her chest but stayed put.
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Truth or truth, huh?"
"Exactly," Andrea said.
She looked around the circle. "First question: what's something you miss that you took for granted?"
The group was quiet at first.
Then Carl spoke. "Cartoons. Saturday morning ones."
A few kids nodded in agreement.
"Cold milk," said Glen.
"Noise," said Amy. "Like city noise. Traffic. People arguing down the hall."
"Elize?" Andrea said gently.
The woman hesitated, then whispered, "Teaching."
Andrea smiled warmly. "That's a good one."
It went around the circle. T-Dog missed fast food. Daryl, after a long pause, admitted he missed going unnoticed.
Rick surprised everyone by saying, "Shaving. Never thought I'd miss my electric razor."
When it got to Joe, he leaned back on his elbows.
"Privacy," he said. "The kind where you can be alone and not worry someone's about to die while you're gone."
A few heads nodded slowly.
Andrea moved things along. "Okay. New one. What's one thing that's kept you going?"
"Mom," Carl said.
"Hope," Mary offered.
Amy and Andrea glanced at each other before Andrea said softly, "This dummy," nodding at Joe.
Joe grunted, "Good answer."
Sophia was curled up against her mother, fast asleep. Elize yawned, she glanced at Rick, the tension in her face easing.
The game continued for a while. Nothing dramatic, just quiet truths shared between survivors.
Laughter slipped in here and there. A few confessions. Joe said little, but he listened to everything.
Eventually, one by one, they started drifting. Andrea led the last few kids to makeshift sleeping spots.
Carol tucked Sophia in on a cot by the wall.
Amy curled beside Joe on a couch, leaning her head on his shoulder, letting herself breathe. Andrea joining them soon after.
It was the first time in days they felt like something close to normal.
As the lights dimmed to a soft glow, the rec center grew quiet. The movie had stopped long ago, the DVD player out of batteries, but no one seemed to notice.
Joe lay still, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
For now, they had warmth. Food. A roof.
But the countdown was still running.
And something told him that peace wouldn't last.
...
Joe stirred awake beneath dim lights and the low hum of recycled air.
Amy was curled beside him, fast asleep, her breath slow and steady.
He carefully slipped from under her arm and rose from the cot. She didn't stir.
Barefoot steps silent on the tile, Joe checked his Glock 17 and slipped into the hallway.
He moved methodically, checking room after room. Clearing corners, sweeping silently, just in case.
Most of the doors opened into offices, labs, storage units long since abandoned.
Then he found it.
Behind a dented steel door labeled Supply – Security, Joe stepped into a room that smelled faintly of oil and dust.
Racks of rifles. Pistols on shelves. Nearly thirty-five weapons, all organized like someone had tried to keep them ready. Military-grade gear, now forgotten.
Joe stared for a moment. 'These must've belonged to the soldiers. Guess Jenner did something useful after all.'
He grabbed empty bags from a nearby rack and began loading the guns. Rifles, sidearms, anything usable.
He doubted the amount of ammo left, but steel was still steel. They'd figure the rest out later.
He finished quickly, dragging the heavy bags near the doorway to stage for pickup. He turned to keep moving, more to explore...
When he heard footsteps behind him.
Joe spun, Glock raised.
Daryl stood in the hall, hands relaxed at his sides.
They nodded at each other.
"Found guns," Joe said. "Probably low on ammo, but better than nothing."
Daryl grunted in agreement, grabbed the bags, and vanished silently into the hallway.
Joe kept moving.
He found a locked pharmacy wing. A quick pry with his knife popped it open.
Inside were antibiotics, painkillers, gauze, disinfectants. More medical gear than he'd seen since king county hospital. He bagged it up the supplies and moved on.
Another room held basic survival gear. Flashlights. Batteries. Even a stack of old hazmat masks. He took what he could carry, dumping the non-essentials.
Finally, he circled back to the cafeteria. The place was still and sterile. Cold in the artificial light.
Joe walked the shelves, finding cases of canned goods and dehydrated meals. Also, freeze-dried fruits and candies shoved behind sealed crates.
He loaded everything into multiple duffel bags. He hefted them over his shoulders, and began the slow walk back.
Two trips, one for the food, and one for meds. He brought them back to his room without a sound, setting the bags beside the cot.
He walked to the Rec-Center. Amy didn't stir. Andrea was asleep too, arms tucked under her head. Everyone was fast asleep. Everything was still.
But Joe's mind was anything but calm.
He walked back down the now-familiar corridor, making his way into the central operations room. The one with the massive countdown screen.
14:31:09
The numbers rolled downward, second by second.