The cell was crowded, which, from an outsider’s point of view, was probably foolish. All these people standing in a cell with a man who was dying from the infection and could turn into a zombie and attack at any moment? Stupid.
Fortunately — or rather, unfortunately — Elliot wasn’t in the right mind frame to insist that the people he loved most here at the end of the world should leave him here alone. He didn’t want to be alone. Not like this. No one wanted to spend their last moments alone. He’d learned that from all his years of being a medic.
When David approached and requested a moment alone, Elliot moved his head slightly on the pillow so that he could look up at his brother. This wasn’t like the time David had visited him in the infirmary at Liberty. This time… the conversation would be a goodbye.
His lips twitched into a tired smile that faded quickly when David asked how he was. “Been better,” he answered, his voice hoarse from coughing. He cleared his throat.
He opened his hand palm up on the bed, inviting his brother to take it. “I’m glad we got to spend these last few months together, little bro.” Elliot was doing better at holding back his own tears, but that was mostly due to the fact that he was so exhausted.