Chapter 96：So Soon?

"Josh!"

Everyone who saw what had happened, shouted his name in unison. Josh fell on the ground and Dannie fell with him. The zombie was about to do another attack but Josh, with all his might, pushed the zombie away and shot him directly on its head, killing the zombie.

"Josh!"

Veon and Tyler ran towards him but Josh suddenly went berserk as he tried to push both of his best friends away.

"Get away from me," Josh shouted and Sheloah and Shannara saw that there was another zombie approaching Dannie. Josh saw it quickly and with his last strength that he could control, he shot the zombie accurately and finally, no more zombies were around.

Sheloah and Shannara ran towards them. Sheloah noticed that Josh could no longer balance himself up. Tears started escaping from Sheloah's eyes as she saw how slowly her best friend is transforming from a human to a zombie.

"Josh—" Sheloah tried to touch him but Josh brushed her hand off.

"Don't touch me!"

There was hurt evident in Josh's eyes. It was excruciating for the others to see him suffering this way. Tears rolled down on Josh's cheek as he started pulling his hair off in frustration.

"Argh!"

Josh started distancing himself from everyone but his friends just couldn't leave him behind.

He is a precious friend.

Everyone was already crying at this point. Even the girl Josh loves, Dannie.

Josh's shouts continued and the group already noticed his skin turning bluish-black. He knelt on the ground, seeming to give up as he continued crying in despair.

"Leave me alone, please…"

Josh was by this point, begging for them to go but they just couldn't leave him behind.

"We… can't," Sheloah said, her voice breaking and they all got surprised when Josh let out another loud scream. He was obviously in pain.

"I'm not… going to be the Josh you once knew," he said, his voice trembling. He started standing up, but even Josh couldn't have the strength to do so.

"Josh—"

"Kill me now!"

Everyone's eyes widened when they heard their best friend's impossible request.

"Are you f*****' crazy!? Do you think—" Veon was angered by his request but he was suddenly interrupted by Josh.

"I don't want to hurt you."

When Josh said this line, everyone went silent.

He has a point… but killing off a best friend? That seemed really an impossible task to accomplish but they knew that Josh wanted to be out of his misery.

They went quiet for a minute as they watched Josh struggle on the ground, rolling his body in pain. This made Sheloah close her eyes shut and it had made her clench her hands into hard fists. She could not bear to see him like this anymore.

"Josh… just know we won't ever forget you," she said and everyone looked at her, seeming not to stop her. Josh heard her and he forced out a smile for all of them to see.

"I have one last request. Sing a song for me," he said and this had taken everyone aback.

He now wants Sheloah to sing?

Josh's breath was erratic but he tried his best to speak. "Please watch over Dannie for me."

Dannie now started to sob uncontrollably. Even in the most difficult times, Josh still couldn't stop thinking about her welfare.

"Josh, I'm sorry," Dannie apologized and Josh fully understood what she meant.

Josh had long been waiting for her but Dannie didn't even try to give him a proper answer. He knew this well, but still, he loved her regardless and was patient until the end.

Veon spoke up as he took a few steps towards Josh. "You're the best bro, y'know that, right," he said and Josh laughed slightly.

"I know."

He started closing his eyes as he tried his best to control his transition of becoming a zombie.

"Kill me now."

No one got the courage to do so until Tyler stepped right up. He aimed his gun at him as his tears started escaping from his eyes uncontrollably.

"The best bro for the Army of True Salvation… for all of us."

Tyler slowly pulled the trigger. It accurately hit Josh's head and this time, blood started to pool around his body. The moment Josh body's stopped to twitch, they all ran and made a circle around his body to take one last look at him.

Dannie's hands were shaking as she carried Josh's head to rest on her lap. Her tears fell on his face and Josh, with his last zombie strength, paired with his human emotions, spoke softly.

"Release My Soul… sing it for me, Sheloah."

The moment he said his request, he had finally stopped living.

Sheloah tried her best to stop crying as she wiped her tears away, preparing to sing Josh's favorite song.

'Why do you have to leave so soon?'