Gloomy clouds shrouded the night sky, swirling rapidly as a storm began to form. Heavy rain could be heard beating mercilessly down the walls of the safehouse; the wind moaning in through the safehouse crevices. Suddenly, a crash of white-hot lightning flooded through the cracks of the boarded up door followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

The grim weather outside was a perfect match for the survivor's state of mind. No one had spoken since they arrived at the safe house in the Tunnel of Love. They were all on edge, wondering if Ellis would pull through. All eyes rested on his chest, watching as it barely raised and lowered. His labored breathing was the only noise filling the room and it was enough to make Nick flinch every time he heard the raspy sound.

'How could he be so reckless and simple minded? Nick thought as he stared down at the unconscious hick. 'The countless of times we've told him to watch his back and still didn't listen to us. Now look where its landed him.' He ran a hand down his face, stopping at his eyes and resting his hand on top of them, unable to look at Ellis any longer.

Rochelle and Zoey tried to patch up Ellis the best they could with the little supplies they had. There had only been enough gauze for the giant gash on his forehead, leaving them with nothing else but band-aids for his smaller injuries. He had multiple bruises littering his stomach and shoulders, each one of them a shade of blue or purple. Nick was thankful Ellis didn't have any broken bones or internal bleeding, all which would have been certain death for the kid.

He took his hand away from his face and shifted his feet so his back rested against the wall. Seconds later, he felt a gentle hand rest on his shoulder, causing him to stiffen. He looked over to find Rochelle standing next him, a grime smile on her face. "Its going to be okay." Rochelle assured, softly squeezing Nick's shoulder. "If I know one thing it's that Ellis never gives up." She offered a more gentle smile this time, in an attempt to make Nick feel better about the situation.

Nick slowly nodded in her direction -but wasn't entirely paying attention to her- before he moved his gaze back to Ellis' body where Zoey was now leaning over, dabbing water onto his forehead. He adverted his eyes, feeling his chest tighten as he forced himself to focus onto his feet, kicking at some peeling carpet that was underneath him. His mind continued to play back the events that occurred yesterday, feeling his heart throb every time he thought of Ellis. And his memory would change, to the moment when they were forced to join them.


Nick stood stone-still as he continued to scowl at the others; his fists still shoved into his trouser pockets. The group cautiously approached Nick and the others, glancing every direction with their guns pointed head on, ready to take out any unsuspected zombies.

Just seeing the three pissed him off to no end. He couldnt tell what it was about them he didn't like. It could be because the first time encountering them little miss cupcake threatened to shoot him where he stood, creating friction in seconds. Or perhaps it was the way Ellis and Rochelle took to the others so fondly, finding their defenses low and their crushes sky rocketing. Trusting the three and even flirting with them minutes upon meeting them was a dead giveaway of weak and simpleminded people.

Nick took pride in himself for never needing anyone or asking for help, but to see Ellis latch on to Zoey so quickly made something in him snap. The desire he had to claim the kid as his and only his kicked into overdrive as soon as he found the other lusting over a stranger.

'I've been with him for weeks now and he's never looked at me the same way he's looked at her.' Nick clenched his fists even tighter as they closed in on his group. Looking back, he watched as Rochelle dropped to her knees and brought Ellis' head into her lap, staring down at him with tears in her eyes. Her hands were stained with his blood as she wrapped her arms around his head, cradling him against her chest.

The area around them looked like a crime scene. Coach had attempted to help Rochelle wipe down Ellis' face but could not mask the swimming pool of blood that surrounded his body. The huge gash on his forehead continued to spew out at an alarming rate as bruises began to scatter over his body. The Tank's remnants were only a few feet away; its form leaking bullets and red substance, creating an appalling stream throughout the amusement park.

And in that moment Nick had realized that if weren't for them, if it weren't for her, Ellis wouldn't be here right now. He turned back around and was surprised to be met with Zoey's emerald eyes. He glanced behind her and eyed Francis and Louis as they shifted in position to guard Zoey's back. Zoey was the first to speak, forcing Nick's attention back onto her. "Are you guys okay?"

Nick squinted his eyes as he observed her closely, racking his brain to figure out what the little hick saw in her. She wasn't exactly eye candy, however, she wasn't like any other woman Nick had encountered. Zoey wore a tight pink jacket with a white t- shirt underneath, and stained blue jeans that had been through hell and back. She stood tall and proud; her shoulders pushed back and her chest thrusted forward. Her eyes were soft but held a gleam of determination in them. One glance at her and you knew who the leader was in this group.

Zoey noticed Nick's scrutinizing gaze and decided to meet his gawking head on. Staring back at him she repeated her question a second time. "I said, are you guys okay?"

Snapping out of his trance, Nick broke his staring contest with Zoey and turned his attention back towards his teammates who were still beside Ellis. Without breaking his hold on Ellis, he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "Define okay."

Zoey peered past Nick's shoulders and saw Ellis' limp body laying on top of Rochelle with a bloody mess underneath him. "Besides the poor kid over there, is everyone else okay?" She asked, looking between Rochelle and Coach.

Before Nick could answer her question, Rochelle had glanced up from Ellis, her eyes puffy from the unshed tears. "Yes, I believe so. A little shaken up, but we're alright."

"It's a good thing you guys came along, who knows what state we would be in if not for you." Coach said as he gestured at Ellis. Zoey smiled softly, acknowledging both of their responses. She shifted back to her teammates. "What do you guys think? Should we offer them our help?"

Nick felt his annoyance reach an all time high. 'Them? Help us? Ha! As if we need a helping hand! He shook his head. 'We can handle ourselves just fine!'

"Sure, why the hell not? Beats going at this shit with only the three of us." Francis answered, interrupting Nick's inner argument with himself. Louis nodded in agreement at Francis' response. "I second that, we are down one person and it would help to have backup."

Nick furrowed his brows in uncertainty as he glanced over the group once more. 'What did he mean they were down a person? When we met them on the bridge there were only the three of them, weren't there?'

"Exactly, that's why I think it would be better if we all stuck together for now." Zoey said with quite amount of speed that Nick was certain she was hiding something.

Coach walked up to Zoey, offering her his hand. "I believe that is the best thing for all of us to do right now. Wouldn't want to end up like the rest of these people." Coach looked past Zoey and stared Nick dead in the eyes, almost daring him to say something. Sadly, Nick was never the type to turn down a dare. "I'm sorry, but why exactly do you think we can trust you? We don't even know you guys." Coach and Rochelle let out a groan. He shot them a dirty look before turning back towards Zoey.

Zoey raised an eyebrow as she slowly sauntered up to him until they were chest-to-chest. "Listen here buddy, we just saved your friend from that Tank over there, if you need anymore reason to trust us then I suggest you start walking."

Nick's face was one of surprise, 'How dare she speak to me like that!' He thought, curling the ball of his hand into a fist. He regained his composure; a frown now settled on his lips while his eyes pierced Zoey's. "Listen little girl, I'm a con artist, do you know anything about them?" He asked as he pushed his index finger into her chest. "I trust no one, not even my own mother, may she rest in peace." He said the last sentence with mock sadness. "So what makes you think I would trust you?"

Zoey scoffed at Nick and shooed his hand away from her chest. She then crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking his own actions. "Because unless you want to end up like the rest of these poor people -may they rest in peace- I suggest you come with us." She smiled at him smugly, "I'm sure you don't want to be all alone out here when you take your last breath."

Nick let out a soft chuckle as he rested his hands on his hips. "Oh, little girl, what makes you think I'll be all alone out here?" He gestured behind him, "I still have my teammates if you haven't noticed."

Coach brought his hand forward and rested it on Nick's shoulder, gripping at it a bit tightly. "Listen Nick, I think it's best if we don't make any more enemies," he started slowly. "Its possible we are the only survivors out here, so we should probably stick together." Nick opened his mouth to protest but reluctantly shut it when Coach shook his head at him. He grit his teeth and turned back towards Zoey. "Fine, I guess we should stick together." He muttered under his breath, not enjoying the corner he was forced into.

Zoey's lips were graced by a cocky smile, one that reminded Nick too much of himself, and with insincere sweetness she said, "Glad we could have you along."

Nick grumbled under his breath and turned his back on her. 'It's going to be a long journey with them, isn't it?' He asked himself as he crossed his arms over his chest. He could already feel a splitting headache coming on.


I can tell you that I spent a while on this chapter. I know it is not long by any means but I've been trying. It seems that writer's block keeps creeping back up. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I will make sure to update again soon.