Chloe

My head bobs along in agreement, anger replacing the disgust. "That's right. You failed to give one—if not more of your employers to go through health and safety training, and you neglected to pay for background checks, isn't that right?"

Barren drops his head shamefully. "That's right, but I never thought this would have happened," he whimpers. "Do you know how many people have tried to hunt me down because oof this?"

"I can imagine, and what I would like to know is how your company tried to cover it up."

"I couldn't. I wouldn't. Bill Sonders took over the matter and tried to pass it off as a mad man attack who attempted to spoil the batches we were putting together, and according to sources, a batch a week prior to the incidents had already been sent to stores." He shook his head and sucked in a sharp intake of breath when he moved his leg. "Bill pined the mad man's identity as Deric Slade, the police shot him down after he tried to attack them . . . there were multiple bodies, a majority of the workers got out and filed reports after the cops showed up."

That's how it got out. This 'Deric' was an infected, and he transferred it to one of the others who managed to escape. The million-dollar question is how he caught it. If he was an infected, why would he be tampering with products?

"Do you have any other information on how this Deric could have gotten infected?" I ask, sharing a quick glance with Brody who patiently keeps watch for any sudden movements, then I'm facing Barren once more.

"I-I don't. I wasn't there for the last—I don't know, maybe two or three weeks before the outbreak happened. Like I said, Bill tried to sweep it under the rug, and he was arrested for corruption, if anything, h-he's your best bet. Rainos Prison, which should be where sector n-nine is now. I'd bet he's lurking around there for a place to hide—if he isn't dead already, that is."

That's what I'm dreading, I need him alive.

Checking with Brody, he simply nods. Biting my lip, twirling the head of my bat against the floor, my eyes land on a quivering Barren. If I were a stone-cold bitch with no regard for right and wrong, I would kill him without batting an eye. He made a mistake, like a normal human being—it wasn't right, and it led to an apocalypse, but he genuinely seems like he regrets it.

"Let's go, Brody. If there's another Bestial in the area, it will know the Alpha's been taken down and will want to expand its territory," I inform, turning my back to the idiot on the floor.

"W-wait, you're letting m-me go?" Barren questions, dumbfounded with a hint of delight lacing the pained whimper behind his words.

A bored chuckle comes from me, and Brody makes his way to my side. "No, Mr Bennet." I cross my arms and narrow my eyes. "I simply maimed one of your legs as a punishment for not talking, and it weakens your chances. If you were like this 'Bill' then I would have either killed you or cut your chances all together. Count yourself lucky."

After collecting my arrows and storming out of the building scratch free, we must've made it five steps outside before I'm turned and brought into a firm chest. Thankfully he's slipped on the shirt earlier, for it would be harder to concentrate with his bare chest pressed against my face. The naughty hidden parts of me want to know what they feel like without the fabric covering them, but that path's never going to be crossed, especially now.

"You did great back there, I can only imagine how hard it must've been for you," he murmurs, running the palm of his hand up and down the length of my back in a calming manner.

To think a simple error created a chain of events to lead up to something as chaotic as this, it's ridiculous.

"I'm not going to cry, if that's what you're worried about," I retort, trying to keep light.

He chuckles. "Chloe, you could cry all you want and my view on you wouldn't change. This shoulder will be here when you need it."

My heart jumps in my chest, and those damn eyes of his has me captivated again. But this is it, we reached sector seven, and now it's time for us to part ways. It's what I wanted, and he got some company before finding the next person he can help.

Why doesn't that sound as pleasing as I thought it would?

"Well, I guess this is it," I say while trying to pull away. Instead, he keeps me at arm's length.

"You said you would let me talk to you after, remember?" he tuts playfully, leaning against the side of the building.

A smile tugs at my lips. "I did, didn't I?"

It's obvious he wants to apologise, but a part of me doesn't want to hear it. It's going to chip away at me until I do something to fix it, whatever that is, but if it's out of the way then what comes after won't be filled with tension.

"I know I've said this already, but I am sorry for prying and assuming things. The only thing I want is to help you—"

"And you have helped me, a great deal in fact—more than I deserved. If it weren't for you, this travel wouldn't have been as interesting, nor would I have been able to discover a place such as the watering hole." Smiling up at him, I add, "For that, I thank you, and as much as I know this will boost your ego, I'm thankful we crossed paths as brief as it was."

Brody offers a smile, even though it doesn't quite meet his eyes. "Me too, and during our time, all I've wanted is to make sure you were OK." He scratches the nape of his neck before meeting my gaze. "Can you do me a favour?"

Hitching a brow, my hand urges him to continue, and he laughs with a headshake.

"Please, don't shut anyone out. Whatever happened wasn't your fault, and you can't save everyone, but those you do is enough, your enough."

My chest feels tight, and it sucks because it unnerves me as to why it only happens around him.

"Brody, why do you care so much? I've been nothing but a bitch a majority, if not all of our time together, and I've put you in danger . . . I don't deserve your kindness."

A rough sigh comes from him, and his hand cups my cheek. "You do. You deserve much more, and I believe together we can accomplish that. We complete each other, in time, you will realise all of this whether I'm here or not, and I hope that day is sooner rather than later."

After a comforting goodbye, my heart didn't feel heavy like the day I left sector three. If anything, Brody's opened my eyes more, and I'm going to try to open up and help people on the way like Brody does. He's set a side task for me, and I'm going to keep it. Sector eight will be a checkpoint, gather supplies, and carry on to sector nine.

Thank you Brody for showing me the treasures nature holds, and I'll make sure to hold it close to me.

Just like the others, I know he's going to be someone that plays on my mind from time to time, and I can only wish him the best.

Five miles, and I'm deep into the lands between sector seven and eight, and judging the time it's taking, it's going to be some time before I get there. Thankfully, there are buildings spreading out, and what looks like a mini town in the far distance. That will be the perfect spot to gather things, and the smaller structures can be used as a stakeout—

Rustling disturbs my inspection, in my response my bow's poised. Scanning the surroundings, it's still deserted. No Rotters, Rabids, or Bestials, just damaged brickwork, smashed windows that crackle beneath the flat heal of my shoes, and overgrown weeds poking out of the concrete. Dead space. A crunch sounds behind me, and I'm fast to act, however, fingers clasp the tip of the arrow, and there's a playful smile dancing on their features.

"Arrow."

"You mean this?"

A smile plays on my lips. "Yes, give me."

His lips stretch into a boyish smile. "Can you say please?"

Lowering my weapon and slinging it over my shoulder, I stare up at him while he continues to look down at me.

"Hello, stranger," I greet, and his grin grows.

"Hello, darling. Passing through, are we?"

A knowing smile tugs at my own mouth. "Yeah, yourself?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. I heard something's going on in sector nine, and thought that it could be worth scoping out, you?" His brow hitches, eyes sparkling with humour.

"I was doing the same thing, it's a bit of a journey," I note.

"Would you like some company?" he offers.

"What's the harm?"

He pulls me into a tight hug, and my arms instinctively wrap around him in response. Five miles, and I've missed this. Something is wrong with me, but it makes me feel good.

"Couldn't stay away, huh?" I poke.

Brody chuckles as he pulls away. "I enjoy your company too much; don't say you didn't miss me."

My shoulders lift up. "Eh, I think I could've dealt with it," I joke, and he laughs, just like that booming laugh he let out in the greenery before sector seven.

"Here I thought coming back was a good idea, I should've taken my chances on my own."

"You still need a bow, remember?" I remind, and his eyes widen, a bright toothy smile lights up his features soon after.

He rubs his hands together. "Sweet, let me know when you're ready, and we get to it."

If we don't come across any more woodland space—which I doubt, we can find a proper bow. Either way, it will be pretty easy when you get the gist of it. If you're good, I might let you try mine out before hand."

"Sounds like a plan. Parting ways once we reach the end of sector nine?" Brody offers with a sly smile.

"I think that's a good idea," I reply in the same manner, our sides bumping one another before we continue to sector eight.