Chapter 17: Escape

Zayn's hand was firmly grasped in mine, warm and clammy as we rushed down the halls of the Hunter's compound. At times I would see bodies with bullet holes decorating their chests or some of them crawling and looking for help. At one point I felt sympathy but then remembering what they did to me, to my brother...and Harry, I was glad they were dealt a slow death.

All I could think about was Harry. We left him laying on the floor with a blade shoved into his chest and I couldn't help but beat myself up about it. I couldn't do anything about it and that's what hurt me. I'm always the protector, the sacrificer, or the leader but I couldn't do anything in that moment.

My back was starting to burn from the dress fabric and even though I am bandaged, my skin felt like it was on fire and I was starting to lose my ability to run and keep up with Zayn.

"I can't go on. It's too much." I huffed out and Zayn stopped in front of a room that was open, a body laying inside. The entryway showed clean bullet holes through his forehead and left cheek.

"We need to go." Zayn said. He had an irritated tone to his voice as he spoke, as if he couldn't stand here to hear me complain.

"My back--they whipped me," His brown eyes softened when I told him. "It hurts to run."

Zayn was hesitant for a moment before I watched him crouch down a bit in front of me and nodded. "Get on. I can't leave you here and once Harry wakes up from his nap he won't be happy with me knowing I left you."

I steadied my hands on his shoulders before jumping on and tightening my legs around him as he started on a light jog towards the exit. "He's dead. I saw where the spear went and it was the heart. He's gone." I shook my head and felt a pang of hurt crush my heart. Harry was sweet, even though sometimes he was a dick, but he was gentle when he had to be and thoughtful when he could.

"Almost did. If you looked closely," He grunted as he pushed me up higher on his back. Gun fire was a little quieter now but still echoed around us. "It was about five centimeters away. He will have internal bleeding but I can fix that."

He burst through a set of double doors and I was relived when we saw the door they must have came through--it being broken down and I was able to see the streets of downtown Boston.

"Stop!" I turned my head to see a Hunter, his face gleaming with sweat as he pointed a gun at us. Zayn turned his head slightly but not enough to where the other Hunter could catch a glimpse of him.

"Right pocket." Zayn whispered to me. I quickly glanced at him before looking back at the other guy.

"What?" The Hunter was making his way towards us, always keeping his machine gun pointed at us.

"Right pocket. Small hand gun. Use it." He demanded and I nodded before sliding my hand down in search of his pocket. It felt weird doing this since my hand was practically caressing his waist and hip but at times like this, nothing really mattered.

"Keep your hands still!" The Hunter yelled. He raised his gun more once I clasped onto the small handgun.

I slowly moved my hand out of his pocket, fingers clasped around the small handgun. I watched the Hunter's finger drawing closer to the trigger, causing my breathes to become shallower.

Before he could even get a single bullet leaving the barrel of his gun, I aimed straight at him, pulling the trigger. The gun made my hand quiver, but I felt satisfaction as the bullet pierced through the fabric of his shirt and into the soft flesh of his abdomen. He yelped out in pain as he dropped to floor, clutching his stomach.

"Could have shot higher but it'll do." Zayn said as he turned back to the door and rushing out with me still on his back.
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It's been well over fifteen minutes before we saw a large, black truck parked on the dark street. The metal was littered with bullet holes, but I knew it could take a beating; it was a military vehicle that has been through so much.

"Aria?" I looked up from my resting position against Zayn's back and smiled when I saw my brother, his brown eyes filled with relief.

I moved off of Zayn's back and made my way slowly to Tom, feeling tears ready to spill. Tom brought me in to a tight hug, almost crushing me until I groaned in pain from the lashes in my back.

"Sorry," He replied and kissed my forehead. "I just wasn't sure if you were coming out." His hands grasped the sides of my face as worry flashed in his eyes

"Thanks to Zayn." I smiled at the dark Hunter near me, only earning a curt nod. I smiled as I saw Thalia peering out of the back window, a small smile on her pale face.

Shouts and gun shots started to fill the air once more as I turned and saw Niall, Liam, and Louis rushing out, Harry's body thrown over his shoulder.

"Start her up!" Louis yelled at Zayn who immeditely took off to the front of the vehicle, quickly starting the engine. The three approached us, putting Harry's body in the back and I followed, wanting to check him over. Everyone piled in and once the last door closed, Zayn drove off without a second glance.

I took a small breathe of relief, feeling the wind rip through my dark hair and loving the fact that we were out of that horrid place, free again.

In the back with me was Louis and Niall, Liam taking co captain spot in the passenger seat. I leaned over Harry's body, happy that the spear was out of his body but upset at the gaping wound dug into his skin.

"It's deep, but able to be sewn." Louis said. I looked up into his light blue eyes. Blood spattered his face, his hair was messy, and his forehead bore a large cut the size of a small pocket knife.

"Why did you save us?" I asked out of curiosity. Obviously him and Harry have a feud between them; they don't see eye to eye. Why save us when you hate each other?

"Do want to go back being locked up there?" When I didn't answer he smirked and ruffled his light brown hair as the wind blew it back. "When you all left, Zayn and I were called over our walkies. Apparently they've been following you this whole time and you never knew," My eyes widened at his statement and I looked down as I grazed my finger over Harry's jawline. "They saw you on the move from your camp to ours."

"How?" I furrowed my brows and tilted my head.

"We have eyes and ears everywhere. Well, they do since I'm practically a traitor now." He shrugged. Niall stayed silent the whole time, only glancing at the black streets, sometimes an Infected would try to chase the truck but their speed couldn't match it.

"You didn't answer my question," I pushed. "Why save us? you obviously hate Harry and don't care about his well-being." I moved Harry's head to my lap, running my hand through hair to untangle the knots.

Louis looked down and sighed. "I knew what they would do once they caught you. Luckily, I came in time," His eyes ran over the dress I wore, making me uncomfortable and clear my throat at him. "He whipped you didn't he? That's what those bandages mean." He pointed to my shoulder that helped hold the wrap. I nodded, flash images of that moment reappearing my mind and making me flinch.

"You should get some sleep," Niall broke in. "You never know when you'll get another chance." He smiled at me.

"What about Harry?" I looked down at him. His lips moved faintly and his eyes fluttered. He was paler than snow and his heart was faint as I placed my hand on his chest.

"Don't worry about him. Once you sleep we'll fix him up. I'll switch with Zayn so that he can do his magic. Just sleep, God knows you need you." Louis nodded, pushing me to slumber.

"Okay, but if he wakes up...," I started.

"We'll let you know." Louis chuckled and passed me a wool blanket that was stashed in the corner. I sighed as I covered myself with the thick blanket, not enough to rid me of the night chill but at least it would keep my teeth from chattering.

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Louis' POV

I stared at her as she was finally sleeping deeply. Her brown locks were falling over her face liked a black waterfall, her lips were in a subtle pout, and I pursed my lips as her fingers still wove themselves through Harry's hair.

"You like her?" Niall commented. My whipped around to him, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Fuck off." I sighed and hit back window to make Zayn pull the truck over. We were about a few hours away from the hell pit, so we were safe. No Hunter dared venture out this far.

I hopped out of the back, seeing Zayn step out from the front seat. "I'll drive. Try and patch him up as best you can. I left the kit near him." I told Zayn, referring to the health kit that would have the essentials to work on Styles.

"Louis I'm doing this in the back of a fucking truck?" One nick and I can kill him." He hissed at me.

"Then try your fucking best." I growled back and jumped on the driver's seat, harshly closing the door. I waited until Zayn entered the boot before driving off, letting a quiet sigh escape my chapped lips.

"Is my sister okay?" The bloke in the back seat asked. I looked in the rear view mirror to see him staring back, his arms around the poor pregnant girl.

"She's asleep. She'll be fine but as for her back, I don't know. Who knows how hard he went." I shook my head.

"She doesn't deserve this." He whispered. Maybe to himself but I heard it.

"Well we can't do anything but get out of this damn town. Try somewhere that's barely touched by this plague." I leaned forward, resting my arms on the wheel as I drove down the middle of the road. A biter was far ahead, but I saw him charging down the truck, probably thinking it could chomp down on the front.

I need to let some steam off. I picked up the speed of the large truck and grinned as the front bashed against the stupid biter and dragging it under the truck, creating a small bump in our path.

Knocking came from the back, angry and harsh. I looked back to see Zayn flipping me off with a bloody middle finger.

I sighed as I saw the faint splash of sunlight shining on the horizon, orange and dark blue mixing.  I don't miss the old days of everyday life, but never will I dismiss the sunrise. Call me a stupid fucking poet but you're an asshole if you can't appreciate a sunrise. The colors make me happier than an Infected sliding onto my knife.

Remembering back to my old life, I couldn't imagine this would be my future. I thought I would be a singer, touring the world, but instead I'm hacking away at the walking dead, walking the streets of a perilous world, and saving someone I loathe. But you're doing it for her, a voice whispered in my head. True.

I liked her when she first spoke to me. The sass and bravery that poured out of her was a fresh breath of air. Sure, I ooze out my own smart ass sentences, but she was more mature about it. But I can tell she likes Harry. Whenever she would stare at him, I knew something was there.

I leaned back in my seat, gripping the handle. Maybe I can change that.

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Hey everyone! Oh my god it's been like...a decade....

I am so sorry. School is a bitch. I also won't deny that fact that I have been lazy in all of this and didn't want to continue. This chapter is short, I know, but it's the best I can do until I find some more motivation <3.

Also my name is now taeyeonhasmyheart. The reason being I am a Kpop fan, aka Korean Pop music. I have been tired of my original user so I needed a change!

-Haeli