Will POV

"So how did you know Matt?" Gloria asked me. Probably to melt the icy silence.

How did I know him? Seems like a lifetime ago. Was he my partner? No that implies having a relationship consisting of more than survival. Companion? That made it sound like he was my pet, I'm fine with that.

"He was my companion, we traveled together."

Gloria just made a subtle sound of acknowledgement as she continued leading the way through the woods.
"Gloria, where are we going?"

"There's a cottage not far from the camp - about three miles out - where my son used to take his misstreses. Valerie and I visited it after he died. It's got a nice bed and wonderful mosquito net, Lord knows those pesky bugs will eat you alive out here."

I considered asking the question, it was unnecessary but we were both equally bored. Bored was dangerous. One becomes pliant when they're bored. So I asked, "Do you mind if I asked how your son died?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask. Been wondering for a while now", she turned to glance at me, "Valarie killed him. Killed her own husband", she turned and continued walking.

I was stunned. I wanted more information, "Why?"

She didn't turn around this time, just swept a branch out of the way, "You'll have to ask her that yourself. Knowing that girl she'll come see us tonight, to see whether we came here and try to convince us to go back - rather, convince me to go back."

"I thought she didn't like you, that's why she sent guards to take your food to you", I ducked under the same branch.

"No, no, she feels guilty. Feels like she has to make it up to me. That's the only reason I was still in that camp. The rest wanted me out for what my son did", she turned around again with a passion in her old, tired eyes, "Now you listen to me William. My son was a lot of things, a tyrant, abusive, an asshole but he was a good man. He was a good boy", small tears welled in her eyes but she spun around and continued walking.

I couldn't understand exactly what she was going through but I could imagine the emotional conflict she experienced whenever she saw Valarie. On one level though...I could say I understand fully.

My Matt...was a good man. He just got distracted. Distracted by his own emotions...I saw the fear in his eyes when I nearly killed him.

"Will kill me...if it makes you happy, please kill me."

If it makes me happy? Something about that burns my chest. Something about him wanting me to be happy warms up that freezing, aching cavern.

"I think I might be able to start...forgiving him."

"I would. Hate is such a waste of emotion", Gloria smiled at me. I hadn't realised I said that out loud. I smiled back at her and felt a lot of pressure just flow off of me.

Is this how I used to feel?

Gloria nudged me and pointed forward. In the orange glow of the setting sun, just before a cottage stood a cannibal covered in black insects. It was relieving to see one again. Back in the camp one could easily forget that they still existed.

I silently unstrapped the knife from my left thigh and flung it, hitting the Cannibal right between the eyes. It fell like a switched off toy, but the insects flew off in several directions - a small swarm. From the buzzing they were mosquitos, Gloria started pulling me toward the cottage, "Those things are so gross."

And so we ran into the cottage and closed the screen door. Gloria hurried in to make sure the window screens were closed. Already mosquitos started landing on the screen covering. Something was nagging at the back of my mind.

"Everything okay?"

I shook out of my daze, "I'm fine, I'll take first shift."
"Yeah whatever tough guy, I'm going to sleep. My feet are killing me!"

Night started approaching steadily and as much as I hoped to see a Cannibal - to see if Matt's face would still show up - I was too afraid to leave the cottage. I hated insects with a passion, they make my skin crawl.

There were steady footprints yet my body didn't tense, after weeks of danger you develop a sixth sense for Cannibals. These footsteps are human.

"Hello Will", her icy voice spoke out of the darkness. I could make out an outline despite the darkness. I realised this is the first time she had ever greeted me.

"Hello Valarie, come inside. There are tons of mosquitos out there."

The wooden steps leading to the porch creaked so slightly, I opened the screen door for her and closed it behind her, "Thank you."

I just nodded in acknowledgement.
"Is she..."
"She's inside, asleep."

Valarie let out a small breath of relief. She played the iron, superwoman role so well that I forgot she was still a human - a regular person.

"I scouted the perimeter, you can light candles. There are no Cannibals anywhere near the house."
I simply nodded and started lighting the half used candles Gloria found and got a lighter from my bag.

A warm orange glow illuminated what was obviously a love nest. Anger resettled on Valarie's once neutral face. Memories must be resurfacing. I'd talk her through it but I know she can handle it so I just sat on the ground by the foot of the bed as we both listened to Gloria's soft snores.

She sat across me with her legs folded and he sword resting on her lap, "You like knowing things Will."

"It keeps me alive, knowing things."

"I, too, like knowing things. And I'd like to know what you need to return. Gloria is stubborn and old but she's the last family I have. She won't survive it out here. She isn't like you or I."

"Valarie I might yet return to the camp, but-"

"I will get rid of the guard, be assured"

"No. He stays with me, and so does Logan", she raised an eyebrow and I blushed," N-not like that. I'm trying to say that everyone should start leaving the camp as soon as possible."

She sat up straighter, "And why is that?" Her icy tone came back full force.

"Mosquitos. There was a Cannibal in front of the cottage. It was covered in mosquitos. Female mosquitos feed on blood - infected blood too it seems. But they lay their eggs in large stagnant bodies of water-"

She gasped, "The lake. The camp"

The warm glow quickly turned gloomy, "Where am I going to take 148 people? How am I going to transport them?"

All if a sudden there were wild gunshots in the distance. It was coming from the camp. Valarie and I stood up at the same time, she ran over to Gloria, "Wake up."

"I'm not going ba- what's wrong?"

"Gloria lock the doors, turn out the candles and stay as still as you possibly can. Will and I will be right back."

"I'm bringing Matt and Logan",  I didn't ask permission.

"I'm bringing guns and food."

"What about the people?" I asked her.

"If they're stupid enough to make that much noise, then I resign."