Will POV

"Leave during the day or while we still have some night left?" I asked Valarie.

We've been sitting in silence for around an hour, unmoving and barely breathing. After her confession I had very few words I could say. It seemed, on the outside, that it didn't affect her. But we both knew that memories were just as dangerous as the flesh eating, rash ridden monsters outside.

She seemed to consider the question carefully. "Best to leave now, we don't have the fastest people on board", she glanced at Matt who was sleeping soundly. I tried not to zone in on the female sleeping right next to him. I knew logically she could be of great use but emotionally...well if only looks could kill.

Valarie walked quietly over to Gloria and I decided to do the same to Logan. Once they had both adjusted to the harsh, sober reality we now lived in they lost their spirit. I could see the look in Logan's eyes. I slapped him gently, "Don't you dare freak out on me now. We have to get to the city and you're going to help whether you like it or not. So put on your big boy pants and let's get going."
His eyes widened in surprise and he nodded frantically.

I looked over to Matt and so did Valarie. Then she turned her gaze to me and quirked a brow. The silent question: was I going to wake him? I slowly shook my head and she marched over to him. She slapped him harshly and he sat up rather quickly, "Where's Will?!"

I looked away to hide my blush. For some reason Logan's arm slithered around my waist and he brought me closer to him. The other doctor woke up from Matt's sudden movement, "What's going on?"

"We need to leave, do you have everything that you brought with you? Not yet? Well too bad, let's go", Valarie said quickly. I knew she was only doing it to stress Matt and Elizabeth out and to be frank, I enjoyed it. I knew that Logan did too because he was holding back a laugh.

Matt jumped out of bed then fell backwards with a hiss, he had forgotten that his ankle was sprained. I moved to go to him but Logan's arm just tightened. I was stopped thoroughly when Elizabeth rushed over to him to help him up. I averted my eyes in disgust.

Quickly everyone got back to packing - with Valarie commanding us to go faster. We grabbed the remaining candles in the cottage, the sheets, the matches and the mosquito nets - we all but stripped the wallpaper off the walls. The weight of the bags was no laughing matter, but true to his character, Logan insisted on carrying my backpack along with his. Matt scoffed and so I gave Logan my bag. He gave me a beaming smile and I looked away with a blush.

Why am I blushing so easily?

Valarie came back from the kitchen holding two steak knives, "You two don't have any weapons", she said to Matt and Elizabeth, "so here. One gets too close, you kill it."

Elizabeth fumbled with the knife. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She's never killed one. I grinned wickedly. I'm better than her. Or am I? I bet she hasn't killed a normal human either...I have. I killed Roderick back at the golf estate. Maybe she's good for Matt... The thought turned my stomach and burnt my heart.

Is she better for him? Better than me?

"One more thing, we will have to go straight through the woods. No stopping - not for anything. If we stop, a mosquito could land on us. A consistent, fast pace", Valarie instructed.

It was risky, I knew that. I glanced over the cottage. It was a hot night, incredibly hot and the cottage was so stuffy. We were all sweating, not that it bothered us. I could tell everyone - besides Valarie and I - was afraid. My eyes landed on the curtain, then on the duvet, then on the elaborate mat. There were six of us though.

I tore the curtain off its railing, picked up the mat and retrieved the duvet.
"Who wants to wrap themselves up just in case?" Gloria raised her hand slowly so did Elizabeth. Matt and Logan were glaring at each other, challenging each other. Logan wasn't that badly injured, he could keep up with the pace, so I threw the duvet at Matt.

He looked at me carefully, "I don't nee-"

"Shut up", Valarie hissed at him. And with that we wandered into the dark, hot woods. We all followed Valarie, she knew the way. There was buzzing by my ear, and despite myself, I panicked. I flung my arm wildly, "Faster."

Matt was huffing in air desperately and I felt bad for him. I really did and I would've went to help him if I didn't believe his touch would seer my skin. Logan's arm was wrapped around my waist the whole time. The bags on his back rubbing against one another ever so softly.

"Logan", I whispered sadly, "please go and help Matt." His arm tensed around my waist but he offered no answer. I closed my eyes but kept my pace. "Please...", I said so solemnly and softly.

Then there was an absence of his arm and Matt's huffing was easier. I'd have to thank Logan later. I owe him massive gratitude. I hate owing people. It was dangerous.

_______________________________________

After a long trudge through the dark woods, we emerged on the road. Understanding human nature was my area of expertise but nature itself wasn't my forte. So I was at a loss for words when the road was cooler than the forest, with very little bugs except flies.

"Don't take your covering off yet, Valarie or I will tell you when you can", I instructed the others. And so, under the pristine moonlight, we wandered down a road full of empty cars. Well, not all empty. A few we passed had decomposed or decomposing bodies.

Plenty of steel sculptures in the form of car wrecks adorned the highway. Back in the day they would've been considered groundbreaking art. Now they aren't even acknowledged. They aren't even considered.

By now, due to the lack of wind and the heat from the tar everyone was huffing, me included and I noticed Valarie's steps were more sluggish. But we had to get to the city, and we had to get there quickly.

"You guys can take the blankets off now", I told them.

They gasped in air. I looked back and Matt's shirt was soaked in sweat. It didn't help that the thin, green T-shirt clung to his skin, revealing the curves of his abs and his broad chest. I focussed my vision on Elizabeth who was looking away with a massive blush on her face. I scoffed and turned around continuing our great trek.

Someone's firm arm snaked around my waist and I looked up to see Logan looking down at me. His shirt too was wet in all the right places, but the thin white material left very little to the imagination. I lost myself as I gently slid a finger down his abs, feeling each bump. As if reacting to my touch they hardened and Logan swallowed harshly. I broke out of my trance with a blush, "T-Thank you for helping Matt", I said softly as we trudged on.

He whispered in my ear, "That's not the kind of thank you I want."

I looked at him and he had a mysterious yet heated look in his eyes. I found myself slightly squirming from that look. His grip tightened in response and I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I'll do anything, you really helped me."

He smirked at me for some reason, "You'll find out soon enough." I shrugged and continued walking. Well, trying to walk.

The sun had started rising illuminating just how bad of a condition the road was in. Cracks in the tar, shattered glass everywhere, wrecked cars and the occasional decomposed body. I knew we'd be safer from the mosquitoes now but at greater danger from the Cannibals. We were stuck now.

Valarie, Logan and I were leading the way while a panting Gloria, Matt and Elizabeth were a little behind us.

"Maybe we should rest, Valarie."

She turned and looked at Gloria who was really struggling. "You're right."

We found an abandoned silver minivan with tinted windows. It was mostly unharmed except for the bump on the driver side door. We all piled in, Matt needed help so I looked at Logan with pleading eyes and he smirked but helped Matt nonetheless.

Everyone was breathing heavily, but I must admit, the car was rather cool inside. Stuffy but cool. Valarie rummaged through the bags and handed everyone a bottle of water. Personally, mine was gone in 30 seconds. Valarie only drank half of hers and gave the rest to Gloria who was very reluctant to take it but Valarie insisted.

Gloria and Valarie sat in the front, Valarie wouldn't have it any other way. Behind them, in the rather spacious van, sat Logan and I and behind us sat Matt and Elizabeth. I subtly looked behind me and saw that Matt's feet were resting on Elizabeth's lap. He did need the elevation I suppose. Logan patted his lap, "You didn't sleep last night, you need it", he said then added a boyish smile.

I smiled slightly, crawled over to his lap and laid my head on it. Logan looked down at me with what I thought was adoration in his eyes. I blushed slightly but closed my eyes.

_______________________________________

I was woken by soft lips on my cheek, then on my nose and then on my lips. I slowly blinked my eyes open and was met with a smirking Logan. "what are you doing", I asked sleepily.

"Getting my thank you", he muttered softly yet...huskily.

"Logan", I braced my hand in his firm six pack and he drew in a sharp breath. My face paled, "Are you hurt?" I asked frantically.

His arms snaked around my waist and we leaned our foreheads against one another's, "No, it's just your touch sets my skin on fire. Your touch wakes it up." He said all this without his eyes ever leaving my lips.

I bit the inside of my cheek, "So what is this 'thank you' you wanted?"

"This", he smashed his lips gently against mine. My heart raced and palms became sweaty. Very gently his tongue traced my lower lip, asking for entrance. I parted my lips and gave him what he wanted. It wasn't a passionate kiss - as our tongues explored one another - it was a meaningful one. He was trying to tell me something he couldn't tell me in words. I was saddened to realise that I didn't understand the message but I wouldn't pull away. This felt... nice.

It was awkward in the car but eventually I managed to straddle his lap. My fingers found their way to his dirty, blonde hair and his arm wrapped around my waist, his other hand kept my fringe out of my face. It was slow. It was...lovely. Eventually, with a fast heart, I pulled away for air. Our foreheads were touching and we just grinned at each other.

From the corner of my eye I caught Valarie stirring awake. I leaned my head on Logan's shoulder at an angle where I could still see her. She sat up almost instantly and her head whipped toward Gloria who was snoring softly. Valarie  gently put her hand on Gloria's forehead and withdrew it slowly. I wonder if Gloria realised how much Valarie cared.

Although Valarie would never back up my claims - it wasn't in her nature to do so. She looked at us with her usual icy expression, "Did I miss anything?"

"No", I said just as coldly.

She nodded slightly, then nudged her head at the other two in the back, "Wake them up, we should start moving."