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Will POV

Valarie had left sometime ago and I was beginning to get worried. That led me to the conclusion that she had left to relieve stress in some way. However, I could be wrong - we've all been incredibly tense these past few days. First the camp - our one real hope at comfort - failed. Then we had to trek through unseen danger of a mosquito biting us. Now we're squatting in a delapidated building with a feverish Elizabeth.

Her rash had stopped spreading but when she was awake she had terrible hallucinations. We were forced to keep her restrained by tieing her hands behind one of the four pillars on the office floor. The blue carpet around her was drenched a shade bluer by her urine - just as the bleached walls in the corner were painted red by blood splatter from the dead (and decomposing) man behind the chair barackade.

Logan had found his comfort and relaxation in me. And I was okay with that seeing as it was mutual. Gloria was already relaxed as that was simply her nature, Valarie has yet to reveal her coping mechanism but Matt had not yet found one. I told myself that the only reason I worried about that is because I didn't want him to freak out. That's the only reason - it had to be.

Logan was sleeping with his head on my lap as I played with his hair. Gloria sat by Elizabeth holding a damp rag against her forehead. In some ways - without realising it - Gloria became the mother figure to everyone in the group over these passed few days. Everyone except lucid Elizabeth. But nonetheless Gloria forgave the venomous words and tended to her once she passed out again. For some strange and mysterious reason I felt sad for Matt - who sat alone by a broken window playing with his fingers.

The sun was beginning to set and with it came some relief from the suffocating tangible heat. Elizabeth snapped awake like an elastic band pulled too hard, "They're coming for us! They're coming for us!" Gloria fell back from fright and Logan jolted awake but relaxed almost instantly. He rubbed his eyes as Elizabeth screeched her head off, "We have to go! We need to leave! The-the mosquitoes! Their teeth!" I sighed and rubbed my temple, none of us for much sleep due to her hysterics. Quicker than usual her screaming died down to a repetitive whisper.

"It's getting less and less now, maybe she's getting better?" Gloria asked me.

"I don't know, honestly."

It was then that Valarie opened the blue door. She stepped in slowly - keeping her gaze on me - and in walked a man with red hair. My mind was running rapid with possibilities and worst case scenarios. Had Valarie been taken hostage by looters? If not, would this man kill us all for our things or would he simply take them in the dead of night? Does he truly come in peace? Can he be trusted? My intuition said he could but I didn't like his look, be it as it may he looks similar to me. My eyes scanned him and listed all the visible facts: relaxed shoulders - laid back, weight to the right - right handed, shy smile - nervous. He wore cameo pants , black leather boots and a green shirt two sizes too big for him. With his free hand he shook his sleeve down to cover it - similar to how I do.

Next I checked everyone else's reactions: Gloria seemed unfazed, Matt seemed curious, Elizabeth was asleep and Logan was... I'm not sure of his reaction. Was I the only one who was skeptical of him? Perhaps I was being illogical - he is obviously good with a bow and has survived this long - he could be useful. Safety in numbers and all that.

"Everyone, this is Lucian. He is going to be joining us", Valarie said with authority.

Gloria looked away from Elizabeth, "Welcome hun, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine", she flashed him a kind smile.

Matt waved sheepishly. To my surprise Logan rushed to Lucian and held out his hand," Welcome", he said in a deep voice. Deeper than necessary.

"Uh, hi", Lucian said uncertainly but shook Logan's hand anyway.

To be blunt, I didn't like anyone else paying Logan attention - I'm used to them finding him annoying. So I jumped into he exchange, "Can you use that or is it just for show?" I asked icily - refering to the bow handing by his arm.

"Woah, nice to meet you too, dude", he crossed his arms, "and yeah, I can use it."

"Prove it", I said simply.

In a flash he spun the bow into his grip, drew out an arrow and fired. The impact shook the dry wall that I was leaning against as the arrow hit its mark - an inch above my head.

I don't like him.

I unstraped a knife from my left arm and flung it at Lucian. It landed against the wall right next to his ear. However, he was unfazed and, instead, smiled. A really irritating smile.

"I might actually like it here, think I'll stay", he spoke to Valarie. She simply nodded then added, "Do you have any food or water? If so, please put them with the rest of the supplies over there."

Lucian walked over to the adequate amount of canned goods, nuts, peanut butter and rainwater. I lost interest in him and instead focussed on Matt - who continued playing with his fingers.

"So where does everyone sleep?" Lucian asked

Gloria opened her mouth to speak but Logan rushed in, "You can sleep wherever you want, usually...Will and I sleep over there-"

"Oh, so you guys are like, together?" Lucian asked cheerfully.

I wanted to know Logan's answer so I waited patiently. Logan looked at me, then back to Lucian. "No we aren't...", and his gaze fell to the floor. However, everyone (except the passed out Elizabeth) looked at me in fear. And justly so, I felt livid. I felt betrayed and hurt. But if he wants to lie - for some unknown reason - then he can find another source of comfort. Fuck you, Logan.

I got up off the floor, ignoring the arrow above my head, and walked with uncertainty towards Matt. He had his back to the rest of us as he watched the setting sun. I hadn't spoken to him at all. And truth be told, I wanted to now. I don't think I'm ready to forgive him for abandoning me in the blistering heat, right after Mellissa died and leaving me to deal with my depersonalization alone. That's a lot for forgive...but I'm ready to try.

I stood behind him - contemplating if I should do it. If I could do it. For the first time in a long time I was afraid. I took a deep breath and sat down next to him so that our shoulders were touching. He tensed immediately and so did I because that steady hum...was still there. It reminded me of that first night on the apartment roof. But I was a different person then. Now I'm...distant. Matt said nothing and neither did I. We just sat and stared at the beginning of what would be another long night.

However, I had to make sure he was managing his stress. I couldn't think of anything else other than, "So how are you holding up?"

His head snapped to meet my eyes and he looked behind him and looked back at me, "You're talking to me?" I nodded in answer.

"I, uh, I'm fine."

"Matt", his name felt nostalgic, "it's been a tense few couple of days. The camp, the insects, Elizabeth and now staying here. None of us are just fine."

"I'm just a-a little scared", he replied uncertainly. I nodded in understanding. He didn't want to talk about it and I wasn't going to push it. However I still needed to ask Valarie what she went to do. Considering we had enough food for all of us.

"I hold onto memories", Matt said suddenly.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Like the time my mother took Brittney and I to the beach. I remember how the sun felt and the way the sand burnt", he said with a distant look in his eyes, "the calming smell of the sea and the sting of a jellyfish. Or the time Brittney and I moved in together - we fought constantly", he chuckled.

I smiled and was astonished by it. A good kind of surprised. I felt myself drawn closer to Matt, like a gap was being filled - it felt good.

"What else do you remember?"

His gaze drifted down to a broken shard of glass, "I remember seeing you for the first time. You were taking your garbage out and the bag tore just as you reached the bin. You flung your arms around and spent the next hour picking what you could. When you were done you turned around and I saw your face and...wow." I his a small smile.

"I remember thinking that you were just a pretty face", he started playing with the broken shard, "but then I met you. You were stumbling and just awkward and I was smitten", he said with a sad smile.

I looked away in shame and sadness. That Will is gone. I made Matt sad...I didn't want to see happy-go-lucky Matt lose his flare.

Valarie came to a stop behind us, "The Cannibals."

"What about them?" I turned to her.

"They're moving around - unprovoked."

A/n: here's a longer chapter for you guys to make up for my absence. The hell I look like a 'has been'?! Hang it up, flatscreen!

P.s I didn't edit this chapter because wow I wrote it all by hand and then typed it out, so if there's a mistake please point it out so I can fix it <3