Will POV

People were still gawking at me. I didn't blame them and I certainly didn't mind. I assume Valarie chose Michael because he was an important member of their defence - their survival as a group.

Despite the amount of members, the campsite was large.

If I were to guess from the length of the front wall, it was about twelve blocks wide. That's a lot of space even for hundreds of people. Logan and I followed Valarie through the camp, passing numerous campfires, tents and joyous - then gawking - members.

"This is your tent. Now I need your name", she said looking at me.

"Will", I told her blandly. It didn't feel like my name. It felt like a memory, not something that was with me right now.

She pointed her sheath - as if it were another limb of her's - to the neighbouring tent, "That's your's, Logan, right?" She said it as if she were accusing him of something. He nodded frantically.

"Make yourselves at home, you'll be assigned jobs tomorrow", she said as she walked away. Despite the looming night, I could see that the tents were a dirty beige colour. Our tents were in the far left corner at the back of the campsite. Isolated from the other's. Logan's tent was at least thirty feet from mine. The other closest tent was further than two hundred, or so, feet.

She did it on purpose, to make me feel more comfortable.

Logan scratched his head awkwardly, "Well this is me", he pointed a thumb at his tent with a forced chuckle. I simply nodded and he strictly walked into his tent.

Why is he being so weird?

It's none of my business. I entered my own tent and took in the space. It was around four metres by four metres and maybe two metres tall. There was, what looked like, a hospital bed and next to it a filing cabinet as a night stand. On the cabinet stood a half used candle and a box of matches - well, five matches. They were precious after all.

I lit the candle and set my bag and coat down. Summer was almost upon us and so it was incredibly humid. Unstrapping my knives and setting them neatly on the night stand, I layed down on the thin mattress. I didn't expect to get any sleep tonight. New surroundings and, worse, new people. That wasn't paranoia, that was fact. I have no idea what they're capable of.

So I stared at the roof of my tent. I felt like I was wasting time. I should be sleeping, that would be useful. I sat up and parted the flaps of my tent that acted as a door. It was a full moon which provided some light. That's why I could see a figure in the distance simply staring in my direction. I stiffened slightly, used to Cannibals standing like that.

The figure waved tentatively at me and I relaxed slightly, I waved back. They stood there, hesitated and then turned around and walked away. Like I said, I didn't know what they were capable of. My tent wasn't that far from the wall, I could see the outpost and the dutiful soldier perched on it. That put me at some ease. I went back inside my tent and layed back down.

"Will?", I heard Logan ask from outside my tent, "Are you still up?"

"Yeah, come in."

He was shirtless, which I understood. The tents were extremely humid, but why didn't he put a shirt on if he was going to come to someone else's tent? I didn't mind the view though, he was obviously an athlete. His sculpted chest and abs told me so.

He looked uncertain of himself, like he had a large weight on his mind. My old occupation told me so, "What's wrong", I tried to sound inviting but I knew I sounded cold and detached. I didn't mean to, it's just how I am.

He sat down on the bed, next to me.

"I'm not gay", he said firmly.

This again?

"Yes Logan, I know."

He leaned in closer, I placed my hands on his chest. He was too close and his skin was too hot. Everything was so hot, even the air seemed to become warmer.

Why is everything so hot?

"Don't move", he said huskily. For some reason beyond my comprehension, I listened to him. It's just a reflex now, when an ally says not to move you stay still, thinking there is a nearby danger. His face was by mine now, his eyes focused on my lips.

My stomach stirred in what I suppose was lust. It felt so far away though. I hadn't experienced this in a while, hadn't allowed myself to.

Our lips connected, softly at first. Soon the kiss became heated, he demanded more and I complied, thinking I was helping him but in reality it just felt nice. He leaned over me, trapping me underneath him. His tongue smoothly slid into my mouth and I let it. It explored every crevice. I don't know why but my senses were focused on smell. Logan smelt like sweat, but it was a comforting smell. A safe smell. He smelt good. Soon I was short of breath but he was still kissing me adamantly. I leaned my forehead against his, detaching our lips.

"I thought you weren't gay", I said breathlessly. His eyes were still focused on my lips, they held a hungry fire, "I'm not", he leaned in again. This time I placed my hands on his chest and stopped him, "Go to sleep Logan. It's been a stressful day and you're confused."

As if suddenly realising his previous actions he quickly added, "Yeah, I think so. I'm sorry", and rushed out the tent. I bit my bottom lip and smiled to myself, he's growing on me.

I checked the time on my watch, I could barely make out the numbers in the dull orange light - 3:24 am. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed in frustration. I left the tent for the second time, hiding a knife in my boot, and wandered down the camp. I came to a campfire with an elderly lady sitting and watching the flame boredly while smoking.

God, I hadn't had a cigarette in years.

Tentatively, I approached her, "Can I sit?" Her eyes lazily rose to mine and she shrugged, "Sure."
As if reading my mind, she shrugged out the box and held it out to me, offering me one.

"No one will know, I promise", she teased. I glared at her but took one and lit it using the campfire. I exhaled the smoke and felt the head rush, like she said, no one will know. No one will care either. In a world full of crazy people and bloodthirsty Cannibals chasing you and biting your skin off, second-hand smoke didn't seem so pressing of an issue anymore.

"You're that newcomer who beat the crap out of Michael."

It wasn't a question but it felt like one, I shrugged in response. She half giggled, half coughed, "I told that boy not to get a big head. Told him that dynamite comes in small packages. He didn't listen though, now look", she seemed pleased with herself. I could see she wanted to add more, a remorseful gleam took over her eyes. She didn't add anymore though. I felt like I should say something, anything to distract her from what was obviously on her mind.

"Can't sleep?"

It was a stupid question. Of course she can't. It worked though, her eyes wrinkled at the sides as a small smile crept up her face, "I don't sleep much these days. Old age, I suppose. You get tired quickly but can't sleep. Maybe it's just me..." She added while taking a drag of her cigarette. We sat in comfortable silence, smoking and staring at the flickering flame. We heard the crunch of boots before we saw the person coming.

"Uh-oh, party police", the woman said in a mocking tone. She calmly grabbed my cigarette and threw it in the fire along with her's. Then passed me the pack if cigarettes, "Hide them." I quickly shoved the pack in my pocket and mimicked her nonchalant demeanor.

Soon a soldier - I could tell by the cameo pants they all wore - stopped by the campfire.

"Mrs Reynolds, I see you made a friend", the soldier said gently, his eyes quickly flickering to me in worry. I kept a blank face.

"She decided to send you again, Charlie? Tell her I'm on my way to bed now, this young man just couldn't fall asleep. New surroundings and all", she said smoothly.

Charlie narrowed his eyes in suspicion but nodded and walked away. When he was out of sight I quirked a questioning brow at her. She leaned in, as if comically telling me a secret, "Queen Valarie is my daughter-in-law."

The shock hit me like a truck, that was, indeed, a big secret. One I'm sure Valarie didn't want a newcomer to know. Mrs Reynolds stood up and I remembered her cigarettes, I made a move to get them but she stopped me.

"You keep those, consider it a welcoming present. I guilt trip some of the scouts into getting me more. Valarie doesn't approve, so I have to be sneaky about it. You make sure to drop by again", she turned around and started walking to her tent, "not many people talk to me anymore..."

She whispered the end, maybe not expecting me to hear. I did.

A special update just for SnowdropRose I love you babes