Will POV

I think the problem I was facing happened because I was careless and forgot that the city was a ghost town.

Therefore, a running engine and a car horn were as loud as a gunshot.
I had planned to just drive around the corner, blast the car horn and get as far away as possible. That didn't happen. What did happen, was a horde of Cannibals sprinting toward the car I was in. I knew that I would have to draw them as far away from my practice as possible. Another problem I had was that on every new street I pulled into there was a fresh crowd of Cannibals waiting for me - attracted to the sound of the engine.

I was on the opposite side of the city from my practice, when I decided to get out of the car. I pulled up next to, what appeared to be, a law firm and ran inside. I made it to the roof and hopped over a few roofs before I stopped.

There was a Cannibal aiming a gun at me from a neighboring roof. My brows furrowed in confusion and I shook my head, surely I'm imagining things. I opened my eyes again and the Cannibal was still there. I was very confused, my mind felt loopy - absent - from mental and physical exhaustion. It was a programmed response when I lifted my hands in the air - gesturing surrender. The Cannibal lowered his gun and I knew then that it was a normal person, a fellow survivor. I didn't dare move, this person had a rifle in his hands and I survived far too much to die this stupidly.

We both just stood there, looking at each other. My eyes narrowed in suspicion and so did his. Tentatively, he walked over to me - hopping over to my roof. I pressed my lips into a thin line and let my heart beat uncontrollably - I might need the adrenaline.
He stopped a few feet from me, his body tense. He was obviously still prepared to attack me.

"Are you alone?", he asked stiffly.

"Why do you care?" I tried to keep my voice as professional as possible.

He eyed me cautiously then looked at the surrounding rooftops, "Fair enough, do you have water?"

So he's smart, you can survive longer without food than you could without water. The fact that he's asking me this means that he is either low on water or has run out, my bet is the former because he doesn't seem like the type to be unprepared.

"Why would I tell you?", I asked him in clear distrust. It was the human instinct to distrust him, after all, we live in a new world where survival was a constant thought. I don't care about what others thought, I don't care about being kind to strangers and I wasn't bothered with being civilized.

"Look, if I wanted to kill you, I would've. I could've easily shot you a few seconds ago and not thought twice about it. You seem smart enough to realize that I have no intention to hurt you. I'm running low on supplies and you're the first person I've come across in days that hasn't tried to bite a chunk out of me", he was obviously upset. I had to think logically now. He was right, he could've shot me but he chose not to, he looks like he knows how to use a gun, plus he's made it this far so I don't think he's too stupid. He could come in handy.

I nodded my head at the rifle, "Do you know how to use that thing or is it just an accessory?"

This time, he was the one looking at me with distrust, "I know how to use it."

I nodded my head, "Okay, you can come with me. I'm going to meet up with my friends but if you do anything I don't like, I will kill you."

He looked unimpressed, "And why would I go with you? What do I get out of it?"

I mimicked his expression, "Food, water and a place to sleep."
His look faltered, I had caught him off guard. He bit the inside of his cheek and looked around again, "Okay."

My practice wasn't too far away, but it would take us a while to get there by rooftop. My body was giving up on me, it became sluggish the closer we got to my office. My adrenaline-high was wearing off and a pounding headache was taking its place. My vision was unstable and I felt nauseous.

"Not that I care, but are you okay? You look terrible", my companion asked me. He wasn't concerned about my health, he was concerned that his ticket to sustenance might fall over dead. I clenched my jaw, "We're almost there."

My practice was in view and I let out a breath of relief. We had to move on the ground because the roofs here were further apart. The streets were quiet and it was unsettling. If I wasn't as exhausted as I was, I would be as hesitant as my new 'friend' was. I got to the front door and it flew open, revealing a very angry Mellissa.

"You run off like that again and I'll beat your soul right out of your body", she said enraged.

I nodded lazily at her, "Meet-" I left the sentence hanging because I didn't bother asking his name before.

"-Jeremy", he piped in.

Mellissa looked at him in suspicion, "That's nice, now what do you want?"

"Food and water", I replied for him.

She looked at me and then back at him, "You do know that he isn't exactly stable in the head right now so I can't guarantee that he'll let you stay here indefinitely."

I glared at her, "I'm perfectly fine, now move so we can get inside."
She stepped into the building and I followed.

Matt smiled when he saw me but his smile faltered when he saw Jeremy, "And who the hell is this?"

I snorted, "He's my husband and we're going to make love all night while you sulk in the corner."

Matt smiled and my brows furrowed in confusion, "What?", I asked him.

He shook his head, "Nothing, you're just cute when you're sarcastic."

A fond smile found its way to my lips. My head started spinning and sat down exactly where I was, holding my head and groaning.

"What's wrong", Mellissa asked me cooly.

"I just have a migraine, I'm going to get my kit", I tried to stand up but Mellissa shoved me down.

"No you stay put, you might run away again and pick up another stray", she hissed. She brought me my kit and I fished out two painkillers.

I rested for a while until the migraine faded into a dull throb.

"Dude, what happened to your leg?", Jeremy asked uninterestedly. Reality hit me, Matt got stabbed and I couldn't stop it.

"He got stabbed", I said coldly and stood up. I walked stiffly over to Matt, clutching my kit. His jeans were still in tatters from when I cut them open last night. I checked the wound and felt my heart surge with pride, the stitches weren't that badly done. Of course, it isn't medical thread so the skin would grow around them. There's nothing I could do about that, all I could be cut as much off as I could when the wound properly healed. I disinfected the site again and wrapped it up with gauze.

"I'm okay, it wasn't your fault", Matt whispered gently. I only realized then that my face was contorted in regret.

I shook my head at him, "It is my fault, I saw him at the hobby shop when we were leaving and I forgot to tell you. My stupid carelessness got you hurt."

He frowned, "You're human Will, you make mistakes. Everyone does."

I scowled at him, "You could've died Matt, just because I was careless. You could've died..."

I looked away from him, I couldn't forgive myself. He and Mellissa got hurt because I was in la-la-land. I winced at the sound of Matt's scream, I winced at how helpless I felt, I winced at the memory of him asking if I meant what I said to Roderick.

"Please don't do this again...Don't retreat again, don't hide from me...please...", Matt whispered while running his thumb against my cheekbone. I leaned into the touch and tried to push down the repulsion I felt for myself. I looked up into his mossy orbs and I felt...safe. I felt like what was happening outside didn't concern me at all. I felt warm and unbothered like I was lying on the grass under the summer sun. I felt content. And I was going to take this opportunity, I settled myself next to Matt, played my head against his shoulder and started dosing off.

"So, are you single or what?", I heard Jeremy ask Mellissa bluntly.

I could almost hear Mellissa look him up and down before she scoffed, "As far as you're concerned, I'm married."