-Chapter 2

 "I'm s-s-sorry.." He mumbled in a raspy voice.

 I looked up at him, a bit surprised. "Sorry? For what?" I asked softly, slipping the new jeans onto his cold, pale legs. "F-F-For hurt.. y-you.." He said, looking down in shame. I furrowed my eyebrows, my eyes glimmering with sorrow. "What- What do you mean, Alexander?.." I asked, my heart beating a bit faster. It broke my heart to see him struggle so horribly. "E-Eli-z-za.." he mumbled quietly. I could see the tears pricking at his eyes.

 I could feel my eyes stinging slightly. "It's not your fault, Alexander.. I should've said something.. Please don't blame the situation on yourself." I looked at him with longing eyes, wishing he wouldn't blame my downfall on himself. It was my fault. Not his. He was oblivious to my intentions, which was understandable. 

 I didn't care anymore. I hugged him, petting his matted, chocolate brown hair. I could feel the small drips of bloody, salty tears on my back, but I didn't mind. I was going to be here and comfort my best friend. Even if he only wants to be friends. Sure, it would sting at first, but with pain comes numbing. Right?

 His small pale body shook. He looked so weak. Like he hadn't slept in weeks, which was most likely true. The poor boy had died, then woke up again. I still didn't understand why he hadn't tried to kill me yet. He was infected, after all. 

 Maybe he wasn't fully infected. Is that even possible? It could be since he can still talk english. Not well, but it was good enough to comprehend. 

 Does that mean if he's not fully infected, we could cure him? Or would he be like this forever?

 I heard a knock on my door. "John! JoHn! Are you in there?! YOURE SUPPOST TO BE GAURDING, JOHN!" A female voice called. Angelica. "I'm sorry, Angelica! I'll get right back there!.." I broke from the embrace Alex once held me in, and looked around frantically. My eyes landed on my closet, which was empty at the moment. Perfect. "Alright, Alex. I need you to listen, please." I commanded. He looked at me with raised eyebrows, fear lining his iris'. "You can hide in my closet! It should be completely empty!" I exclaimed, quieter than usual. I could only hope and pray that they didn't find an undead Alex.

 I held his hands and helped him to stand, his legs still wobbly. He ambled over to the closet with me, his eyes fixated on the floor. I cautiously opened the closet door, and held it open for the smaller boy to go in. He ambled inside, plopping down on the floor with a quiet thud. I pursed my lips together and walked over to my bed quickly, grabbing a spare blanket, walking back to Alex, and wrapping the blanket around his small frame. Alex smiled tiredly in gratitude as a response. I looked at him dreamily, before realizing that I couldn't have him. He was dead, but undead. It would never work out. 

 I gently closed the door of the closet, my expression blank. Unreadable, as some might say. I sighed disappointedly, and grabbed my bat from against the wall, and headed out of my chambers. 

 I walked quickly down the hall of our base, trying not to attract the attention of my fellow base mates. Unfortunately, that's just what happened. 

 "John, mon ami! Where were you?!" A thick french accent called from behind. Lafayette. John tensed, his mind searching and scanning for an answer. Damnit.. 

 "Uh.. I just needed to clean some blood from my face. It got pretty bloody out there." I lied, looking right back at Lafayette, and into his eyes. As if to convince him of my false intentions. He nodded, seeming suspicious. "Alright. Next time, don't take so long." He said, then turned around, walking back into his chambers. I sighed with relief, letting my shoulders drop lightly. I closed my eyes for a moment, then grasped my bat, returning to my previous activities.

 I carefully opened the door to see a few undead here, and there. I shivered in my skin, the hairs on my arms standing up. I'd never admit that I was scared. Being grave was something that had to be done, and I intended to make that my role. 

 I swung my bat viscously at the zombies that tried to invade my safety bubble. My eyes adverted in many directions, widening when I heard someone scream.

 "JOHN!!" Peggy came running after me, her eyes filled with many different emotions that we're indescribable. Most of which, looked angry in a way. "Come. Here. We need to have a SERIOUS talk." She demanded, grabbing my free hand and dragging me away from attacking zombies. 

 I was honestly nervous, my forehead feeling suddenly hot. I followed her until we reached an all-to-familiar chamber. Mine.

 "John. Explain why a dead Alexander is in you closet, please." She asked calmly. I was surprised at her calmness with the situation, while simultaneously fearing for my life. "Um.. uh.. I-.." I stuttered, feeling speechless. My heart raced, pounding in my ears loudly. She uncrossed her arms and let out a sigh. "It's okay, John. I won't tell. I just want to know.." She mumbled. 

 I took a deep breath, exhaled, then began to explain. "Well, I was guarding as usual, killing the zombies and stuff, then I saw him.. he just looked.. helpless.. and I couldn't just let him suffer like that! I'm sorry, Peggy! I just wanted to help him! I've loved him almost all of my life, and I thought he was dead for Pete's sakes!" I exclaimed, on the verge of angry tears. 

 I thought he was dead...