Song: The Neighborhood - Alleyways

------

Evan's eyes flew open and he was staring into another pair of crystal blue ones, followed by a wet lick from a long warm tongue. He groaned and rubbed the slobber off his face as his eyes adjusted to the dark. It had to be the middle of the night or early morning.

"Why are you awake, Lucah?" He whispered to his dog and he listened to her whine softly, looking to the door and back at him continuously.

"Do you need to go outside?" Evan asked and she blew air out of her nose and ducked her head in a nod. "Alright, let's go. Quietly, girl."

She obeyed and stepped carefully and silently out of the room, down the hall to the stairwell where she followed Evan to the lobby. Ryan, Langley, and Scotty were on the night shift, up and moving around, organizing things as he passed by. They gave each other quiet nods in greeting and he pushed his way out into the mild night air. Lucah pranced a bit, stretching her legs before doing her business. Evan let her take her time as he walked the perimeter of the barricaded fence checking to make sure everything was still sturdy.

His eyes wandered until his gaze was locked on the dark city stretched out around them. He felt a strong pull in his chest to be out there again, to be running atop the scattered, layered rooftops losing his breath. He wanted to be running beside Jonathan again. Just seeing him would be enough, but he hadn't caught a glimpse of him running the roofs in the distance in over a week and a half now, not since he last saw him inside the tower. Not since he admitted to him that he considered him a friend.

That memory alone made his heart give a dramatic thump. Lucah licked at his fingers and whined again, looking up at him like she knew what he was thinking. Sometimes he believed she really did. He grinned down at her, "Everything's okay. I hope."

He looked back out at the city, swallowing down the urge to go before he turned and led Lucah back inside.

"So what's wrong with him?" Ryan asked after Evan and his dog has disappeared quietly back up the stairs.

Scotty huffed, "You really have to ask?"

"The guy hasn't been with his boy in over three weeks." Langley settled in a chair beside him. "He misses him."

"Yeah, that makes sense." Ryan nodded. "So has anyone even heard from Anjo lately?"

Both Langley and Scott shook their head. They weren't worried. Sometimes he disappeared for more than a few days, a week and a half was nothing out of the ordinary. They went back to their cataloging and organizing and didn't think anything of it.

The only person that was thinking anything of it was Evan, who couldn't go back to sleep because he had a nagging thought in the back of his mind the longer he laid there. What if Jonathan had fallen and hurt himself, broke his walkie and couldn't get back? What if he got eaten in the middle of the night? What if he was stuck somewhere dark and trapped by screamers?

Evan sighed and sat up in the bed once again. Jonathan wasn't that careless, he wouldn't get into trouble that easily. Not now. Would he?

"Fuck." Evan said to himself and got dressed and pulled his hat on backwards like Jonathan did. "Lucah, stay."

She didn't argue and jumped up onto the foot of Murphy's bed and laid down beside her legs, resting her head on her calf. "I'll be back, girl."

Then he was off, pulling his pack onto his shoulders and taking off down the stairs. No one had time to ask him where he was going when he opened the doors and headed out towards the gate as the sun lightened the sky.

------

Thirsty.

That's all Jonathan was. He was in pain but he was starting to go numb and he honestly couldn't feel the rib that was possibly cracked in his side. For days he'd laid there, hell it could've been weeks, he didn't know anymore. He was trying to keep a level head about it because if they'd wanted him dead, they would've killed him already. The only thing he'd really learned was that there were about six of them, maybe more but that was all the different sets of footsteps he'd counted. They were all different, some light, some heavy. He never saw them though, there was no way he could from the dark room they kept him in. Light came through only two small cracks in the roof and the line of the door that they would bust through every so often to ask him the same god damn question.

"How many of you are there?"

The question changed a day later.

"How much supplies do you have?"

Then there was a new set of footsteps, heavy set, tall, intimidating. A leader.

It was dark when he came inside and closed the door behind him. There was a chilling silence before a lantern was lit and a bottle of water was offered that Jonathan couldn't grab because of his bound hands. Instead the bottle was placed against his lips and he was allowed to drink. It dripped down his neck and he felt it rolling down his chest but he didn't care. He could've been drinking mud and it wouldn't have mattered. When the bottle was empty he drew in a deep breath and leaned back against the wall he'd become very acquainted with over the past few days.

He couldn't see the man's face in the weak faint light. His eyes wouldn't adjust, but he could tell he was wearing a mask, because his voice was muffled when he finally spoke. It was a new question.

"What's your name?"

But Jonathan had questions of his own. "What the fuck do you want?"

The man sat down and fiddled with a small piece of paper in his hand. "What I want is for you tell me about your people."

"Why? So you can barge in there and take everything we've been working for, instead of just asking us for help?" Jonathan winced when he took too deep a breath. "This isn't a fucking movie. People can actually get along, you know. You don't have to take it all by force and divide everyone into factions. If you wanted supplies we would have given you some. We would have given you shelter, welcomed you with open arms."

"Is that so?"

"Yes." Jonathan groaned as he slid further to the floor as the pain suddenly took him by force. "But I think it's too late for that now."

The man stood once more in the dim light, he towered over him and Jonathan was finding it harder to swallow. His mouth was dry again already. He saw the door open and the guy looked back, "I think you're right."

The door shut calmly and Jonathan was left there wondering what any of them hoped to get out of this.

------

Another day passed and the light coming through the small cracks faded until he was alone in the dark once more, listening to the screams pierce his ears like they had every night before. But they were so close this time, like they were just on the other side of the wall. For the first time in a long time, he felt the fear creeping up inside of him.

For the first time since he'd been captured, he actually felt like giving up but he had hope because he knew there was one person who would eventually start to wonder where he was. One person that wouldn't leave it alone.

Just the thought of Evan and his bad jokes and his stupid grin had Jonathan pushing himself around the small room, feeling around for anything sharp. Just the thought of his laugh had him sawing the ties off his hands with a rusted piece of metal that had bent off the wall. Evan was the reason he started plotting his escape.

Because, God damn it all . . . he missed him.

Jonathan almost laughed. He had to be really fucking dehydrated.

------

The first thing Evan noticed was how quiet it was. It wasn't out of the ordinary but he was so used to hearing another set of lungs close by, but there was nothing. Just his own heavy breathing and grunts as he hoisted himself up three stories in the stacked favela to get a better view of everything. He let his eyes scan for minutes but nothing budged, not even the birds.

Something was just . . . wrong.

The second thing he noticed was the sketchy look on Ryan's face when he finally came in before it got too dark outside. There was something off about the new guy and he couldn't quite place it. It was starting to piss him off a little as they all sat together in the mess hall while they ate a late dinner. Ryan kept glancing at him and darting his eyes away when Evan caught his stare. Evan finally just turned his head his way and waited for him to look at him again. He kept his eyes locked on him and raised an aggravated brow when Ryan finally got caught again, "Is there something you want to say to me?"

Everyone fell silent and looked around at them, feeling the tension settling at the table. Ryan sat back and put his spoon down. He took a deep breath before he said, "I've just been thinking about something that happened a few days ago. It's been bothering me."

He got quiet and Evan was waiting on him to speak, getting pissed the longer he just sat there twiddling his thumbs. "Well . . ."

Ryan cleared his throat, "I think I heard someone on Lui's walkie talkie while he was upstairs one day."

Evan could feel the dread crawl up his spine, felt the hairs stand up on his neck. He tried not to sound so accusing when he clenched his fist on the table, "And you didn't think that was something you should have shared however many days ago?"

"Five days ago and no I didn't think anything of it. I thought I was just imagining it because I was alone and it was quick, a lot of static." Ryan shrugged and looked away like a kid in trouble.

Murphy was squeezing Evan's shoulder, trying to keep him calm. She took a breath and asked cautiously, "Was it just noise or did they say anything?"

"Sounded like a name maybe." Ryan wouldn't look up at anyone, just kept looking at a spot on the table.

Evan breathed out heavily through his nose and Murphy dug her fingers into him even more. He clenched his jaw and got out the question. "Who's name?"

Ryan finally took his eyes off the table and looked Evan in the eye when he whispered, "Yours."

Everyone jumped when Evan's fist hit the table, making their plates jump in front of them. He got to his feet, forgetting the food he no longer had an appetite for. He snatched his arm back when Murphy grabbed for him. "Don't!"

He slammed the door open and stormed down the hallway feeling a fire burning inside of him because there was literally nothing he could do until the sun came up and the screamers ran back into their hiding spots. Jonathan could be trapped or dead. Evan wanted to puke the further he ran up the stairs. He ran until he was on the roof, pulling at his hair as the anxiety built in his gut. He looked out at the city and his fingers shook just knowing that he was out there somewhere and Evan had no idea where.

He slid down the concrete wall, his ass hitting the ground as he buried his head in his arms trying to calm down. Maybe he was just overthinking it, maybe Jonathan was fine and was just too far out of range. But if he'd said something, if he'd said his name five days ago and then went silent after the fact, what did that mean? Evan sat there and silently hoped that Ryan was just imagining hearing it like he said, but he knew deep down that something had gone wrong.

He was deep in his thoughts when he heard footsteps. "This is his spot, you know?"

Evan looked up and saw Marcel standing there with his hands in his pockets. "This is where he always went when he wasn't running or sleeping. I guess to get away from everyone, or maybe to take his mind off of things. But then you came along and I don't really see him up here that much anymore."

Evan just listened, there wasn't really much he wanted to say that didn't involve yelling and punching someone.

Marcel continued. "What I'm getting at, Evan, is that he paints to ease his thoughts. He painted all over that concrete wall behind you and when you busted up in his life one day, he slowly stopped."

Evan just blinked.

"You really mean something to him. You do to him what his art usually does. You help him, whether or not he ever admits it, you do. And I'm sure he's okay out there wherever he is. Maybe he just wanted a break. I know how frustrated he gets when it comes to you."

Evan huffed when he got to his feet. "If I meant something as important to him as his art, he'd be back here already being a complete asshole to me, acting like he doesn't like me like he always does. He wouldn't just disappear."

Marcel nodded, "You're right, but you can't do anything until daylight. So you need to stop sulking thinking the worst has happened. Even if he's in a tight situation, he can get himself out of it. I have faith."

Evan sighed, resigned and he leaned back against the wall he and Jonathan had that one night. He asked quietly, "And what if he can't?"

Marcel shrugged, "Then you will."

Evan watched him head back inside, leaving him alone to drown in his thoughts and anxiety. This was the part where his music would come in handy, but he didn't have it and if he didn't have the music, he used Jonathan instead. He'd ask stupid questions just to see him roll his eyes. Sometimes it helped better than the music did. He would stop thinking about everything, instead his head would be filled with Angel Boy and all of his mysterious glory.

Evan turned towards the city again and whispered, "Where are you?"

He saw a quick flash of light in the distance and thought it wasn't real until he saw it again. It looked like a flashlight flickering in between buildings near the Southside markets where the traps had been.

His heart beat a little harder but he still didn't feel any relief. It could be him, but Jonathan never ran at night. Neither of them did, it was suicide.

So who was it?

------

"Has he said anything?" Arlan piped up when the boss came back from the holding cell.

"Nothing important." The man said and tossed the piece of paper he had back on the table with the prisoner's belongings. It was a note from a guy named 'Evan' and he had a feeling that this person would be looking for their captive soon.

"According to that note, they have a doctor in that tower." The boss said and Arlan snatched it up to read.

"Does it say that?"

"They have a dog in a cast, so let's assume a doctor did it and as you all know, we need as many doctors as we can get."

Arlan nodded quickly, "Yes, we know, sir."

The boss looked up to see the sky start to lighten and the city got quiet once again. He looked down at Arlan, "Gather up a team and head into the city, see what you can find."

"You got it, Boss."

He watched the smaller man take off running, gathering up bags and a few men. He glanced at the dark room that the prisoner was holed up in as he passed by again. It was quiet as always, but he knew he wouldn't stay there long. Someone was going to come for him, or he would escape. He knew it was going to happen one way or the another. He could just kill him, but that would more than likely cause more problems than he and his men were able to handle.

So, he took a seat in the shack he called home, watched from the window, and he waited.

------

Needless to say, Evan didn't sleep. He paced every hall the hospital had. He sharpened new blades with Marcel, braided Murphy's hair, taught Scotty how to pick a lock, brushed Lucah until she had no more hair to shed, and gave Ryan dirty looks every time he saw him. He couldn't keep still and no one said a word to him hardly for fear of setting him off. Lui handed him his walkie just in case he heard something from the other side while he was out.

It still wasn't daylight so he ran upstairs and sat with David, listened to him talk about theories that involved viruses and how they could attack the brain and how maybe he could create a remedy. Brock joined them a while later once he woke and they talked about soccer and how the governments were probably broadcasting fake games to make it seem like nothing was wrong in Rio. Evan didn't doubt it. It made sense why no one had sent them so much as a care package. It was because no one knew.

He rubbed at his eyes and made his way up to Maria who grinned warmly at him and let him hold her grandson. The boy he delivered before they left his mother lying dead on the floor. He swallowed down the lump in his throat as he cradled the infant in his arms. This boy would never know his mother. Evan sighed when the baby opened his eyes and they were olive green, such a beautiful contrast to his honey-brown skin.

If they didn't make progress, the boy may not even get to know himself.

"What's his name?"

"Oliver."

Evan felt himself smile when Oliver grinned up at him and stuck a hand in the air aimlessly, "That's a beautiful name. Just like your eyes."

Maria watched him. "His father's eyes. Just another person who didn't make it. But Oliver has me and everyone here. He has you and Anjo. He'll never be alone and I thank you for that."

Evan felt the nerves twisting in his gut when he glanced out the window and saw the sky turning a pale purple. He handed the baby back and stepped away. "I have to go. Take care, Nana."

"You, too, my dear. Come see us again soon."

He nodded before he disappeared through the dark doorway, stepping quietly down the empty hallway as everyone still slept.

The elevator felt slower than usual and he was cracking his knuckles trying not to get so worked up. But his gut was telling him to run and to run fast and it made the world around him feel like it was moving in slow motion.

"Come on, come on, come on." He whispered to himself as the elevator reached the lobby. The doors slid open like molasses and he squeezed through before they were even open all the way. He snatched his pack out of Lui's hand that was held out waiting for him, and walked straight out the door that Scott was holding open. Marcel had the gate down and gave him a small salute when he jogged past.

Evan heard it shut behind him and picked up speed until he was running comfortably at a steady sprint. He took the turns he knew so well now, cutting the corners like he'd learned from watching exactly how Jonathan did it. His shoes slid strategically on the dirt beneath his feet as he grabbed a wall to bring him around corners even faster.

God it was so fucking quiet, nothing but the sound of his breathing and his feet beneath him. He had no idea how Jonathan did this alone for so long. But then again, Jonathan liked the quiet. Just thinking about him out there somewhere made his nerves twist even more. It was like the first time he set out into the city alone, minding his own business, trying to catch a glimpse of the lone runner that insisted on spying. The lone runner who called him reckless and pulled him up into a safe house that night, never saying a word as he looked out at the city.

Just thinking about seeing his face for the first time and every other fleeting time after that had an ache settling in his chest.

What if he never saw him again?

------

He ran for fifteen minutes before he came to a stop in the middle of the markets where he'd seen Lucah that day. This was where the light had been last night. He looked to his left and through all the small stalls and hanging rags. There was something small swinging and glinting in the sunlight. He made his way through the cluster of crates and on the edge of an awning that was just off the face of a building, he saw his iPod hanging by the earbuds, just barely. It swayed with the breeze and Evan felt his stomach in his throat.

"Shit." He grit his teeth and snatched it down, shoving it in his pack and looking around for something else.

Anything.

That's when he saw the scuff marks on the ground just ahead. He tried to see it in his mind. Jonathan must have come off the roof, hit the ground, and run judging by the footprints he kept following. They led him down the alleyway still full of traps. That's when he saw a second pair of footprints. Both sets stopped at an opening just in front of a fence and there it was.

Jonathan's walkie.

Evan's fingers shook as he took the one off his hip and blew into it, hearing the static come out of the one on the ground.

The lump in his throat was almost unbearable. "No, no, please no . . ."

He threaded his fingers behind his head, closed his eyes and paced, trying to keep himself calm. But he couldn't the more he thought about Jonathan yelling his name six days ago in this very spot.

"Fuck!" He cried out, hands dropping to his knees and he saw small patches of dark dried blood on the ground right in front of him when he opened his eyes again. He was livid, shaking with anger, but he focused and stood tall once more following the displaced dirt on the ground. Drag marks.

The bastard had dragged him away. But the longer he observed he learned that it was more than one bastard. The further he walked, the more prints he saw until he reached an intersection. The drag marks disappeared and the multiple sets of prints split into three different directions. They were smart, covering their tracks and confusing whoever might've followed. He didn't know which way to go or how many more there were, wherever they had taken him.

But, he had an idea. Through the red he could hardly see past, he had a stupid, reckless idea. But he was always good at being reckless.

------

"Evan." Marcel said as he opened the gate, but the Asian didn't even bat an eye. "Evan? Evan! What did you find?"

But still, nothing. He was unresponsive and Marcel could only imagine why. He hadn't found Anjo, but he quite obviously found something else. He was right behind him when he burst through the front door to the tower. Everyone jumped and Marcel was about to reach for him but Evan turned his head and gave him a look that had him retracting his fingers.

They eyeballed Evan when he made his way over to Ryan who was almost sweating in his seat. He looked up at him, feeling the heat in his face as the man stared down at him accusingly.

"Everything ok -" He tried to ask but it was cut short by the sound of a solid object hitting the table in front of him. He looked down at the iPod that Evan let fall on the wood.

Ryan tried to speak, but he was feeling sick all of a sudden, "I don't -"

Evan spoke slowly and it scared Ryan more than it would have if he were yelling. "That is my iPod, that I gave to him. Found it hanging from an awning in the middle of the markets. Also found some footprints that led me down an alleyway. The same alley that held the traps that my dog found herself stuck in. Now, imagine my surprise when I found this," Evan tossed Jonathan's walkie on the table and Ryan jumped again, "just lying there on the fucking ground."

Ryan was shaking, "I'm sorry."

"With dried up blood next to it." Evan's voice was rising.

"Evan -"

"And fucking scuff marks on the ground from where they dragged him away!" Evan flipped the table on it's side and Ryan nearly fell over his chair trying to scramble backwards. He backed himself against the wall and Evan grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him up a few inches while he seethed just centimeters from his face. "If you want to live another day here, you better tell someone next time if you think you hear something even remotely suspicious and you better start praying right fucking now that he's not dead. Because if he is . . . you will be, too."

Evan let him go and Ryan slid down the wall to his feet. But he couldn't keep his knees from giving out beneath him and he hit the floor. Scotty was there to lend him a hand once Evan had grabbed his iPod and walkie out of the mess he'd made. Everyone parted like the Red Sea for him, everyone except for Lui who was storming up to him once he heard all the commotion.

"Hold the fuck up." He attempted to halt him but Evan rolled right past him into Marcel's weapon room where he began taking up stock. Marcel squinted, trying to figure out what he was planning. He watched him grab the sharpest, longest machete and loop it through his holster.

"You're going after him." Marcel stated and Evan didn't even blink.

"Why the fuck wouldn't I?" He said and grabbed a new flashlight, a brighter one.

Lui stepped in front on him, "Because if we lose both of you, this entire tower is fucked to Hades and back."

"I'll be making a pit stop first to ensure that doesn't happen." Evan stated rather plainly. "Now move."

Marcel stepped in front of him this time. "Tell us where you're going."

Evan finally caught his eye. "You have one of two options; you can either go with me or you can get the fuck out of my way."

Both Lui and Marcel stood there in silence beside each other before grabbing two empty running bags. "So, what do we need to bring?"

Evan cocked his head to the side. "A lot of light, something sharp, and a few empty duffle bags. Be quick, I'm leaving."

They wasted no time stuffing their bags with L.E.D. flashlights and grabbing hold of Marcel's finest weapons. Evan was almost out the door and they jogged to keep up. He snapped his fingers twice and Lucah was by his side in a flash, trotting beside her owner. They were at the gate when they heard another set of feet running to catch up.

"I'm coming with you. I owe him that much." Ryan slowed once he reached them. Evan never turned around, never stopped.

"You're damn right you do." Evan agreed and worked himself up to a jog. "Let's go, we're wasting daylight."

Lui tightened the strap over his chest to keep it from moving so much. "And where exactly are we going?"

Evan picked up his pace, "The police station."

Marcel could see the steel determination in Evan just by the way he held himself. His shoulders were stiff, his expression hard, and his sense of direction never wavered. It was almost as if he'd absorbed Anjo's entire demeanor. His statements were short and to the point, his instructions were very meticulous and clear. It was like Evan wasn't even there anymore.

It was kind of scary but also kind of sweet in a dark way. Marcel had never seen two people click together so fast before. Even if they fought, bickered, and acted like enemies sometimes. They worked so well together, had learned the other's habits, and they could almost speak without even using words.

He knew he wasn't the only one that noticed, they all did. Deep down he had a feeling that the both of them knew it too. Evan had embraced it, Anjo had run from it. Now that one of them was missing, the other was shut down and losing himself as they searched. Marcel had a feeling Anjo would be acting the exact same way if it were Evan missing instead.

"This way, keep quiet." Evan instructed as they stepped into the destroyed police station. Their feet crunched on broken glass and scattered debris. It was just like Evan remembered it from the first time he and Jonathan had ventured inside for the sole purpose of finding weapons. Only because Jonathan had a feeling there were others out there and he'd been right.

Now they were paying the price for not getting the weapons. Not like it was their fault, they'd tried, but there were an unknown number of walking dead in the dark hallways of the station.

Evan held his breath as he stepped over the rotting bodies that were still there by the door he'd helped Jonathan pry open. He remembered the way the growls had echoed around them, the way Jonathan had grabbed him and pulled him away to safety. Again.

Evan dug out the keys that had always stayed in his pack after that day, finding the right one and turning the lock to the barred door that led them into the dark hall full of cells.

"Lights." He whispered and a multitude of bright, blinding lights illuminated the entire corridor. The dead screamer that Jonathan had killed was still lying there in front of them. They walked past and Evan was waiting for the growls to come but they never did. He didn't like the anticipation, because he knew they had to still be there.

Lucah was right beside him, creeping on her toes, and he paused when he saw the hair stand straight up on her back. She let out a small growl of warning as they reached the end of the hall where it split left and right.

"Evan, what are we here for?" Lui asked quietly when they all came to a stop behind him.

"Guns." He glanced back. "We tried before, but we got run off."

"Should we split up? The armory can't be too far from the front desk. This place isn't very big." Marcel offered and Evan thought for a moment.

"No. If anyone gets trapped you'll need all the help you can get. These things are fast, but are helpless against light. We may not even have to fight any, just hold them off long enough to find what we need." Evan turned back and stepped forward, but he still didn't know which way to go.

"Lucah, where are they?" Evan asked her and she held her ears up tall and heard something they didn't. She showed her teeth and looked to the left down the black hallway.

"Marcel, up front with me. Lui, Ryan stay behind us and keep light shining in that direction so they don't come up on us. Let's go right first, see what we can find. No loud noises." Evan turned right, taking careful steps and following Lucah's lead. If she turned into a room and came right back out, that meant it was clear and they'd go in and search for anything useful.

She led them into a medical bay and filled up one entire bag with supplies and medicine David would be grateful for. As for the other rooms, the didn't offer anything they needed. So they made their way back to the point where they'd turned right.

Evan sighed, watching Lucah put up her defenses again. There were screamers ahead somewhere, waiting. Of course it was the direction they needed to go. He pulled the sharpened machete from his holster and listened to the boys do the same.

"Aim for the head." Was all he said and they moved forward, silently stepping around corners, shining their lights on every dark corner and crevice they could. There were noises coming from all around them, but they couldn't see any sign of movement. They kept going, keeping light on everything as they moved.

They came to what looked like a small headquarters. The hall turned into a four-way intersection, the rooms at the corners were offices with glass windows. Evan could see into most of them. Blood was splattered across one of the windows and it looked relatively new. Lucah put her tail up and Evan stepped carefully towards the door, hearing the guttural growl before he saw it and just as it lunged, he swung. It's blackened blood sprayed across his shirt and neck and he watched as it's body and head fell in two separate directions.

It took a moment, but the adrenaline finally set in and his heart took off. He stepped back out and they were staring at him with wide eyes. That's when he saw the sign hanging at the end of the hall behind them all. That was also when they all heard feral whines and coughs starting to echo around them. They'd woken the horde.

"Pick a hall and shine your light on it. I'll get the weapons. Nobody move." Evan ordered as he walked past them with Lucah. He had the keys ready and he went through ten of them before he found the right one. The lock clicked and he swung the door open, the noises got louder and he walked in on two dazed screamers. He kept his light on them as he ran foward, taking one of their heads off with the machete and piercing the other's skull just as fast. They fell to the floor and he clipped his light to his hat, opening two separate duffle bags. One for ammo, one for the guns.

Lucah kept her eyes on the door while Evan loaded the bags quickly with bullets, silencer attachments, pistols, and shotguns. To say the bags were heavy was an understatement. It was like he had a full grown man dragging from each shoulder but in the moment the adrenaline made it feel like nothing.

"Evan, I'm pretty sure we need to go!" Came Lui's uncertain voice and when Evan stepped into the hall, he knew why. "There's too many!"

Two of the halls were filling up at an alarming rate with screamers who were shying away from the light, but falling over each other, which was pushing them forward. His heart jumped and he handed a bag off to Ryan.

"Go, go!" He yelled and they flinched when the screams pierced their ears all at once. "Lucah, go!"

They took off at a sprint and the hallway seemed to stretch out even longer the faster they ran. Ryan cut right around a corner and past the prison cells, forgetting about the dead screamer lying there. The heaviness of the bag made him hit the ground harder when he tripped on the body. Marcel and Lui jumped over him to keep from following him down and were about to turn around but Evan yelled, "Don't stop!"

He thought that was it. Ryan thought that was how he was going to die, eaten alive because he was so fucking clumsy and useless. Honestly, he wouldn't blame any of them for leaving him there as bait.

Lucah jump and soared gracefully over him and Ryan caught Evan's eye right before the man reached for him and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him and the bag up in one fluid motion and show of strength. Evan shoved him forward and through the barred door that he turned and shut, locking it behind them.

The screamers slammed against it, clawing relentlessly at the runner that was increasing the distance between them. Evan saw sunlight and dropped the bag that now felt like a million pounds. It stirred up dust from where it hit the ground and everyone picked an object to lean against to catch their breath. Everyone except for Evan who was yanking the ammo bag from Ryan and unzipping the other one, loading a magazine and clicking it into place inside of a pistol. He attached a silencer, checked the safety and fit it behind the waistband of his pants.

"Get the rest of this back to the tower." Evan demanded and turned to leave, but Lui stopped him.

"You're not going alone."

"I have Lucah." Evan looked back and pointed to Ryan who had his hands on his knees, puking. "And he can't carry those bags back by himself."

"I can help him." Marcel crossed his arms. "Lui can go with you. You have no idea what you'll find."

Evan shrugged and spun on his heels, not waiting for anymore words to be exchanged. He wasted no time and ran even though his legs were more than tired, feeling like jelly. Lui was right behind him as they stepped over the traps in the alleyway that Evan never wanted to see again. His chest tightened as they came up on the small puddle of blood and scuff marks where the altercation between Jonathan and the unknown third party took place.

Evan pulled a t-shirt out of his pack. A shirt that Jonathan had left hanging on the post of a bunk one day. Evan grabbed it in case he needed an extra one to wear and ended up forgetting about it. He got down on one knee and let Lucah sniff, getting a bead on his scent.

"Find him." He told her and the wind have a slight gust, ruffling their shirts and hair. She took off and Lui gave Evan a hopeful look before they ran after her.

------

The sun was dropping and Ryan didn't look any less pale as they sat there in the lobby waiting for someone to come through the gate. His stomach was empty and he couldn't stop thinking about how helpless he was.

"Snap out of it." Murphy clapped her hands in front of his face. "What's done is done."

Ryan shook his head at her, "They wouldn't be out there in this mess if of it weren't for me."

"That's actual bullshit because they took him regardless of whether or not you heard him call for help." She sat down beside him. "And Evan would've flipped his shit no matter when he found out; the moment it happened or five days later."

"What's done is done." Langley repeated her and Ryan gave a weak nod and they continued playing the waiting game as the sky darkened, turning a deep rich orange that only meant terror was just around the corner.

------

Evan and Lui kept up silently with Lucah as she followed the scent further into the city, at least two more miles to a place Evan didn't recognize. It was closer to the more modern side of Rio, the high rise buildings, and the ocean. But not quite. They were still in the run-down parts, clothes hanging from lines, blown out lanterns squeaking as they swayed with the breeze.

It was eerie and the hair was standing up on the back of Evan's neck the further they went. This was uncharted territory and he felt vulnerable when Lucah led them into an opening. It was almost like a town square with a small fire pit in the dead center with makeshift benches and seats strewn about. Cooking equipment stood off to the side as if people lived here. But it looked completely deserted. There wasn't a sound to be heard but their own footsteps.

"Lucah." Evan whispered and she put her nose to the ground and led them into the first run down building, sniffing him out. She led them to a table where Evan picked up a pack that was identical to his own. All of Jonathan's things were still in it.

"We're close." Evan threw the bag over his shoulder and pulled the pistol out of his waistband as they moved forward.

He didn't understand why no one was here. Or maybe they were just walking into an ambush, or maybe they had up and left. Did they leave Jonathan behind, kill him, or take him with them? Too many questions and no one to answer them. Lucah whined and seemed confused as to wear to go for a moment. It seemed his scent was all around. That's when Evan looked out of the window and saw something move in the building across the way. It was quick but something was there.

"Stay here and keep looking." Evan whispered and Lui gave him a nod before they separated.

------

The boss smirked beneath his hood when they showed up. He knew it was only a matter of time and there they were finally. It was impressive in how fast they were in finding the place. He watched them from his window and saw the stark white creature leading them; the dog. Out of it's cast, he assumed. The trio was running out of time because the sun was dropping and within the hour, they'd have nowhere to go.

The dog got closer, sniffing out the building where the guy was being held and he saw it start to paw at the ground in front of the door. The smaller man fiddled with the lock at the door and looked around for . . .

Where was the bigger guy?

He felt cold metal press against the back of his head through the material of his jacket. He heard a small click of his safety flicking off, heard him breathe. So . . . they had guns. Interesting.

"Where is he?" Evan's voice was cold and unforgiving.

"You know, I have to give it to you. You're pretty bold coming out here, just two people. There could've been a hundred of us."

Evan felt his blood pressure rising when he pressed the gun against him harder. "Does it look like I fucking care?"

"No, it doesn't."

"I'll ask you again. Where is he?"

The hooded figure pulled a key out of his pocket and held it up, waiting until the man snatched it from him. Then he pointed out the window to Lui and Lucah just outside of the tin building trying to pry the lock open.

"Why did you take him? What did you plan to get out of this?" Evan asked the guy.

He shrugged nonchalantly and Evan didn't understand why he was so cool in his current situation. "Information."

"And did you get it?"

"Your friend doesn't speak much, he didn't even give up anything. But I've learned all I need to know. You can have him."

Evan clenched his jaw, trying not to pull the trigger. "I wasn't asking for permission."

"Of course you weren't."

Evan's heart was hammering. "Where are the others? I know there's more of you."

He turned his head slightly, "They're not here."

"So you decided to sit here alone, vulnerable, knowing you'd have no one to help you if I decided to blow your fucking brains out?" Evan asked. He just wanted to understand.

"You wouldn't do it. You know they'd be coming for you when they got back and found me. Same reason I didn't kill your guy down there. Cause and effect. I think we're all smarter than that." The guy chuckled and Evan was losing his patience. He was getting nowhere with this asshole and Jonathan was probably in need of a doctor.

The man crossed his arms, "Either way, we'll be seeing each other soon I'm sure."

"Yeah, I'm sure." Evan withdrew the gun only to swing it and hit him upside the head, knocking him out cold. He had to prioritize and Jonathan was number one on his list. They could figure out the rest of this mess later. He ran down the creaky stairs and out into the open. He glanced up trying not to worry about how close the sun was to going down. They had time, but not enough to get all the way back.

"I can't get past this lock. I think he's inside." Lui said and ran his hands through his hair.

"Move." Evan took the key in his hand and slipped it in the lock, feeling it click. He unhooked it and tossed it to the ground. Just as he went to pull the door someone shoved it open from the inside and ran out swinging at him with a piece of rusted metal in his hand. Evan hit the ground and the man fell on top of him before pushing himself up and rearing his fist back preparing to punch him. But when he saw his face, he let his arm drop.

"Evan?"

Evan stared up at Jonathan, breathless because he looked like a fucking zombie. He had dark circles beneath his eyes and he was covered in dirt and dried blood.

"Holy shit, dude." Evan said and looked him up and down. "Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"

Jonathan was losing what strength he had left and he felt his arms shaking from holding himself up. "I don't know. Everything's moving too fast."

"Lui." Evan called and he handed him a bottle of water.

"Here, sit down." They helped Jonathan to his side where he could hardly keep himself up. Evan pressed the bottle to his lips and held his head up for him while he drank. "Slow down and breathe, please."

Jonathan took a deep breath and felt even more lightheaded, but he was more than relieved to see familiar faces. He leaned too far and ended up pressed against Evan's chest where he could hear his heartbeat. It sounded like a drum. "Never thought I'd say this . . . but I'm actually really glad to see you."

Evan huffed and shook his head, looking up at Lui, "He's gotta be half dead before he admits he misses me."

Lui grinned but it fell with the light that was getting faint. They didn't have long. "Think you can walk?"

Jonathan closed his eyes and he could've fell asleep right there against Evan, but he shook him awake. "Hey, stay awake man. We gotta get you home first."

Lucah gave him a wet lick and tugged at his shirt. Jonathan gave a weak smile and groaned when Evan stood and tried to pull him to his feet. The ache in his side had only intensified and it was so hard to breathe. Deep breaths did nothing but make it worse. Lui placed himself beneath his other arm and they walked with him. His feet were still working but it was a slow journey back.

Evan gave Lui a look and they knew they wouldn't make it back in time. They made it about a mile before Jonathan's legs gave out on him. Evan picked him up and carried him over his shoulder for another mile until he saw something familiar in the dark streets.

A familiar intersection, old skid marks from tires, an old puddle of blood, and a decrepit screamer body lying in the street.

"In there." He pointed to the convenience store and Lui ran ahead to hold the door open while Evan hauled Jonathan forward into the building. The same building they'd spent that first apocalyptic night together. Evan found a wall in the back of the store and sagged against it while Lui barricaded the entrance. He slid to the floor and pulled Jonathan back against his chest and held him there and let every thing sink in while he caught his breath.

He thought about that night and being in Jonathan's shoes. He pictured him dragging him inside and taking care of a complete stranger while the world went to shit outside. Evan thought about how far they'd come, how they went from not knowing who the other was, to being saviors of the tower together, to sleeping in the same room, and eating side by side. He thought about how he'd never be able to thank him enough for saving his life. Evan looked down at him passed out against him, head tilted back on his shoulder as his fingers twitched every so often against his leg. He'd try to thank him by saving his life in return.

There was nothing to stop him from closing his eyes and falling asleep, not Lui offering him some chips he'd found, not Lucah who licked his face before settling beside him, not even the screamers as they yelled like demons running past the windows.

------

"Do you think they're dead?" Ryan sat there in the small server room with the two techies because he couldn't take looking at the front doors anymore, waiting for people that may not ever come back.

"Probably." One of them said and the color drained from Ryan's face again.

"Craig! You are the fucking worst at reassuring people about anything." Bryce rubbed his eyes and shook his head. "Ryan, I'm sure they're fine and they'll be here when the sun comes up. They probably had to hole up somewhere for the night. Really, I wouldn't worry about. Evan is a very capable man and Lui is too. Just take a deep breath and relax."

Bryce slowly smiled while Ryan breathed in deep and exhaled, sinking back into his chair. "Good. See? Every thing is okay."

"Thanks, man." Ryan finally cracked a grin.

Craig rolled his eyes and went back to fiddling with the still broken satellite phone that was in pieces on the table in front of him. "That's so sweet, why don't you two go do some yoga now and drink green tea."

Ryan's mood deteriorated again and Bryce glared at his friend and spoke sarcastically. "That's actually a really great idea, Craig. Come on, Ryan, let's go stretch our legs. I get so cramped up in here being with this asshat all day."

Ryan followed him out of the room gratefully. When he'd taken a liking to Bryce, he didn't know. All he knew was that the man was tall, nice, and sympathetic to his worries. He was sweet and Craig was his polar opposite, a complete douche bag who didn't give two shits about anything other than getting a radio frequency working so they could contact someone on the outside. But he kind of understood why he was so grouchy. It had been months and nothing they'd tried had worked. So now it was just experiment after experiment.

Ryan understood, but he couldn't help but think he should've stayed on laundry duty and never got tangled up in a mess too big for him to even hope to clean up. He just felt sick.

Bryce nudged his shoulder when they found a quiet corner in the cafeteria. "What makes you feel better?"

Ryan pulled his jacket around him tighter and shrugged shyly. "Stories."

Bryce lit up and Ryan immediately felt better from his bright smile. "Well, let me tell you. I'm a five star story teller and you, my friend, are in for a treat."

------

Evan was asleep and feeling numb when he was shaken awake by gentle hands and a kind voice. "Hey. Evan, wake up. Come on, dude. Pry those suckers open."

He peeked an eye open and Lui laughed, "Jesus, you were in deep. Been trying to wake you for ten minutes. Sun's up, we should head back."

Evan had no energy, he barely had enough to move Jonathan's limp body off of him. Lui helped lay him out on the floor, then helped Evan to his feet. The Asian rubbed hard at his eyes.

"Give me a minute." He mumbled and dragged his feet toward the refrigerators where he found a room temperature energy drink and chugged it all in one go. It buzzed in his head while he stretched his arms and legs and cracked his neck.

"How about I carry him as long as I can and then you take him? I know you're exhausted." Lui suggested and Evan was smart enough to agree with him. He helped him up and on to Lui's shoulder, then got the front doors open. They set out into the early morning sun and the quiet streets, moving carefully and slowly with Jonathan in tow.

Evan's chest was hurting. He hadn't eaten in two days and last night was the only decent sleep he'd had all week. If he felt like shit, he could only imagine what Jonathan felt like. That made his chest hurt even more knowing he wasn't okay in the slightest. He looked in pain even when he was passed out.

They made it a third of the way there walking before Lui gave in. "Alright, take him."

Evan shook his arms out before he picked him up, carrying him bridal style. He didn't look so bad that way. Jonathan's arm hung down, swinging uselessly while his head was laying against his chest. Evan fought past the lack of energy and forced one foot in front of the other when Lui ran ahead to get the gate down in the distance. It looked so far away.

Evan drew in a deep breath and felt his legs shake beneath him. He stopped for a moment and looked down, meeting bright blue tired eyes. Jonathan tried to speak but Evan shook his head. "Don't talk. I've got you. We're almost there."

He readjusted him and focused on not falling flat on his ass. Evan grit his teeth and walked. He walked until he was past the gate and moving into the lobby where everyone's eyes were on them. But he couldn't hear any of their shocked response as he walked straight to the open elevator with Lui and Marcel right behind him. He felt hands on his back holding him up and when the doors opened again, Brock was there waiting to take Jonathan when Evan couldn't stand on his own feet anymore. He fell to his knees, vision fading slowly as Brock moved further away, carrying one of the most important things he'd ever had in his life.

------

Evan didn't remember his face hitting the floor. But he woke with a bruised cheek and an IV in his arm. It was dark in the room and the only thing he could make out was the light coming through the crack in the door. The ache that ran through his body was ridiculous but he swung his legs over the side of the bed anyway until he was on his feet. He carefully pulled the needle from his arm that he guessed was just fluids and headed for the door.

The hallway was empty and silent. His feet clicked on the cold floor just like they did the day he woke up confused after being under for an entire month. The rooms were all empty except for one. The door was left open and he saw two bright eyes flash from the florescent light in the hall. He stepped into the room, hearing the steady beeping of a heart monitor and the calm breathing of the man under the sheets.

Evan walked in with a grin when Lucah lifted her head and wagged her tail from where she was laying beside Jonathan's legs. Evan gave her head a light reassuring pat and she settled, resting on Jonathan's shin once more.

There was very little light in the room. It was dim, coming from a small plug in on the wall to cut down on power consumption. Evan pulled a chair up close to his bed and watched him sleep. The light cast shadows across his exhausted face. The hair on his face had grown again and he was scruffy, dirty, and a little worse for wear. It was sad how pretty he was because he had no idea.

Jonathan had no clue at all that Evan would rather watch the sun rise and set in his eyes than watch it at all. Because in those moments before the day began and just as it ended, those moments when they were together, he saw him for who he truly was. In those moments, he saw Jonathan underneath the stone wall he surrounded himself with. He could see him soften when he witnessed the sky change colors and the wind blow across his face. It was like he was an ever changing piece of art, constantly rebuilding his defenses and unconsciously letting Evan tear them down over and over again.

Evan leaned on his own hand, eyeing the runner, just making sure he was really there and not a figment of his hopeless imagination. He stared until he couldn't hold his eyes open anymore and he fell asleep knowing he'd have a pinch in his neck. But he didn't care. He wasn't leaving the room.

He dreamed of a rare bubbly laugh that he'd only ever heard once. It was a sound he'd love to hear again. Such a pretty noise that came from such a beautiful mouth.

When he opened his eyes he saw the morning light reflecting in Jonathan's as he laid there looking at him through heavy half-open eyes. The ache in Evan's chest swelled when Jonathan cracked a small, sweet grin and said, "Hey, Cat-man."

Evan shook his head and smiled, "You're high."

"As a fucking kite." Jonathan giggled and it was the cutest thing Evan had ever heard. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Evan looked down at his hands to find them restless and nervous. He took a deep breath and met his eyes again, "I thought you were gone."

Jonathan wanted to laugh with the drugs in his system but he couldn't, not when Evan looked like he was hurt. "I'm right here."

"Just the thought of you being dead . . . I've never been so scared in my life." Evan gave a small laugh. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this. You probably won't remember it and you more than likely don't care."

"I care." Jonathan said quietly and distractedly as he pet Lucah when she nudged his hand seeking attention. He finally looked over at him and Evan's expression was unreadable. Jonathan grinned again, "Besides, even if I was dead, you wouldn't let me stay that way. You'd probably bring me back to life just to tell me some stupid random fact about Cheetos or tell me how long the Great Wall of China is."

Evan snorted on a laugh and let his elbows rest on the edge of the bed while Jonathan watched him with a crooked smile. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while until Jonathan turned his head and chewed at his lip, trying not to laugh when he asked, "So, how long is it?"

Evan smiled so fucking wide and said, "13,171 miles."

Jonathan threw his head back and laughed, trying to speak at the same time which made him laugh even harder, "You would . . . know that off the top of your . . . head! What a fucking nerd."

Evan laughed until he was crying and they didn't even see Murphy or Langley standing outside the door listening. "And hot Cheetos were invented by a janitor."

Jonathan couldn't breathe, "Stop!Fuck, it hurts."

He gasped for air until he was calm again, still letting out the occasional giggle when he thought about it. His side was throbbing now but he didn't care. He was too high on pain meds to even feel most of it.

"I'm sorry." Evan chuckled and watched him rub at the deep black bruise on his ribcage. "I'll leave, you need to rest."

Jonathan sighed, "But I'm hungry, dude."

"I'll go get you some food. Then you need to rest. Deal?" Evan bargained with the man.

"Okay, Mom." Jonathan rubbed at his head. "Just hurry up or I'll eat your dog."

Evan grinned to himself and his head was buzzing with a high that had nothing to do with drugs. He was in a daze, a smile stuck on his face as he rifled through the mess hall for Jonathan's favorite tomato soup, snatching up some crackers to go with it. He didn't even notice the two girls watching him suspiciously as he passed by without acknowledging them for the second time. All he could think about was that laugh. It was so rich and pure and it set off the butterflies in his gut. Just that fleeting image of Jonathan tossing his head back, showing his wide smile, the curve of his neck. The corners of his eyes had crinkled and it made Evan feel warm on the inside.

He leaned against the elevator as it took him back down, swaying with it as it came to a stop. Evan sighed and hesitated for just a split second when the doors opened, but he knew it was useless trying to will away what he felt. He squared his shoulders and walked back down the long white hallway to the room that was occupied by the guy he was falling uncontrollably in love with.