"Okay, Runner Five. You've been out there long enough," Sam says after the CD ends. His voice sounds a bit shaky, and I can hear Maxine crying again. "Since you're a good ways away from Abel it'll take you a while to get back, so you-you need to turn around now so you can make it back before it gets dark."

'Just a second,' I reply as I rummage through the bins of the old shack I stumbled upon. After making sure no zombies were hiding in the corners I started to check it out, and in turn found one of those portable CD players which I plan on giving to the doctor. I just have to find the headphones first.

"Five, you need to starting heading home now. I'm not going to go through another night run again." His voice is more stern now, and slightly irritated.

'I'll be fine. I will only be a minute.'

"Runner Five-"

Click.

I know I'm going to get an earful when I turn my headset back on, more so since he was talking to me, but the deed's already been done, and his talking wasn't helping any with finding those headphones.

It takes about half a minute in silence to find them. I'm quick to shove them in my backpack and make my leave, turning on my headset the second my foot leaves the shack.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hear Sam practically scream in my ear, making me wince. "Do-do you know what could've gone wrong and I wouldn't have been able to tell you?"

'I was gone for literally one minute, Sam.'

"A-and a lot of things can go wrong in one minute. Don't do that again, even if it's for... for five seconds. Don't do it."

'Okay. I won't,' I reply quickly, rolling my eyes.

"Don't give me that attitude. I can tell by just how you tap on the mic."

"That's a bit odd how you know that," Dr. Meyers cuts in with a watery voice.

"I know all my runners like that," He nonchalantly says.

"But Runner Five has been here for what, two months? Two and a week maybe?"

"So?"

"It's a little odd that you know her so well already."

"I don't think so. What do you think, Runner Five?" He asks, and I shrug, although I don't think there are any cameras for him to see me do the action.

'No one at Mullins really seemed to notice my emotions that well. I think maybe two people did, but I really did not show that much emotion to begin with,' I answer. 'And the only people that cared how I felt at-'

I stop immediately, almost letting out information I do not want to be known. They can't know about the AMTB. They can't. Not if they have a slim chance at looking at my files, and seeing how some of the people here are with their cunning little selves-there actually is a chance they could hack into the database and find my file. Then I'd really have some explaining to do.

"I thought you said you didn't have any friends at Mullins."

'I... didn't. Not really. Those two were just friendly people and the ones I cared about... I was talking about before I was at the base. When I was out on my own. I had some friends then, but I'd rather not talk about it.'

The lie is an easy one, hitting the mic as easy as it would've been to slide off my tongue. 'But no, I do not think it's weird. Just new."

"Ha! See, doc, Five doesn't think it's weird. Although I am the first-well, one of the first-to notice."

"Whatever you say, Sam," She says in a playful tone.

"So when do you think we should start looking for those files?"

"Soon-as soon as possible, really. But first we should make sure Five gets her rest. She's run a long way and going after those notes won't be an easy task. If anything it will likely be comparable to her journey to get to the university."

'Seriously?' I internally groan.

"Let's hope not," Sam chuckles nervously. "I know Runner Five well enough to know she can take care of herself but let's maybe try to find a day without too many zombies swarming around this uh, Tessen-Dory place."

"We can try," She sighs.

'Please do.' Although I'm sure if there aren't zombies around, something else will come along to get in my way.

I do have a tendency to bring bad luck with me.

"Five, you've got a pack of about... nine on your tail, but if you pick up the pace you should be able to outrun them."

I almost make a snarky comment about how easy he makes that sound even though I've been running for at least two hours, but I don't. I keep my mouth shut and my hands down and just continue running.

I'm tired, but not as tired as most would be since I think I'm on that "runner's high" or whatever they call it. I've never truly learned the concept of it, but it keeps me going and I know after this it will probably be only the adrenaline to keep me going. But I've pushed myself a lot farther before, so this doesn't really scare me.

What does scare me is how well my lie will stand when I make it back to Abel.
I am expected to bring penicillin alternates, but since I didn't go to the hospital-and I don't plan on stopping at one on my way back either-I won't bring anything back. I'm not sure how pleased the townspeople will be.

Hopefully what I do have will be enough to satisfy them.

A few half full bottles of antibiotics, a pen, a can of tomatoes, a baseball bat, a hat, an antique key on a string for me, and the portable CD player for the doctor.

Let's hope so.

•

When I get back to Abel, my legs feel wobbly and I'm drenched in sweat. The "runner's high" only lasted about thirty minutes, so the remaining forty-five was just tired jogging until I reached the gates.

I empty almost all of my backpack for those who are supposed to check for goods, keeping the CD player and headphones hidden. No one has any need for the key so there's no need to hide it.

I follow the doctor to the medical tent, slipping out of my sweat soaked shirt and shorts. She follows the regular routine and begins to check me for any bites.

"I just want to thank you, Runner Five, for running longer so I could play the CD again. I know you've probably exhausted yourself."

I start to sign an answer but she speaks before I can finish.

"Yes, I know you've been through worse, but still-thank you."

It only takes a few more minutes before I'm clear to leave, and I quickly slip on my sweaty clothing with a shudder in disgust. As I make my way towards the exit, I oh-so-smoothly set the portable CD player and headphones on the wooden table and slipping outside before Maxine can notice.

"Runner Five, finally you're back," Caleb states as he walks toward me with the trio of children in tow. He examines my state and lets out a low whistle. "God, you're drenched. What'd you do? Go find a lake to swim in during your extra time?"

I roll my eyes at his words, but send a wave to Milo, Willis, and Penelope.

"Did you find anything good?" Penelope asks. "They said you were out running for stuff for the hospital."

"Yeah, Dr. Meyers said you were looking for penicillin alternates," Caleb states. "Did you find any?"

I shake my head and run my hand through the sweaty hair that has slipped from its ponytail.

"Why not?" Willis asks. "You were gone for like, three and a half hours."

'I just couldn't find any, but I did find some antibiotics and a hat.'

"A hat?"

'Yeah, looked kind of like a top hat,' I answer. 'So are you feeling better?'

Caleb scoffs. "I told you, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Why would she be worrying?" Milo asks.

"Because we're best friends and that's what best friends do."

I send him a raised brow in question. When did I ever say we were best friends?

"I thought Sam was her best friend."

"No, Sam's her-Ow." He winces and pulls away from me, rubbing the spot on his arm from where I hit him. "You know for someone who's been running for three and a half hours you still have pretty good energy... and strength."

"What were you going to say?" Penelope questions, and I sign an answer before Caleb can speak.

'Nothing. He was going to say nothing.'

"So Sam is nothing to you?" Milo tips his head to the side as I shake my own.

'No, that is not what I meant. Just... I meant..." I throw a glare of frustration at my "best friend" and the scowl I have deepens when I see the hint of amusement in his eyes.

God, these people!

'Sam is my friend and he's my radio operator,' I say calmly, 'and apparently Caleb is my best friend, you two are my younger friends-'

"We're only three years younger than you," Willis argues, "well, except Penelope."

I ignoring his comment. I shiver as a breeze blows by, cooling the sweat on my body; I nearly cringe in disgust. 'Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a shower. I don't know if I have to help prepare dinner in about two hours.'

"Yeah, you smell like the dead," Caleb mutters with a chuckle. This earns him another glare but he doesn't seem to notice or care.

I turn and briskly walk toward my tent to grab my clothes, feeling glad that conversation is over.

•

Luckily for me, tonight was not my night for kitchen duty, meaning I only have to eat the mystery meat that was found in a can.

Scrumptious.

"I think it's chicken, you?" Caleb asks Sam, who is sitting across from me.

"I try not to think about it," He mutters, taking another bite of his food.

'I was thinking fish but you are probably right.'

"Well, since I help the doctor at the hospital, I know there are three people in the Township who has fish allergies," He states. "So if someone falls over or breaks out in hives, we'll know if it's fish."

"You sound a bit too enthusiastic about that possibility," Sam says, scooting away from Caleb slightly. I voicelessly laugh when Caleb rolls his eyes.

I glance over at the trio of children, who are sitting at a different table with Ed and Molly. The boys like to hear about Ed's work as a mechanic, and Penelope absolutely adores Molly. I'm glad, since I know if they were to sit with us tonight one of them would bring up the whole 'friend' conversation and I really don't think I want to deal with that right now.

"So Five, I talked to the doc and she said you should have another meds run in about two days, or three depending on how you're feeling," Sam informs, and I wave my hand in a dismissive gesture.

'Two days should be fine.'

"It is because she didn't get the penicillin alternates?" Caleb questions, and Sam hesitates in answering.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah. Even with what Five brought back the hospitals running low on that and Dr. Meyers really thinks we'll need it since it's getting colder and the colder it is, the sicker people get."

There's a twinge of nervousness in his voice, but it's barely detectable and I'm surprised at how smooth the lie actually comes out. It's not perfect, but pretty good for Sam.

Wow... judging a person by how good they are at lying. I seriously need to go read my Bible.

I look down at my food, which is almost completely gone. After the run I had a pretty ravenous appetite, but after a few bites of the... chicken it left real quick.

'I'm going to head back to my tent,' I say as I stand. I grab my dish and take it back to the kitchen to be washed.

Thankfully not by me.

"Five, wait for me!"

I give a raised brow at Sam as he races to catch up to me. He has a nervous smile on his face and once he stops I see the uncertainty in his eyes.

"Could I uh, walk with you... just for a moment?"

I nod slowly, a confused look on my face although I don't question it. We begin to walk in a somewhat comfortable silence, but still I can see Sam trying to decide whether he should or shouldn't say anything.

His lips are tight and his nose is scrunched up in thought. I keep my face ahead but watch him from the corner of my eye as he hums at whatever thoughts might be swirling in his own mind. Finally he actually says something.

"That was nice what you did for Dr. Meyers today."

I shrug in reply. 'Well, if someone I cared about left me some sort of recording I'd want someone to be willing to help me out by doing that.'

He gives a small smile. "That was kind too, but that wasn't exactly what I was talking about." I blink in uncertainty, and his smile widens a bit at my confusion. "The portable CD player, and the headphones so she could listen to it again if she wanted."

'I didn't think she saw me.'

"Well, unless someone was eavesdropping I don't think it could have been from anyone else," He snickers as my face heats up in embarrassment. Probably should've known that. "She hasn't thanked you because she thinks why you hid them just before you left-you didn't want her to start crying and hug you."

'That doesn't sound too appealing. I've only willingly hugged one person here and that's you.'

Sam grins widely at that. "Nice to know I'm special."

'Don't push your luck,' I warn playfully.

"I wouldn't dare."

I smile in amusement, and it fades only slightly as I study him. We fall into another comfortable silence, but it's truly comfortable this time. Although there's a thought that keeps coming into my mind the more I watch him.

Why do I feel so happy?

The question is an odd one, but it's one that actually baffles me. I've been happy before, of course. Being here in Abel I've felt more happiness than I have anywhere else these past few years. I feel more happy than when I was with Wes... and...

But what does that mean? I... I loved Wesley. I loved her. So why am I happier here than when I was with them?

Because Wes was the only person who cared about me there. Everyone else lied.

"Uh, Five?"

I'm snapped back to reality, and I see Sam giving me a confused look as a slight blush adorns his face.

"You were uh... you were staring."

Jesus on a boat.

I let out a huff. 'Sorry. I just got lost in thought. I probably looked like an idiot.'

I mean, I certainly do feel like one.

"You do that a lot, I-I've noticed," He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck.

I send him a questioning stare. 'Look like an idiot?'

Sam's eyes widen in horror. "N-no! I-I meant get lost in thought. You've... I've never thought of you as an idiot. Well, except when you tried to kill yourself but that's-that's beside the point."

'You're never going to let me live that down, are you?'

"Considering the fact that if you would have gone through with it you would not be living, no. No, I'm not," He answers with seriousness a clear tone. "But what are you always thinking about? Seems like you're always getting randomly lost in thought."

'I think about a lot of things. Most of them are about... before.'

"Before the apocalypse?"

'Yes.'

Liar.

"I think about it sometimes too, but I guess you remember me talking about that." He pauses, as if wondering if he should continue. "I know some people don't like to talk about before, but um... if you ever want to-"

'You'll be the first one I go to,' I sign with a smile. Although I know I never want to talk about before the world went mad. Because letting them know might bring them closer to finding out where exactly I was before Mullins, and if so there's the chance they might find my files.

No. They can't know. Not now. Not ever. They'd never believe the truth.

By now we're both standing in front of my tent, and I see Sam shift from one foot to the other. He opens his mouth to say something, but apparently decides against and says a simple, "Goodnight."

'Goodnight.'

Even with these thoughts in mind. I still feel happy... I still feel happy here.

Around him.

What the hell is wrong with me?

A/N: Another chapter for you guys! Like always I hope you enjoyed and please be sure to vote and comment! Thanks everyone! Have a blessed day!