Becca's POV

As I came to, I could feel that my eyes were open, but I couldn't see.

You know how they say that the eyes are the pathway to the soul?  Well, this is a defense mechanism to protect your soul.  Since all the consciences were preoccupied, your eyes went pure black to protect yourself from outside essences getting in.

Weird.

Slowly, I felt my vision return.  I was on my back on the ground.  It was a really hard ground.

After a bit, my vision was fully cleared.  I sat up and groaned loudly.  My whole body felt like it hadn't been used in weeks.

I looked around and growled.

Why...?  Just why...?  I just got freaking done with that messed up battle.  Why the fudge am I in a cage?!?

The cage appeared to be in a corner of the room I was in.  There was a chair and desk not too far to the right of me.  I suppose I was in an office of some sort.

I grabbed one of the bars and pulled myself up.

Deja vu, huh....

Yeah....  Now how do I get out?

I walked to one side of the cage and peeked at it.  There were no locks nor doors.

I walked to the other end and saw the door.  The lock required a key, though.

I searched my inventory for anything useful.  The only things I had were an apple and a bottle of water.

I frowned.  Wait....  You don't think...?

Red?

Oh God.  Not that b***h.

I chuckled lightly at Becky's response.

...That was an interesting battle.  I still can hardly grasp the fact that Rebecca's gone.  For good.

She did say she'd be back.  Aren't you a little worried of that response?

Come on, Rebekitah.  You know about the Sub-conscious cage.  What goes in NEVER comes out.

...I'm not gonna stop worrying, though....

You do you, Rebekitah.

I sigh-moaned and sat down, my knees pulled into my chest and my back against the wall.

Time to wait for who knows how long....

*TIME SKIP OF WHO KNOWS HOW LONG*

I was on my side, facing the outside of the cage.  My eyes were closed, but I wasn't asleep.  I was thinking.

I then heard the only door to this room open.  A faint, horribly familiar chuckle rang through the air.

Red....

Red....

Red....

I considered sitting up and growling at him, but then thought better of it.  I wanted to see...well, hear if he says something.

Red's POV (as he walked in)

I opened the door to my office and saw Becca still out on the floor.  I chuckled lightly as I shut the door.  Her eyes were closed, meaning she should awake soon.

I stared at her.  I stared at her dirty-blonde hair splayed all over the place, the way her tiny hands twitched in her sleep, the semi-smile, semi-frown on her face.  To be honest, she looked adorable.  And painfully familiar....

I sat down on the floor in front of the cage.  I frowned slightly as I remembered how I found her....

*FLASHBACK*  3rd POV

The White House....  Red thought.  It's destroyed.  What the hell happened?

He turned his head from the destroyed building to the vine-covered monument.  Knowing Nick, he wouldn't travel far.  Not in this weather, at least.

Red smirked before making his way towards the Washington Monument.

He approached the front gate.  One of the doors was wide open.  He sighed before walking in and checking the place out.

There were some chests scattered about, but there was nothing in them.  Except one.

Red frowned as he picked up the book.  It's front read "AK & Jess".

He opened it and read it.

Yo, AK!  Jess!  Sorry we aren't here.  While you guys were gone, we went scavenging for supplies.  Long story short, we were able to find another group and they allowed us to join them!  It's not too far from here.  Maybe an hour's walk.  Just head south on the road until you come across a gas station.  Go through it and out the back.  You'll see a path.  Just head down that path a bit and you'll come upon a guard gate.  You should be able to see the prison from there.  We've started renovations on the fence as well as growing food.  General Uni is growing potatoes, surprise, surprise.  Anyways, hope to see you both soon!

-Nick

Red was shocked.  Suddenly, he began to chuckle quietly.  Oh, Nick.  This note'll be your downfall.

He looked at the entrance and decided to check the inside in case someone stayed behind.

He went inside and saw someone he'd thought he'd never see again.

Becca.

She looked...different, though.  Her eyes were wide open, but they were pure black.  Her skin was deathly pale and her clothes were a bit tattered.  Her fingers twitched every now and then.

Red was shocked even more.  Did they...leave her behind?  He walked over to her and crouched down.  She was breathing, but she had no heartbeat.

...Why didn't I?  Red thought.  I know for a fact that I was gonna eat her last time.  Our last meal was gone.  But...something made me say those words.  Those words asking her to join us.  I was shocked, but I obviously hid it.  Why did I allow her to live?

Red shook his head as his second-in-command, Kam, came up behind him.  "Sir, do you wish me to take her along with us?"

Red stood up and turned his back on Becca, nodding.  "Nick's gang is at a prison just south of here."

Kam smirked and went behind Red, picking Becca up bridal-style.

Red's thoughts about Becca vanished as he thought about Nick.

...We're back, Nick....

*END OF FLASHBACK*   Red's POV

I was pulled from my thoughts as Becca sat up, coughing roughly.

I blinked slowly before standing up, my signature smirk on my face.  "Geez. You finally woke up."

She stared at me with gray, hate-filled eyes.  She only snarled at me.

"Pffft.  No snarky comebacks?"  I scoff.

Her gaze hardened and she looked down.

I was a bit confused before rolling my eyes.  "What?  Are you mute now or something?"

She stood up and stared me in the eyes.  She lifted her left arm up so that it bent at the elbow, forming a vertical L-shape.  Her right hand opened and clamped down on her left wrist.  She held the position for a few seconds before putting her arms by her sides.  Her eyes searched mine, hoping I would understand.

I did.

"You're...a zombie?"

She lifted her left arm back up but put it horizontal a few inches from her chest.  Her right hand closed and went above the horizontal arm. A single finger popped up.  She then moved her right hand below her arm and popped up another finger.

"You're only...half-zombie?"

She sigh-moaned and nodded before walking to the back wall, sitting down and pulling her knees to her chest.

She looked me in the eyes, and her face showed confusion.

I blinked and walked out of the room without another word.

Becca's POV

What the...was that...love in his eyes for a split second?

Ewwwwwwwww.

I chuckled a bit.

Haha!  Not like that!  I meant more of a...father-daughter kind of love.

But why?

We'll know when he wants us to know.  If he wants us to know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hai, guys!

What do you think Red's problem is?  :D

Smash that vote button at hyper speeds, Hyperfans!

-Becca  <3