I was in the back of the truck with Marine, Dylan,
and Zack. Chase was driving and Cody was in the passenger seat. I wasn't sure why we didn't take two vehicles. I was squished all the way to the window. I was certain that if I moved a little bit more the door would break open.

I didn't pay attention to the road as we drove even though I knew I should have. I couldn't. Not after what happened less than 10 minutes ago.

I touched my lips with my fingers, never wanting to forget that moment. His soft lips against mine. His warm hand resting on my cheek. His eyes that wanted it all.

Jake was going to be the death of me.

I never thought this would happened. Me caring about a guy during the time where every second our lives are at stake. All I cared about was my family. I didn't want to let anyone else in because no one is set on surviving this. I didn't want to lose people. I didn't want to hurt.

"I heard it's your first run."

I snapped back to reality at the sound of the voice next to me. Marine was looking at me intently. I nodded a reply. I wanted to say more but I didn't know what. She caught me off guard. None of the trainers talked to me. Now that she finally did, I didn't know what to say.

She gave me a sympathetic smile, "I know how you feel. I just recently turned 19 so I'm pretty new too."

Her voice was soft and welcoming. Different from what she looked like. From the first glance, I would think she's one of those mean, popular girls that you could find in high schools.

She had the most icy blue eyes that could judge you and know everything about you from a mile away. Her blonde hair was almost white and I wondered if she came from a line of snow princesses.

"How is it out there?" I asked.

"I think it's getting worse every day." My heart dropped. Not what I wanted to hear. "Less survivors. More Infected. They're spreading everywhere."

"We searched through most of the towns nearby. Went to the places we thought were most survivors in."

"Where are you taking the survivors?" I asked another question. I was certain they didn't bring them to Ground Zero. Only "specific" people were eligible to be there.

"Don't know." Marine shrugged, "Kana, Chase and some other ones take care of that. You should probably ask them."

"Ask what?" Chase called from the driver's seat, turning left.

"Where are you taking the survivors?"

He looked through the rear view mirror, his brown eyes giving me a look. "Just because you joined the group doesn't mean you're gonna know all the secrets."

I crossed my arms, looking away from him. I continued staring at the outside. We drove onto the clear, smooth pathway leading up to the hill. The sun was already high up, igniting the hues of the trees.

I forgot how beautiful it was. How valuable. I took it for granted before the outbreak happened. It felt so natural. Something that no one should pay attention to. Something that was just there from the very beginning. I guess no one realizes how important something is to you until you lose it.

"Why is it a secret?" I finally uttered, tapping my boot onto the floor of the truck. "It's not like you are putting them in some prison cell and never letting them out."

He shot me another unamused look. I regretted saying that, instantly feeling immature. I shouldn't act like this. I needed to prove to them I was ready.

"One rule Aliana," He spoke calmly but I felt like I could hear him from the top of Mount Everest if needed. "There is only one rule that I'm gonna have for you. Learn your place."

Cody glanced at me with his light green eyes and gave out a quick laugh. He shook his head, examining the map in his hands again. Dylan tried to suppress chuckles with obvious coughs while Marine tried to give me a remorseful tight lip smile.

I bit my tongue so hard I could taste blood. I suppressed the words coming out of my mouth. As much as I hated to admit he was right. I had the least position to question anything in this place.

Chase finally pulled up in front of the sign reading, Chicago's Infirmary Medical Center. As the others started taking things from the trunk, I stayed in place observing. The place was oddly quiet. Usually you would hear ambulance alarms as they parked, or people slamming their car doors in hurry as they arrived.

It felt eerie and I was scared of the unknown inside. On the way here we saw less than a dozen infected. That was nothing to what Marine told me could be. I'm guessing Chase knew his way around here. Knew where there are herds of the Infected and where there weren't. Infected were mindlessly staggering, their limbs swinging sideways. As the engine of the truck zoomed past them, their eyes would follow us like a predator was about to get his meal.

Each time my heart would vigorously punch against my rib cage. I had difficulty breathing, and even more so when I remember last night. I never experienced that. Having a feeling like someone is choking you. Like someone is tightening your windpipe until you explode. Until the world around you turns black.

It scared me. I didn't know if it was just a one time thing or if it's going to keep happening. And if it was, who was I going to tell?

Dylan handed me a woven, off white bag," It's for the stuff from the list."

I blankly stared at him for 3 quick seconds before nodding and accepting the bag. His voice was dry like sand in the Sahara but somehow welcoming. His black raven hair shone in the sunlight. It was cut short, but surprisingly it suited his 20 year old denomanour.

"Are we all going together?" I looked at them as they gave finalizing touches to the weapons.

My heart dropped when Chase and Cody shook their heads. "We're splitting up. The place is big. It'll be faster to finish if we go into 2 groups."

My head felt heavy on my shoulders. Bile rose in my throat and I tried to push down the feeling of dread. "What are the groups?"

"Chase, Marine, and Zack," Cody replied again, "Dylan and me."

I tried not to act annoyed that he didn't include me. No matter, I wasn't even annoyed as much. More impatient. It felt like I was getting used to it. The exclusion.

He moved up to me, giving me a playful smile. He put his arm around me looking at the group in front of us, "And I guess Dylan and I will take the newbie."

As much as I hated Chase, I wanted to be in his group. I knew that he knew what he was doing. Even though he wasn't the oldest in the group, he was definitely better than any of them. I wondered how. Maybe it was his secret talent that would never be discovered if it wasn't for the outbreak. It seemed like he was made for this. For survival.

At the same time, if anything happened, I knew Chase would use me as a bait first to get himself and his group out of there. Any of them would.

I was really a lost cause.

I decided not to change groups. I didn't want to appear weak, even though they all saw me as the liability; just like Kana. Instead, I took a last look at all of them before we ascended up to the haunting hospital.

_________________

Finally updated!

Sorry for the long wait, I have been really busy. With school and outside of school, I haven't found the time to write. Short chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it.

Please share, comment and vote since it helps me a lot. I'll try to update as soon as possible.