It felt like he had been sitting there for years, just waiting, watching carefully for any signs of movements other then the shallow rise and fall of the blanket every time the body laying on the bed drew in another breath. He nearly jumped out his skin when the paled, scarred, hand held tightly between his own suddenly moved returning the hold with a weak grip it's own as closed eyelids fluttered open. The stained sheets gave a soft whisper as the occupant of the bed tried to move, at first his whole body, then just his head pain clouded eyes locking with the exhausted ones that were staring down at him from his bedside.

"El?"

The word was so weak, so feebly, like it took all his effort to say it.

"Y-yeah it's me"

Tears stung those green orbs that searched the dark blue ones so desperately, looking for signs, anything that could tell him things were going to be ok. But there was nothing, and when a small smile curled itself onto that broken face, he knew.. he knew it wouldn't be much longer.

"I love ya El"

"I.. I love you too Keith"

Swallowing back more tears, he willed his shaking body to get up from the chair he'd had sitting by Keith's bedside since late last night. He very carefully set the hand he had been holding down on the bed, and steadied his trembling fingers as much as he could as ran them through a handful of Keith's red hair.

"G-get some sleep man.. y-you're gonna need it"

Those blue eyes slid shut again and Dave leaned down, placing a small kiss in the middle of Keith's forehead. He tried to keep his footsteps quiet as he exited the room, making sure the click of the door closing was just as soft so they wouldn't disturb Keith. Then Dave was running, up the stairs and through the first door he could find, throwing himself down on the only bed that was left for him to use. Burying his face into the pillow to muffle his sobs.

He hadn't been able to do it, he hadn't been able to tell his second best friend in the whole world that he wasn't really Ellis. He hadn't been able to tell Keith that their friend, his lover had been left behind.. but it didn't matter, he'd know truth soon enough..

When he slept, he dreamed of the hoard that had torn them apart, dreamed of Keith and Ellis.. and he didn't even notice when the morning passed him by. The sun was already high in the afternoon sky by the time he cracked his tear dried eyes open. Rolling out of bed, he almost felt like he was dragging himself forward as he slowly walked down the stairs. Forcing a snack cake down his throat, the Mexican didn't even dare to glance at the door he knew would lead to Keith's room as he loaded El-his shotgun. Why should he? he already knew what he'd find if he walked in there.

A few minutes later the metal door of the haven was swung open, and Dave stepped out, all alone with his heavy heart thudding in his chest. He knew that hunter was out there somewhere, and when his ears picked up the sound of it's screech somewhere off to his right Dave instantly took off in that direction.

He'd make that infected bastard pay for killing Ellis. For killing Keith...

for killing the only two people he had left worth fighting for.