My heart pounded as I sprinted through the density of the trees, I could hear my group far behind me, their gunshots loud and echoing. I was the scope. It was my duty to lead them out of the zombie ridden area despite the dark. I kept moving forward not looking behind me one moment to even think if my team had followed. I had my gun and my pack so regardless if I had lost them I could still protect myself. Or that's what I thought.

My body froze in terror. My breath hitched in my throat. My blood ran cold.

Icy breaths whipped at my neck, a firm hand grabbing my shoulder and the stench of rotten flesh heavy in the air. If I hadn't have been frightened for my life, I probably would have vomited from the smell. Yet it was too late. My time was up and I waited for the bite that would kill me.

"Jones!"

I flung my body round as two shots knocked the zombie back and with a quick jab of the heel into its legs; Eliza assured that if it was still alive, it wouldn't be catching up with us quickly.

"Are you alright Alfred? No bites?" She asked, concern in her voice as Scott and Ivan caught up with us.

"No I'm all clear. Where are Kiku and Eduard?"

"Doesn't matter," Ivan grunted. "Keep moving."

I looked over my shoulder in wonder and curiosity, only catching a glimpse of the bloody mess behind me before I was pulled forward by my uncle. For all I didn't see much, I was almost certain I wouldn't be seeing my Japanese friend and the techy Estonian again.

The night seemed to drag on after that. We managed to find an abandoned car amongst all the mess, the four of us each taking a seat of our own to sleep on. Scott and Ivan were on night watch, allowing me to get some rest if I wanted but after my close encounter to death, I couldn't sleep if I tried.

So many thoughts rushed through my mind. How painful was it to be bitten by a zombie and could you still remember the life you lived before hand? Your family? Your friends? Your lovers? Did you just forget it all as your brain shuts down and your spirit leaves your body? Was being an infected different to being a zombie? Did they feel any pain before they turned? Were they aware that they were going to cause this mass disease and begin to infect people with their saliva alone?

I let my thoughts wander as my eyes drifted closed, pictures of soft, golden curls and pale cheeks filling my mind and blurring out the grim thoughts of death. Those round cheeks and violet eyes, hidden behind red framed glasses, his smile sweeter than syrup, the only happiness I had; The distant memories of my lover.

CLATTER!

I sat up, looking back over to Scott on my left with his gun pointed out the broken window. What in the flying fuck was that? Zombie? Infected? Human? I peeked out the window myself looking round and gently shaking Eliza awake. There was nothing to be seen and not a sound to be heard.

Then they came.