The drive to the gas station was completely uneventful. Which I'm glad because we've had to many eventful days. Dodging bandits, dodging bullets from bat shit survivalists, and of course, dodging the corpsers. We tried not to fight them when we could avoid it. One corpser could easily become a swarm. And that swarm could easily grow into a horde.

I snuck a glance at Tori. She was staring at the window, her eyes darting from left to right. I sighed. It seemed like only yesterday we would be staring out of the window lost in thought or just out of sheer mind numbing boredom. Not looking out for traps or any problems that might arise. Looking back in the rearview mirror, I saw that almost everyone was passed out. Only Cat was awake, and she gave me a wane smile before turning and looking back out the window.

It was only an hour and half drive to the gas station. As Tori and Cat pumped the gas for the cars and the containers we had acquired, the rest of us spread out to do a more thorough search of the area. We didn't find much. The rotting remains of the long dead gas station owner in a corner after Beck had slammed a knife into its face were about it. No food, no nothing. I swore under my breath. We had some supplies, but they would run out at some point.

Trina's joyful voice cut through my inner rant. "I found water! At last a bath!" I raced across over to where she was standing. Elbowing my way past Robbie, I saw that Trina was holding a gallon of water. Even better was the fact that there was at least six more gallons of water on the floor. Even better, all the caps still had the plastic wrap seal thing around it!

"Get these into the car. Quickly!" I said, joy at finding more water to drink overcoming my normal dour mood. Nodding, Robbie and Trina each grabbed several jugs of water and all but sprinted for the car. I felt more then heard someone behind me, and I spun around; raising the rifle…. Right at Tori's face. Woops.

"Don't sneak up on me like that Vega." I snapped.

Tori just nodded. Her eyes followed the barrel of the rifle until it pointed at the ground. "Well? What do you want?" I asked.

"Just came to tell you that we are ready to go. This place is out of gas. And there isn't anything else here."

I sighed and looked around the remains of the store. "All right. Lets get out of here" Tori turned to leave, but I lagged behind. I was saddened at the state of the store and the gas station as a whole. Sure it wouldn't be vibrant seeing as it was in the ass end of nowhere, but it should have had some sign of life. Not be a desolate ruin. I felt Tori's hand gently touch my own. It was hesitant, as if she was afraid that I would snap it off. And to be fair, she did have the right to be hesitant. I lightly grasped her hand and ran my thumb over her fingers.

"It shouldn't be like this. It should have some sort of life." I said, answering the unasked question. I chuckled, completely without humor. "You know, I used to think that I knew everything that there was to know about the zombie apocalypse. I thought that no matter what I would be ready and be able to handle it. Just goes to show what I know huh?"

Tori took my hand in both of hers. "You were ready, after a sort. You and Beck kept us alive and together all this time"

"You really think so?"

"I know so Jade. Now lets get out of here"

I nodded. "Yea lets get out of here. We have a hotel with our name on it waiting for us"

Tori gave that radiant smile that I came to love, and she turned and started to walk out of the store. I followed close behind. I had a small smile on my face, grateful for the little heart to heart moment that we had just had. (Though if anyone asked about it I would deny everything. I have a reputation to maintain after all)

My smile vanished as if it had been bombed into oblivion the moment I stepped outside. Off in the distance, a massive dust cloud was steadily and quickly rolling towards us.

"Beck!" I said and pointed towards the dust cloud. Beck turned from talking to Cat and followed my arm. His eyes widened and he began shouting. "Come on get in the car we gotta leave now!" All of us sprinted and practically threw ourselves into the vehicle. Beck jumped in the driver seat, and Trina had barely shut the door before Beck had the engine running and tearing out of the gas station and on the high way.

"What do you think? Those bandits the survivalist mentioned?" I asked Beck.

"Don't know. Don't want to know. Don't want to take any chances" Beck said, trying to keep his cool. "I hear that!" Andre said, speaking up from the passengers seat.

Robbie and everyone else chimed in, agreeing with Beck. "Jade, get back there and be prepared to cut the Sedan if we have to" Beck said.

I nodded. "Got it" I pushed past everyone, and the mounds of supplies that covered every inch of car that didn't have a person occupying it. In the trunk, there was a small bit of stuff moved around so someone could take up that area and lean out the window to shoot or do whatever. (We've learned to put some thinking on how we pack things. Learned the hard way)

I forced open the window and took aim at the metal connecter piece. Robbie had whipped up a contraption that connected the Sedan to explorer, but could be broken by a few bullets. So if we were being chased, we could ditch it and go even faster. I was pushed aside by Tori joining me. She had a pair of binoculars in her hands. "Definitely bandits!" she called out.

"At least a dozen cars! Still heading towards the gas station, doesn't look like they've seen us yet!"

I smirked. By the time they actually see us; we will be long gone. Tori kept staring out the back of the window.

"They're surrounding the gas station! It looks like they're getting out!" Tori let out a whoop of pure joy.

"They're getting out! Checking out the gas station! We got away!"

We all started laughing and celebrating. A day where we didn't have to fight other humans was a good day. Especially psychotic sociopaths. I slammed the window shut and pretty much collapsed on Tori. There was barely enough room in the back for one person, let alone the both of us; but we made do. Especially since it meant that we were all cozied up to each other.

Beck kept up a fast speed for a little bit longer but then began to slow down to save gas. Cruising along, Beck announced that we would be at the hotel in an hour or so. I leaned against the back of the explorer. I looked at Tori. "I'm not moving"

Tori looked back at me. "Neither am I. Took to much work to get back here"

We both smiled at other, and lying against each other, we relaxed and enjoyed the moment. God knows when we'll be able to relax this again.