A/N – Thanks so much for the reviews and for reading in general! You anons, wish I could reply directly and thank you personally but alas, I cannot. So thanks! Once again, I don't own anything you recognize and sorry for any mistakes. Only one chapter left.
A/N 2 - Sorry for the repost! I found a few typos and wanted to fix them. Sorry if you thought it was the next chapter, but that one will be up hopefully in another day or so!
Part Three
Don't be scared.
I'm still here.
No more time for crying dear.
xxxx
Aubrey clenched her jaw at the sight of Chloe sitting with Doug at breakfast the next day. The blonde sighed and sat down at the farthest table away from the pair. As hard as she tried to ignore them, she found herself glancing toward the two every few minutes. Especially when Chloe's laughter could be heard over the murmurs of the other residents' chatter.
Others had joined Chloe and Doug while Aubrey continued to sit alone off to the side. The blonde couldn't help but smirk slightly. Even in the middle of the end of the world Chloe was a force. People were drawn to her. She was sunshine and fucking flowers. And Aubrey's stomach clenched at the realization that she already missed her friend.
"You miss her don't you?"
The blonde snapped her eyes to her side where Amy had dropped into the empty seat.
"What are you talking about?" Aubrey replied stiffly. "She's right there."
Amy squinted one eye at the taller blonde. "You're blonde. But you're not dumb. So don't play dumb with me. Everyone here heard your little discussion last night. And it was also the first night in quite some time that the two of you spent the night apart. So don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You miss her."
Aubrey sighed but still didn't answer. Instead she just poked her bland oatmeal absentmindedly.
"Just talk to her." Amy continued. "You just freaked her out good and proper but she'll get over it. She's pretty crazy about you. Just talk to her and then you can get back to whatever crazy you two call normal."
"No." Aubrey finally replied softly. "No, she was right. She wants something I can't give her so she should be free to find it somewhere else. I have to get out of the way. I want her to find someone and be happy…just as long as it isn't him."
Aubrey's tone turned cold as she glared at Doug across the room. She then abruptly stood to her feet and stomped off, Amy left staring after her.
xxxx
"So let me get this straight," Beca said flatly as Doug stared, waiting expectantly, "you want us to attack and take supplies from another camp…a camp that has never once bothered us?"
The man narrowed his eyes at the brunette across the table from him but didn't back down. "They've never once bothered you because they don't know you're here. Trust me. They're the ones who wiped out our camp and they'll do the same to you!"
"Look man," Jesse said, raising a hand defensively, "I get you're pissed about what happened but we're not going to just go looking for trouble. If they happen to try something with us, we'll be ready to defend ourselves. We'll even post more lookouts around the perimeter if you think it would be beneficial, but we are not attacking anyone."
The others gathered at the table eating breakfast together eyed each other awkwardly as Doug pushed his tray away and stood to his feet. "You're making a huge mistake. They are going to attack us, it's going to happen! Just don't say I didn't warn you."
He turned on his heel and stomped off, narrowly missing Aubrey as she was passing by. "What the hell is his problem?" she asked, turning back toward the group.
Her gaze lingered on Chloe but she quickly snapped her eyes back to Beca when the brunette began to speak.
"He actually suggested we raid some camp and take their supplies. Said the group that attacked his camp is holed up in some factory across the river. He seems to think they're a threat to us."
"What?" Aubrey exclaimed. "He wants to attack another group?"
"Relax." Jesse soothed. "We said no. That's not how we operate."
The blonde clenched her jaw. "Doug is trouble, I'm telling you. He got Lily killed and now he wants to endanger the rest of us!"
"Or maybe he actually wants to protect us." Chloe interrupted softly. All eyes snapped to her and she shrugged. "I don't know, maybe he's right. Maybe they will attack us. I'm not saying he wants to go about it the right way, definitely not. But he could legitimately be worried about our safety. Like it or not, Doug is part of this group and we can't just write him off."
"I can't believe you're defending him!" Aubrey exclaimed. "What is it about that guy Chloe? You have a soft spot for reckless idiots or something?"
Chloe sighed and clenched her jaw. The two had barely spoken since the redhead stormed off almost a week ago. Aubrey had kept her distance and while Chloe missed the other woman, she was standing her ground that the two needed boundaries.
"I'm obviously not saying we should raid another camp," she said with another sigh, "I'm just saying that we should give him the benefit of the doubt, that's all."
Aubrey squared her shoulders. She held Chloe's gaze for a moment longer before the blonde shook her head and also turned on her heel and stomped out of the dining hall.
xxxx
Later that afternoon, Chloe stepped out into the front yard of the old manor home. The weather was cooling, as much as it could in the Deep South. She inhaled deeply, appreciating the less humid air. She strolled through the lawn toward a small bench that had once been part of the landscaped area.
The redhead had just sat down when she heard someone approaching from behind. Chloe glanced over her shoulder quickly and smiled softly when Doug dropped to the bench next to her.
"They all hate me." He muttered with a wry laugh.
Chloe chuckled and shook her head. "They don't, not really. They did hate your idea of raiding another group though. That's just not what we're about here."
"I'm just trying to keep everyone safe." He replied.
"Ok. I get that. I want to keep everyone safe too but we don't just go starting trouble. We, humanity, have got to stick together or we're all screwed. Sure there are bad people out there but we're not them. We are going to ride this thing out as safely and humanely as possible. That's the plan."
Doug turned and stared at the redhead next to him. She felt her cheeks flush as he continued to eye her. He smiled as she rolled her eyes in embarrassment.
"I like you." Doug said plainly.
Chloe chuckled again. "Thanks. Aside from wanting to charge in guns blazing, you seem ok too."
Doug laughed briefly before quickly turning serious once again. "I mean it, I like you. I'm interested in you. As in…if a zombie apocalypse hadn't fucked everything up, I would want to date you and potentially marry you. But since the world is screwed and dating seems a little ridiculous, I think we should just go for it, move into my room with me. We'll be a team and look out for each other. And let's face it, the sex will be amazing."
The redhead's jaw dropped slightly at the man's bluntness. "I'll…keep that in mind."
"I'm serious!" he exclaimed. "Why not? What's stopping us? In all honesty, we may not live through the night. We should take advantage of what time we have left."
Chloe shook her head, almost too stunned to find an answer. "Because…I-"
"You're hung up on Aubrey." Doug interrupted. "I just don't get it! You're too good for her. She's cold and-"
"You don't know anything about her!" Chloe hissed.
Doug sighed and raised his hands in defense. "Ok, ok you're right. I don't. But I've been watching you two. Something has definitely changed. You don't sit together, you don't talk…you don't stay in the same room together anymore. She let you go. But I wouldn't…I won't."
Chloe turned her head away from the man and clenched her jaw. She felt tears stinging her eyes but she refused to cry in front of him.
"Technically I let her go." She said softly, still with her face turned away from him.
Doug scooted closer and gently dropped a hand to the redhead's shoulder. "And why did you do that?"
She flinched slightly at the touch of his hand but finally turned back to him. She looked up into his grey eyes and sighed. "You don't know her…" she said again, weakly.
"I know." He replied softly. "I'm sure she must have had her reasons to not fight for you…not a good enough reason, but a reason I guess. What happened? What went wrong? You can talk to me about her."
Chloe swallowed thickly. Doug eyed her sympathetically and didn't remove his hand. The redhead wanted to trust him, to confide in him. In someone. And as much as she loved Beca, Chloe didn't want to burden the brunette or cause her to worry even more than she already did.
"I love her." She whispered. "I have for years. Since before all this mess…but she never noticed me really. She was with Stacie and then Stacie was killed by biters. Aubrey wanted to die too. But then I got hurt and she stayed alive for me…she took care of me. So I thought, hoped, that maybe she was starting to feel the same way I did. But she doesn't…She can't help the fact that she doesn't love me."
"She should love you." Doug replied quietly. "She's a lucky woman. And I'm sorry…the age old story of unrequited love. It's the worst."
Chloe continued to stare up into Doug's eyes and nodded. "Yeah, it is the worst."
He smiled softly before he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. "I can be your friend Chloe. I want to be more but I can be your friend if you'll let me."
The redhead swallowed thickly and nodded.
xxxx
A few weeks passed, quietly. For the time, Doug seemed content to let his plan of raiding the nearby camp drop. But he remained intent on pursuing Chloe.
The redhead tried to resist. But she couldn't deny that being wanted by someone completely was a welcome change.
"I love you." Doug panted into Chloe's neck.
She moaned, the feel of a twig or rock digging into her back distracting her from the pleasure she should have been feeling as the man on top of her made love to her in the woods a short distance outside of camp. He misinterpreted the sound as he stilled and propped himself up on his elbows to gaze down at the woman beneath him. He reached and brushed a stray strand from Chloe's forehead with a smile. Doug leaned down then and pressed their lips together.
"I love you." He said again. Chloe swallowed thickly but didn't reply. "I know…you're not ready to say it back yet. But you will…you'll love me back, I'll make you. But in the meantime…I know what you're really thinking."
At the man's smug grin, Chloe couldn't help but chuckle and roll her eyes. "And what's that?"
"That I was right…the sex is amazing. Well, that and 'thank god for condoms'. The end of civilization is no time to be bringing a kid into the world."
"Well you are right about that." The redhead replied softly. "No time at all."
Doug narrowed his eyes at the woman below him and simply shook his head before they quietly redressed and headed back to camp.
xxxx
Aubrey rolled her eyes as she tuned Jesse out. They were just returning from checking the windmill and the man seemed intent on chatting her ear off. The two rounded the corner of the manor home and Aubrey pulled to an abrupt stop.
"The fuck…"
Across the lawn, Aubrey spotted Chloe and Doug strolling together, the man's arm slung over her shoulders. The blonde's jaw dropped as she watched Doug pull Chloe closer to him and press their lips together. And she let him.
"That son of a-"
"Aubrey stop!" Jesse hissed, stepping in front of the blonde, about to charge the couple. "Stop! What are you doing?"
"He's kissing her!" Aubrey exclaimed incredulously.
Jesse sighed patiently, still standing in front of the angry woman. "And it looks like she's ok with it. Aubrey…you don't have the right to interfere. Just let it go…let her go."
The blonde clenched her jaw and ripped her gaze from the pair ahead of her back to Jesse. "But she-"
"Is moving on." He interrupted. "You shouldn't hold her back. You don't want her but you can't keep her from finding someone who does. She deserves that. Come on Aubrey, she's your friend, you should want her to be happy."
"But him, of all people!" Aubrey whispered miserably.
Jesse sighed patiently again. "Look, he isn't my favorite either. But she clearly sees some good in him."
"Yeah well, she sees the good in everyone, even people who don't deserve it." Aubrey growled.
"Even you?" Jesse replied with a smirk.
The blonde clenched her jaw. "Even me." She replied softly before turning on her heel.
"No, Aubrey wait!" Jesse cried when the blonde quickly strode off in the opposite direction. "I was just kidding! Aubrey, come back! Well shit."
He sighed as Aubrey continued without slowing and without a backward glance at the pair behind them.
xxxx
"I'm worried about Aubrey."
Beca glanced up at Jesse from her spot on the bed where she was unlacing her boots to get ready to sleep for the night. "Why? She suicidal again?"
"Come on Beca." Jesse replied with a sigh. "Be serious. I'm really worried about her. Chloe is with that Doug guy now and Aubrey just seems…lost. I feel really bad for her."
Beca sighed too and sat upright, facing her boyfriend. "You are like the sweetest guy ever, you know that right?"
He quirked a brow and moved to sit next to her on the bed and reached for her hand. "Snark and sweet, we go together like salt and pepper. Admit it Be-caw, we are the perfect couple."
The brunette laughed but nodded before pulling him in for a tender kiss. "We are that, you dork. Why are you worried, what happened?"
Jesse smiled softly and pressed their foreheads together before he pulled away, still holding her hand. "You should have seen her face today, when she saw Doug kiss Chloe. I mean at first, it was all red like she wanted to rip his vocal chords out with her bare hands, but then, it was just so sad. I think Aubrey's whole problem is that she doesn't think she deserves to be loved. From growing up with her father and then I'm sure she blames herself for Stacie dying, thinks she should have protected her. So she pushed Chloe away even though I think she actually does love her. Like really love her. Of course Aubrey loved Stacie but if you had seen her face today…it's just sad. Everyone should have someone, especially now."
Beca reached and cupped Jesse's cheek with a soft smile. "You're so sweet. Seriously, if not for what we did last night and again this morning…I would seriously question if you're gay. You're just that sweet and sensitive-"
"Shut up!" Jesse interrupted, turning to pin the small woman down on the bed with a laugh. "Stop trying to change the subject from Aubrey. I'm being serious here, she's hurting. And even if you don't care, I do!"
"Ok, ok!" Beca exclaimed, finally turning serious as Jesse's smile faded above her. "You know I have history with Aubrey…but that I do…care about her…At least where Chloe is concerned."
Jesse laughed again and smiled tenderly. "Not just Chloe…you care about Aubrey too. I know you do. But yes, I know you two have history. Just…help me think of some way to help her, to let her know that we do all care about her. She's lost Stacie and pushed Chloe away but that doesn't mean that she's all alone. We're not the only ones that care about her."
Beca sighed. "You're right. She does shut down and push people away. And…I do care about her. But Chloe deserves to be happy and if she's happy with Doug-"
"We both know there is no chance she is happy with him." Jesse interrupted. "She loves Aubrey."
"She does." Beca replied with a groan. "But she's trying to move on. She deserves that chance."
"He's an asshole."
Beca sighed as Jesse smirked at her, still pinning her to the bed. "He is. I kind of hate that guy actually. And I'm just hoping Chloe will come to her senses. She has to, I mean that guy is a total douche!"
Jesse laughed finally and nodded. "He is. And she will. Not only because he is a douche, but because she loves Aubrey. Someone who gets her…someone who cares about her too…"
"Yes, I know, Aubrey cares about Chloe." Beca finally replied, rolling her eyes. "And contrary to what you might think…I don't not want them together. I just want to be certain Aubrey appreciates the fact that Chloe is like the best person in the world and is completely in love with her. She has to deserve her."
"Bec," Jesse responded seriously, "she does deserve her. Because Aubrey is a good person. She's a damaged person but a good one. And she does love Chloe. She would die to keep Chloe safe, I know it. Hell, she'd die to keep either one of us safe, anyone in this camp! She deserves to be happy just as much as Chloe does."
Beca swallowed thickly but nodded. "I know. You're right, she does. Jesus Christ, I'm going to have to talk to them and try to patch up this Bella mess aren't I? As if the end of the world isn't enough to deal with…"
Jesse laughed and leaned down to press their lips together. "You're keeping us all together here Beca Mitchell. And I'm so fucking lucky to be able to say you're mine. I love you, in case you were wondering."
Beca smiled widely. "I love you too…dork. I'll talk to Aubrey and Chloe, make sure they're ok. I am not a matchmaker, I'm not going to try to hook them up. But I will make sure they're ok."
Jesse smiled. "I didn't expect anything less…because you love them both. That's all we want, for both of them to be ok, even if that means they're not together."
The brunette smiled again. "I love you. You're a good, kind man. And it's because of people like you that this mess is going to turn out just fine. I really believe that. But in the meantime, I'll do what I can to keep everyone in line and in one piece, so I'll talk to them."
Jesse held the brunette's tender gaze before smiling softly and glancing away awkwardly. But he quickly turned back to the woman he loved. "I will too. I've got your back woman."
Beca laughed before pulling Jesse closer and pressing their lips together gently.
xxxx
Beca squared her shoulders, preparing herself for the conversation she was about to have with Chloe. But before she could approach the redhead, Aubrey beat her to the other woman.
"Chloe!" The blonde barked. "We need to talk."
Beca groaned as Chloe turned to face the taller woman, her hands on her hips. "What do we need to talk about Aubrey?"
"Oh I think you know." Aubrey hissed. "Doug, really? Chloe he is reckless and irresponsible and just about the biggest asshole I've ever met!"
"Oh I don't know." Chloe replied, not backing down. "There are a few other assholes around here."
Aubrey narrowed her eyes as Chloe pursed her lips and stared back at her. "I suppose you mean me."
The redhead sighed and cast her gaze upward. "Come on Aubrey, I don't want to fight. I'm sorry you don't like Doug but this really is none of your business."
"He is dangerous!" Aubrey exclaimed. "That makes it my business! Out of everyone in this fucking camp, why him? You could have anyone you want, why him?"
"Anyone I want…Really?" She replied flatly with a pointed look.
Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Jesus, this is about you and Doug, not…anyone else!"
Chloe quirked a brow, her hands still on her hips. "Really Aubrey, are you sure about that? Because it sounds a little bit like you're jealous or something."
"Jealous." The blonde cried incredulously. "I am not jealous. Fuck whomever you want, I don't care! I just can't fathom how of all people you would want him. He got Lily killed and he wants to attack other camps and loot them. Doug is bad news. I just don't understand how you can't see that!"
Chloe clenched her jaw and crossed her arms tightly. "You were determined to not even give him a chance the very second he got here. Someone had to give him a chance."
"And of course it had to be you. Little Miss Fucking Sunshine. Come on Chloe, you have to know he isn't good enough for you. You deserve…"
"What?" Chloe asked, the blonde's softened tone cutting her like a knife. "What do I deserve?"
Aubrey held the redhead's gaze for a few moments before she turned her head with a sigh. "You deserve someone better than him. Someone…good."
"Aubrey," Chloe said softly, her heart clenching at the lost look on the blonde's face. "Aubrey would you please just talk to me? I hate fighting with you. Just because I'm trying to move on and get over you doesn't mean I don't still care about you. I do…quite a lot still in fact."
Aubrey snapped her gaze back to meet Chloe's and stared at her intently, as if searching for something. She finally blinked rapidly and dropped her eyes again. "I do want you to be happy Chloe. But…not with him. And if you insist on staying with him…well, then you can just stop caring about me. Because it's him or me."
Chloe's jaw dropped slightly as Aubrey's words sank in. The blonde nodded once as if steeling her nerves before she turned and walked away, her shoulders drooping slightly. Chloe blinked against the sudden sting of tears before she too turned and walked off, heading in the opposite direction.
Beca groaned again at having witnessed their exchange. "Fuck me those two are a hot mess."
xxxx
"Hey Chloe." Benji said with a smile, dropping onto the ground beside the redhead.
She glanced up from her spot on the ground where she was cleaning her pistol and smiled. "Hey Benji."
"I could get used to how calm things have been lately." The man stated, making small talk. "We even have some fresh vegetables out of the garden! We're practically farmers!"
Chloe chuckled. "Maybe we can find some overalls on the next run!"
Benji glanced at the woman next to him when she didn't offer any further conversation. He narrowed his eyes and glanced around, expecting to see Doug nearby. The two seemed nearly inseparable. "So where's your bodyguard? He doesn't seem to let you out of his sight for very long."
Chloe quickly glanced around as well, as if expecting Doug to pop up suddenly at just the mention of his name. "Yeah, he does appreciate togetherness." She finally said with a wry laugh. "I think he's out hunting with some of the others. Trying to find some meat to cure and maybe jerky or something I think."
"Chloe…are you ok?" Benji asked softly. "I can't help but notice you haven't really been yourself lately. Is everything ok with Doug?"
The redhead met his gaze and smiled sadly. "I'm ok, honest. Doug…is a little intense. But he means well, at least I think he does. But he's just a distraction and I think even he knows that, or at least he's figuring it out."
Benji nodded thoughtfully. "Why are you still with him? I mean, I get giving him a chance, at first. But you don't seem very happy with him now so…why?"
"He wanted me, he wanted me around." She replied with a shrug. "And after everything with Aubrey, she still wouldn't stay in the bed with me all night. I always still woke up alone. It was just sex to her and I needed to feel more than that, to feel like I meant something more than just a fuck to someone. And Doug made me feel like that. It was nice at first."
"And now?"
"It's suffocating." Chloe glanced back toward Benji then as if surprised that she had shared so much with her friend. "I'm sorry, how did we even get started talking about this? I shouldn't be whining to you."
"We're talking about it because I asked." Benji replied. "And I asked because we're worried about you and we want to make sure you're ok. Aubrey's worried too. And hell, we're all worried about her too!"
Chloe just nodded with a sigh. "Me too. I was hoping to fall for him but…it's still her."
Benji scooted closer and draped an arm around her shoulders. "I know. You know she does love you right?"
"Oh I know she does, in her own way." The redhead replied. "Keep an eye on her for me will you? She keeps herself so busy that sometimes I'd have to remind her to eat. I don't know who is reminding her to eat now…"
"Of course I will. Or…you could just talk to her yourself."
Chloe smiled but shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe once I've sorted things out with Doug. But I'm just so tired. I feel like I've been chasing Aubrey for so long…I just can't do it anymore."
Benji reached again and squeezed her shoulder. "Everything is going to work out just fine. You'll both be happy, I'm callin' it!"
Chloe laughed. "Here's hoping! What about you Benji? Any unrequited love in your life, or even better, how about some full on requited love?"
Benji shrugged with a sly grin. "There might be a certain nurse I've got my eye on-"
"Ashley! Oh my God that's perfect! She's such a sweetheart, have you made your move yet?"
"Nope, not yet." He replied smiling shyly. "But I'm working up the nerve."
Chloe leaned and bumped their shoulders together. "Right on Benji. I've got my fingers crossed for you! You're a good guy ya know that?"
He shrugged again, still smiling. "So how's the leg? Still got that awesome scar?"
"Oh god, seriously, it still looks like something chewed on my leg, like ground beef or something." She replied, pulling her pants leg up for him to see for himself.
He whistled lowly at the sight of her left leg with angry scars from below her knee to her ankle.
"You're sitting awfully close to my girl there Benny Boy."
They both snapped their gazes up to Doug as he came to a stop a few feet away from them. He stood staring at them, hands on his hips.
"Oh hey Doug." Benji said cheerfully. "How was the hunting, see anything?"
"Not much." Doug replied, eyeing the two suspiciously. "What's going on here? And Jesus Chloe, cover your leg. You know I can't stand the sight of that mangled shit."
Benjji quickly jumped to his feet, Chloe scrambling up after him. "Hey ease up Doug, we're just talking!"
"Are you sure you're not making a move on Chloe too? First Aubrey and now you? You got a thing for crippled bitches?"
"Doug, you are way out of line!" Chloe exclaimed.
Benji stepped between the two and squared his shoulders. "And I'm going to have to insist that you not disrespect Chloe like that. Watch your mouth Doug."
Doug glanced between the two one more time before chuckling. "Geez, lighten up! I'm only kidding. Chloe knows I think every inch of her is sexy as hell…even the mangled parts. And I know she's crazy about me so, your loss buddy! See you guys at dinner."
The man strode off leaving Chloe and Benji staring after him.
"I'm sorry." Chloe said softly. "He just gets a little carried away sometimes-"
"Has he ever hurt you?" Benji interrupted. "Because there will be a long line of people waiting to kill that asshole if he has."
Chloe quickly shook her head. "No, he hasn't. I promise Benji, I wouldn't let that happen more than once. I promise. He's just…"
"Yeah." Benji whispered, once again staring after Doug's retreating form. "He is not my favorite. Now I'm really hoping Aubrey gets her head out of her ass."
Benji smiled sadly before he turned and headed back inside. With a sigh, Chloe dropped back onto the ground to finish cleaning her pistol.
xxxx
"Stop." Chloe muttered. "Stop!"
Doug pulled away, confused. "What? What's wrong?"
The redhead pushed against him, pulling herself to a seated position as she distanced herself from Doug. He continued to press himself against her, trying to pull her closer.
"I just…I can't. Stop Doug, I can't. I don't want to!"
Doug growled as Chloe shoved him away. He held on to her but didn't push further.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He hissed.
Chloe wrapped her arms around herself, shielding herself from Doug as he glowered at her. "I just don't feel like it."
"Got a headache do you?" Doug growled. "You've been getting a lot of those lately. What the fuck is going on Chloe? You've been like this ever since you talked to Aubrey a few days ago. What did that bitch say to you? Or was it that fag Benji yesterday?"
"Watch your fucking mouth!" Chloe exclaimed. "Don't talk about them like that. Benji is the reason you were let in here at all! And if even he doesn't like you then there is a serious problem…Benji likes everyone!"
"What did he say about me?" Doug yelled again. "Dammit Chloe, what the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you picking a fight with me?"
Chloe clenched her jaw and once again wrapped her arms around herself tightly. "I don't want to do this anymore. I thought I could make it work but I can't. I'm sorry Doug but…I'm done. This is over."
She quickly scrambled to her feet and took off back toward camp without a backward glance.
xxxx
Doug kept his distance but didn't let on that anything was wrong. He still put on a good show for the other camp members. And when he did corner Chloe to try to talk to her, she politely brushed him off. He had had just about enough of it but even he realized he was not a camp favorite and would need to be careful or he might find himself being forced out. So he waited.
A few days passed and he spotted Benji walking back toward the building, his rifle over his shoulder and his baseball bat firmly in his hand.
"You heading out somewhere?" Doug asked casually.
Benji glanced up and shook his head. "Nah, well I was supposed to. Cynthia Rose and Donald said they spotted a herd of biters yesterday while they were out on a run. So Uni and I were going out to scout the area a little better. But he twisted his ankle so I guess it's off."
"I'll go with you." Doug replied.
Benji stopped and turned back to eye the taller man cautiously. "It's ok-"
"No seriously," Doug said, cutting Benji off, "I don't mind at all. I'd sleep a lot better knowing there wasn't a herd heading this way about to bust through our fences. Seriously man, let's do it. It'll give us a chance to talk…for me to apologize about the other day. Sometimes I just let shit get to me, ya know? I shouldn't have taken it out on you and Chloe. So let's go, let's get to know each other a little better. We should be friends!"
Benji shrugged and laughed softly. "Yeah ok, if you're sure. I'd kind of like to be sure we're not in for trouble too. Grab your gear and we'll head out."
The two set out then, wanting to get out and back before too late in the day. With the days getting shorter with the fall weather, no one wanted to run the risk of getting caught outside of camp after dark. They walked a few miles, chatting off and on with no real sign of trouble. It was when they were just about to turn and head back that they heard the rustling and recognizable sound of biters moaning.
The two men crouched low to get a better view of the area ahead of them. A handful of biters were milling around but they quickly realized it wouldn't be too difficult to make their way around them and continue on to the camp without much trouble. It would be safer than trying to take them all on and risk alerting any others around to their presence. Doug slipped a few paces behind Benji as the man continued to eye the surroundings, trying to determine the best direction to go.
"So, what did you say to her?"
Benji glanced over his shoulder in confusion, not wanting to take his eyes off the biters up ahead of them. "Say what man?"
Doug stood to his feet. Benji quickly reached and attempted to pull the other man down and out of sight of the biters but Doug sidestepped him.
"Chloe. What did you say to Chloe?"
Benji remained in a crouched position, glancing back and forth between the taller man and the biters. "Come on man, you'll draw them to us. Quiet!"
Doug shook his head. "Not until you tell me what you said to her. She left me. But you already knew that didn't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Benji hissed. "I didn't say anything to her, I didn't have to. She's in love with Aubrey. Now please, keep your voice down!"
Doug cast his gaze toward the biters who by that point had taken notice of the two men and were slowly approaching, their jaws snapping.
"Shit, we have to go." Benji muttered. He stood to his feet prepared to run. When he turned on his heel, Benji was surprised to see Doug pointing his pistol directly at him instead of the biters approaching from behind. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"I don't like people getting in my business and Chloe is my business." The dark haired man replied smoothly. "And when Jesse and the others find out how we were ambushed by members of that camp in the factory across the river, they'll have to take my side and attack them back. So…thanks man."
Benji didn't have time to react before the gun went off and he toppled backwards. Searing pain shot through him and it took him a moment to register that he had been shot.
Doug had already turned and ran, knowing Benji would provide a distraction for the biters. The injured man scrambled to find his weapons as the first biter broke through the brush and lunged for him.
xxxx
"You just left him there?" Aubrey exclaimed.
Doug shifted awkwardly on his feet and clenched his jaw. "I told you. I couldn't carry him all the way back here. So I put him some place safe where those things couldn't reach him and I came back for help."
The blonde was already pushing past the man, checking to make sure her pistol was fully loaded. "He's injured and can't defend himself. He could have passed out from blood loss and wouldn't even know if a biter was on top of him. We don't leave anyone alone, ever!"
Doug rolled his eyes but followed after her. "I told you, I couldn't carry him. What was I supposed to do, sit there and wait for someone to come looking for us? I'm sure you'd be the first one out the gate to make sure I was safe and sound."
At the man's sarcastic tone Aubrey ground to a halt and turned on her heel and glared at him. "You better hope you don't ever have to find out."
"Come on you two, stop bickering like children. We have to get out there!" Chloe exclaimed.
With one final glare at the man, Aubrey once again turned on her heel and stomped away.
"You shouldn't be pissed at me!" Doug yelled after her. "You should be pissed at those guys from the other camp. They're the ones who jumped us!"
The group rushed off, medical supplies in hand. They had been walking for nearly an hour when Doug spoke up. They were almost through a small clearing with thick woods just ahead of them.
"It's not much further." He said pointing. "There was a big boulder I helped him climb up on. No way one of those things could reach him."
Jesse nodded and pushed himself to move faster.
"Wait." Chloe snapped, staring intently into the tree line. "There's something moving."
They all stopped and followed her gaze to where they were just able to make out what looked like a shadow weaving in and out of the trees approaching the clearing. They stared as the figure finally stepped into sight.
"Fuck." Beca exclaimed in a pained whisper as Benji appeared, stepping out of the woods into the clearing.
His shuffling steps were unsteady and his arms swung listlessly at his sides. Until he caught the scent of those who had some to save him. His arms lifted and he reached, his jaw snapping. The unearthly grunts and moans sounded throughout the quiet hillside.
Jesse wailed as he bent at the waist at the sight of his best friend. Beca dropped a hand to his shoulder and squeezed, unsure of how else to provide comfort as their friend slumped closer, his sunken eyes unseeing against the fading sunlight.
They all stood, watching as the young man, one of the few who had retained any shred of hope in the new world, trudged closer. Aubrey swallowed thickly and glanced around as Benji continued to step closer. No one was moving. No one else could.
The blonde stepped forward, her pistol hanging loosely in her fist. Benji's unseeing eyes settled on her and he lifted his lifeless arms once again. His lip snarled and his teeth snapped in anticipation.
"Benji…I'm so sorry." Aubrey muttered. "I'm sorry we didn't get to you before…You deserved better than this."
Aubrey tightened her grip on the pistol and raised her arm. "Goodbye Benji."
Benji's head snapped back the instant the shot rang out. Aubrey stood, smoke billowing from the barrel of her pistol long after the young man collapsed to the ground in front of them.
End Part Three