=Feels warning=

=Mature Content Warning=

-later that night-

I lay in my dorm, staring at the ceiling and trying to fall asleep, with no luck. I just couldn't sleep. Not with knowing where I was, and without Jerome. I knew that there wouldn't be many nights here that I would sleep.

Sometimes I think that maybe if I just didn't feel anything, no emotions at all, that I could be a better person. That way, I wouldn't let things distract me so easily. But then I think about Jerome... and this energy just radiates through my body, straight from my heart. I feel it in my veins, and my mind just shuts off for a moment before that feeling passes. It's an exhilarating feeling that I get more often when I'm actually with him. It's not unpleasant. In fact, I look forward to feeling it.

But it distracts me. I could be doing anything, whether it's simply reading something, or sword fighting. It's dangerous, but I guess that's why I like it.

Maybe... just for the next few months... I'll try to not feel it, or anything really. I know that if I'm training for a zombie siege, all these memories will come back. It'll be better for me, and the people around me.

-the next morning-

I woke up to the bell tolling, telling us to get up. I dressed quickly and waited patiently for the next bell, signaling breakfast. I wanted to try and see if it was actually possible for me to shut out my feelings, and Jerome was the perfect test. If I could ignore my feelings for Jerome, then I could definitely ignore other feelings too. After a while, the bell rang, and I walked quickly to the cafeteria.

I kept a solemn expression as I walked in, and when I saw Jerome, I looked into his eyes. My heart throbbed and I struggled against my own self before finally overcoming it, and my heart shrank back, withdrawing it's feelings and staying hidden.

Jerome P.O.V:

I finally found Mitch the next day, but what I saw wasn't what I expected. He stared at me, and a slightly pained look crossed his face momentarily before his eyes turned blank and his expression looked like everyone else's. Lost, blank, solemn. Usually, when Mitch looked at me, his eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face like wildfire. Something was up, and I needed to find out now. I waited at the table for him, and when he sat across from me, he barely noticed me.

"Mitch, is something wrong?" I asked. He looked up at me slowly.

"No. Nothing is wrong." His voice was eerily monotone.

"Something's wrong Mitch, I can tell." I insisted gently.

"I said nothing's wrong! Now I need you to stop talking before.. before I.." He suddenly got up, tears streaking down his face as he turned and ran out the door. The whole table, including me, looked at the door, our mouths hanging open.

"Dude, what'd you do to him?" The recruit beside me asked.

"I don't even know.." I whispered.

Mitch P.O.V:

I ran from the room, feeling numerous eyes watch me as I fled. Just by simply talking to me, Jerome broke through the barrier that I somehow was able to put up. If this was the best I could do, who knows how long I'd last on the battle field. Would I run, like I had when I was a child? Like I had just now? I locked myself in the bathroom, the same one from yesterday, sinking to the ground with my back against the door. I wrapped my arms around my knees and cried. Shortly after I had came into the bathroom, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Mitch? Are you in there?" Jerome called gently.

"Go away." I mumbled.

"Mitch, let me in. Please?" He pleaded.

"Why should I?" I asked. Why should I let in someone who was just going to make me feel any more?

"Because we need to talk. Now let me in." He demanded. I sighed and unlocked the door. Jerome took one look at my swollen red eyes and hurt expression before he pulled me into his warm embrace.

"What's going on?" He asked softly.

"I thought that if I felt nothing for anything or anyone, that I wouldn't get distracted from fighting." I admitted.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"When I hear your voice.. look at you... my mind shuts off, and you're all I see, hear, think about." I began. I saw him smile. "But that can be dangerous." I continued. His smile faded. "If it happened while I was fighting.. I could lose focus on the enemy. It's like asking a blind person to watch for the enemy. It would lead to nothing but disaster." He looked concerned.

"So you'd basically be left defenseless on the field?" He asked me. I nodded. "It was a mistake for them to recruit you." He muttered.

"No, it was a mistake for them to recruit you. I couldn't take it if I knew you were dead." I turned my gaze to the floor.

"Do you think I would?"

"You'd find a way to move on." I mumbled.

"Never. I'd never get over you." He kissed me gently.

"And neither would I." I replied, kissing him back. The rest of the day was uneventful. We did basic drills, worked out a bit, and then left to our own after dinner. I sat in my dorm for a while, and soon fell fast asleep.

-midnight-

My peaceful slumber was shattered by a wailing siren. I jerked out of bed and into the hallway.

"Attention recruits. Please report to the armory and collect your weapons. The siege advanced at a rapid pace and is now approaching the cities." Announced a voice. My breathing became as rapid as my heart beat as I ran for the armory. I was equipped with my protection, and handed an iron sword as well as a knife.

"Mitch!" Jerome's voice echoed over the alarms from across the room. I rushed into his arms, crying.

"It's gonna be ok." He hugged me tightly.

"Stay safe Jerome." I looked up into his eyes and took in his tearful gaze. He leaned in and crushed his lips against mine, holding me for what seemed like an eternity. Was this going to be the last time I saw Jerome? I kissed him back, holding him tighter than before, before we were interrupted by the P.A.

"All recruits report out to the field and prepare to battle." I broke away from him and looked into his eyes once more.

"I love you, Mitch." He whispered.

"I love you too, Jerome." He grabbed my hand and we moved out.

I could hear the zombies before I could see them. They aren't quiet creatures. Starved moaning echoed eerily over the silent field. We were poised to attack, waiting for the first figure to appear on the horizon. My heart pounded feverishly in my ears as I anxiously waited. And when the first zombie came into view, we charged.

I pushed ahead of the group. I was determined to kill the first zombie. I had to, for my family. The others urged me on, screaming words of encouragement as they watched me collect speed. I now led the group.

As I approached the zombie, I drew my sword, and as the head came off, I felt victorious. I didn't know how many zombies I killed. I soon found myself stepping on the bodies that littered the ground, creating a carpet of rotting flesh, yet the monsters still relentlessly flowed over the horizon.

I felt fatigue begin to settle into my body, and finally, I allowed myself to rest. I hadn't seen Jerome the entire time. I didn't know if he was even alive. But I kept hope that he was.

I walked slowly, retreating to the back of the group, edging our numbers. My legs began to drag, and I panted heavily. Then I saw him. Jerome, who was resting as well. His armor was stained red, and he was doubled over in exhaustion. He smiled weakly at me. I returned it, and started towards him, until I tripped.

No, I didn't trip. Something grabbed my leg. I glanced down at my leg, and screamed as the zombie bit into my leg. How had it survived? I kicked it with my free leg, but only did more damage to my leg. The zombie tore a chunk of my flesh out of my leg, and I shakily grabbed my knife and drove it into it's head, silencing the beast forever. I cried in pain and inspected my mutilated leg. I bit my lip in agony, tasting my own blood. This was the end. I jumped in fear as a hand clasped my shoulder, but Jerome's voice soothed my fears.

"Mitch!" He cried, cradling my upper body in his arms. His voice sounded foggy and distant, and my head swam.

"Jerome.." I mumbled. My eyes began to close.

"No, Mitch, please! Stay with me! You aren't dying!" He sobbed.

"I'm sorry.." I muttered as my eyes slid closed. I found peace in the darkness, and soon, my life slipped away from the pain, and I was gone.

Jerome P.O.V:

Exhausted, I dropped back, hanging behind the others. I panted heavily as my heart raced. This armor wasn't the lightest, and neither was this axe. I dropped it with a thud. I looked up to inspect the area, making sure nothing was going to attack me, when I saw Mitch.

I smiled, happy to know that he was alive. He looked just as exhausted as I was, and he began to make his way towards me when he tripped. I winced as he hit the ground, but thought nothing of it until he screamed. Panic coursed through me as I stumbled towards him. He was looking at his leg and struggling, and I saw the zombie that held him. It sank it's teeth into his leg, and I shot forward faster than before. Mitch screamed in agony as he drew his knife and stabbed the zombie in the head, finally ending it. His cried and clutched his leg.

"Mitch!" I cried out, taking him into my arms.

"Jerome.." He mumbled. He sounded far away. I realized what was happening.

"No, Mitch, please! Stay with me! You aren't dying!" I sobbed into his neck.

"I'm sorry.." He said, and closed his eyes. I couldn't say anything. I was crying too hard for my voice to work correctly. A last breath rattled out of his throat before his breathing ceased. He was gone. Mitch was gone, and I'd never see him again.

I kissed his pale lips once, before laying him on the ground. I cried openly, and screamed in rage as if it could help. Nearby recruits looked back at me, and when they saw Mitch, they stopped short before returning to the battle. The zombies by now began to thin.

It wouldn't be long before the siege was over. I couldn't find the strength to go and help finish the battle. I collapsed next to Mitch, laying my head on his chest, hoping to find warmth, but instead found cool stillness. I closed my eyes, fresh tears burning them.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you." I murmured. "I'd give anything just to have you back." I continued. "I'm so sorry." I whispered.

"But.." I sat up. "I'll see you soon." I plucked Mitch's knife from the zombie's head.

I stripped my chest plate and held the knife level to my heart. I barely noticed the recruits that watched speechlessly from a distance. I took a deep breath, and pushed, plunging the knife deep into my chest. A smile crept onto my face as I felt the life drain from me faster than the blood from the wound.

"See you soon." I mumbled as I fell back, inches from Mitch's body. I grabbed his hand, before everything went black.

A/N: Several breaks were necessary because I cried while I wrote this last chapter. Sorry it's a sad ending, but I never put sad endings in my fic, so why not. Maybe 'New Beginnings' wasn't the right title. Maybe.. 'Final Moments' would be more appropriate... Yeah. Anyways, hope you enjoyed.

ShipFicsRus