He didn't know how long or how far he'd been running for but he didn't care. Branches continued to scratch across his arms and face as he dove and ducked weaving himself through the trees, afraid that if he stopped for even a second he'd be tackled from behind.

Ben burst through an opening skidding to a halt catching his breath. The blonde flung his head in every direction eyes darting around wild as he stumbled around in a circle. After a couple minuets Ben crouched himself down resting his forehead on his knee trying to get his heart beat under control.

'I hate everything, Hate everyone!...'

Ben shook his head in frustration before jumping up screaming at the top of his lungs, neighbouring birds flew out the trees frantically obviously spooked. Ben scratched furiously at his face dried blood and teas coming off onto his hands. He hated pope he hated everyone why just WHY. He never asked for any of this he just wanted to be left alone.

After what felt like forever Ben finally decided to take in his surroundings. Slowly scanning the area he noticed he had stumbled across a lake. The type with a long wooden dock starting from the shore all the way out into the middle. He watched for a second as the sun danced across the water. It looked oddly charming and if not for what he had gone through a couple hours previous He might of been able to appreciate it a lot more but all he could think about was how sticky and gross he felt. Gross from having that mans hands all over him and him being powerless to stop it. Why did his spikes betray him like that, why had they made him weaker instead of fighting back.

So many questions and not enough answers.

Ben shivered at the thought goosebumps littering his body as his mind flashed back to that moment.

"GET OFF ME! SARA LEE TECTOR HELP PLEASE!"

"Shhhh be quit."

Ben violently shivered again squeezing his eyes firmly shut as he took in several deep breaths to calm himself down. Last thing he wanted was to get hysterical again.

His mind wondered for a moment and found itself recalling that supposed dream he had in those woods. The one with the strange girl, what was she going to do with that purple syringe..Ben frowned why would that dream pop into his head at a time like this. It was just a dream right.

Severely freaked out Ben shook his head running his dirty hands though his dirt blonde locks his fingers snagging on a couple nots.

Ben freed his hands a stray twig and leaf falling down past his face making him jump before coming to the realisation...

he was completely filthy. Covered in dust, mud, dried blood, teas and saliva and who knows what else from running around in the woods.

Ben wrinkled his nose in disgust before trudging over to the edge of the lake. Stepping onto the old dock it made a small creek under his heavy foot, pausing for a moment before he applied a bit more pressure testing the docks stability. Pleased enough that it wouldn't break under the his weight He pushed forward to the end of the dock coming to halt right at the edge, his boots hanging off slightly as he peered down at his reflection.

He really did feel pathetic right now and his appearance wasn't helping either as his shirt hung lose against his chest.

Sighing Ben lowered himself down onto the docks edge taking one final look around before stripping off his clothes and shoes tossing them behind.

'I don't know if this is going to help but I can only pray it will get this stench off me for a while'

After Ben had successfully striped down to his boxers he slowly lowered his feet into the water biting back a small yelp as the cold swallowed his feet and toes.

Giving himself a couple more second He finally took in a breath pushing himself off the dock and into the cold Abyss the water engulfing his entire body raping around him like a blanket.

The water was cold but at the same time soothing and relaxing as it licked at his cuts washing away the horrors left on his skin. Ben kicked his feet into action bringing himself back up to the surface taking in air. How was it that water could wash away all Impurities all evidence and make it anew in just a couple of seconds. Ben swam around the dock a couple times before stopping near a overgrown tree line it's branches gently dipping in and out of the waters surface. He began to steady himself lying flat on his back managing to float he slowly stretched his arm away from his body like a starfish. Closing his eyes he began to bask in the suns warmth letting his fingers dance across the water aimlessly.

He wasn't counting how long he'd been in the water and honestly he didn't care. this was the cleanest and at peace he'd felt in forever. But even He knew everything must come to an end at some point, and with that thought Ben reluctantly made his way back over to the dock pulling himself up.

The blonde sighed picking up his clothes and boots slowly heading back to shore.

Stepping down off the dock Ben walked a couple paces before setting his things down before realising he had nothing new to change into and nothing to dry himself with.

'Oh you Fucking moron Ben...'

Ben groaned in annoyance. Looking around He had a thought, walking a small distance to the woods edge he began pulling off dry branches and collecting twigs off the ground. Brining everything back He got to work making a small fire.

Picking his tattered and stained garments up yet again Ben strode over to the waters edge kneeling down he started soaking them, rubbing at them half heartedly trying his best to salvage and wash what he could without the help of any soap.

Ben thought for a moment as he shoved the last of his clothes into the water watching them float. For some reason even though he was washing his clothes in the middle of the woods in a lake it seemed kind of normal to him, like second nature almost. Because of the invasion washing clothes in anything from barrels of rain water to just running them under any foist or hose that could be found became the norm to not just him but everyone really. Not that it helped people still walked around smelling of sweat and dirt, it was rare anyone didn't have at least a little mud on them somewhere.

God what he wouldn't do though just to see a working washing machine just one more time.

With that final thought Ben began ringing out his clothes one by one before picking the heavy heap up walking back over to the fire placing each item carefully over the wooden stand he'd crafted.

Ben hoped they would dry fast because he was slowly becoming aware of the small breeze picking up around him, not that the cold bothered him too much but he was only sitting in his still wet boxers and they were starting to chafe.

Ben made an uncomfortable face wriggling around as he sorted out his boxers before resting back on his hands watching the fires flames dance in the wind gracefully. The fire looked so beautiful as it danced in a Symphony of reds oranges and yellows, it made Ben just want to reach out and touch it.

As the minuets ticked by Bens clothes finely dried which he was thankfully for because the breeze was definitely starting to pick up more now. He hastily shoved his clothes back on before repositioning himself next to the fire that had slowly started to dye down.

He didn't want to go back, he didn't want to go back to the berserkers or back to camp for fear of what was waiting for him. Maybe it was best he lived out here spent the rest of his days by the lake out of harms way, out of their way. But then would they come looking for him, seek him out find him and...

Ben whimpered hugging himself as he brought his knees up against his chest resting his cheek against them.

Ben frowned tilting his head slightly to look behind him as he heard what sounded like the rustling of bushes in the distance.

'What was that...?'

As if the universe answered his question more rustling sounded, closer this time and was gaining fast. Bens heart started to hammer in his chest as he shot up from the ground grabbing and large stick that lay by his feet for protection.

It wasn't much but at least it was something.

Bens eyes were fixated on the direction of the sound as he pulled the stick back above his head ready for whatever was about to come for him. He wasn't going to get hurt not again not right now.

It felt like forever before a shadow emerged through the trees coming to halt about twenty feet away from when Ben was currently standing.

Bens eyes widened in surprise and then in confusion when he was able to make out the shadows features.

"T-tector?" Ben questioned his voice wavering as he slowly lowered the stick brining it in front of him.

With that Tector narrowed his eyes panting as he placed his hands on his hips. "What the actual fuck Ben? Where the hell do you get off running away huh!?" Tector yelled clearly annoyed.

Ben flinched back at that before heat started to flow through his vains, he could feel himself getting angry. He was about to explain himself before Tector cut him off not giving any chance to speak.

"I mean for fuck sake man I thought you where the smartest one out of your brothers surly you would of thought not to go galavanting off on your dam own!?"

"I wasn't gala-"

"What would of happened if you'd been taken by the dam fishheads huh? We're the ones who would of gotten it in the neck from weaver and your old man"

"Listen would you just-"

"For fuck sake everyone's been searching for you for the past two hours! And-"

"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LET ME FUCKING SPEAK!" Ben screamed, he wasn't dealing with this right now and he especially wasn't going to be told off like a child. Tector snapped his mouth shut clearly stunned by Bens outburst but he wasn't finished.

"I KNOW OK I FUCKING KNOW. I don't need you to tell me what I did was stupid but you don't know what I've been through today so just back off!" Ben growled taking in a deep breath as he forced himself not to cry again.

Tector took a second to look Ben over before taking a couple steps back putting his hand up. "Ok. Listen I'm sorry you're right...just calm down-"

"DONT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN." Ben snapped as he waved the stick in the air at the older man.

Tector jumped back a couple more steps waving his hands frantically now eyes wide "alright alright dam you're like a hormonal chick right now calm- I mean just take it easy I'm not going to hurt you ok and please for the love of Christ put the dam stick down kid."

Ben scowled at the older man before reluctantly tossing the stick aside. "Yeah heard that before..." Ben muttered to himself bitterly crossing his arms.

Tector frowned at that only slightly hearing what Ben said but decided not to question it for fear of being attacked. Tector sighed rubbing his head awkwardly before turning to leave.

"Look we need to leave now, get back to the others. Skitters and fishheads have been spotted not far from here so we need to get back before shit hits the fan alright." Tector said as he studied Bens face closely looking for some sort of reaction.

Bens mind went blank at the mention of the skitters being in the area. As much as Ben didn't want to go back with them he didn't much fancy his chances out here with the aliens either. Ben finally looked over to tector who was waiting for him to reply.

He swallowed before straightening himself up, nodding curtly in his direction. He didn't want to speak incase his voice cracked and gave away how truly worried he was. He needed to act strong right now he didn't want anyone knowing how fragile he really was.

With that him and Tector started making their way back through the woods towards the supermarket, the others sure to be awaiting their arrival. The whole time Ben made sure to stay at least ten foot away from the older man just in case. Tector didn't seem to be showing any signs the others had but Ben wasn't going to take any chances right now. Not until he could figure out what was going on.

Tector noticed the distance and how Ben was watching him like a hawk but never turned around and never said anything even though he could feel the boys eye burning into his skull more and more with each passing minuet. He just continued trudging through the undergrowth riffle in hand incase they ran into any unwanted visitors.

Before they both knew it they were back at the trucks. The others were all waiting at the front of the store talking and looking around obviously on guard but soon turned around when they saw Tector making his way over to them.

Ben blanked the girls confused stares and pope as he hurriedly shuffled over to the trucks door jumping in the front seat shutting it swiftly behind him. He was sure as hell not sitting in the back with the guys. Ben had made a discovery though throughout this hole ordeal it had only been men that seem to be affected by whatever it was and not woman, Ben wasn't 100% certain of this but it made sense and he sure felt more comfortable in the company of woman then men right now.

Ben watched sheepishly from under his brow as Tector spoke to the slightly annoyed and dumbfounded group before they all started making their way over to the truck. Sara and lee both climbed into the front not saying a single word to him as Sara started up the engine, Lee throwing her boots up onto the dash bored. Ben was thankful they didn't try to talk about what they saw, Ben silently hoped they'd forget about it all but for some reason he knew they wouldn't. Ben signed turning to look out the window just as pope passed the passengers side door. He jumped a little frozen as he caught Popes eye the man throwing him a look before clambering into the back with the others.

Ben let out a small breath he'd been holding as he laid his head against the window watching the store disappear into the distance. He never wanted to see that place again.

"Ben..."

Ben frowned turning slightly to look at both the girls out of the corner of his eye, Lee was smoking a cigarette and Sara was clearly fixated on the road.

"Ben don't worry it won't be long.."

Ben darted his eyes around to try and locate the source of the whisper but found nothing, he truly thought he'd finely lost his mind.

Just then Ben felt a sudden tiredness wash over him his head feeling fuzzing as his eyes began to droop shut.

"It's ok it won't be long now...time to choice your fait Ben...he's waiting for you"

Bens head finally fell to the side as sleep over took him the whisper growing fainter in his ear.

"He's waiting..."

Xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox

Gahhh sorry bit of a long wait works been a pain in the arse. Waking up at 4am to start a 5am shift till 2pm is not fun let me tell you...

(I hate retail and customers, well a lot of people in general so why I work in a place with 24/7 human interaction I don't know..)

Can't deal with the stupidity sometimes,

Help please.

But seriously anyways Thankyou again so so much DemonAngelSora1678 for your review it means the world! Hope this chapter didn't seem to short. Thankyou for all your kind words it really touched me you're a beautiful lil bean that needs to be protected! You're so funny honestly it was very much all down to you that got me posting again without your reviews I don't think I would of gotten my mojo back so THANKYOU for lighting the fire under me to get me going again aha. But rest assured I won't leave you or this story till it's finished:) thankyou once again for understanding my situation and I'll try my best to update for you,

Stay safe out there lil bean!

And also quick shout out to 'ABlackRaven' don't know if they will read this story but I've seen you showing love to my other story's so just wanted to say thanks:)

I'll be out with another chapter soon!

Lots of love from England!