I think this chapter needs a warning. A lot of Angst, possibly even too much. After watching the Extinction movie a couple times, I noticed that nothing is shown about Claire's feelings towards what happens after the zombies attacked in Vegas. So thats where this chapter came from. I figured her feeling lotsa guilt would be a decent way to go.

Choice. Choices. Decisions... Everyone has to make them. There are those that lead, and there are those that follow. But there's always a choice.

The choice to lead a group of survivors across a dead world consisting only of scorching sand.

The choice to step in line with the same convoy trudging through the scorching sand.

Or the choice to live separate from dying humanity, because you altruistically think it's a good idea.

Even the leader with the best of intentions, feels the monumental weight of a decision that ended in disaster.

My shoulders are burdened with the heavy weight of guilt. But I made the choice and I offered a choice as well. It was either the convoy doing the same thing it's done for the past few years, or attempt to grab at a pipe dream.

Arcadia.

Well, everyone decided to reach for the goddamn pipe dream.

The red notebook that Alice found. Maybe it was unintentional but she sowed the seeds for the beginning of the end of my extended family. Everyone voted to try to make it for Alaska. Yes, we all dreamed of a permanent and secure home. Hell, even I longed for the same thing. But our harsh reality is very real, and its up to me to lead these people to safety.

But it was my idea that destroyed my convoy. My idea that murdered many good friends and family . With the unanimous vote agreed for the long travel ahead, we would need more supplies. Even though my heart wasn't set on the arduous trip, the people needed to prepare. And there was only one place left to acquire the necessary amount of food, water and gasoline. And only I knew of the place where we could find what we need.

Vegas.

My better judgement wanted to rip up the red notebook and tell everyone its a fool's gold chase. But I wanted to save them from the blistering heated damnation of the Nevada desert. Maybe I did want to lead them to the promised land. To end the daily misery we all face, because of greedy company's lust for power.

Maybe I was being egotistical, or just blind to the truth. I'm not really sure.

Whether it was right or wrong, I made that choice to tell the meeting group by the fire, that what we need is in Vegas.

If only I knew what was coming.

Well, Vegas was a fucking trap set by Umbrella. The 'random' sand-free shipping container, conveniently blocking the entrance to the underground fuel reserves, contained stronger, faster, more determined undead. It happened so fast and we were all completely unprepared for the slaughter that took place.

I saw Alice take down several right away. She looked graceful, like a dancer. Weaving and whirling with her twin kukris dancing an old but familiar dance of death.

I'm not really certain but I could see several people running in all directions, fleeing from the running-at-full-speed undead. I didn't have time to notice the matching suits that the undead wore. I'm picking off whoever I could with a single bullet to their rotting heads.

I couldn't really see where Alice ran off to, but I knew she would help us. She saved us from the swarm of undead crows. And I know she'll save us once again.

But...

I don't see Alice anywhere at all...

K-Marts screaming, L.J is attacking Carlos...

Young Mikey is being mauled by several of the bastards... And my trusted rifle, for some reason isn't killing them... Where is Alice?

Mikey is dead, along with the ones that murdered him. I'm so... angry that I scream. Scream in defiance against the death all around me. Scream at the forces that caused this macabre scene unfolding before my very eyes.

I scream the loudest that I can because this is real. It's not a nightmare that I get to wake up from.

My scream drowns out all the noise around me. I didn't feel myself falling, but when I finally stopped to force air in my lungs, I am on my knees, and my rifle is laying in the sand, in front of me.

Looking around to the state of my convoy... the fuckers are eating on the remains of the people who I called friends and family. Two or three are crouched to a prone body, feeding.

And here I sit with my hands on my knees, realizing none of the undead have come after me in my vulnerable state. I don't think I'd even fight back if one of them came after me.

In this bloodbath... where was Alice? I've seen what she's capable of. Why didn't she save them?

...

With some effort, the last of the frenzied undead are dispatched. The living survivors are rounded up. And the ones that were bitten but still alive were rounded up as well. More were attacked, scratched or bitten than not.

None of the bitten survivors argued or pleaded for their lives. None of their friends or family spoke up in defense, either. They knew it was the right thing to do. They knew I had to do what would keep the rest of the survivors alive. I gave them plenty of time to say their last goodbyes. That was the least I could do for them.

No one uttered a moan or cry when I put a bullet in the heads of the bitten convoy members. I did it mechanically. I wasn't living anymore, I was just a ...robot performing my duties as leader. I didn't even make the motion to the give them a burial. And no one else did either. I didn't have the capacity to continue on with our traditions. Not with so many people laying on the sand, from either the undead attacks or the ones I put a bullet in, myself.

Their trouble is over now. They get released into whatever afterlife comes next. I pray they find their own personal heaven. I wasn't so lucky. I get to stay here in this blistering Hell. But I shouldn't think like that. K-Mart would kill me.

I vaguely wondered where her ran off to. I think I saw her follow Alice. That's when I heard the footsteps behind me. Turning around, I see Alice and Kmart walking side by side towards me. Both having a set of grim facial expressions.

I'm glad to see my young charge is all right but I can't look at the woman standing next to her. But the supposed 'hero' hesitantly calls my name.

"Claire."

The fury I felt earlier rises again, and I couldn't help but stop her. "Don't!" I held up my hand, palm facing her. I didn't want to hear anything she had to say. I snatched K-Mart's hand and I led her, briskly, away from the carnage. There's nothing she could say.

Nothing I wanted to hear.

It's time for reality to come back in full swing. The thing that kept me going through these few years, is in ruins. Nothing Alice could say, will bring back my convoy.

K-Mart is devastated by Carlos being bitten. Watching her hug him one last time, breaks my heart for her. In this life, Carlos was the father figure she should've had. When he let's go of her, he walks over to Alice. I know K-Mart needed more comforting so I tell her to "Come here" and I wrap my arms around her and let her continue crying in my chest.

I let a tear escape and it ran down my cheek. I'm not exactly sure why I started crying. If it's for the impending death of Carlos, my best friend.

Or if it's for Alice. Even though her and I had a fun run together, what we had is finished in my eyes.

Or because my decision ruined everything.

I don't know.

But that pipe dream is still within reach. We made it to the hidden run down Umbrella Facility and Alice secured the helicopter. In the mad dash to save the last of the survivors, Alice didn't climb in with us as the chopper was ready to take off.

She looked at me and gave me a salute.

I could only look at her with what I could describe as pity.

Pity for what she's been through. Pity for what she is going to get herself into.

And pity for myself. As the chopper lifts higher into the sky, I can't help but selfishly think, that I'm going to miss when she touches me.

This, effectively is the final chapter. I wanted Claire flying off into the sunset to be the end because this is all Claire's Pov. It would end with trip to Arcadia. I know I rushed things at the end. You can hate me, or leave a review telling me how much I suck. Thats fine. Hey, at least I get a review outta you. I just really wanted to get done with this. Too much angst for me. Mood killer.

To those of you who followed/favorited, I thank you.