A/N: I couldn't sleep because I just had to write this out and ease you all of your pain and suffering. :P Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Survival.
He opened his eyes. It was dark. He wasn't sure how long he'd been lying there but from what he could tell he was still in complete control of his mind and his body (well, as much of his mind as was possible for someone who lived in a psychiatric ward). Murdock let out a deep breath, the gun still tightly gripped in his hand. He didn't know whether it was bravery or cowardice that had stopped him from shooting himself in the head; all he knew was that he was still completely human. There were no odd cravings for human flesh like he'd thought there would be. His leg still ached and he was definitely burning up from infection but he was alive. Maybe with a bit of luck he'd be able to catch up to Face and the others and make it to the camp with them.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Face didn't know how to feel. He was numb inside. It felt like somebody had ripped his heart out and stamped on it right in front of his eyes. He couldn't cry. He couldn't speak. Nothing was said as he walked along the road, Liz behind him carrying Jack, and Billy the dog down by his feet. The moonlight guided them along the quiet highway. He'd silently promised Murdock that he'd look after the damn dog and show B.A. that he was real. Face knew he wasn't really Billy, but he'd cling to any memory of Murdock that he could.
"Maybe we should take a break?" Liz suggested but Face ignored her and carried on walking. Even his legs were numb. He had to get to the camp – he had to find his friends and see a familiar face. He felt so alone.
"Face, please listen to me…"
"Why should I?" He suddenly snapped, stopping in his tracks and spinning to look at the woman who had caused all of this. Face knew he shouldn't thrust all of the blame onto her because they were all responsible but he was so angry and it was so easy to do it that he just vented hurtful words.
"Why should I listen to you? If you hadn't showed up, if you hadn't been arguing with Narcer and came and sat by me if you…! This is your fault. Murdock's dead because of everything that happened and it's your fault!"
Liz blinked hard and stared at him, saying nothing. She held Jack tighter to her and walked on. She didn't need that crap from Face when she had an injured brother to take care of.
"You aren't the only one who's lost somebody," Liz said, looking over her shoulder and walking on some more, taking the lead. Face stayed where he was until he'd calmed down. It didn't take long and he furiously wiped his eyes and jogged to catch up with her. He didn't apologise, still obviously furious.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Murdock was thankful for the bandages that Face had left on the floor. His leg was wrapped up in them as well as possible, his shaky hands and foggy head not exactly helping but it was better than nothing. The pilot quickly finished off the rest of the water in the bottle and pulled himself to his feet.
Stumbling towards the chopper, Murdock dragged himself inside and dug around in a few compartments, looking for anything he could use to help. Face had taken the map but he could remember most of the directions to the camp. The radio would be no use – he didn't know the signals and he was too far away to reach anybody he knew anyway. There was a torch and a few sugar sweets lying around which he grabbed. His stomach rumbled with hunger and for a moment he allowed himself to imagine what life would be like when they reached the camp… Hot food, a nice comfortable bed, a warm shower; it made him smile and just for a second Murdock felt comfortable.
But he couldn't allow himself to get caught up in his mind because this was a serious mission. He had to get to that camp and he had to keep himself grounded and focused so he didn't even think about turning into one of them. Everything still felt okay – he still wasn't craving any kind of strange foods and he didn't feel violent at all. In fact, he felt calmer than he had done in a while. There was a goal to work towards and Murdock was determined to reach it no matter what stood in his way; bitten leg be damned. He'd cut it off and crawl to the camp if he had to.
It wasn't wise to travel on your own in the dark but he had to reach Face before he got too far away and he wouldn't make time if he waited until morning.