Author note: I want to apologise for not updating as frequently as I had planned. Unfortunately university (or college as I believe it's called in America) is taking up a hell of a lot of my time. So much so that I'm condensing all of my ideas for this fic idea into the next three chapters with the finale being chapter twelve. I don't want to leave this unfinished and I don't want to leave too much time in between updates so I'm aiming to have everything closed by the new year. It will still be good though! I'm not going to rush or update with things that are lack luster. This will be my last Left 4 Dead fic (unless there is a 3rd game) so I want to go out on a high.

As always; thanks for reading! Andy

The Midnight Riders

Chapter Ten – The Last Supper

"Mom!" Zoey exclaimed as she saw Cassandra being held with a gun to her head. Ralph had his finger on the trigger and judging by the serious expression on his face he had no problems pulling it. Zoey turned to everyone with an expectant look. "Well?" she shouted, dropping her gun to the floor. Everyone else reluctantly followed suit with only Bill and Madison keeping a hold of their guns by lowering them.

"You're a bit outnumbered, buddy," Miguel said, attempting to rattle Ralph's confidence.

"Yeah but I got her mommy," he gestured to Zoey. "So none of you are gonna do anything stupid." Bill gripped his pistol tightly and moved the recently lit cigarette around in his lips. He was not smoking it; he was thinking of a plan. Glancing up he saw a smoke alarm on the ceiling of the bus. He took a puff of his cigarette and discreetly blew the smoke upward.

"Here's what we're gonna do," Ralph told them, taking a firm step forward, pulling Cassandra with him. "You all are gonna step outside and give yourselves up to Galt. That way everyone wins."

"If we do that then he'll kill us," Drake said.

"You don't know that," Ralph told him in a patronising manner. "The way I see it; the only way that any of you have a chance of getting out of here with no casualties is if you do as I say."

"Not true," Bill muttered quietly but loud enough for everyone to hear. The group of people suddenly parted to look at him, giving Ralph and Bill and unobstructed view of each other.

"What's that, old man?"

"I'm just saying that there's always more than one way."

He blew more smoke up toward the ceiling and the alarm suddenly sprung to life, starling everyone on the bus. Ralph jumped slightly, lowering his gun. Bill took the chance and lifted his up and pulled the trigger, hitting Ralph in the head. His body fell away from Cassandra who let out a scream.

It took a few moments before everyone realised what had happened. Zoey ran to her mother and embraced her.

"We gotta get out of here," Bill announced, gesturing to Drake. "Your boyfriend may reach the others before we even get close but he could still use backup." He looked to Miguel. "If that sounds good to you, I mean."

"Francis; get us out of here," Miguel ordered. "Madison, Norah; untie Nick and Malcolm and see if you can wake them up. Drake; make sure Rochelle is comfortable. Bill; help me get this body out of here." Everyone followed Miguel's orders as soon as he issued them. As he and Bill lifted up Ralph he glanced up at him. "That was some quick thinking, by the way."

"It's just another example of how smoking saves lives, kiddo."

"Well it didn't help him," Miguel pointed out as they threw Ralph out of the bus as Ellis began to drive off. It landed next to a heap of dead infected.

"I do hate littering," Bill remarked, tossing his cigarette butt onto the body as they drove away.


As the tour bus drove off into the distance, Thomas Galt watched it from one of the building's windows. He was stood at the same window where not so long ago he had seen two infected fighting each other while thinking at how pathetic their existence must be. Now the glass in the window had been shattered. The building that he had once ruled was in ruins. The people who had served under him were dead.

He shuffled as he walked through the remains of his empire without purpose or conviction. From a distance he looked no different from any of the other infected. In truth he was not far off from becoming one of them.

"Those damned Midnight Riders…" Galt spoke in a low voice brim with emotion. He fell to his knees when he reached the main lobby, putting his palms on the ground. He formed a fist and began banging on the floor. "Those damn fucking bastards!" He picked up pieces of rubble and began smashing them on the ground. "You fucking cunts!" He stood up and began screaming, destroying everything that he saw. He approached corpses and smashed his feet into their heads. He arrived at fragile looking furniture like bookcases and fine tables and tipped them over. He stepped outside and let out a loud roar that echoed into the distance. He fell to his knees again and slammed his forehead into the ground before lifting it back up.

"You have no idea what it takes, what it takes to be a man like me. I was nothing! I had nothing! I made all of this from nothing and you took it all away from me! I. Was. A. God! None of you can imagine what that feels like; to be everything to somebody and then to have it all ripped from you." He pulled out his emergency radio and contacted Fraser. "There's a change of plans. I don't want New Bern anymore." He paused, breathing heavily as he contemplated the meaning of his words.

"I. Want. Blood."

Galt got to his feet and began screaming at the top of his lungs.

"I fucking want blood!" He roared and threw the radio to the ground, smashing it into pieces. He made his way down the steps and fired at some stray infected as he walked past them. He shot each straggler in the head nonchalantly, a murderous look on his face. He walked by Ralph's corpse. "Come on!" He began firing into the air, attracting infected from all around the city to the sound of his weapon.

Galt went down the street and turned the corner, walking into a community park. The grass was overgrown and corpses were everywhere. Galt looked around and saw that infected were shuffling toward him at a slow pace. He was surrounded. They were moving as if they knew he had no way out. Climbing up onto a statue of Alfred Mullet, Galt looked around at the infected slowly circling him. He reloaded his pistol and grinned. His face looked like that of a man possessed.

"Come and get it you cunts…"


Fraser received Galt's radio message while he was still driving with Coach and Ellis to New Bern. The journey was a long one of just over a day so he had plenty of time to plan how he would carry out his orders. Soon after arriving, Fraser began planting the explosives around the complex after managing to sneak them in using a large ammo bag; the same kind that Ellis and Coach used. No one would check the bags of one of Benedict Bevan's best friends so it was a breeze to plant the devices. Fraser had just planted the last remaining device and armed them. All he had to do now was step outside and push the detonator and then the entire complex would go up in an explosion that would attract infected from hundreds of miles away. He licked his lips in anticipation and went to leave.


As Teek rode faster than he had ever done before he was wishing he had worn a helmet. He was not afraid of crashing; even if he did at these speeds he would need a lot more than a helmet to save him from a horrible death. His face was freezing and the breeze was making his eyes squint and water. It was no use; he had to find something to shield his face. He pulled off into an empty gas station, switching off the motorcycle's engine and filling the tank. He was surprised that he still found working pumps as he was sure that after a year all of the gas stations would have run dry by now. When he filled the motorcycle's gas tank he ran into the shop and looked around to see if he could see anything resembling a helmet. There were none.

Cursing, Teek went back out to the bike and rode away. As the gas station disappeared behind him he suddenly saw in his side mirrors two vehicles emerging from nowhere. Up ahead a large van appeared, blocking the road.

Shit, scavengers. Teek had no doubt in his mind that he had just fallen for a trap and that he was in danger of losing his motorcycle. He was forced to slow down and stop in front of the van. The other two vehicles approached rapidly from behind; one was an old station wagon while the other was a Harley-Davidson. The rider was wearing a helmet that he removed as soon as he stopped, revealing a face that looked similar to one of the original members of the band the Midnight Riders, Teek thought. He turned off the engine and stepped off. Teek saw that he was a Hell's Angels biker, or at least he had the leather jacket. A shotgun was strapped to his back. The man in the station wagon stepped out, holding a submachine gun.

"That's a mighty fine looking ride you got there, son," said the biker. "Where'd you get it?"

Teek's mind buzzed for a moment, thinking. He decided to tell the truth.

"I swiped it from Thomas Galt."

The biker burst out laughing followed by the station wagon guy who sounded slightly false. He kept looking at the biker, mimicking his moves. Teek deduced the biker was the leader. The man driving the van stepped out and leant against the side of his vehicle. Teek could not see any weapon.

"A scrawny little bastard like you managed to pull one over on the most powerful guys in the country?"

"He ain't so powerful no more," Teek decided to try and sound like the biker as he spoke. He did not sound too convincing.

"What do you mean?"

"Ain't you heard? Old man Galt got a little too big for his boots. Got sloppy. I was able to take this right from under his nose 'cause he had other things on his mind at the time."

"Like what? Banging your mom?" The station wagon guy laughed because he felt he had to.

"Nah," Teek continued to sound caviller. "He was up to his neck in zombies."

The smile fell from the station wagon guy's face as if it had been blown away by the wind.

"You're shitting me," the biker muttered.

"I ain't shittin'" Teek shrugged. "I liberated this bad boy not so long ago. Was gonna take it back to my Clan. Word's gonna spread mighty quick about Galt so if you wanna get your hands on some good guns or cars then I'd get going now."

Teek was very aware that the van man was slowly approaching him from behind. He had left his motorcycle running just in case he needed it and he was sure he was about to.

"Why should we run all the way to Boise to get some of Thomas Galt's stuff," the biker mused, looking menacingly at Teek, "when you've brought us some right now?"

Teek could sense the van man reaching out for him. In a flash, Teek pulled out his pistol, spun around and beat him over the head with it. The biker drew his shotgun. Teek jumped onto his motorcycle and pulled hard on the throttle while braking. The bike made a sudden 180 degree turn, allowing Teek to face the biker and the station wagon guy who was just about to open fire. As he did so, Teek released the brake and fired a few shots at the biker, deliberately missing him. The biker jumped to the side, dropping his helmet that Teek scooped up using his pistol. Turning again, he paused to put on his helmet and look at the biker.

"Your chapter is finished," Teek said, sliding the visor shut and speeding away, leaving them there awe struck.

As he disappeared into the distance, Teek could not stop himself from grinning. He could not believe what he had just done. He never would have done something like that not so long ago. Travelling with the Midnight Riders had changed him. He was only supposed to stay with them until he got a new bike, something that he now had. But now thinking about it; he quite enjoyed the company of Coach and the others. He was a part of a family and despite the drama, he loved every moment of it. He felt for the first time ever that he truly belonged. He looked up to Coach, a trusted father figure who always looked out for him. Now it was Teek's time to return the favour and warn him of Fraser's bomb.

He wondered what would happen in the future. Although their motives had not yet been fully revealed it appeared that the mercenaries that had rescued them from Galt's prison intended to get them out of the country. Teek wondered why for a moment before forcing himself not to question something good. Miguel, Madison, Bill and all the others were people who for all intents and purposed seemed to be good, decent people. The same could not be said for the majority of people left in the country. Teek was certain that these mercenaries would take them to safety but what would happen next?

Teek had lived like this for over a year; driving all over the country for people all the while shooting the infected to stay alive. He had killed quite a few of them, not as many as most people but still a fair amount. He had never really thought about it until now. He never really wondered about who the person was before they were infected; what type of family they had, who their friends were, whether they were happy or not. It was easier not to. Teek pushed these thoughts from his mind and continued riding forward.

He would not know how he would cope to return to 'normal' life again. After all; this had been his existence for a year. It had changed him. Before he was a timid boy with few friends. When the apocalypse came around he was able to survive for quite a while because he had isolated himself, only venturing outside when he needed supplies. After about a month of isolation he was forced to start moving. He had a fast bike but no idea where to go. As the Clans and Havens began cropping up he started having places to go. He went there to get supplies, paying for food and gasoline by becoming a messenger. He was with people but was still on fringe of the new societies that were forming, much like the old one. When Coach took him under his wing he began to come out of his shell and became quite close with Drake.

Drake. Teek's wide grin had faded as he thought about the morose side of his existence. However when he thought of Drake he smiled softly. He felt a warmth deep inside that he had never experienced before. It was difficult to describe but Teek knew that Drake had something to do with this feeling. The two had become very close since Teek had joined the Midnight Riders. Drake had made him more confident, more happy. Would Teek have taken on the biker if he had never met Drake? Probably not. Drake had done a lot for Teek and after the recent events back in Galt's prison, Teek felt closer to him than ever before. Teek ran his tongue over his lips and thought about when Drake had kissed him. He began to go faster so that he would see him again soon.


With Francis pushing the tour bus to its maximum speed, the others began to formulate a new plan. Nick and Malcolm had been freed from their restraints. Rochelle was lying at the back, sitting up after being given a few painkillers. Everyone was keeping a respectable distance from her, except Drake who was still tending to her injuries, wearing protective gloves. Still injured, Nick was sat down at the table near Rochelle with his leg up. Zoey and Cassandra were next to them while Louis and Malcolm were at the opposite side of the table. Norah was leaning against the table while Miguel and Madison were stood in front of them all. Bill was sat on the kitchen counter, smoking out of the window.

"Okay, here's the deal," Miguel wanted to summarise the mission. "Our mission was to find and bring you back, Ms Secretary." He gestured to Norah. "Edward Deacon had to pull a lot of strings to get this mission green lighted. It took a lot of time and he asked me to convey his apologies for not getting here sooner."

"Its fine," Norah smiled for the first time since Danielle died. "I always knew he'd come back. We made a promise to each other and that's just the kind of guy he is." Madison smiled politely at her.

"Naturally we'll take all of the recent additions to your organisation," she said, attempting to sound friendly. Instead she sounded overwhelmingly corporate. Drake cleared his throat.

"That's all well and good but the way I see it we have two problems." He held out one finger. "First; how are we getting out of here?"

"Coach is in New Bern, right?" Miguel thought aloud. "That's one of the first places you came across, wasn't it?" He was addressing Madison.

"That's right," she sighed. "We took out a guy called Oliver Rooney before moving on."

"You've helped take out Oliver Rooney and Thomas Galt?" Norah cried. "Shit."

"Remind me never to piss you off," Rochelle joked.

"Anyway since New Bern is close to the original landing zone we can extract from the same initial location," Miguel went on. "That's quite convenient, isn't it?"

"Yeah it's real convenient that we're racing half way across the country to stop a bomb from going off before we escape," Louis muttered. Zoey shot him a disapproving look.

"This brings me to my second point," Drake said. "Say we do rescue Benedict's people: I used to live with them before I hit the road. If they get wind of a rescue boat…"

"Submarine," Malcolm corrected.

"Whatevers," Drake waved his hand at him. "What I'm trying to say is what happens if they all find out that we're getting out of here but they're being condemned to stay?"

"I think we got ourselves a bigger issue than that," Bill tossed some ash out of the window. Everyone looked at him as he sat there smoking.

"Well?" Norah asked impatiently.

"Rochelle," Bill said in a matter-of-fact tone. Everyone glanced to her. "How do you expect to take her across the ocean when she's infected?"

"She's not going to turn into a zombie," Nick defended her.

"She might," Bill flicked more ash away. He glanced to Rochelle. "Look, kid, I don't mean to sound like a heartless bastard here but I think it'd be a huge mistake taking you out of this environment."

"That doesn't sound heartless at all," Nick muttered scathingly.

"Look, kid, you've not seen what the world is like on the other side of the ocean. Everyone is terrified that there'll be another outbreak. It happened in London and now the whole city has been quarantined. Civilisation is barely holding together with the thought of God damned zombies resting in the back of the minds of every man, woman and child."

"That's not Rochelle's fault!"

"No, but if we take with us a woman who can turn someone into a zombie just by touching them then pretty soon there will be another outbreak. More people will die. Rochelle, I don't want to talk about you as if you're not here but you've got to see this from an outside perspective."

"I can see this from an outside perspective," Louis suddenly spoke up. "My blood has special immunities to the infection that other people don't have. When it broke out in London they used my blood to help synthesise an antidote. Maybe Rochelle's blood could be used for the same thing?"

"If that's the case we could just take a blood sample," Bill suggested.

"Or we could not leave behind one of the people we came here to save," Louis snapped back.

"Hey!" Rochelle spoke up. Everyone turned to her. She sat forward, wincing in pain slightly. "Don't I get a say in this?"

"There's nothing to discuss," Nick told her. "We're not leaving you behind."

"I think you should do what's best," Rochelle told no one in particular. "Not what's best for me but what's best for… well, everyone. Circumstances have changed since that night we were all together on the cruise ship, talking about how to bring down the director of CEDA. I'm potentially very hazardous. On the flip side I could be very useful; I could be tested on and maybe a cure could be found for those who are zombies to turn them back into people. It's all a load of hypotheticals. The bottom line is that I'm willing to do whatever the majority of the group decides. If you all think its best I stay here then that's what I'll do. I've done some bad things in my life and part of all this mess is my fault so I'd be willing to hang back and live the rest of my life here to atone for my hand in everything. I'd also be willing to go back in confinement, quarantined from all human contact and be experimented on in the hope that I could help undo some of the damage I have done."

"Ro…" Nick's voice was quiet as a whisper.

"It's okay," she waved at him. "Ever since this was done to me I've been preparing to live the rest of my life alone. I'll never be able to touch someone; hold their hand or kiss their cheek without killing them. No matter what you all think is best for me I'll be spending the rest of my days alone. Option one is I could live here, killing zombies and trying to help my fellow man until my luck runs out and I'm killed by either a zombie or a person. Option two is I could be tested on to help scientists find a cure for the infection or maybe even cure me. Either way I'm helping people. Either way I am alone. So in all honesty; don't fight about this. Just vote. Keep me or leave me."

There was a moment of thick, sickly silence. Rochelle glanced around to see everyone thinking hard about what she had said. Nick was the first to make his opinion heard.

"We don't leave a man behind," he sat with his arms folded. He looked over to Bill. "Didn't they teach you that in 'Nam?"

Bill frowned at Nick.

"Son you leave a man behind if he's gonna kill you and your squad." Rochelle took that as one point to the leave her team. One each.

"I'm sorry but I have to agree," Norah sighed, not being able to look Rochelle in the eye.

"It's okay," Rochelle responded sweetly.

"The hell it is!" Nick snapped. "If this were Danielle you wouldn't be so nonchalant about this."

Norah stood up and looked Nick venomously in the eyes. Her stare was so shockingly frightful Nick recoiled.

"Easy," Drake held his hand out. "Let's not start saying things we'll all regret."

"Too fucking late," Norah spat. Miguel placed his hand gently on her shoulder. She was trembling. "You know how much Danielle meant to me. How dare you mention her name?"

"If this was Danielle you'd fight to save her!"

"If this was Danielle she would understand the situation a lot like Rochelle here does!" Norah looked dangerous. Miguel pulled her away, sitting her with Madison to calm her down. The two went into one of the dressing rooms. The sound of Norah crying could be heard before the door closed. Miguel looked to Malcolm.

"What do we do?"

"Sir, I think I speak for Madison when I say that we're not the best people to pass judgment on this situation. We'll respect and follow your decision."

"Great…"

"I think you should stay here," Francis called from the front. "Sorry, Rochelle. I just think…"

"Stop apologising," Rochelle held up her hands. "I keep telling you I'm fine with either option." The sincerity in Rochelle's voice made it harder for everyone else. She turned to Louis. "I take it you're voting to take me with you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Louis said grimly. Even with his vote the score was still 3-2 in favour of leaving her behind. With Madison and Malcolm not participating it was down to Zoey, Drake, Cassandra and Miguel to decide.

"We're not all together," Cassandra pointed out. "I'm sure if Coach, Ellis and Teek were here they'd vote to keep Rochelle with us."

"Is that a vote to keep me?"

"Oh no," Cassandra held up her hands apologetically. "I think we should leave you here." Zoey looked horrified. "It's just I think that the others not being here means we should take their votes into account."

"You actually want to leave her here on her own?" Zoey gasped. "But… why?"

"Honey, it's far too dangerous to…"

"It's too dangerous? We pulled you out of a collapsing building. Don't tell me about danger because I've seen danger. I've shaken danger's hand for God's sake!"

"That was different. You tried to save my life and I'm grateful for that but if you messed up it would have only have been you who died. If we mess up then the whole world could fall to pieces."

"That would never happen," Zoey spat. "I vote to keep you, Rochelle."

"Me too," Drake seconded. "We Midnight Riders have to stick together, right?" He spoke softly so that Norah could not hear in the other room. Everyone then turned to look at Miguel.

The score was four each. Miguel's vote was the deciding one. There was no guarantee that the others in New Bern were alive so what he chose would most likely be what would happen. The weighed up the options in his head. Could he risk taking a highly infectious woman back to civilisation? He imagined if he did his career with the Bioterrorism Counter Force would be over before he set foot on British soil. But this was not about careers. This was about what was right.

Would it be right to leave Rochelle behind in order to save the rest of the world? Miguel thought back to his days in school. He was sat in history class learning about World War II. His teacher had been telling the class about the German side of the conflict and had brought in a special trinket from her grandfather's coin collection. Each student was allowed to hold the coin, giving them a chance to examine it up close. Miguel was the first to notice the engraving; Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz. When he asked his teacher what it meant she smiled sweetly at him and told him "the welfare of the nation takes precedence over the selfishness of the individuals."

A slightly cold view, yes. However it was the philosophy that he had based his life around. He wanted to do what was best for his country and when he joined the BCF, for humanity as a whole. He tried to always do what was right for the greater good.

However he realised that he had broken his own rules many times before. When London was quarantined he marched in there with Madison and Edward Deacon to help people. He took this mission away from safety back into a dangerous infection zone to help again. Miguel broke his own rules, he realised, because if he sat back and let people get torn apart by the infected even though he could have helped he would never be able to live with himself. He wanted to help people. He wanted to help Rochelle.

Leaving Rochelle behind would be to prevent another outbreak but as long as they were careful there wouldn't be one, surely? Scientists handle virus samples all the time in laboratories and there has not been any accidental outbreak. So far every instance of an infection incident has been because of Avery Ingram; the director of CEDA who released the virus in some misguided attempt to save the world. He released the virus deliberately in order to try and develop a cure. He believed that the infection that turned people into Tanks, Hunters and so on was soon coming naturally and that the world needed to prepare. Was Rochelle the harbinger of humanity's destruction? Were the ramblings of an insane fool actually foreshadowing destiny?

It was a lot of pressure, a pressure intensified by the fact that everyone was looking at him waiting for an answer. Miguel's mouth was dry and his palms were sweaty. He had no idea what to do or what to say. He sighed exhaustedly and ran his hands through his hair. He was certain if stress like this continued to frequent his life he would be bald in a matter of months.

"I'm going to have to think about this," Miguel said finally. "As the commander of the HMS Jaeger I can't make life or death decisions like this on a whim. I have a chance to think this through and I'm going to take it." Rochelle smiled and nodded understandingly at him. Miguel wet his lips. "Meeting adjourned."


"What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room," Coach said to Benedict Bevan who held up his hands in a gesture of trust. Coach continued. "Thomas Galt has sent me here. He's holding my people hostage. He says that unless I manage to convince you to give up this location they all will die."

"Shit me…" Benedict sat back in awe. "That's why you're here?"

"That's right. Fraser's one of Galt's cronies. I'd keep an eye on him if I were you."

It was too late for any kind of action like that, however. Fraser had already stepped outside of the main building, casually strolling across the courtyard. He held the detonator in his hand. With one push he would destroy Thomas Galt's biggest rival. He was not sure of the status of his boss but nonetheless he intended to follow his orders. He turned around when he was at a safe distance to watch the fireworks.


Teek rode past a sign that informed him he was five miles away from New Bern. He pushed the motorcycle harder.


Fraser paused as he saw Ellis step out of the main building. He looked at the young hick curiously. Ellis walked toward him, taking a pistol out of his ammo bag.

"You're up to somethin'" Ellis pointed the gun at Fraser. "I've been keepin' an eye on you. You're shiftier than a fat woman in a cake shop." Fraser smiled and let out a loud laugh.

"You really are the epitome of stupid, kid, I'll give you that." Ellis' eyes narrowed at the insult and he took a few steps toward Fraser.

"I wouldn't have thought insultin' the guy pointin' a gun at you would be a good idea," Ellis cocked the gun. "Now who's stupid?"

"The fact that you've been watching me this whole time and yet you've not caught on to what I'm doing means that you are the stupid one." Fraser lifted up the detonator; a small device the size of a cell phone. "Want to know what this is?"

"Drop it," Ellis ordered, closing the gap between him and Fraser. He was now only five feet away from him.

"I'd stop moving or else you risk things… blowing out of proportion." Fraser grinned and Ellis' eyes narrowed further. In the distance the sound of a motorcycle could be heard.

"What is that?"

"It's a detonator, my inbred friend."

Ellis recoiled in absolute shock, dropping his pistol.

"It's good to know you know what a detonator is… is that a motorbike?"

"P-put it down!" Ellis begged.

"I'm not going to do that," Fraser told him. "I've got strict orders you see; blow this entire place to smithereens." He eyed Ellis slyly. "However… I'd be willing to give you a chance because I'd love to see you try in vain to do something."

Ellis took a step back.

"I'll got explosive devices hidden all around the grounds; you'll never find them all. I'll give you thirty seconds to try and save as many people as you can. After that time; kaboom!"

"T-thirty seconds?" Ellis repeated. "That ain't nearly enough time to…"

"Twenty-eight seconds, now…"

Ellis' face fell. He dropped his bag, turned on his heel and sprinted as fast as he could toward the main doors as Fraser laughed, watching him go. He turned around and walked toward the main gates. Ellis made it through the main doors.

"Everybody!" he shouted at the top of his lungs in the lobby. "I need y'all to listen!"

Fraser was beside the main gate and looked back out at the main compound of Benedict Bevan's Clan. Soon it would be nothing more than rubble. He could not wait to see the explosion so lifted the detonator. Licking his lips and breaking his word, he pushed the detonation switch.

Teek felt the force of the blast and saw the fireball rise into the sky as he turned the corner.

Every single bomb detonated at the exact same time, causing a ground shaking blast that knocked people off their feet, shattered glass windows and carried far into the night. Fraser was pushed through the gates by the force of the blast, crashing against the police car he used to get there. Slumped to the ground, his eyes dizzying, he could not make out the view in front of him. There was fire. However through the flames he saw the outline of the manor house. Frowning he looked to the ground where Ellis had dropped his gun and bag. There was a large crater.

Crafty son of a bitch.

Fraser stumbled to his feet, holding onto the police car for support. He opened the door and sat in the driver's seat, not closing it as he prepared to make a hasty getaway. The ringing in his ears was louder than the explosion so it was no surprise that he did not hear the person sneak up behind him and tap him on the shoulder. Fraser leant out of the police car and looked up at Teek smiling down at him.

"Licence and registration, please." Before he could react, Teek grabbed the door and slammed it on Fraser's head, knocking him out. Fraser fell out of the seat and crashed to the ground. Looking over at Benedict's manor house, he saw Ellis and Coach step outside to investigate what was going on. Teek waved at them, giving them a thumbs up.


It had been a long drive but the tour bus was now only ten miles away from New Bern. Malcolm swapped driving with Francis a few hours ago so that he could have a rest. Everyone had formed small groups and were talking quietly to each other. Madison and Norah were still together in Norah's room. Zoey and Louis were sat with Cassandra while Nick and Rochelle were at the back together. Drake was at the front with Malcolm while Bill and Francis were stood at the kitchen, Bill smoking out of the window. Miguel was floating around, a serious look on his face.

"Do you regret coming back here?" Francis asked Bill.

"No," Bill took the cigarette from his lips and flicked some ash out the window. "Why?"

"I dunno, man. I guess I had a lot of time to think when I was driving. We were safe back in England. We could have had a fresh start and yet we all came back here. I'm just wondering why."

"You obviously regret it," Bill said.

"I guess I do."

"Why?"

"I guess I thought I'd enjoy coming back here and killing more zombies but… I don't. It was fun at first; like I was in one massive bar fight but now it's just a bit…"

"Tired?"

"Serious. I never signed up for all of this, man. All I wanted to do was survive. Now we're talking about saving the world; it's crazy."

"I hear that," Bill chuckled. He tossed his cigarette butt out of the window and sighed. "Personally I don't regret coming back. Not one bit."

"How can you enjoy this?" Francis asked. Bill shrugged.

"I guess I love a good fight. Fighting is the best thing I'm good at if you can believe that. After 'Nam I wasn't allowed to fight anymore and my life just went into a downward spiral. As funny as it sounds; these zombies have saved my life." Francis fell quiet, not knowing what to say. Bill glanced out of the window, inhaling the air that was coming through.

"I can't believe you voted to kick her out!" Zoey said to Cassandra. "How could you?"

"Honey; it was all in favour for the greater good. You know that." Zoey sat back and rolled her eyes. Louis held a supportive hand on her shoulder. "My view is: prevent disaster from striking by eliminating all dangerous options. As sad as it is to say; Rochelle is a danger."

"She is also one of us. We should help her!"

"Oh sweetie," Cassandra ran her hand over Zoey's cheek. "You've never had to make a really tough decision like this before. One day you'll know what it's like." Cassandra stood up and went to the kitchen area. The conversation left a bad taste in Zoey's mouth. Louis looked at her, concerned.

"You alright?"

"She thinks I'm just a stupid kid… It's no wonder I ran away from home."

"Look," Louis held her tight. "I know how you're feeling. I think it's shit how people are so willing to just write her off like this." Zoey closed her eyes and sighed. She pulled herself away from Louis.

"I'm not a stupid kid; I've made some tough decisions in my life."

"I'm not arguing with you. You've been through a lot."

"I never told you," Zoey sighed. "There was something I wanted to tell you for ages that I never have done before." Louis, intrigued, leant forward. Lowering her voice, Zoey spoke.

"Back before we got together when we escaped London I found out something during the routine infection tests. I was pregnant." Louis looked surprised and sat back. "It was Graham's child."

"But…" Louis interjected. "You never gave birth. I never saw you with a bump or anything." Zoey gave him a look. "Oh…"

"I couldn't have a child, Louis. I'm not ready. I want to do so many things before I settle down. I want to do what I can to stop these zombies. Besides what kind of person would bring a child into this world when we've got these sorts of problems?" Louis put his hand on her shoulder, nodding understandingly. "I'm gonna join the BCF when we get back. I want to do what I can to fix all of this."

Madison stepped out of Norah's room, pushing her hair from her face. She looked exhausted. She went over to Miguel.

"That is one angry woman," she told him. "She blames Nick for the death of her best friend."

"This is just what we need…" Miguel muttered. "Well thanks for trying to calm her down." Madison smiled sweetly at him. "I'll go and try now." Madison nodded. Miguel patted her on the shoulder as he walked past. He then stopped, letting his hand linger there before turning around.

"Thanks, Madison," he said softly. "I don't know what I'd have done without you." Madison smiled to herself as Miguel walked away, placing her on hand where he had been touching her shoulder.

Inside Norah's room, Miguel sat opposite her. She looked a mess.

"I would ask how you're doing but…"

"What do you want?" Norah lay down on her bed. "Just leave me alone."

"I can't do that Ms Hanham. I was sent here to bring you back and I need to make sure that you're not going to be a danger to anyone."

"The only danger here is Rochelle. We need to cut her lose."

"I only think you're saying that because she's close to Nick and you want to get back at him for the death of Danielle."

Norah sat up.

"What did you just say?"

"You blame Nick for her death. That's understandable considering she sacrificed herself to save his life. However I'm not sure that's all there is to it. I think that deep down you blame yourself for not being there to help your best friend and you're transferring these feelings onto Nick."

"Don't try and feed me your psychobabble horse shit. I know how I feel."

"Yes and I know that I feel uneasy around you. You seem slightly on the edge; unstable, even."

"You're worried I'm going to try and hurt Nick?"

"That's not inaccurate…"

"Commander," Norah put her hands together. "I will despise that man for the rest of my life. However I'm not going to kill him. That's not the kind of person I am." Miguel eyed her closely. "I'm not the type of person who shoots people who have wronged her. That's just not me. I can hardly shoot zombies, let alone a real person." Miguel sat back, thought for a moment and then nodded.

At the back of the bus Nick and Rochelle were talking. They were sat close together.

"How are you feeling?" Nick asked her.

"I'm okay. Drake gave me some pain killers and told me that I more bruised than broken." They sat in silence for a moment. "Thanks for standing up for me."

"I'm not going to let them leave you here alone," he assured her. Rochelle smiled but shook her head.

"That's the way things have to be," she replied. "No matter what I'm going to be alone."

"I want to be there for you."

Rochelle looked at Nick, smiling.

"That's sweet," she told him. "But unnecessary. You deserve a girl who you can actually hold hands with without dying shortly after."

"I reckon it'd be worth it in your case." There was another silence. The two just looked at each other. "You know, Rochelle, I know I've only just found out about what's happened with you but… I've never wanted to hold you more."

"I feel the same," Rochelle smiled, thinking back to the first time she and Nick had kissed on this very tour bus. "But… we have to move on."

"Even if I'd die," Nick whispered to her, "I still want to hold your hand." The two looked at each other silently.

"We're here," Malcolm announced, pulling into Benedict Bevan's property. A large welcome party of men with guns came to greet them. Drake opened the door as the bus was still moving and waved at some familiar faces.

"Hey guys!" he called out. "Did you miss me?"


There was a grand reunion as the Midnight Riders and Miguel's rescue team reacquainted themselves with each other, catching up on all details. Miguel ordered everyone not to reveal any information regarding the rescue plan. As Benedict heard news of the demise of Thomas Galt's empire he insisted everyone stay for dinner as means of thanks. He went to the room where Fraser was being imprisoned and told him the news himself. Fraser's reaction was aggressive and he started thrashing out and screaming violently. Benedict made Waylon close and lock the door.

The meal everyone sat down to was delicious but it was hardly a banquet. With low supplies Benedict offered everyone sandwiches. It had been months since any of them had eaten bread so what they had on their plates did not last long. Coach was sat with Ellis and toasted him on his ingenuity with saving Benedict's Clan. Nick and Rochelle were sat together, laughing and chatting with the group. They were coming out of their shell that recent events had created and were finally acting like themselves again. Norah did not like what she saw as Nick laughed and joked so she stood up and left, accidentally bumping into Waylon as she did.

Drake and Teek were together, excitedly chatting and eating while next to them were Zoey and Louis who were slightly more subdued. Cassandra noticed their behaviour but did not ask what was wrong. Bill and Francis were drinking copious amounts of alcohol and were already quite drunk and had taken to singing songs. Drake and Teek raised their glasses and joined in followed by Coach, Ellis, Nick and Malcolm. Miguel and Madison sat in awe as they watched the strange, eclectic group of people drink together. They glanced at each other and began to laugh heartily. Madison rested her hand on Miguel's without her realising as she laughed. Miguel did realise, however. This made his smile grow even wider.

Upstairs Fraser was angrily pacing in his cell. He could hear everyone downstairs laughing and having a good time. It sickened him. He heard the door to his room unlocking and he glanced over to see Norah Hanham walk inside.

"Want to get revenge?" she asked him.

Back downstairs the singing died down and Coach stood up, slightly shakily, to make a toast.

"I just want to say a few words," he wobbled on the spot somewhat. "I just… want to say a few words."

"Then say them!" Drake cried.

"I will!" Coach chuckled. "I just want to say that… all of you…" he gestured to the table. "You've all made me so proud. We have all worked together to help each other out and I just… I just feel really proud. Thank you." Benedict started clapping and the whole table followed suit. As Nick clapped eagerly he saw Norah walk past him. She tapped him on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Nick nodded and told Rochelle that he would be back in a moment. No one saw him or Norah leave.

Outside Nick saw Norah waiting for him with her arms folded. When she saw him she gestured for him to approach her.

"What's going on?" he asked her.

"I know that we've had our… differences lately," Norah told him. "I think it's my fault. Something Miguel said to me about misplaced blame of whatever… Anyway I just want to say that… Well… I don't think I can ever forgive you, not really. However soon we'll be back in civilisation with regular laws." Nick's eyes narrowed.

"Norah you're not making sense."

"I know," she sighed. "I've had a bit to drink. What I mean to say is that I've finally figured out a way to help me get over all of this."

"Oh? What's that?"

Norah gestured to the shadows and Fraser suddenly emerged. Nick was confused.

Suddenly Norah lifted a handgun and pulled the trigger three times sending three bullets into Nick's chest. Fraser recoiled in shock. Nick coughed up a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground. Norah turned and tossed Fraser the gun she had used to shoot Nick. He instinctively caught it. Just as people emerged from around corners to investigate what was going on she shot Fraser once in the head, sending him down.

"Patsy," she muttered. Turning she dropped her gun and let out a cry. "You need to help me! Nick's been shot! Get a doctor, now!" Benedict's men obeyed her and ran to get help. Norah looked down at Nick's lifeless body and smiled. "Now I have closure," she told him.

Nick suddenly began to convulse. Shit. He's not dead. Norah knelt down next to him. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Norah could tell that he would not survive his injuries; it was just a matter of time until he died. He just needed to die before he told anyone what had happened. He lifted up his hand but she took it firmly and put it down.

"It's okay," she told him. "You don't have to say anything. It's over."

"…y-you…"

"Yes…" Norah smiled. "But no one will ever know."

"Nick!" Rochelle screamed at the top of her lungs. Everyone was outside and running toward them. They huddled around Nick as Norah told a lie about Fraser shooting him. People were talking worriedly about Nick's condition; wondering where help was. It was obvious that a first aid kit was not going to be much good now. Everyone knew this. Nick knew, Norah knew and Rochelle knew. Rochelle stepped past Norah and knelt down next to Nick. She tentatively reached out.

"What's she doing?" Ellis asked quietly.

Rochelle took Nick's hand. He felt cold.

"Hey, sweetie," she whispered softly to him, squeezing his hand. She was trying to smile but tears were falling down her face. "I… I don't want…"

Nick shook his head at her. He smiled before coughing up more blood. Rochelle leant down and kissed him on the forehead. He smiled again.

"I…" he coughed. Everyone leant in. "I… told you… it'd be worth it."

Nick's hand slipped from Rochelle's. He stopped coughing. Everyone else had stopped still. Rochelle looked down at him, tears silently falling down her face. She swallowed and attempted to compose herself. She leant forward and closed Nick's eyes.

The silence was unbearable.