The three bolted off just in time, the Runner appearing out of nowhere right beside them, using its powerful claws to rip into the brick of the building they had just exited. Keith let out a horrible shriek, and for once his instinct was telling him NOT to attack that horrible creature.

Rem gripped Ellis's hand and pulled him along, forcing him to run faster than he could. He didn't bother trying to help the witch. Let him die, he figured. At least it wouldn't have been by his hands. But Keith was, surprisingly, running faster than both of them. Strange, he wasn't used to Witches being that fast

Rem grabbed Ellis and swung him over his back, then leaped away, running faster now that he had Ellis on his back. The runner once again appeared out of nowhere, this time right in front of them. Rem couldn't turn in time, and ran right into the thing. It bellowed out, disappearing and then reappearing two feet back. It lashed out, sending both Ellis and Rem flying into the side of a building.

Ellis gripped his gun as he impacted, making sure he didn't lose it. He tried to regain his breath, getting to his feet quickly. He aimed and fired at the thing, but it easily side stepped it, seeming to blink out of existence to dodge each bullet, then appearing once again in the exact same spot.

Rem pulled Ellis into a nearby door, and Keith followed behind quickly. "DOWN" he bellowed out, leading them to a set of stairs at the opposite end of the hall they had entered. The walls suddenly caved in, plaster and wood splintering around them as the beast attacked the house.

Ellis shielded his face and let Rem guide him down. The runner struck again, and then it's white, leathery face appeared in the gaping hole. The whole house shook on it's foundations as the thing ripped it apart, trying to get at its prey.

The runner struck out with its powerful arms, and it struck Rem and Ellis, sending them flying into the opposite wall. Keith watched from the stairs, tears streaming down his face. He wanted to help Ellis, but he was too scared. Rem stood up first, coughing as he tried to catch his breath. A powerful pain came from his sides as he breathed, and he was certain a couple ribs were broken.

Ellis struggled to get up, and Rem helped him up. The runner screamed in triumph, stepping into the gaping hole of the house. Rem screeched in warning at the beast, moving to protect Ellis. "Rem... Over here..."

Ellis tugged on Rem's shirt, leading him slowly towards a door that lead to a hallway. Rem glanced back and shoved Ellis in just as the Runner struck again, hitting out at the frame and crumbling the foundation. They ducked in, rushing through the hall and around a corner, then into an open door. Rem made a hushing noise and pressed Ellis against the close wall.

Their breath hitched as they hid from the runner. They could hear it breathing heavily, looking for them. It was right around the corner now, Rem could see its shadow creeping down the hall just outside the door. They were as good as dead- there was no way out now, they were at a dead end. Ellis shook with fear. Rem moved to wrap his arms around the man, pressing their bodies together.

Just when they thought they were dead, a loud bang echoed through the building, and the runner stopped and let out a horrible shriek. It sounded like it was in pain. It started thrashing around, destroying the walls and the hallway around them. From outside the building, they heard the sound of the military shouting commands to shoot. More shots rang out, and the whole building shook as the Runner tried desperately to escape from the small confines, tearing the whole roof off as it attempted to jump up and out.

And just as soon as it had started, it stopped. The runner was gone, running away to lick its wounds, and the military was off in chase of the beast. Ellis slid down the wall to the floor, letting out a breath he had been holding in, and Rem sat with him, nursing his own broken ribs. Ellis was panting, the natural adrenaline finally wearing off. "Woo... that was... intense." He had no other words to describe it. Rem turned towards Elllis, a harsh look on his face. It instantly softened when he realized that they had both survived. It seemed like a miracle, but they were alive!

"Ellis... Ellis?" It was Keith's shaky voice as he wandered down the hall. "Please be alive..."

"Keith! In here." Ellis peeked his head into the hall, and Keith let out a sigh of relief, rushing over to give him a hug, careful of his dangerously sharp claws. "I thought you had died, and left me alone again. I don't want to be alone again..."

Rem scowled. Despite all the pain he was in, he couldn't help but feel jealousy. Why did Keith always get to hug Ellis like that? Why couldn't he? "Let's go!" he grumbled, forcing himself to stand. Broken ribs were nothing for him- the infection was already at work mending the bones inside his body.

"Rem, we've just cheated death... can't we take a break. I'm bruised and cut all over..." Rem growled in disbelief. What if the Runner came back? The building they were in was completely destroyed now, anything could come by and attack them. "Actually... maybe you're right. Here isn't the best place to be is it?" Especially if the military decided to come back now.

"But where will we go?" Keith asked quietly, and it caused the other two to stop. Where WERE they headed? What exactly were they looking for? Neither of them really knew. All they knew is that the place they were at was dangerous, and that they couldn't stay there. But was there safety, somewhere out there? A place where civilization still existed? Where cars worked and stores sold fresh fruits and vegetables, and you didn't have to worry about the infected chasing you down the street?

And what would happen to Rem if that place existed? There was no way they would let Rem in. "Where ARE we going, Rem?" Rem sighed. He didn't have the answer himself. All he wanted to do was be somewhere alone with Ellis, where they could just live their life in peace, hunting and gathering, cooking, somewhere high in the mountains, but not too high so that it was freezing. Where there were plenty of fresh flora and fauna...

Of course, Rem didn't have the ability to say all that, so instead he settled for a brief shrug of the shoulders.

"Let's check out what was down those stairs first," Ellis sugested. It was a step forward at least, and no one seemed to object to it. Ellis helped Rem stand this time, and supported him down the hall back to the completely torn about entrance to the building, then they descended the stairs into a dark basement. It wasn't one of those dusty ones without dry wall- someone had taken the time to turn the place into an entertainment room. But the place had been ransacked already, anything that looked even remotely like fun was completely destroyed, and the furniture was torn to shreds.

"Looks like we aren't the first to come here..." Keith observed. Rem snorted and rolled his eyes at the comment. He started to crawl to the other side of the room, sniffing the air. Nothing too dangerous, just a few lingering smells of common infection. The love seat wasn't too torn up, and actually looked a bit comfortable. "Sit... relax?" Rem suggested, hopping onto the seat.

"I can't say that doesn't look inviting..." Ellis propped his weapon against the couch and sat down next to Rem, sinking into the couch. He let out a content sigh. "Oh it feels nice to sit..." Keith looked around and spotted a beanbag in the corner that surprisingly had no scratches or tears. Careful not to put any in himself, he too sat down and was allowed a small moment to relax. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm getting a little hungry." Ellis said as his stomache rumbled.

No one responded. All three were perfectly content to just have a moment to relax. Keith actually managed to doze off. And Rem spotted an opportunity to get closer to Ellis. He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around Ellis.

Ellis's heart skipped a beat. He leaned his head against Rem's shoulder. "Rem... I don't know... if I know exactly what you feel... but..." Ellis swallowed. Keith had been the love of his life, before everything had happened. Yet despite that, he found himself falling further and further for Rem.

"Ellis..." Rem's usually pale skin flushed ever so slightly.

"It's strange... but I think I'm fallin' in love with you..." And it wasn't just because Rem h ad saved his life on multiple occasions. He wish he had known this man before the infection. Would things be the same? Would they still get as close as this, or was it because of this entire situation that they were this close now? Rem purred contentedly, and lifted Ellis's chin, and forced him to look into his eyes. Rem's eyes were sparkling with a life that was lacking in this world right now, and Ellis found it refreshing. "Rem... are we gonna kiss now?"

Rem nodded his head, before diving in to capture his lips. The infected's lips were surprisingly warm, and Ellis found himself melting into Rem's arms. It was a simple chaste kiss, yet Rem thought it was the highest moment of his life. Ellis craved this more than he knew, and found his tongue probing at the entrance to Rem's mouth. Rem obliged him, and their tongues met. Ellis's hands went up and wrapped around Rem's body, rubbing his back tenderly.

Before too long, they were forced to break in order to catch their breath. And they were indeed breathless... "Rem..."

"Shh... no speak..." Ellis nodded, and they both dove in for another passionate kiss.

Oh my, it's been a while hasn't it? Why can't I stay consistent with updates? Who knows.