Soon after arriving in North Carolina, the group stopped to make camp in a heavily wooded area not far from the road, but close to a water source. After everything had been set up and lunch had been served, Eugene walked a fair distance away from the group, and attempted to contact anyone in Washington with his radio, while Garth had looked at the map, noting they should stay at the camp for one night, and head to the nearest town after breakfast, and wait for Rick and the others there. Chloe was wondering how Rick would be able to find them again.

"Where did he even go? He wouldn't say anything." she asked. "He just said he had to go do something."

"Chloe, they'll be fine." Abe tried to assure her. "Actually, the town Garth just pointed out is where we'll be going, and we'll wait for the rest of the group there."

"This is one hell of a long shot." Chloe said. "Have you even thought about that man's safety?"

"I'm keeping him safe to get him to Washington." Abe responded. "What's the worse that can happen?"

Chloe had this on her mind since the trio had come along, but until the day before didn't really care what happened to Eugene, but now it was time she said something.

"Listen, I know you want this to end; I do, too." Chloe stated. "But have you even thought that there's a chance that Eugene could be killed once we reach the Capital?"

Abe was shocked at what he just heard.

"What do you mean?" he asked, visibly confused.

"I mean, if we make it to DC, and there are any government officials alive and Eugene tells them he knows what started this, there's a chance that they'll kill him, and they will take all the credit for themselves."

Abe was taken back by what he just heard. To find out that the mission would be for nothing; the fact that the man he's trying to keep alive could die by the hands of a government official. He looked over at Eugene, who was still talking into his radio, then back at Chloe.

"I never thought about that." Abe said. "Wait, is this why you acted the way you did? Why you were always mean to him, because you didn't want him to die?"

"I'm sorry." Chloe whispered.

Even the others were astounded; this whole time, and she never wanted Eugene to die saving the world, but the world would never be the same again, not after this. Not after all the lives that had been lost, and the lives that will be lost. She was taken out of her thoughts when Abe chuckled.

"What the hell is so funny?" She asked.

"You know, that man has delayed the mission so many times. Our truck didn't break down, he shot the gas tank. Then, there was this time a few weeks before we met, he made me drive right to Savannah, so we had to turn around, and go into South Carolina." Abe replied, with a laugh. "To think that we would have never met if he hadn't made me take a wrong turn."

"Okay, pull yourself together." Chloe demanded. "We will not make anymore delays. Once the group is back together, it's straight to Washington, no excuses. And if anyone tries to do anything funny, it will not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?"

"And just who put you in charge?" Milton asked.

"Well, I don't see anyone else stepping up." Chloe replied. "Okay, I may not be leader material, I may not have the skills Rick has with keeping us together, alive, and safe, but let me tell you all this: I've been through just as much hell as the rest of you. I shouldn't even be here, but I am." Chloe had to take a breath before continuing. "I know we all won't make it to the end, but we've made it this far. I remember a man telling me something; he told me that by the time this was over, I'd be one of the few still standing. But not just me, all of us. The one's who were weak in the beginning, didn't know how to fight or how to survive; we had to learn by trial and error. We're the ones who will still be standing."

No one could say anything, because Chloe was right. There was no denying that Chloe was a fighter and a survivor; she had the scars to prove it, not just visible, but emotional scars as well.

"I killed a man." she admitted. "Not out of cold blood, but out of mercy. The man he used to be was already dead. I didn't want to, I had to. I looked into his remaining eye, and I knew he was gone; all humanity drained. It was in those final moments, that he was himself, but it was only for a few seconds. He never meant to hurt me. I forgave him, but I will never forgive him for what he became, or what he did. What he tried to do. But I will say this: it's because of him that I'm still here."

Milton, Andrea, and Carol were the only ones who knew exactly what Chloe was talking about. The others were stumped, until Andrea told them, then they knew why. After that, no one would dare question Chloe about her survival skills, at least not for a while.

"Eugene, did you hear from anyone?" Abe asked

"No." Eugene replied. "I can't even remember the last time I heard from them. I'll try again in a few days."

"Maybe once we're all back together?" Abe suggestion.

"Yeah, I'll do that." Eugene responded. "We may also want to consider going on a run when we get to that town. The batteries in this radio are starting to die, but I may be able to make one, just need the right supplies."

Chloe asked him what exactly he needed.

"Just some coins, foil, and a little bleach." he replied.

"That sounds dangerous." Chloe said, reaching into her pocket. "And it wouldn't last very long. Here, I grabbed these earlier today. Was going to save them for an emergency. Another suggestion is solar energy, but I don't think you'd want to walk around with a solar panel."

Everyone except Eugene laughed at that comment; Milton had given up on scolding his daughter for cracking a small joke.

"You're not going to go easy on me, are you?" Eugene asked.

"I'm afraid not." Chloe replied with a smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a nap. If anyone dares wake me up for a ridiculous reason, I will chase you all the way back to South Carolina. I think I'll go sleep in the van where it's quiet. And to the person who ate the sardines, use mouthwash. And someone please change Judith's diaper, that smell could easily attract biters."

Chloe got into the van and closed the door without another word. Milton sighed, then turned to the others, not sure how to explain anything.

"You don't have to." Andrea stated.

"I guess you're right." Milton replied. "Do you think she's right? That we'll be the last one's standing."

"I think we'll have to wait and see." Andrea responded.

"Are you okay?" Milton asked.

"I'm fine." Andrea replied. "It's just with everything that's happened, I haven't had much time to rest. None of us have."

"Just be careful." Milton stated. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Nothing bad is going to happen to me." Andrea almost exclaimed. "Why would you say that?"

"Because I want you to be safe." Milton replied.

"I want you and Chloe to be safe, too." Andrea said.

Milton nodded with a smile. He knew that as long as he had Chloe and Andrea, everything was all right.