I couldn't sleep.

After hiking for miles today, I should've been completely exhausted like the others who slept peacefully on the dirt. While my body was completely spent my mind just kept going, running rapidly like it was running a marathon. I had tossed and turn for hours, only managing to get an hour or so of sleep.

I couldn't help but sigh.

I quietly sat up, careful not to disturb any of the others. Even though I absolutely despised them for sleeping so soundly. I grabbed the sweatshirt that I was once using as a makeshift pillow, shaking out the dirt and twigs. I slide my arms into the sleeves and pulled the fabric over my head. I bent down, shoving my hand into the side pocket of my book bag. Since the gun show I had managed to ration my cigarettes rather fairly and right now I didn't mind having one. I retrieved the cigarette and lighter from the side pocket, leaning my book bag back against the large log I was laying next to.

I tiptoed around the sleeping bodies, maneuvering my way around without stepping on them. I peeked back at my group, unbothered by my movements. It felt weird to finally have a group, somewhere I belong. I had been with them for a while now and to be honest it made me forget what it was like to be alone. I was used to having them around me at all times. I looked away from them, turning around to face the woods.

I didn't wander far, the lack of light made it nearly impossible for me to guide myself. I was practically tripping over myself trying to walk. I found a nearby boulder, large enough to seat myself and then some. I could feel the coolness of the stone through the fabric of my jeans, making me shiver. I lit the cigarette held clasped between my fingers, placing it between my lips. I took a long drag, the warm smoke filling into my lungs. I exhaled, letting the smoke fill the air.

It was hard to remember the last things had this quiet...this peaceful. It felt like the last couple weeks we were constantly surrounded by by some sort of danger or something that went wrong. I couldn't remember the last time that we were able to sit down and breath. It kind of reminded me of before things went bad. Where we could sit outside and be as loud as we wanted without having to worry about being eaten alive by a rotten zombie. I didn't have much of a life before this, I spent most of my times in and out of juvie in attempt to survive on my own. My mom cared more about drugs than she did keeping food and electricity on in the house. It wasn't until my fourth juvie stunt that my public attorney begged me for something, anything to help get them to lessen the charge.

My first few times in I had managed to skid by with only a few months inside with a few months of community service. The older I got and the longer my criminal record became those few months were about to become much longer. The court system had decided that I was a lost cause, that their previous attempts of leniency had failed. They were coming at me now with the big guns.

So I caved.

I can still remember my defender's face when I told her everything, showing her the scares across my body from the years of abuse. She didn't hesitate in letting the court system know, getting my sentence down to a mere three months. She got ahold of DCFS when I was inside, opening an entire investigation without my knowledge. My mom didn't really have any family and the ones that she did have slammed their door shut when it came to DCFS, they didn't want anything to do with raising someone else's children. My lawyer managed to get ahold of my birth certificate and tracked down my biological dad.

He was in jail, no shock there, it wasn't like my mom could pick a winners or anything. After talking with him he gave the information to his parent's farm not to far from where I lived. My lawyer and DCFS got ahold of my Nana and Papa and they agreed to take me in, no hesitation. They came to visit me a few times in juvie, that's where we first met. Two months later I was released and they were the ones sitting outside, ready to take me home.

They were the best thing that ever happened to me, I got to spend almost an entire year in pure bliss with them. I got to experience everything a normal child would; a home cooked meal, warm water, chores, Christmas presents to open on Christmas morning. They took care of me like I was their own. Then suddenly the world came to an end, zombies taking over the world.

I lost them a year into the apocalypse.

"You trying to get eaten?"

I looked up, a little startled by 10k's unexpected appearance. I had thought everyone was still sleeping. 10k was clearly amused by my reaction, smirking as I jumped.

"Jerk." I smiled, softly pushing his shoulder.

I scooted over on the rock, patting the hard stone as I motioned for 10k to sit down. He slid beside me, our shoulders brushing as he settled. I handed him the remaining amount of my cigarette. He held it between his fingers as he took a long drag.

"You weren't next to Cassandra." 10k stated as he exhaled.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I couldn't sleep."

"Is it about your mom?"

I was a bit taken back by 10k's question, he wasn't typically forward about stuff. I knew that Doc had told him stuff, the two of them were close. I had just never expected 10k to come forward and ask me about it.

"I-I didn't mean-"

"It's fine." I chuckled at his nervousness, "And yeah, it is about my mom and my sister."

"Do you miss them?"

"I miss my sister." I answered honestly, "My mom not so much."

"What was your sister like?" 10k took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling the smoke.

"Jenny was my best friend." I smiled, "She was smart, she was funny and she was so brave...absolutely fearless." I turned to look at 10k, "There was this time when my mom was strung out, we hadn't seen her in a couple days. I was maybe 6 at the time, Jenny would've been 13. There wasn't hardly any food in the house so Jenny and I went to this diner downtown. Jenny washed dishes for hours to pay for our dinner. She was there for me no matter what."

"I-is she-?"

"I don't know." I said softly, "Jenny left when she was sixteen and I haven't seen her since."

10k didn't say anything else, I think in a way he wasn't sure exactly what to say. I don't think anyone knew what to really say when it came to talking about my past life. But in a way I didn't really want anyone to say anything. What could they possibly say that make it better? Nothing, so why even dwell on it.

The mass abundance of trees made it nearly impossible for me to get a good look at the sky. Even when I moved around slightly I could only catch some glance. I stood up from the boulder, doing my best to see. I continued to move through the woods, looping around the trees.

"Come on 10k!"

10k flicked his cigarette to the ground, stomping on it to put it out before he reached for his rifle. He threw it over his shoulder as he looped the strap over his shoulder. He had the most dashing smile on his face as he chased after me. The two of us laughing as we weaved through the trees. 10k didn't miss a beat, catching up to me at after twist and turn. We just kept running until we appeared into a small clearing.

"Look." I pointed at the sky.

I suddenly stopped, catching 10k off guard causing him to stumble into me. We both stumbled forward from the sudden blow. His hands went to the lower section of my back to prevent me from falling back. He gently nudged me forward, closing the distance between us. His breath fanning over my face as our noses softly brushed against each other.

Screw those stupid stars, I couldn't focus on literally anything with 10k's lips lingering so close to mine. If breathing was an absolute necessity I would probably forget to do that right now. Besides for the occasional hand holding and hug 10k and I really hadn't done anything. We were constantly surrounded by the group or ya know, busy trying to get killed.

"I-I've never." 10k stuttered, his cheeks flushing a light pink.

I didn't hesitate to stand on my tip toes and smash my lips against his. 10k was stunned at first, tensing underneath from my sudden action. After a few seconds he moved his lips against mine, slowly at first. I could feel him grow more comfortable as time went on. His hand moving to cup my cheek as he moved his lips more urgently against mine.

I could feel the heat grow between us the more intense our kiss got. 10k's hands moving frantically throughout my body; my back, my face, my hair...his touch was everywhere. My hands moved from the back of 10k's neck and up into his hair, tugging on his dark locks. A throaty groan escaped his lips, only encouraging him to quicken his pace.

"Are you serious?"

The two of us sprang apart as we turned to stare at...none other than Doc. Who stood before us with the most shocked expression on his face.

"I thought you were dead!" He loudly whispered, "And you snuck off to have a make out session?"

"I'm sorry, would you like us to give you a heads up next time?" I joked.

Doc sighed, throwing his hands in the air, "I'm going back to bed, don't get eaten!"

10k and I laughed, watching as Doc disappeared back through the woods. His angry grumbling echoing through the air.

"Well." I said softly, "Do you think we should follow him back?"

10k bit his lip, "20 more minutes?"

"15?" I counteroffer, cocking my eyebrow as him.

"Deal"

I didn't even have time to react before 10k was smashing his lips to mine, taking the time to softly take my bottom lip between his. His hands slowly made their was down my lower back, firmly planting them just above the top of my jeans. Without warning his hands moved to cup the back of my thighs. I squealed as 10k lifted me up, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. My hands moved to wrap around his neck to ensure that I wouldn't fall backwards.

"10k." I murmured against his lips.

"Hm." He groaned, ignoring my words as he continued to kiss me.

When I pulled away 10k groaned, his green eyes looking into mine. I moved my hand to his cheek, softly stroking the smooth skin.

"I like you." I whispered against his lips.

"I like you too."