The more I run here in Abel, the more I come to the odd realization that I am really good at finding things.

It's an odd thing, but it seems like every time I go out on a run, I find some random item that could be of use to the town. I don't exactly search for any items while running, but something always seems to make its way into my line of sight.

It's usually not much. Most of the time it's a bottle of water, an old blanket, or maybe even a portable radio. The best thing I've found is an axe, which I'm allowed to take with me on missions. While truthfully I'd rather have a pistol, I know that Abel doesn't have too many guns or ammo, and running out of bullets with multiple zoms chasing after me would most definitely not be good.

"You found quite a bit on that last run, Five," Sam comments as I fiddle with the trinkets on the picnic table. Little things I found that are no use to anyone here in Abel, so I get to do with them as I please.

I nod. 'Most of it was just stuff like this, but Dr. Meyers was pretty happy when I handed over the few half full bottles of pain meds I found.'

"And you didn't even go on a supply run," He chuckles before pointing to one of the smaller items on the table. "What's that?"

I pick up the trinket he's pointing to and lay into across my palm. It's small-tiny even-and the fact that I noticed in the first place is astonishing. A small, pink looking charm in the form of a tiara, it's brass hoop at the top rusting and stained with dirt.

'I think it's an accessory to a little girl's charm bracelet,' I send him a grin as I place it front of him. 'Why? You want it?'

He breathes out a laugh as he shakes his head. "No thanks. I'm perfectly fine without it, plus I don't have a bracelet to put it on."

'I could probably find you one on my next run.'

He rolls his eyes in response to my teasing. "Haha. Very funny, Five."

'I could give it to someone. I'm sure one of the elementary girls would have a bracelet to put this on.' Even as I say the words, I'm a bit reluctant on letting things go, because really these few things are the only items that are truly mine. They are things that are in my possession, and giving it up will be harder than I'm letting on.

But I also have that little voice telling me that someone will like it, and that I shouldn't be so greedy over such a little thing. I look down and decide to find a little girl who will take the charm and take care if it. As best as she can, at least.

I'm finding myself getting more comfortable with the people here. I know it's not a good idea to get attached, so I'm just letting myself get familiar with them. I still keep my distance-only talking in brief conversations and casual waves, which is easy since very few people know sign language well.

But the people of Abel aren't my friends. None of them. I won't let myself be susceptible to that kind of betrayal again. Most of the people here I consider just that: people. And a few, a very rare few, are considered my acquaintances... but they aren't my friends.

And they never will be.

I don't know which to fear worse, the fact that I made such a promise, or the fact that there's a chance I might break it...

If I'm not already doing so.

"It's amazing how you even spot things like this," Sam continues on, not noticing I'd spaced out. He picks up a cheap looking ring and examines it. "Why do you bring them back?"

I lift up my shoulder in a half shrug. Most people would say something sentimental-that this was someone's special something; That it had value to a random stranger that is probably wondering the wilderness as a flesh eating monster now; That at one point this little trinket meant something to someone.

But that's not my reasoning. I'd rather not think of who these things may have belonged to. In fact, I avoid the thought completely.

'I saw it and I just decided to grab it.' The answer's honest enough. I just wanted it, something else I can call mine besides my worn out backpack and my Bible.

"You mean you just take them so they'll be apart of your collection?"

I nod, tapping on the little bell that had most likely had been on a cat collar. If I want to I can maybe find some string to actually make into a collar again.

Too bad I don't like cats.

"So you're sort of like those little birds-Magpie-with you collecting things," Sam comments, and I simply blink, unsure how to respond. When I look up at Sam, he seems to be having complicated thoughts about it as well, judging by his slight frown with eyebrows drawn together.

"That... sounded a lot better in my head," He finally mutters, bringing his eyes up to meet my own. I raise a brow as a teasing smirk appears on my face.

'You think so?'

Sam sends me an unamused look, and I have to bite my cheek to keep from smiling any wider.

'Well, if it makes you feel any better, I've given worse compliments... if you were intending that to be a compliment.'

"I was!" He exclaims a bit too loudly. "I mean, I wouldn't insult you... not over a hobby like collecting."

'Oh? What hobby would you insult then?'

"Well..." He drags out, "actually, I lied. I would insult you on collecting things, but only if you were collecting something like... like rocks."

'Rocks can be interesting,' I respond.

"Not when you're in the zombie apocalypse. Think about it, you find all these rocks that you think are pretty or rare or whatever it is rock collectors think when they find a rock, and you're putting them in your backpack, and it starts to get heavy. Then a couple fast zoms see you and decide you'd be a tasty meal. Image how much that'd slow you down."

'That could go for anything, Sam,' I remark with a roll of my eyes. 'Even little trinkets can slow me down.'

"Yes, but imagine going back to the Township and trying to show what you brought," He insists. "'Oh, Runner Five. You sack looks rather full. What'd you bring back'... 'Rocks'."

I snicker at that, and Sam's eyes brighten a bit. "See? You know I'm right."

"Are you guys really arguing over rocks?"

I don't even flinch at the new voice, having now accepted that everyone here in Abel can suddenly become ninjas at will. Even Sam, who fell out of his chair reaching for a pen last night during his lesson of learning Morse Code.

I crane my neck to see Caleb staring at us with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He raises his hand in greeting once he notices he's gained my attention. I casually raise my hand in response.

After putting out the fire at Brunswick, a few people from there are taking temporary residence here until the building is rebuilt. Caleb is one of the few who are making Abel their new home for the next few weeks, and he's been following me around everyday trying to get me to engage in conversation.

I don't mind really, since he can be rather entertaining, but he's an acquaintance. He'll never be my friend even though he seems to want to be so desperately.

"Yes, we are," Sam answers, making me take my gaze off the red head. "And as for the argument, I'm winning."

I don't respond when Caleb sends me a questioning glance just after giving Sam an unconvinced snort. Instead I simply raise a shoulder and tip my head to the side in an awkward shrug.

"Told ya," Sam gloats before standing up. "As much as I'd love to continue our argument, I have a coms shack to get back to."

Sam turns to me after slight hesitation. "We're meeting up after sunset, right? To go over Morse Code?"

I shake my head. 'No. I promised Milo and Willis I'd help them with sign language tonight.'

I feel a little guilty at saying that, since I usually only teach sign language on the days I haven't ran, but I made a promise, and it would be unfair to break it.

"Oh, right. Of course." I cringe at the disappointment in his voice, but manage to keep it unseen by the two. Sam jabs his thumb towards the coms shack behind him. "I'd uh, better get going."

There's an awkwardness that follows as he turns to leave, and Caleb sends us both a questioning look.

"What was that all about?"

I stand up and shove my tiny, random items into my pocket before answering. 'We had a bit of a routine, I just broke said routine, and neither of us actually like it.'

"Well then why'd you break the routine then?"

We start walking away from the table, and I sigh. 'I didn't mean to. I just forgot I had a run today, and I made the promise to tutor Milo, Willis and any runners who wanted to learn this morning.'

"So you teach sign language on the days you don't run?" He guesses.

I nod curtly. 'And I teach Morse Code on the days I do.'

"How long have you been doing this routine?"

The question is a bit of a shock, mostly because I have to actually think about it to remember. I have to ponder on how long I've been in Abel...

I've never had to do that...

The thought is odd, seeing as before in Mullins and even at the AMTB I could tell exactly what time I got there and what time I left, but here it seems like forever ago, although I don't think I've really been here for even a month.

Well, when I arrived at the AMTB or Mullins it wasn't right after my helo was shot down...

'I think I started teaching about two weeks ago,' I reply, feeling rather unsure of my answer.

Why does it seem like I've been here so much longer?

"You don't seem very certain about that," He states, but I keep my plain face. He studies me for a moment, as if waiting to see if I'll reply before continuing. "But if the routine had only just now become a routine, why does it bother you two so much?"

I take a moment to answer. 'I'm not sure.'

That's what scares me.

There's a brief pause of silence before Caleb's eyes widen in what looks like realization. "Wait a minute... Are you and Sam-are you two...?"

It takes me about two seconds to catch on to his suggestions, and the noise that comes out of my mouth at the realization resembles something to a cat choking on a hairball. Heat creeps up the back of my neck and I pray to God Almighty that it doesn't make its way to my face.

I don't have to sign a question to tell him what's going on through my brain at this moment. My gaping mouth and bulging eyes tell the story for me.

The red head raises both hands as if surrendering. "What? I'm just saying with you two seemed so disappointed about not meeting up later. Plus the fact that you smile ten times more when he's around and that his eyes light up like a damn Christmas tree when he sees you sorta..."

I raise up a hand to silence him, the other rubbing my eyes. I'm sure the blush has made its way to my face and I take the few seconds of quiet to try to will it away, but I'm not sure it works. With a huff I open my eyes with a dull expression shining through them as I frown.

'Caleb, when I first arrived about three weeks ago, Sam saw his zombie-fied girlfriend shot and killed, which means he's probably still mourning her death, just not on the outside,' I sign, pursing my lips as he nods casually. 'Also, I've only known him for three weeks. This isn't one of those fairytale stories where people get together with a few days of knowing each other. That's weird.

'Also, I do not smile wider and Sam's eyes don't light up like... Christmas trees.'

"Uh-huh." His portrays exactly his thoughts of disbelief, but then he waves a hand of dismissal. "Okay, whatever. You don't like each other."

'We don't,' I deadpan.

"That's what I said."

My eyes are squinted in suspicion, but Caleb's face gives away nothing, so I blink a few times before attempting to change the subject.

'Do you want to go see what they have in the library before I head to work? I have kitchen duty tonight,' I state, dreading the idea of doing so. Being a runner, I still have to do things to help around the town, whether I've ran that day or not. And sadly, my best skill is in the kitchen, since I'm good at cooking meals without using anything that might cause an allergic reaction. That's what I was told when I asked anyway.

"Last time I checked, Abel's library consists of Moby Dick, some book talking about chickens, and the A couple books about the Amish," He replies with a click of his tongue. "Not much to choose from."

'I'll have you know that Amish are very interested people,' I argue. 'I used to read stories about them before all this happened.'

Caleb blinks. "Really?"

I mirror his action of surprise, mostly because I didn't actually mean for that to slip. It's nothing important-nothing that could tie myself back to who I am, but still usually you don't tell your acquaintances such random things. Not really.

"You must've been a fun child then," He smirked as I scowled. "Life of the party, I'm guessing."

'You're hilarious, truly.'

There's a light laugh that follows my words. "Why, thank you. Most people would say otherwise but I'm glad you think so."

I look heavenward with a sigh escaping my lips as he keeps speaking.

"Since you graced me with such a compliment, I will repay by taking over your little sign language class for today."

My brown eyes drag upwards towards his blue ones. I look at him with nose scrunched up slightly as he just smiles innocently and taps at his hearing aid. "Don't tell me you've forgotten why I know sign language already?"

'Why?' Is all I ask.

"What a friend's for," He responds with a lopsided grin, and my fingers twitch. "Plus you'll still be able to talk to your boy-I mean, other friend."

His smirk is supposed to be teasing, seeing my glare at him, but neither of the two names are true. The one said or half-spoken. He doesn't know. He doesn't know what I know about friends... how they create a weakness. It's like letting them aim a gun right at your heart and trusting they won't pull the trigger.

I'd rather not.

'Yeah, thanks.' My response is quick as I make no effort to make eye contact, and through the corner of my left eye I see Caleb's smirk falter.

"I was just joking, you know," He says in a nervous laughter. "I know you just see him as a-"

'I have to go. Sorry.' And I'm rushing off before he can finish.

Can't let that happen. Can't let them in. They've already gotten this far. I can't...

I can't have anything else ripped away from me. I won't let them hurt me like she did.

•

As I stand outside the coms shack door, I can't help but feel slightly nervous...

Kind of nervous...

Extremely nervous...

Why?

I have no freaking clue, although I'm guessing it has something to do with Caleb's earlier words.

Well, he's actually not expecting me to come tonight so I could easily turn back... but then I would have to help finish up the kitchen, and I really hate doing dishes...

My thoughts linger on my options, and I know I have enough time to turn back because the sun has yet to set. The colors of the sky are just now beginning to change into various shades of pink and orange. Meaning I have a good five or ten minutes to sprint back to my tent like the runner I am.

But if I do I'll never hear the end of it from Caleb. And knowing Willis he'll be pestering me for answers of why I wasn't there while Milo stares into my soul. So Sam'll likely hear about it anyway, which'll make this much more awkward than it needs to be.

I push all those thoughts to the darker corners of my mind where hopefully all the other twisted annoying thoughts that reside there will swallow them up. My hand grips the door knob and twists it agonizingly slow to push the door open. As I peak through the ever-opening door I see Sam rub his eyes as he leans back in his chair, apparently having finished his last run in the last few minutes.

After a few minutes of me quietly-and a bit creepily-watching Sam sit there I clear my throat. My faces scrunches up at how even it sounds different than a normal person's voice would..

Sam's hands fly away from his face as his eyes snap towards me. He sighs in relief the second he recognizes my face.

"Oh, thank God. I thought you were Janine," He breathes, and I give a questioning look that he immediately understands.

"Since the Brunswick mission she now believes she can enter the coms shack whenever she pleases and scold me about how I should keep this place in a more 'orderly fashion'." He air quotes, and I eye the shack skeptically.

It's not terrible, although there is loose paper everywhere. I'm surprised he hasn't slipped on one and killed himself yet.

"What are you doing here?" Sam pipes up once more. "I thought you had to help the children learn sign language."

'Caleb said he'd do it for me so we could keep up our routine,' I explain, to which Sam nods with his lips pressed firmly together.

"Huh... okay." A smile begins to spread across his face as the realization starts to set it. "So, um, I'm guess we should-we should get started?"

I nod and make my over to his desk and lean against it. I grab a random paper from beside me and turn it over before looking around for a pen.

'Do you have anything to write with?' I inquire after glancing around and finding nothing.

He flushes slightly as I watch him. "Y-yeah, there should be some pencils over... here." He begins picking up the multiple papers sounding his desk, with myself helping after a few more seconds of still finding no writing utensil.

"Sorry, I know I should've probably cleaned up more," Sam mumbles sheepishly; I give him a half smile.

'Well, you didn't really know I was coming, since I cancelled it...'

"Yeah, but I probably should've, since Caleb did come into the coms shack earlier."

I freeze at that, my eyes widening and stomach dropping just a bit. I swallow and sign in Sam's line of sight as he continues looking for a pen, grateful he doesn't notice my sudden hesitation.

'What all did he say?'

"I don't know really; Wasn't paying that much attention." He place so a neat stack of papers on the desk, but still sighs in frustration at that fact we still haven't found a pen.

"I had two runners I was trying to get away from a pack of zoms, so I wasn't really paying attention... Plus he was talking pretty weird. Said something about Christmas lights and some other stuff..."

At the word 'Christmas lights' I make that same sound I made before: cat choking on a hair ball. Sam's eyes widen in fear at the sound that just left my mouth, and if I weren't blushing like an idiot, I would've laughed at the face he's making.

"F-five, are you okay?" His voice shakes slight in worry, all thoughts of finding a writing utensil forgotten.

I nod, still blushing and realizing it's going to be much more difficult than I thought to keep these pleople as just my acquaintances.

'I'm fine. Just swallowed some air wrong.'

His face scrunched up in confusion. "How do you swallow air wrong?"

I smirk. 'The same way you compliment a mute girl by comparing her to a bird.'

A/N: This one is quick, but I just wanted to say if you do collect rocks or know someone who does I wasn't trying to offend you. Anyway if you liked it please vote and leave a comment.

Thank you!