***July***

The summer heat progressively worsened throughout the month. Still occupying the farmhouse the two only left when necessary.

They simply couldn't afford to stay in a motel at the moment. All their funds were for food and other necessary items. Though even if they had wanted to there wasn't any hotels nearby. It was a less populated area not many people around out here, so Rachel could only gather so much money and Zack couldn't stand to be out in the heat for too long. .. had was a little strip mall area with a supermarket, gas station and a couple of restaurants. All of which were about three miles away.

Ray was insistent they tough it out until it cooled off. Zack really didn't do well with the heat due to his refusal to wear anything but a hoodie and jeans plus his wrappings. He was at least comfortable enough to relax in only his pants with the bottoms rolled up while they were in their makeshift home. Rachel had studied their route to their destination. Unfortunately it appeared they would traveling along the highway for quite sometime before they reached civilization. She couldn't have Zack getting a heat stroke in the middle of nowhere.

"Fuuuck...I'm so bored I'm gonna go fuckin' insane...but soo damn hot!" Rachel's companion groaned sprawled on the couch with one leg hanging off.

Ray hummed in response she was seated on the mattress back up against the couch with her nose in a book she had managed to steal. Unlike Zack, she was able to make the most of the situation. Not to mention there was only so many different responses she could come up with in answer to the same complaint she heard multiple times throughout the day...every...day. If she did respond then he would be annoyed and complain about her sounded like a boring dumbass doll again.

Really though there wasn't a win in this situation, as now her response of seeming indifferent to his plight annoyed Isaac. Ray was the smart one; wasn't it her job to figure this shit out? Only suggestion she had come up with was to teach him to read and write. He didn't have the patience, nor did he see the need when he had her around to do that for him. He didn't see what was so appealing about it. Though she really seemed to enjoy it, Ray had a habit of spacing out as it was. Whenever she read sometimes it was like the only thing that existed was Ray and whatever story she happened to be reading. Zack would never be entertained by such a thing.

"Man this sucks!"

If he just laid there any longer he was going to snap. Peering down at her he decided he would make his own fun. There was one hobby he had discovered in the months they traveled together. Getting a reaction out of Ray. She was less a doll than she used to be; as such reactions weren't quite as hard to extract from her. He lived for those reactions and thoroughly enjoyed it when he was successful in his endeavors.

Hehehe.

Rachel was in her own world, this book was getting good. Sadly she was also over halfway finished with it and would need to try to acquire a new one soon. She really did feel bad for Zack, he must be hot. Even while being inactive and wearing a teal tank top and jean shorts and hair pulled up, she was a little warm. Something tickled at her bare shoulder, Ray glanced at her skin to ensure it wasn't a bug. It was an old abandoned house after all there was bound to be an abundance of creepy crawlies hiding around in a place such as this. After satisfying the itch she resumed her book. A few moments later she felt the same sensation...each time brushing it off, even slapping her neck at one point only for there to be nothing there.

Why do I keep feeling like there are bugs crawling on me?

The little blonde tossed her book to the side swiftly stood up, examining the area around her. She really hoped the sheets she had stolen from one of the motels hadn't become infested.

There's nothing there…

Rachel glanced down at Zack wondering if he was having the same problem. Come to think of it...it was rather strange for him to not react to her sudden movement or to at least question what her deal was. Yet there he was laying in the same position as before one arm draped over his waist and the other covering half his face with with the back of his hand. She couldn't help but take a moment to stare since his eyes were covered. Didn't matter how many times she saw it, his incredibly muscular build despite being so slim always caught her attention. It was hard to not steal glances when given the opportunity.

Did he fall asleep? No he was complaining just a minute ago…

Ray cocked her head to the side questioning if she was registering correctly.

Is he? Laughing?

Small tremors and muffled sounds erupted from the man's body. Under his hand she was pretty sure he was hiding a smirk. So he was behind this...a fluffy white object on his stomach caught her eye...a small feather she had almost missed it as its color blended with his bandages. This confirmed her suspicion. She sighed; she should have known, though this type of mischief was better than smashing various inanimate objects to bits.

"Zack…" no response though he was seeming to have more difficulty concealing the snickers expelling from his lips.

Well he wouldn't be getting away with interrupting her when she had finally gotten to the most climatic part of her story.

Ray inched closer curiosity driving her actions. She had tried to tickle him before to no avail, but that was with a heavy layer of clothing between her finger tips and his skin. Maybe she would get a different reaction with fewer barriers. She cautiously reached out her hand and began wiggling her small fingers against his side.

Isaac's eyes shot open his body had squirmed so violently in response that he nearly fell off the couch. He had not expected that. Zack had no idea he was ticklish seeing as no one ever touched him like that. Well except that one time when the little brat had tried to tickle him. He had her pinned to the ground during one of their practice sparring matches. She thought she would be clever by trying to tickle him in her futile attempt to free herself. His hoodie must've provided a good enough barrier since her attempt had failed miserably; resulting in him messing her hair up to the point she closely resembled It from The Addams Family.

.

"I see your ticklish" Ray smiled at his bewildered expression.

Zack quickly gathered his composure; smirking in response knowing he'd been caught, "Ya, surprised me is all."

He shrugged at her, still trying to pretend to be indifferent. Ray quirked her brow in response, unconvinced.

"Oh? Are you sure about that, Zack?" Rachel's face contorted into a creepy doll like grin, except this time it was on purpose. She knew he hated it. Before he knew it her small body had pounced on top of him though he could hardly feel her weight on him. Ray shoved her fingers against his body tickling his at sides mercilessly. It was highly amusing to see a man like Zack squirming from her touches. His laugh was so different during their moments of rough housing and play. It wasn't that high blood crazed crackle that would send shivers up any sane person's spine. Times like right now his laugh was like it came from a different person. Zack just seemed like a really big kid.

"S-shit! S-stop! Ya damn brat!" The man fought back easily trapping her wrist in his powerful grip. Zack chuckled light heartedly at her pitiful attempts to break them from his grasp. He didn't even have to try. She was so small and easily restrainable. The ease of the task reminded him that Ray was right to ask him to teach her to defend herself better. He couldn't stand the thought of someone else with disgusting intentions getting a hold of her.

"Let go!" the little blonde huffed glaring playfully at him. He rather liked it when she was playful like this.

Cute…

That word seemed to frequently come to his mind with her. It was weird at first, though over time he simply came to accept it. Zack found her cute; though he didn't entirely understand what that meant. He supposed it was just that she was the only person who could make any face or reaction and not have the effect that he got from everyone else. His chest would burn with the desire to kill normally. For her it would burn as well but in a different way. A way that made him of all people...Isaac Foster infamous serial killer, want to protect instead of hurt. Even if she had no idea, and maybe he'd tell her again maybe he wouldn't. Occasionally he might figure out how to voice his feelings but mostly he found it easier to just act.

Zack shifted so he could restrain her wrists with a single hand, he leaned forward his nose almost touching hers. Ray's heart skipped a beat wondering what he was doing.

He was grinning his amber and seemingly dark eyes fixated onto the sparking ocean blues above him.

"No."

The tables had turned, now Rachel was at this killers mercy. She was unable to do more than squirm around on his stomach while he got his payback. Her laugh was almost a squeal and he was enjoying every second.

"Z-zack! Please!" Ray begged, it was too much. Rachel was laughing all the air from her lungs; she was running out of breath "Stop! I c-can't breath!"

The man chuckled at her sigh of relief once he had halted his attack. Zack lightly ruffled her honey colored locks.

"I bet you'll think twice before pulling some shit like that again, huh?"

Isaac released her small arms. The small blonde fell forward onto his chest having been defeated.

"You started it.."she mumbled into his chest.

That he did, and his goal had been met. It'd been a while since she had laughed like that. He was rather pleased with himself. Zack had enjoyed himself so much he hadn't noticed how they were positioned. His face warmed up slightly as he realized she had her legs straddling his hips as she laid on top of his chest. He could tell how silky her legs were against the unbandaged part of his hips.

Mentally slapping himself for noticing such things Zack swiftly pulled her off placing her down onto the mattress.

"Oof! Zack?" He wasn't looking at her. Rachel thought he looked annoyed or angry which confused her when they had been sharing a laugh only moments before. Ray poked his shoulder. "Are you okay? Did I do something?"

"Nah, its nothin'. " he glanced down giving her a reassuring pat.

The air felt much hotter than it had before. Too hot. The heat was just making him irritated was the conclusion he came to. He just needed to cool off. Zack snagged his socks and boots from the floor standing up after pulling them on. Rachel gazed up at him questioningly. Wondering what might have caused the sudden shift in his mood.

"It's fuckin' hot. Just gonna go cool off and wash up/" the serial killer snagged their little bag with shampoos and soaps along with a towel. And of course fresh wrappings.

"Okay." Ray stood up as well, and gathered her book for entertainment.

There was a small stream nearby with water deep enough for them to use to bathe in. It had become routine for one of them to keep watch while the other washed up...backs turned of course and at a respectable distance. Ever since discovering the man in grey had been tracking them they had to be cautious. Luckily there had been no sign of him during their time here. Though Rachel did wonder what that guys deal was. If he had intended to kill them then he could ambush them in their sleep. Yet it seemed he would not risk coming face to face with her murderous friend. Well if she saw him again she would be sure to be prepared. She wouldn't run; she would do her part and try to get some answers. She would kill him without hesitation or mercy if it came down to it.

No one would ever separate her and Zack again. She would not allow that to happen, and neither would Zack.

The water was freezing upon first jumping in., but it helped significantly to beat the harsh heat. The initial shock to his body cleared his mind instantly. It was a nice little spot they had found. A small waterfall emptied into the deeper end that they would use to bathe in. Trees and foliage provided fair cover from prying eyes. There were a couple of large rocks protruding from the water.

Zack and Rachel came here rather frequently to dip their feet into the water and enjoy the soothing sound from the gentle waterfall.

It was still a bit awkward having her there while he bathed or when it was the other way around and he was the one keeping an eye out.

He was glad he could trust her to not sneak a look and get a full view of the monster she was traveling with.

She was right that he would be more comfortable in the heat if he removed his second skin. Sadly insecurity told him that she would look at him with the same looks of shock and disgust that others had. The thought alone of her seeing him that way made something inside his chest clench up.

Though on the other hand sometimes he thought maybe she wouldn't...she hadn't when she saw his stomach or arms a couple of times. She hadn't hardly reacted at all, except to ask how he got his scars out of pure innocent curiosity. Ray had been so happy just to learn about that piece of his life. Just because she had wanted to know more about him. Something that had genuinely surprised the man. So maybe...just maybe she wouldn't care if she did see.

Zack pondered the thought. How nice it would be to be able to show his real self without judgement. Nah, he doubted he would ever be ready to willingly show her what he really looked like. How disfigured and disgusting he really was. With a heavy sigh the black haired man fully submerged himself to rinse off any remaining soap.

Isaac climbed out onto one of the rocks that jutted out from the shore. Feeling a little disheartened from the insecurity that was plaguing his mind, he wrapped himself as if that would fix his self negativity.

Clothed he made his way to his small companion tapping her shoulder to let her know he was ready to head back. The sun was starting to set and he was getting hungry and a little tired.

A few more boring days had passed. Luckily it had rained the past two days cooling the air to a more bearable temperature. Isaac slowly opened his eyes. It was still fairly early. Yawning he glanced down at the mattress below to find it empty except for a bottle of his favorite soda and a packaged cinnamon roll. Rachel must have stepped out for a bit. He smiled, that girl knew him all too well.

Most of their food was packaged or canned. Ray had made a little makeshift stove in the fireplace. Admittedly one thing that had been nice staying in a place with no appliances was lack of storage for perishable items such as produce. Which meant no Ray trying to force feed him any of that unearthly green shit. What a relief that was.

'You can't live off junk food Zack… you need the vitamins from vegetables!'

He mocked her voice in his head snickering to himself; happily wolfing down his breakfast. Several minutes passed. Where was the brat? Zack walked out onto the porch sipping his soda. Still no sign of her.

"Ray?!" he called but received no answer. Alright now he was starting to worry.

Where the hell is she?

Heading back inside the killer grabbed his favorite weapon… ..just incase. He strolled cautiously around the farmhouse. Nothing...so he headed to their little bathing spot. She wasn't there either.

Checking inside once more he noticed her backpack wasn't there. Which gave him a little relief as it meant she had left of her own accord. Still it wasn't like her to just leave without giving him some kind of heads up. Though she had left him some breakfast, maybe that was her way of letting him know. Even so it was reckless for her to go anywhere on her own that asshole could be out there watching. He was getting impatient but chose to wait a little longer before tearing everything in his path apart to locate her.

Subconsciously Zack paced back and forth, he was about to rush out the door, when the front door gently opened and in walked Ray.

"Ah!" Ray was startled by her companions sudden roughness and a loud clunk on the ground.

Isaac had dropped his heavy weapon and rushed towards her grasping her wrist a bit harder than he had mean to.

"The fuck?! Thought we talked about this? No wandering off on your own! Ya have any idea how worried ya made me?!" He glared furiously at the little blonde before him.

"Zack! Not so rough I don't want to drop it!" Ray winced from the pressure on her arm.

"Hah?" curious as to what 'it' was Zack just noticed the brown bag in her free hand.

Freeing the wrist he had been suffocating and wondering what could've been so urgent she left without warning his bandaged her yanked the bag from her hand.

"Zack! Wait not yet!" Ray attempted to retrieve the bag.

Zack stared down at her still irritated while lifting it well past her reach.

"You went all that way on your own? What the hell Ray. What was so important, that you couldn' wake me up first?" he couldn't help the small smile crept through his annoyed expression; her pitiful attempts to try to reach for the bag were amusing.

Ray blushed in response and lowered her head mumbling quietly. He couldn't hear her.

"Hah? Ya gonna have ta speak up pipsqueak." her sudden shyness was kind of cute.

"You said July 24th...right?" she muttered.

"Huh? What about it?" Then it clicked. Zack felt a twinge of guilt. Another emotion he hadn't had much experience prior to being with her.

Ohhh...fuck now I feel bad reactin' like that.

"Your birthday...I thought maybe it would be nice to celebrate it with you since you made mine better. So I got you a few things...I'm really sorry I worried you. But, I wanted to surprise you." she raised her head to look at him.

She was smiling a little, the expression in her eyes was unfamiliar to him. It wasn't an expression he'd ever received before. Too much to think about so he just shoved his curiosity away. Any traces of prior irritation was melting away. He had never celebrated his birthday and he definitely hadn't expected her to actually do anything for him.

"Y-you?" he shook his head trying to process everything, "Ya didn't have to do that…"

The hand holding the bag lowered, he couldn't look at her, a mixture of guilt from scolding her and embarrassment overtook him. She was too good to him.

"Yes I did. My birthday's were always full of misery, you changed that. Hopefully I can make yours good too!"

Rachel took advantage of his confusion to take the bag and grasped his wrist guiding him to the old worn down table by the non functioning kitchen. She motioned him to sit than rummaged through the brown bag.

His favorite chips, sodas and lastly a small cake like the last one he had gotten for her last month. Zack's eyes widened at the last item. The warmth in his chest was almost too much right now.

He was glad she couldn't see his face right now. His face was burning from more than just the July heat. No one had ever thought to do something like this for him. Well technically he never really had anyone around to think about it. He'd been completely alone much of his life. Just surviving and killing it was all he had. He had never even imagined he would one day have more.

"Sorry, it's not much...I would have liked to make you something good for dinner too...but-. Ah! Zack!" he had yank her into a hug on his lap.

Just her thinking to do this blew him away. He didn't know how to express how touched he was with words...or rather he didn't want or know how to. So he just hugged her tightly holding the embrace longer than he normally would have.

"Thanks…"

Ray was blushing "Happy birthday Zack…"

"S-shut up…" Isaac ruffled her hair. Something on her wrist caught his eye, when she tried desperately to fix the mess he had made.

Pulling her back Zack gently grasped her hand to examine her wrist. It was slightly bruised from his outburst earlier.

Sensing his guilt, Rachel withdrew her arm and gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's okay, Zack...I know you didn't mean to...you were just worried."

Zack's eyes dimmed staring at her bruise. She had just been out so she could give him this surprise and like an idiot he hurt her even if it had been unintentional. He should know better than to be so rough with her.

"Don't make it okay Ray…" he muttered apologies to the floor.

Shit he had been an asshole.

She didn't care, today was for him and she wouldn't let anything ruin it not even himself. Rachel gave him another hug before sliding off his lap. Adamantly reassuring him everything was okay and apologizing again for worrying him.

As she suspected the tension dissolved swiftly soon as the cake was being devoured. How did that saying go again? The one about how chocolate was the emotional cure all?

Zack and Rachel spent a good portion of the day by the stream. Just talking about whatever came to mind. Both felt relaxed by the water. The air was slightly colder and they could dip their feet into the water to cool off.

"Why ya doin' this stuff for me?" Zack looked into her cerulean colored eyes.

The pair sat on a large rock, their shoes neatly beside them and bare feet submerged into the cool running water.

"I told you…" she looked confused, thinking her reasoning had been pretty clear.

"I don't mean just today...Christmas ya got me some things. Then back then when ya went out of your way to get me that lighter hoodie...I know you almost got caught stealing that one. Now this…"

He smiled at her to make sure she understood he was just asking, he really did appreciate it. Though it was kind of weird for him but not in a bad way. It still was weird to him sometimes, having someone else care for his happiness and general well being.

He was taken aback a moment. Something mischievous had flashed through those blue eyes. Ray cocked her head at him with a disturbing smile..

"Because you are my god, Zack…"

Zacks eyes widened with 'Ohhh fuck not this shit again'. Ray's serious composure cracked at his expression. Her laughter earning her a playful glare.

"BRAT!" Zack bonked her lightly on the head. He couldn't lie though, he enjoyed her moments of playfulness. Ray giggled, while Isaac had decided he'd show her. Without warning the man lifted her up bridal style, grinning ear to ear.

" Zack? What are you d-AHH! ZACK!" he tossed her into the water.

Thanks to the rain the water would be colder than usual. Isaac crackled while she stood wide eyed,shivering waist deep in the water clutching at her sides looking like a drowned bunny.

Blinking a few times in order to ground herself back to reality Ray glared at him. She would not hesitate to play dirty right back, ducking down til only her eyes could be seen. Surprising him by bolting up squirting the water from her mouth into his face. Back and forth splashing persisted until Zack was just as soaked as she was. Well that one definitely ended in a draw.

Now in fresh clothes and wrappings Zack sat back against the couch eyeing Ray warily. Her hair was was wrapped in a towel seeing as it would take a lot longer to dry than his would. She was getting a fire going in the fireplace so she could heat up some canned chili in the heavy pot she had been using to cook simple dishes.

He felt a little pride realizing that while the anxiety of fire hadn't disappeared it had significantly lessened. He at least was no longer concerned about the little camp fires she would make that assisted in keeping them fed as well as warm during the colder months.

After their meal the two huddled on the couch in silence just enjoying the others company. Pondering the events of the day, Zack realized she hadn't given him an answer.

"Ray...ya never really answered my question earlier…"

Ray smiled.

"I just figure we both have bad pasts and didn't get to enjoy the things most people do… so maybe we can try to change that now…"

Zack ran his fingers through her hair. "I guess…"

"So was today good for you Zack?" she looked up at him hopeful.

"Only birthday I ever celebrated...don't have much to compare to...but yeah...it was good. Thanks Ray."

She would never know just how much it had meant to him. How much she meant to him. He didn't know how to express that. He'd always been alone...never had another life to care for.. never had someone he trusted with his life. Never had someone he never wanted to leave and someone to feel the same towards him.

Now having experienced it. He had to admit to himself, it was nice. Really really nice. He also knew he would never have this with anyone else. He wouldn't even want to. No one else would be able to understand all the shit they went through.

Neither would have guessed they would be where they are now. Zack would have scoffed at anyone who would say one day he would have someone to care for. Ray was just his means of escape back then, and he was her means of escape from herself.

How things have changed... in ways they wouldn't have expected though now after everything, neither of them would change a thing or have it anyother way.

***October***

The temperature had finally begun to drop; which meant it was time to move on. Both were very eager to find a place they could get a proper warm shower and enjoy a few amenities that they had been deprived of. At the same time the farmhouse would be missed. Despite the miserable heat that had kept them camped out there for several weeks they now had some fond memories of that place. They had grown much closer during that period of time. Each had a greater appreciation for the other than they had before. They talked more than they used to while on the move.

Having earned some extra cash (well begged for and stolen) Rachel and Zack splurged a bit on a room that was maybe a slight step above what they would usually settle for plus some takeout. A nice plush bed was a most welcome sight, though to Isaac's dismay his companion flipped on the news. He knew it was important to get updates on their current situation but it aggravated the hell out of him nonetheless. Grumbling in annoyance the man ate out on the patio; then elected to shower rather than risk losing his temper upon hearing more about how he was being painted as some kind of child molester. As if he'd ever stoop so low.

Nothing particular attention grabbing was being announced...just the usual weather, and the latest celebrity gossip. Rachel had never even heard of the girl nor did she care. She was about to flip the channel for a movie when her picture from 2 years ago displayed on the screen.

"It's been a year since Rachel Gardner was kidnapped by mass serial killer Isaac Foster."

She hadn't realized how much she had begun to change just in two years. Her hair was about the same maybe slightly shorter. After watching Zack cut own hair with his knife she had attempted the same with fairly decent results. Her face was a bit thinner, she was slightly taller not to mention the other changes on her body. Her once stick shaped body was beginning to fill out into a more curvaceous form. She doubted she would ever have any exaggerated features, yet she was beginning to look less like a kid and more like a woman.

Zack had a photo too though it was almost too blurry to make out...Ray couldn't help but smile. I guess he never did learn to stay still for pictures. She recalled his fidgeting frame back on Cathy's floor when she was trying to take his mug shot.

"To this day the whereabouts of the serial killer and the missing girl are unknown. However given the circumstances, Rachel Gardner has been presumed deceased."

The rest was another interview with the same police officer she had seen on the news before. Not much they didn't already assume. They hadn't been able to connect any murders to Zack. They believed Zack to be inactive for a year. Which usually meant that the killer had been stopped by another force. This led them to believe Zack could possibly deceased; though his case would stay open for the time being.

Obviously nothing was tracked back to him since they had been half way across the country. He wasn't as famous in the areas they had been through. It was true though that Zack's killings were not particularly frequent anymore. For the most part with the help of Rachel he managed to not go crazy on people who would be noticed if they were to turn up in pieces.

His way of thinking had changed since being with her. He wasn't as reckless and better at planning. Or rather she was there to plan for him and steer them away from trouble. Sure he was still a killer. He hated people with smiles(except Ray); but since being with Rachel he had calmed down significantly. His desire to kill had become more tame. The anger that once raged through him nonstop had settled somewhat. He was far more concerned with her safety than satisfying his bloodlust.

Ray never asked him what drove him to start killing. Not that she hadn't been curious. She only knew from reading his profile on Eddie's floor that it supposedly began at an illegal orphanage.

He always seemed dodgy about his past. Then again so was she. Perhaps that's why she didn't ask because she understood that some things were just too hard to relive. It hadn't been easy to talk about her parents. Had she not had that nightmare she wouldn't have even brought it up. Perhaps he would tell her someday. She felt it was not a subject to be pushed.

Rachel changed the channel upon hearing the water in the shower turn off.

"Ray? You turn that shit off?" Zack called from the bathroom.

Zack really hated the news. Well rather he hated the way they twisted him and who he was. When it was just about his latest victim he would become amused listening to their elaborate reasoning behind his crime. Everytime they couldn't be more wrong about his motives. It was hilarious. He didn't mind hearing about that, but accusing him of hurting Ray in that way made him sick. He was a monster but he wasn't that kind of monster. To him those kinds of monsters were much much worse than he was. He had come across it many times in the back alleys. Those assholes always turned out to be so much fun to kill. Acting all powerful with a disgusting grin on their face, until he would show up. How quick they would change from their power high to squealing terrified pigs.

Zack might've let their victims go, if it wasn't for their terrified reactions. Monster. Disgusting. Once there was one who even almost looked grateful til she saw what he was, changed real quick. A look of pure disgust that he decided needed to be destroyed.

"I changed the channel, Zack." he waited for her response before emerging wearing his usual sleep attire. His wrappings and pajama pants.

"So was there anything interesting?" he asked.

"They think you killed me already and that you might be dead too but your case is staying open." she spared any details that she knew would irritate the man.

Zack grinned plopping back onto the comfy bed resting his hands behind his nape. Damn he had missed laying a bed."Well that's good. Ya can go wherever you want then."

"I guess. It will make it easier to get about. You should be able to walk around a bit more freely too. Though you will still have to be careful."

She smiled back. A genuine smile. The kind that gave him some weird feeling in his chest that he couldn't seem to identify.

"Y-yeah."

Rachel scooted back from the edge of the bed so she was laying on her back next to him. Mindlessly searching for something interesting to watch. She was still pondering what made him want to kill. She figured maybe it wouldn't hurt to just ask half of her question, then let the rest come when ever he would be okay talking about it.

"Hey, Zack?"

Her blue eyes met his gold eye which looked at her from the side.

"What's up?" he noticed her twiddling her thumbs meaning she had something on her mind.

"Well...I..I was just wondering...your profile. When I read about you living at that orphanage it stated that you had supposedly killed the proprietors? Was that true?" She felt a little bad noticing even that simple question struck a nerve from the way his face twisted.

He looked away grumbling and agitatedly scratching the back of his head. " do ya want to know about that?"

She was probably using this as an opening to more questions about his past. He knew she kind of deserved some answers since she had told him more of her fucked up past. But he wasn't ready to share that just yet. He had never told anyone...he really had no idea how that Cathy bitch seemed to know so much. Just recalling those memories made him pissed. Really fucking pissed. If he thought too much about it (which he would have to in order to share his story with Ray) there was a high possibility of him going into a killing frenzy. Not that he would mind all the killing...but it wasn't in their best interest right now.

"I was just curious. It's okay if you don't want answer." Ray laid back on her pillow closing her eyes. He was grateful she was not one to pry.

"Yeah...I killed them. Sliced em' up good while they were sleeping in their bed. Fuckers had it coming."

Ray remained on her back with her eyes closed.

"I see. Thank you for being willing to tell me."

Ray rolled to her side to snuggle up against Zack who subconsciously brought an arm around her pulling her closer. She could see a slightly haunted look in his eyes memories of that place must really bother him.

"That all you want to ask?" He really hoped she didn't want to pry any further. Just remembering those two assholes was enough to bring in a whirlwind of memories he didn't want to linger on.

"For now...yeah."

"For now?"

"Well...someday I would like to know more. But only if you decide you want to tell me. I understand having things in your past that are too hard to talk about."

He knew she did. That little fact was one of the things that had brought them closer together. His emotions and level of care for her had increased significantly once he had found out she was fucked up just like him. Probably wasn't the result peepers creepers was going for. He'd probably thought Zack would be furious at Ray for lying to him. Though in a way she didn't really...she just hadn't told him the whole truth. Admittedly he was kind of mad at first. It didn't matter though by that point he already cared too much.

Her next words, made his heart flutter.

"Whatever happened. I'm sorry, you didn't deserve any of that." Ray wrapped an arm around his torso, reinforcing her words with a hug.

Maybe that was true. No one deserved what he had been through. If people weren't so ignorant about the darkness in the world they wouldn't smile the way they did. He appreciated her telling him that. Regardless those assholes were right about one thing. He may not be a tool...but he was a monster.

No, Zack is not a monster….but he's not a god either...Zack is a human being.

Her words rang through his head along with the memory of holding her bleeding body on the verge of death. Her words were hit him so deep in ways he couldn't explain; but he still couldn't wrap his mind around it. He has always been a monster. He's proved it over and over. He's survived things no human could survive. He kills without care or remorse. His burnt appearance further solidified what to him had become fact. How Ray was able to see him as human was beyond him.

Zack reached next to Ray for the television remote shutting off the off the last remaining source of light in the room. The only sound was Rachel's light steady breathing.

The black haired man sighed closing his eyes trying to let sleep take him. He knew it wasn't gonna be a good night's sleep. He understood she had only been curious, so he didn't blame her, for the old memories that he hoped wouldn't flood into his dreams.