Fred heard the gravel underneath his feet crunch as he lead the way. Velma following close behind him, walking in an awkward hunched position and occasionally grabbing onto Fred's shoulder to regain her balance.

Daphne was plodding along behind the two of them, looking around with a great big smile on her face.

They highway they were on was beautiful. It wound through mountains that were powdered with a thin layer of snow. But the sun also bore down on them perfectly, so the could enjoy a crisp January breeze without the cold truly chilling them.

But, Fred wasn't really intent on the stunning views... well not those views anyway. He looked over his shoulder to Daphne. Her gaze was up at a flock of geese, flying in 'V' formation across the clear blue sky.

Daphne looked down and caught Fred staring at her, "isn't this beautiful Freddie?" She beamed, before turning upwards once more.

Fred didn't look up at the sky, instead he focused on his stunning red-headed girlfriend, "yeah," he beamed, "beautiful."

It had been five days since that night at the rest stop. Each day, bit by bit, Velma got a bit better. But, each day, a knot in Fred's gut grew larger.

He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened that night: the fear he felt when he realized where he really was— He hadn't really considered the possibility that he, or Daphne, could die in the wilds.

Sure it crossed his mind. He'd known the wilderness was dangerous, and he knew what a zombie bite would do to a person. But when Velma had been clawed down, the reality of it sunk in.

They could die out here.

Fred swallowed a lump in his throat. He had to die eventually, he supposed it was just the order of things. But, he couldn't, not yet. There was something he needed to do first.

—

Night had fallen over the thin country back road they'd found themselves on. They were lost. Took a wrong turn two exits early and found themselves wandering a one-lane street lined with wilting overgrown cornfields.

It had been five days now since their unfortunate stay in the rest stop. And as Velma held her map up close to her face, she favored her left side and limped a bit, but otherwise stood steady. "it shouldn't be too hard to get back on track." She mused, "a few extra miles at most."

Fred sighed with relief, both at the sight of his friends improvement and for the ease with which they could correct their mistake.

"Well that's great news," He clapped his hands together matter-of-factly, "how about we find a car and settle in for the night?"

Cars— the gang had discovered— were their best option for shelter. Especially on a highway.

Daphne squinted down the horizon, "I think I see one up ahead!"

"Great" Velma nodded, "let's head towards it... pick up any sticks you see for the fire. I'd help but..." Velma didn't need to say anymore, they all knew she'd probably topple over if she even tried to bend down.

Daphne leaned over, scooping some twigs into her arms with a flourish, "sure grandma," she snarked.

Velma gasped melodramatically, "how dare you!" She snickered, "Respect your elders young lady!"

Fred came up behind both of them, and rested his arm on top of Velma's head, smirking, "y'know I've heard of old people shrinking but this is a little ridiculous!"

"Ugh!" Velma huffed, she wasn't even that short... anymore. She shook her head, maintaining a feigned annoyance, "whatever, c'mon or we'll be zombie chow!"

The car was a small sedan, with just enough room for Daphne and Velma in front while Fred lounged across the three connected seats in the back. They made quick work of breaking the driver's seat window and unlocking the doors. Velma had offered to take the first watch of the night. As Fred lay on his back in the second row, he could hear her piling twigs together for a fire.

He rolled to his side, and saw Daphne already asleep, her face perfectly relaxed and her chest rising and falling gently. He smiled at her, rolling back over he noticed something through the open roof window. Shooting stars. Hundreds of them. Cascading across the perfect black of the night sky.

He sat up slowly, silently swinging open the door, and stepped out for a better look. Fred saw Velma kneeling over the fire, lighter in hand, muttering to herself in frustration.

Fred strode up besides her, "look Velma," he almost whispered, pointing up at the sky.

Velma jumped a little at Fred's sudden presence behind her, but said nothing as she turned her eyes to the sky, "Jinkies!"

"I know right?" Grinned Fred, sitting cross legged besides Velma, "I've never seen anything like this before."

"It's probably because of the decreased light pollution." Velma noted, "less humans, less light, more stars."

"It's great for wishes too," Fred said dreamily, his gaze still fixed to the stunning display above him, "make a wish Velm!"

Velma scoffed quietly, tucking a stray strand of hair back into place, "as gorgeous as it is Fred, I don't believe that—"

"Oh c'mon Velma," Fred sighed, "one wish, just to humor me? I'll make one too."

Velma rolled her eyes, but a small smile crept onto her lips, "fine," she caved, "I wish that—"

"wait!" Fred whisper-shouted, "you can't say it out loud or it won't come true."

"It's not gonna come true regardless, Fred."

"Maybe it will," Fred shrugged.

Velma looked up again at the sky, before closing her eyes. Fred did the same. As he closed his eyes the world around him disappeared. He may as well have been floating in an inky void. In that moment there was only one thing, one thought in his head. Daphne.

I wish to marry Daphne. Fred thought. Silently hoping that some great silent force was listening. That some benevolent entity had jotted down his wish and was working on making it come true.

He opened his eyes and saw Velma, once again hard at work with the lighter and the pile of twigs.

"What did you wish for?" Fred asked, unable to hold back childish curiosity.

Velma raised an eyebrow, "I thought telling meant it wouldn't work?"

Fred crossed his arms smugly, "and I thought you didn't believe in wishes."

Velma sighed, fidgeting with the lighter that had yet to produce a flame, "I wished that this goddamn lighter would do its job and—"

Before she could finish her sentence, she pulled her thumb down on the tab one last time, and a flame sprung up from the tip. Velma paused, looking awestruck for a moment then quickly shook it off and finally set the pile of wood ablaze.

"Coincidence" she grumbled as she fanned the flames.

"Sure it was." Fred laughed.

"Fine!" She huffed, "what was your wish?"

"I can't tell you."

"Whatever."

Their conversation lulled for a bit, Velma counting her remaining bullets (six in the gun, just eight left in the carton.) Fred just leaning against the cool metal of the sedan and marveling up at the meteor shower. They stayed there for while, in their still silence. Until finally Fred spoke.

"I think I'm gonna propose."

Velma froze in her tracks, and look up at Fred, confused, "out here? But—"

"Look Velm," Fred sighed, "I may not like it, but Daph and I are out here now. We left the sanctuaries. That's it. And honestly it still boggles my mind that we've made it this far."

Velma tapped her fingers on the asphalt, staying quiet.

"I dunno..." Fred continued, "I just figure if I die out here, with Daph as my wife, then at least I can die a happy man."

Velma slumped down, "I'm sorry." She whispered, brushing her hair back from her face.

"For what?"

She looked up at Fred, her mouth agape but words failing her. She stared at him like that for a few solemn moments before suddenly turning away and snatching her map. She turned so the fire could cast more light onto it, and traced her finger across the area vaguely surrounding where they were camped.

Finally she landed on something, "Theres a town en-route. We'll hit in about four days. We can stop there if you want."

Fred looked confused, "why?"

"To get Daphne an engagement ring, why else?" She'd voice quivered slightly but Fred brushed it off. A smile bloomed on his face.

"Yeah," he said looking up once more as the last comets streaked by, "good idea Velm."

—

Heyo! Happy Tuesday you wonderful wonderful people. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and as always let me know with a review if you did (or didn't! Helps me out either way.) But that's not all! I have an announcement: we have another Friday bonus chapter incoming! Whoop! So yeah I'll see y'all on Frida. Have a great week until then! :)