Neo: So sorry everyone! Way too much crap is going down. (my computer broke down and I lost my chapters.) I'm upset about the length of the chapter as much as you guys/gals. It was the best I could do. Updates will, hopefully, be more often during my time off from school. Just deal with me please.

Warnings have been posted on chapter one, go check them out if you've forgotten.

Side note: I have noted that the zombies/infected in Left4Dead do not try to eat and or bite the characters. In my story they do; I like writing cannibalism, Sorry if I forget to add this little fact. I feel it leaves a bigger impact in this universe to describe just how twisted the world has become. (Added spaces have been installed to make it easy on the eyes...)

Saving Grace chapter 3

The cold air stung her soft exposed skin making her shiver continuously. Grace wanted to go back to her closet, back to the warmth of her father's coat. With her eyes closed tight she attempted to fight off the sickening feeling building within her every time the monster took off again. The motion of flying suddenly stopped however she gave a weak cry and trembled when her feet hit the ground. Thankfully the monster steadied her so she wouldn't fall. The concerned whine from the beast startled her though. Looking around she found that they had landed in the middle of the forest surrounding her home. Feeling her stomach rumble again in hunger made her cringe. Her small hands gripped at the material covering it and she gave a soft whine of displeasure. This seemed to alert the Hunter back to his task, feeding the pup. He turned his head upward and sniffed. The more delectable prey had fled days ago, being picked off by his siblings in vast numbers along the way.

"What are you doing?" The child asked, generally curios as to what the hunter was up to. She'd seen her neighbor's dog do that once, before he ran off to chase a squirrel. At the time it had been funny because the silly dog couldn't catch the little animal. This monster though, she was sure he could grab anything he wanted. A soft growl was her reply as apparently Grace had asked to loud. She flinched slightly in fear but tried to be brave, he hadn't eaten her yet so maybe he assumed she would taste bad. That would be a relief. The infected crouched low to the ground and sprang with a screech over Grace and into a bush. Aside from her scream of terror the area was deathly quit. Some scampering was heard from where the Hunter had landed but the poor girl had curled up into a shivering little ball, not even wanting to think of what was going on. A small snap followed soon after and a thud landed in front of her.

Grace almost sobbed as she was nudged and breathed on, more sniffing. The Hunter was confused, what was wrong now? He checked her over, nudged her, but nothing but shivers ranked his pup. Oh he was so bad! He had not meant to screech but it just came out. Maybe his kill would please her, she was hungry after all. Holding the thing he had ensnared over to Grace, he released a gentle purr. After a few more nudges and a small whine Grace opened her eyes to figure out what it was. The large hand of the monster came into view, dirty clawed fingers holding a small fuzzy body. He had caught a field rat. The little animal looked crushed and broken within the Hunter's hand, the spinal cord probable mangled and the neck snapped. Tears filled her big blue eyes and she almost burst into sobs.

"W-why did y-you…" she couldn't even finish her sentence as she had started crying. Her daddy and mommy had always told her about how important life was. When her bunny had died they had explained that it was it's time to leave this world. This little rat had been killed early; it didn't have a chance to die old and happy like her bunny. The Hunter stiffened next to her. No pup crying. Did she not like his hunt, to small? He had only intended the rodent to be a snack before he could find something bigger. How could he stop her tears? He hesitantly moved his arms around her, pulling her little body against his.

The hunter wasn't sure what the jester was but his could faintly remember a similar incident. Grace despite being traumatized registered that she was being held, her own hands clung to the monster's jacket and she hide her face in the crook of his neck. The hunter purred reassuringly and slung the rat away since it had caused his pup discord, content with holding her for awhile. After awhile though a thought crossed him; curling an arm around Grace to hold her in place he attempted to crawl, that didn't work so well. He tried to figure out an easier form of moving with his pup, his less intelligent siblings and the bad smelling ones walked on two legs. The little girl having succumbed to sleep; after all she had been through a lot and had not slept peacefully in days. Shifting up slightly the Hunter tested if his curved spin could straighten for the task of walking.

Within a few difficult minutes he managed it, such an odd new perspective but he could move easier with his pup now. The Hunter cuddled Grace in a protective hold before he slowly started walking, trying to find a more secure location to think. How could he feed his pup if she had denied his offer? She was not old enough to hunt on her own - That's when it hit him, there were no infected this young. Her vary smell had thrown him through a loop several time. Grace snuggled into the Hunter, the hint of dry tears on her small innocent face. Pup special, not food. His mind kept repeating. He could never lay a claw on this child, she was his. The Hunter felt his lips turn up slightly at this. With a yelp he almost tripped over a hole. Watch feet! Snapped his thoughts, his small smile feel and he investigated the den. A few sniffs clarified that foxes had lived there, no less than a few weeks ago. Safe? Maybe… He studied the spot curiously, his pup could fit there and it would hide her sent. She wouldn't wake for a few hours possible, in that time he could find different food for her!

Neo: yep. That's chapter three! I hope I didn't mess up to terrible; my English classes have been helpful. Sorry if it's not as long, I wanted to make it longer but thought it best to just start chapter four from here. *re-types chapter four*

Hunter: *shoves Grace in hole*

Me: ...?

I hope you've all enjoyed the long awaited update~ Oh! and thank you all for the kind reviews, you make me feel wonderful with my writing.