I don't know if you know this, but every review means a lot to me. So, I'm glad you guys really like this. And now, the next chapter.


"That was nice of you," Abed said when Jeff stepped out of the boarded off room.

"You heard all of that," Jeff asked, "what were you doing here?"

"I just heard you two singing and what happened after," Abed said, "Troy said I should check up on you. Make sure you didn't get bitten."

"What would you have done if I didn't follow through and got bitten?"

"Run."

Jeff looked to the floor, "They're waiting for us."

Abed gave him a nod and led the way back to the group who were gathered around a small fire. The three of them looked up, waiting for Abed or Jeff to speak.

"She's gone," Jeff answered, plopping himself down between Annie and Troy.

Shirley cradled Ben in her arms, quietly humming a tune to him. Jeff was sure it was Amazing Grace.

"We should give her a proper burial," Abed suggested, "like we did with Pierce."

"Of course," Jeff said, "we'll do that early tomorrow. Then we pack up and get going."

"Even after this we're still sticking to the plan," Annie asked.

"Yes, we are," Jeff turned to her, "Britta would want us to stick to it."

"I'm not sure-"

"We lost Pierce before we even came up with the plan," Jeff reminded her, "staying in one place isn't going to help us."

"Moving from place to place hasn't been helping either."

"There's nothing else we can do. If you have a better plan, then let us know."

"I'm sorry Jeff, but I don't feel right burying her here and then leaving. She should be buried in Greendale with Pierce."

"We're not going back to Greendale and we're especially not traveling for hours with a dead body."

"Why not?"

"Well one, it's unsanitary and the smell would be awful. Two, we're not going back until it's safe."

"You think it's safe here or anywhere else," Annie stood up, frustrated, "this plan is stupid and I'm not having any part of it."

She began marching toward the exit, not turning back.

"Annie, wait," Troy called out to her.

"I have my gun," Annie called back, "I'm not completely stupid like some people!"

Jeff sighed, turning to see Abed, Troy, and Shirley looking to him.

"You better get her before she gets hurt," Shirley said, scowling.

"She doesn't want to see me," Jeff said.

"I don't care," Shirley said, "you get her or I'll lock you out there tonight."

"You wouldn't."

"Are you sure you want to try me right now? Go."

Jeff frowned, picking up his machete before he followed Annie's path out the door. He found her outside, leaning against the wall and looking straight ahead.

"Don't come any closer," Annie raised her gun as she saw Jeff out of the corner of her eye, pointing it at him, "I heard Shirley send you out here. I'm completely capable of taking care of myself. I don't need you for that."

"I know that," Jeff kept his distance.

"Ha, finally something you know," Annie lowered the gun.

"What happened to you? What happened to sweet, optimistic Annie?"

"What happened to cynical, uncaring Jeff? You've gone soft."

"I asked first."

"The world ended, Jeff. I need to be this to survive. You can't survive being sweet and optimistic. I refuse to have what happened to Britta to happen to me."

"I want to hold on to the off-chance that a cure will discovered or that this dies out naturally. I like having hope."

Annie's eyes flicked over to him, "Hope? You still have hope?"

"I do. It's odd, but it's nice to have it."

"If only hope killed rotten ones."

"Annie, this isn't you."

"Well, you aren't you either."

"Just because you want to survive, it doesn't mean to lose who you are. Don't be like this, it doesn't make you any better than the rotten ones."

Annie bit her lip and considered this.

"You know what Britta said to me one time in a drunken stupor?"

Annie raised a brow.

"Don't ask, but she said that you were a beacon of light. I was confused, but I think she meant that. That she admired you and I don't think she would want that light to be extinguished."

Annie gave him a slight smile, "Then I won't let that light be extinguished."

"There's the Annie I know," Jeff returned the smile.

"Thanks Jeff and I'm sorry I called you stupid."

"You were upset and mourning, it's understandable. Let's head back in, it's almost lights out and I'm first on watch."

Annie shook her head, "I'll take first watch. After what you had to do, you might need rest."

"After that, I'm not going to sleep well," Jeff chuckled humorlessly.

"We'll both do watch then. I'll keep you company."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Come on, the others will think rotten ones got to us," Jeff stuck out his arm, "Milady."

Annie hooked her arm around his, "Milord."