This isn't listed in the categories but I think more people should probably give it a chance. It's inspired by the old radio dramas and is about a group of survivors trying to live in a world overrun by zombies. This started out as a recurring dream and I couldn't get it out of my head. The characters are mine and not from We're Alive. I hope you like it. All comments are welcome.

Chapter 7

I slipped into my room quietly, knowing that Aenne would have noticed my absence and most likely had pointed out where I could be found. She had been pushing the issue of seeing Gabriel as more than just a partner I could count on, wanting me to find some sense of happiness in these dark times. Using the dim bathroom light that I had forgotten to turn off earlier, I spotted the occupant in my bed. I closed the door as quietly as possible and hung my shawl on the hook on the back of my door. I walked softly towards my bed, slipping off my sandals before throwing myself onto the mattress.

"How was it?" a muffled voice asked me. I laughed quietly when she turned her head towards me, her short black hair completely covering her face and it took several swipes for her to see me. I was looking at the white feathered angel wings she had strapped onto her back.

"How was what?" I asked innocently, resting my head on my right arm and grabbing my comforter with my left.

"Oh, come on, Moll," she said, blowing her unruly hair away from her eyes. "You know very well what I'm asking you! I know you went up to the roof and I know Gabe went up to find you."

"If you know so much, then why are you even asking?" I reached over and moved more of her hair out of her face, as every time she moved, it obscured her eyes.

"I'm only guessing! Jeez, Moll, why can't you ever share like a normal person?" she whined. I laughed as she pouted and batted her eyes at me.

"Honestly, there's nothing to really share with you, Aenne. I don't know what you were expecting," I said and watched her stretch out before pushing herself up onto her arms and moving her legs under her to sit on her heels. I reached up and grabbed one of the pillows above me and placed it under my head.

"Nothing happened?" she asked, resting her hands on her hips and raising her eyebrow at me. I couldn't help but look away from her and bite my lip. "I knew it! Something did happen!" she squealed and leaned forward to move the comforter that I was trying to raise above my head.

"Nothing, it was nothing! I swear!" I laughed as she pulled the material out of my hands and moving forward to tickle me.

"You can't keep this from me, Moll," she laughed. "I will tickle you until you spill!" I managed to grab her hands, holding on as she struggled to pull away and tickle me once again. I finally shook her hands and took a deep breath, looking at her.

"Ok, fine!" I said, slowly releasing her hands. "Nothing happened, really…" I started and held me hands out to her when she made to tickle me once again. "Alright, alright-stop it! He kissed me!"

"Ah-ha!" she squealed loudly and fell beside me, wrapping her arm around my waist. I couldn't put my arm around her because of the wings she wore but she did her best not to damage them in her haste to lie at my side, looking at me expectantly. "Tell me everything!"

I stared past her, trying to put into words everything I felt since it happened, wishing I could go back to relive it and wishing it had never ended. "There really isn't much to tell, Aenne. We talked about things, here and now. We talked about the families we left behind and things we regretted the most."

"I thought Gabriel didn't have any family," she said softly, knowing that I still had a hard time discussing it.

"Not here," I said and ran my fingers through her hair. "He had a step brother in England but they lost touch once their parents died. I could never get very much out of him before. I think he regrets not staying in touch once he moved to the US. Although I kind-of got the impression that they didn't part amicably."

"I can't imagine someone not liking Gabe."

"Neither can I. He always goes out of his way to be nice to people, even when it makes him uncomfortable," I smiled, recalling how we didn't always see eye to eye.

"You weren't always so nice to him," she reminded me, poking my ribs sharply with her finger.

"I was trying to discourage him from putting himself in harm's way. It was hard enough getting people out of the cities. I couldn't imagine anyone so willing to go back in," I admitted. "It still frightens me to leave either of you alone."

"Oh Moll," she said and squeezed me. "You don't always have to worry about us."

"I know I don't, Aenne, but you're the closest thing I have to sister now."

"We'll find a way to get to her," she said. "Just you wait."

"Every time I sit on the roof, I plot ways to get back home," I sighed. "And every morning I call myself a coward for not going."

"Don't think for a minute that you're going without me," she said fiercely. "You're my family, too."

"Are you kidding? I need someone who can navigate! GPS isn't exactly working, you know!" I joked, making a face at her.

"Gabe won't exactly let you leave him behind either," she said and I looked away.

"I know," I said quietly. "It's more than I can ask either of you. To leave the safety of the Compound to go on a fool's errand…"

"Wanting to know if you family is still alive, isn't foolish, Moll," she said and I looked back at her sad eyes.

"Maybe once more time has passed and we're sure it safe to go, we can give it a shot."

I looked down at her as she shifted her weight and looked at me steadily.

"No more stalling, Moll," she said and I blinked up at her. "Is Gabriel at least a good kisser?" she asked outright.

I was glad for the low light. It hid the flush on my cheeks as I thought back to our time on the roof. The feel of his soft lips on mine…

"You have no idea," was all I would say.