3 Days Later

Shaylin POV

I'll admit, it was a beautiful sunny day. But standing at the end of a gravel path in a cemetery seems to block all good thoughts with pain and sadness. The cool breeze blew around us and almost bent the flowers that stuck together in my tight grip. When I pictured this day we were all in out late eighties and I was the one locked up in the ground.

The sun brightened and blinded me, forcing my eyes to adjust. I guess that's Miley's way of telling me to look at the situation from a different perspective. But how can I? After all, she wasn't killed...she was murdered. Every single person that died in that hell was murdered by Umbrella. Sure it's all over and done, but I can't help but wish it was me instead of her...

I took one last smell of the roses before sitting them down in front of the cut stone. The shape was like the tip of a flower petal, which fit Miley perfectly to me. Raising my hands I traced the words carved into the rock.

Miley

A dear friend and daughter.

"The fight may be over,

but the memories will

always remain."

Oct 2, 1983 - Sept 30 1998

"Today would have been her sixteenth birthday." Timmy whispered. Nodding, I adjusted the flowers to lead against the stone.

"She fought the infection...right up till the end." I muttered taking a seat on the freshly poured soil, then sighed. "But there is one thing I don't understand, why didn't she turn?"

"We were almost out of the tunnel...and she began to cough and get sick. That's when she told me a zombie had bit her next to the tear in her shoulder. That's when she told me...she let herself get infected on purpose." My gaze jerked up and met his, eyes tearing up. "Why?"

"Her parents worked in the same field as your mother. They were doing these experiments for years, and when they needed a human test subject they looked to the workers for volunteers... It doesn't get any more obvious on what her parents did than that." He explained sadly. "They promised the Five year old Miley so many things, only to disappoint her in the end. She wanted to use it to help people and when the outbreak occurred she thought it would help protect you and me, getting us out of there faster. It stopped her from turning...hell, it even kept the virus from spreading for a while. I gave her the antidote that it made in the lab but it only killed the virus, leaving the damage it had done inside and out of her body unfixed."

Claire sighed, "Guys... I hate to say this right now but, I am leaving soon."

I jumped up, "What, why?" She placed a hand on my shoulder. "My brother is still missing, so, I am leaving you guys the place I was staying at while in college. It's small, but it's connected to all the campuses in the area so I rented it for a year at a time on a special deal through the school. There is still six months left on it, you are welcome to stay there."

Timmy shook his head, then sighed. "Well, I hope you find him. And if you get into trouble just contact us." She laughed.

"Can you handle it?" Timmy smiled brightly.

"Psshhh! Lady, we survived Raccoon City."

"Oh yeah. Sorry forgot about that one." She teased, then turned to leave, "I'll be waiting by the motorcycle."

Timmy nodded and waved her off, then sat down on the ground under the shade of a big tree next to the trail. Patting the spot next to him, her motioned for me to sit. Sitting down I sighed and leaned on his shoulder. He looked at me and sucked in a breath.

"So...Jake?"

"Died back in the train depot. This monster had followed us and he was able to save me even though he had transformed." He tilted his head to the side, "If you don't mind me asking, how bad was it?"

I shifted my gaze to the ground, "When Ada and I turned around to see, he was unrecognizable. The body was all distorted and torn with strings of flesh and muscle...honestly, it hurt to see it."

"Shay, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you and Miley so much pain. I was telling you to be careful when it was I who should've been careful." He took my hand. "And I am sorry I let Jake get to me. He seemed to really like you."

I smiled, "Yeah, he loved me. And he risked his life to save me...all of us! We had a connection-"

"And when you have that, age doesn't matter. I get it-"

"And he was my father after all." I added, Timmy nodded then after processing the full sentence he froze.

Laughter escaped my lips and I patted him on the shoulder. Yet, he still sat there frozen, eyes wide, and speechless. All signs of breathing seemed to stop, which made me laugh even harder. I've never gotten him this good. But to be honest, I think I killed him.

"Ugh...Timmy-"

"So... Jake is your father?"

I nodded.

"Not your boyfriend?"

"Definitely not."

"I'm stupid." He said giving himself a facepalm, clearly embarrassed. I laughed and nodded, "Yeah." "Hey!" He yelled, then leaned in to tickle me. I shoved him away and ran towards Claire.

"Shotgun!" I yelled, getting on the motorcycle behind her. Timmy gasped, "But that's not how it works with motorcycles! And you got it last time, I don't want to be in the cart!"

"You just want to sit behind Claire." I accused with a giggle.

"D-do not!" He stammered and I smiled evilly at him, crossing my arms. "Prove it."

And with that he slumped his shoulders and into the passenger cart. Taking one last look at me he tried to win my sympathy- total fail by the way. Handing him the helmet I strapped mine on. Claire put hers on and started the motor. Once, she told me that she usually didn't wear helmets. I guess she's trying to set a good example. Kicking the stand up we road down the path. I took one last look at Miley's grave giving it a silent goodbye. The turned leaves fell around us as we rode off like confetti.

This past week I've learned a thing or two.

Through our lives we face certain tasks. People come into our lives that we wish we had or hadn't met and it's our choice whether we stop or move on leaving the mistakes behind us. I used to ask, "How do we know who to trust...or what path to take?" But know I understand that's the thing, we don't. All we can do I try our best to do the right thing and hope for the best.

The journey we took was a life changing experience. I don't wish to experience it again, but I will value it. Miley's death will forever be in my memories till the day I die...just as I will always remember the Miley a week ago, the Miley a month ago, the Miley I know when we were kids.

Its okay to get upset more and let people know what's on your mind. They may not like it, but you can't control that and they will soon learn it too. If I hadn't of left, we never would've met Jake and found a way out of there. I can finally breath and say,

Just be yourself.

I looked up towards the mountains and saw a dark wall of storm clouds coming our way. The wind picked up as we turned on the main road that lead straight towards it. The darkness was cold and sent a warning that only those in the sky could interpret. Miley's voice rang through the wind past me.

"Take the light in while you can... It's not over yet."