Chapter Two

Early December

It had become common practise now, those able to explore would split up, scour the remains of Boston for survivors, food and water. But what few that they found were either near dead or in denial and refused to move. At the moment, fire was their only chance of survival, a slim chance but a chance nonetheless.

Peter and Olivia took the buildings near the lab, the apartments, offices. Charlie and John searched the buildings and homes further out, armed to the teeth with guns and a stack of fire lighters. Charlie had plans for a mini flamethrower. He needed aerosol cans and the long handle fire lighters. Attach the two to a gun and you've got your very own flamethrower.

Walter, Ella and Broyles remained in the lab, Broyles for their safety. Walter did his usual; pretending like nothing was different, like nothing had changed.

He went on experimenting. Since the attack, he had become extremely lucid. Rising up to the occasion, and doing everything he could to keep Ella entertained and safe. They has banded together, looking out for each other. Walter would create games and 'experiments' for Ella and Ella would tell him stories. Ella didn't like Walter's stories very much, she didn't think he told them well.

Eventually Charlie and John found a survivor.

"Okay this is Dylan. Found him wandering around about eight kilometres from here. Confused as hell. Probably in denial." Charlie stated,

A young man, followed slowly behind them. Staring at each Astrid, Walter, Olivia and Peter carefully.

Dylan was extremely agitated. He fidgeted, scratched his arms continuously and was mumbling incoherently.

Neither Olivia or Peter knew what to make of it. Everyone seemed to turn and be looking at Olivia, as if mentally saying in unison 'Do something'. She sighed in defeat. She approached the man, hands outstretched to show she meant no harm.

"Dylan? That's your name right?" she asked softly.

He looked at her, chewing his fingernails. He held out his right hand for a handshake, which Olivia took. He recoiled his hand immediately after, wrapping it around his chest. He looked around nervously. To him the lab probably looked like a torture chamber. Medical equipment everywhere, Walter's experiments...

Ella poked her small head out of the office door, hearing the commotion.

"Aunt Liv? What's wrong with that man? Why does he look so scared?" for a seven year old, she was quite smart.

"It's okay, sweetie. Charlie found him."

"Was he outside, with those creatures?"

"Yeah, they found him outside. He's seen terrible things. That's why he's scared." She said, she turned back to Dylan, "Am I right?"

He nodded. "First-first they . . . got Kate." He stuttered, trying to get the right words out "tore her up real good. Then Alex and Morgan. They were next. Sun had gone down and they were still outside. Waning food they did, Morgan always craved nut bars. Morgan said they'd be safe in the shadows, 'if you can't see them, they can't see you' as he would say. I tried to warn 'em. They liked the dark, hid in the shadows. Fire, that's what keeps 'em away."

Charlie caught on, "How'd you figure that out, Dylan?"

Dylan looked at him, "We's were running from 'em. We found a tunnel. Alex lit a stick or something so we'd see. We could see and hear them. Right next to us. But they kept away from the light. Afraid they were."

Charlie turned to Broyles. "I hope others out there figure that out too, soon, before more get hurt."

Dylan continued his story, "After Morgan and Alex, it was just me, Annie and Greg. We'd been at Alex's you see, when Boston got hit. Hadn't seen another soul since we stepped outside, till you's that is."

"What happened to Annie and Greg? You were alone when we found you?" John spoke up, having been silent throughout his story.

"'Bout 20 minutes before you came, we their nest."

"Nest?" Peter repeated, That doesn't sound too good he thought.

"Yeah, A railway tunnel. There's a hole in the road 'bout 2 kilometres from where you found me. Greg fell down that. Fell straight into the tunnel. Said there were hundreds of them creatures. And they got him. I just ran. Annie and I, we got separated. I haven't seen her since."

"Well, we're going out again tomorrow, find more food-" Olivia started, but Dylan stopped her.

"NO! You can't go out there! It's not safe!" he exploded.

"It's okay, Dylan. We know more about these creatures then you'd think."

"You go out there, is like signing your own death certificate!"

"Don't worry, Dylan." Peter said, trying to calm him. "What does Annie look like, we can try search for her. She can't have gotten far."

Dylan explained what Annie looked like. She was 16 years old, petite, red hair, and bright blue eyes.

Broyles hurried him off to the office where he could change, clean up. The office was the only privacy they could get. A lock-able door, blinds on the office windows looking out onto the lab. Olivia had gone in there once or twice, just to be alone. She told herself she wasn't going to cry, that it was the end of the world, but she was with Charlie and Peter. She was with friends. Some, out there, were alone, with strangers. But when she had found Rachel, just lying limp on the ground, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Peter had been there, to hold her while she cried, Charlie had been supportive. He still didn't know what had happened to Sonia. But not knowing was better than knowing she was dead. Olivia had convinced herself that Rachel was strong enough to survive, that she was alive out there somewhere.

When Dylan exited, he was cleaned, the dirt and mud wiped off. He suddenly looked 10 years younger.

"Dylan, how old are you?" Olivia asked curiously.

"17." Came the reply.

Dylan certainly didn't look 17. His clothes were torn, rags now. His skin broken, and dried blood surrounding wounds. He was mud-covered and dirt-smeared.

No teenager should go through what he had. They shouldn't have to be fearing for their lives every day. Not have to worry they'll be killed every time they step outside. Teenagers should be focused on studies, friends and their family.

Charlie's eyes focused outside the window.

The sun was setting. As Boston became dark once more, the silent air of the day became filled with the howling of the creatures and the bloodcurdling screams of survivors-no-more as the creatures emerged from their slumber in search of food.

The creatures had attacked the lab once before, but deeming it impenetrable, they moved on to easier targets. People roaming around outside.

Olivia and Peter could only wondered, 'how long', until there was no one else left outside, and they'd return. They both knew the lab doors would only hold for so long.

As everyone settled down for the night, Broyles making another bed out of blankets and the remains of a mattress John had found and broke back, Dylan slept peacefully. Ella was on the couch in the office, as usual. Walter was on the mattress next to the tank. Astrid had slumped over on her desk, book in hand. Broyles, Charlie, John, Peter and Olivia took turns, doing 4 hour shifts, basically keeping an eye on the conditions outside, creatures nearby, and making sure the door was locked.

It was Peter's turn. Other than the light snoring of Charlie and Broyles, and Walter's random sleep-talk, it was dead silent.

Eerie.

Peter sat on the floor, against the one of the walls that formed the office. Ella, and Olivia slept inside, Astrid would occasionally, but she found it easier being near Walter in case he decided to take one of his midnight strolls.

Peter faced one of the barred windows. Looking out, he could see the faint outlines of 2 creatures wondering around, the moon's light barely showing through the thick black clouds.

He heard the office door opening, barely a sound until it closed again.

Olivia came up behind him, sitting down beside him.

"Hey, couldn't sleep?" he asked softly.

"Yeah. I could hear them. They're closer tonight?"

"I've seen six walk past outside." Peter explained. He had placed the assault rifle on the floor, leaning against the wall. He suddenly felt vulnerable, unprotected.

Olivia wore what she had been for the past 3 days. Dark blue jeans, mud covered and torn, a blue t-shirt, that too was dirty and torn and her leather jacket. That was dirty, but its black colour making any dirt near-invisible.

Peter was no better. His jeans were ripped to shreds; they probably didn't even count as jeans anymore. His long-sleeved shirt was dirty, torn and clung to his body, his sweat sticking and making the dried out mud more uncomfortable. The temperature inside the lab only seemed to go higher and higher, but the fire was only used till morning, unless it was a cold day. But Peter always felt claustrophobic, especially when it was a small space, with 10 other people, 11 including himself. Sure, they were all his friends, but he didn't want to have to spend every single day for the rest of his life with them.

Olivia rested her head on his shoulder, Peter wrapping his arm around her, pulling her closer.

"We're not gonna survive this, are we?"

"What'd you mean?" he asked, smiling, "We got Walter creating god knows what, if we're lucky one of his experiments may get loose and kill 'em all."

Olivia laughed at the thought.

"And we got Mr. Trigger-happy over there." Peter pointed at a sleeping John.

"And then there's Broyles and Charlie. They'd die before letting you, Astrid or Ella get hurt." He rested his head on hers. His hand gently brushing her cheek. "We are going to be fine, Liv."

Peter used his thumb to tilt her chin upwards, their faces no inches apart. "Don't you dare give up on me, Olivia Dunham." He leaned towards her, his lips brushing ever so lightly against hers.

She was still shock when he pulled away, but she couldn't have that. She followed after him, pulling him into her with a fiery passion. Her hands running through his hair, his hands holding her closer.

They pulled apart when the soft voice of Ella from inside the office interrupted them.

"Aunt Liv?"

"Yeah sweetie, I'm just outside."

Olivia turned back to Peter, giving him one last kiss before returning to the office to Ella.

Peter settled against the wall again. Had he really kissed her? But she didn't freak out, she didn't hide away. He smiled at himself. He had kissed her.

He could hear Olivia's soft voice, singing to Ella.

Peter felt his eyes start to close, sleep trying to overpower him. Her voice was so calming, her singing so sleepy. He forced himself to stay awake, pinching himself. But his mind raced over everything that had just happened.

It was going to a long night.

A/N: okay so I managed to get time to update this fanfic and my other 'In Your Head'. Hope they're alright cos they were rushed during a free time period. If my exams go well tomorrow, I may be able to do another. No promises though