Chapter Twelve

Last One Standing

"Guys! We gotta go!" I said as everyone rushed back from their supply run.

"We got everything?" I asked Luke as he nodded.

"Alright. Everyone know the plan?"

They all nodded in unison. "Parker's Run."

I smiled. "Alright, if any of you get separated, that's where we're going. Let's move!"

Nick held onto my hand as we began to run. We heard an alarm go off, which meant Carver now knew of our plan. We got into the forest easily enough, but after that there were so many walkers. "Fuck!" I muttered as I shoved a walker off of me, stabbing it in the head. Once we had fought them off, we knew we couldn't stop running.

"C'mon." Nick said as he pulled on my arm.

As we ran, Reggie fell. I could hear Carver gaining on us but I wouldn't leave anyone behind. Nick stopped me, grabbing my arm and pulling me along. "Nick! We gotta help him!"

"I won't let you get yourself killed!" Nick replied as he tugged me along. I felt so angry at him. We began to run again for what felt like miles, before coming across Parker's Run. Once we were safe inside, I glared at Nick.

"I could've saved him!" I narrowed my eyes at Nick who had his arms folded over his chest. "You would've gotten yourself killed! I wasn't gonna risk that!"

"That wasn't your decision!" I screamed, feeling my anger boil in me as I thought of all the terrible things that could happen to Reggie.

"The hell it wasn't!" Nick yelled, glaring at me.

"I'm not fucking dealing with this right now." I mumbled as I pushed past him, walking until I was out of sight of the others.

"You okay?" I jumped slightly when I heard Luke's voice from behind me.

I nodded. "Yeah, I just wish Nick wouldn't treat me like a kid."

"What you did back there was brave, not everyone would've tried to go back for him." Luke said as he stood beside me. I smiled slightly. "Thanks."

"I wish Bonnie was here." I said quietly as I held my arm.

"I tried to convince her to come... I'm sorry I couldn't get her to." Luke sounded guilty but I just shook my head. "It was her decision, Luke."

It was silent for a moment before I took a deep breath. "I never told you the real reason I wanted to leave camp..." I said quietly as I stared out in the distance. "On the run with Carver, we came across a group. He shot the leader, and then there were only three left. Carver... He made me choose between my own life and three other innocent lives..."

"Tasha..."

"I killed three people to survive." I said quietly as I took a deep breath.

Luke wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my body tight against his. "I'm so sorry." He whispered, holding me tighter, slowly, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close.

Luke held me tighter as I felt my heart slowly begin to beat faster. Were Luke's hugs always this warm and comfortable? It was like hugging a teddybear. I could hear his heartbeat, and I could feel a blush creep on to my cheeks when I realized his heart was beating faster too.

"Ahem."

I pulled back from Luke enough to see a very pissed off Nick standing next to Pete, glaring at us. Pete had a questionable look on his face, before it quickly turned into a look of disappointment. Nick grabbed my hand, practically snatching me away from Luke in a millisecond. My heart dropped. How could I let myself get caught up in the moment like that? It was just a hug. Luke was my friend, nothing more. I wrapped my arm around Nick's slowly as we began to walk to the others. I could feel Nick's anger radiating off of him, but he slowly began to calm down as he held me closer.

I felt terrible. The look Pete had given me was almost the same look Kenny had given me when he found out I was dating Ben.

"You're dating that shitbird Ben?" Kenny asked as I sat in a lawn chair, watching over Clem and Duck.

"He's a really nice guy when you get to know him." I told Kenny as he folded his arms over his chest. "He ain't good enough for you! All that boy does is mess up!"

Lee walked over, a smile on his face. "What's going on here?"

"Tasha has forgotten to tell us that she's apparently dating Ben, now." Kenny said, an almost sarcastic tone to his voice.

Lee stared at me. "Really, Ben?"

I rolled my eyes. "Stop with the stern looks, you two. I've known Ben my entire life, and sure he messes up, but we all mess up. I love him."

I held into Nick's arm tighter as I blinked quickly to keep the tears from falling down my face. "I love you." I whispered to him as we sat down with the others. Luke, thankfully, sat as far away from me as he could, with Pete next to him.

"What exactly is your guys' plan?" Carlos asked me and Luke as he sat down next to Sarah.

"Well," I started, "I think we should stay here until tomorrow, and after that go out and search for someplace to call home, hopefully there's a cabin or something nearby."

"We shouldn't travel at night." Luke added, staring up at the beading sun. "There's more walkers now than ever."

I nodded in agreement. "He's right. Coming from someone who spent a majority of the past year out in the forest at night, it's hell. At first light tomorrow morning we'll leave. Is everyone cool with that?" I asked as I looked around at everyone. They all nodded before standing up to go to our blankets and pillows.

Luke walked up to me and Nick as we were getting settled into our new sleeping arrangement. Nick glared at Luke for a moment but Luke looked at him apologetically.

"Who's taking first watch today?" It was so strange to sleep during the day, but we all had ran for so long, our legs would give out if we didn't rest.

"Pete and I are gonna take first watch. Alvin and Carlos are gonna spell us afterwards."

I nodded. "Okay..." I sighed as Luke walked away, a frown on his face. Nick stared at me, a blank expression on his face.

"Oh, by all means, go after him."

"I don't want him." I told Nick honestly as I laid down beside him, resting my head on his chest. "I love you, Nick. I need you. Why can't you believe that?"

Nick tentatively wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tight against him. "I'm afraid." He said honestly, his voice a low whisper. "Of what?"

"Losing you... Luke's better than me, in a lot of ways."

I sighed, shaking my head. "No, Nick! He isn't better than you! You are perfect! Please stop comparing yourself to Luke, hun." I leaned myself up on my elbows to stare at him. Nick looked exhausted, but he looked so afraid I was taken aback. I grabbed onto his face gently, looking deeply into his bright blue eyes. "I'm yours, Nick. I will always be yours. I'm in love with you."

Nick wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me down against him. "I love the hell outta you, you know that?" I nodded, yawning softly against his soft chest. "Good, do ya need a reminider of how much I can be a man when it comes to you?"

A/N:

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry this is so short, but I have chapter thirteen ready to upload... TOMORROW! :D please remember to leave a review!

skorpiee : lol :3 I know, right? I hope you enjoy this chapter'

Tess Carver: maaaaaaaybe ;3 hehehehe
I'm glad you likes it! I hope you like this chapter!

MandyTWDG : :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter!