Melissa eventually came back to her normal state; but in her eyes I could see she was different. His death had changed her.

"Was he close to you?" I asked as I awkwardly stood by her while she wiped her tears. It was a stupid question, as soon as I said it I wanted to take back the words.

She didn't answer for a while, but when she finally did, her voice was low and almost unrecognisable.

"We were. He proposed to me a while back, but he was unfaithful soon after.

I didn't want to forgive him, but then the world turned around and we only had each other. He treated me like dirt, acted as if he owned me. He was little shit, a bloody bastard. I don't think I had ever hated someone so much before."

I sat down next to her and carefully took her knife out of her hands. She was covered in dark blood, it was caked on her glasses.

"Why didn't you leave him?" I asked, as I tried to wipe her face with my top.

"I didn't have a choice, it was better then being solo out in the woods, constantly running for my life." Her eyes were getting cloudy. I could see she was trying to fight back the tears.

I took her glasses off and cleared the blood off.

"Thanks kid." She smiled.

We sat there a while, until she said we have to go back. I helped her up and together we walked back to the cars.

"Where the hell have you been?" Carter yelled as we jumped back into the vehicle.

Melissa remained quiet and looked like she was struggling to get the words out.

I spoke for her.

"Benjamin is dead, he turned and we had to kill him. Quinn is still out there, we couldn't find him. I think we should stay just a tad longer then leave if there isn't any sign of him."

Carter shock his head and answered,

"Nope kid, we aren't leavin' without him"

Frustrated, I got out the car and circled it four or five times. It was still dark, but the sky was getting just a tiny bit lighter and the moon was lower then it was last time I noticed it.

Suddenly the car door opened and Roselyn climbed out. She shut it behind her, then walked over to me.

"Hey" She murmured. I could see she was shaking, her arms were tightly wound around her body. She kept still as she watched the sky.

"Hey." I replied stupidly.

She looked around and blew out a sigh.

"He will be back, I know he will. He has to come back." She told me reassuringly.

I didn't know if I believed her or not, but I decided to keep my thoughts quiet.

"What's that?" She pointed to a cluster of trees in the distance. First I didn't see what she was looking at, then it came to me like a foggy distant memory.

Two little girls, each holding hands with the other. They seemed to be alone. One had curly brown hair and was wearing a dress that was torn and dirty. The other with blond straight hair and looked a lot older.

They came towards us slowly and carelessly, as if they both knew who we were.

Roselyn gasped as they got closer. One had a scar on her cheek, it ran from her ear to her chin, ruining her completely flawless face.

"Are you with Quinn?" One spoke.

I noodled my head and kneeled down.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"There."

They pointed to the trees, where a shadow was moving. Out from the shrubbery he appeared, a gun in one hand, a bag in the other. He started running to the girls, and fell to the floor near them, dropping his bag. They gave him a tight hug as if he was their father.

"Quinn?" Roselyn yelled, "where the hell were you?"

He stood up and picked up his bag.

"I went to find Benjamin, but he was nowhere to be seen. I then came across a cabin. Inside there were these two huddled under a table. I guided them back here, but then a undead appeared. I told them to run ahead, while I took it out."

"Benjamin is dead." I told him

He ran his hand through his hair and looked down to the kids.

"Okay." The word was all he needed.

After Melissa took the girls to her car and we carried on our journey.

We finally found our way. Taking a sandy route past shops and houses, we managed to get onto a clear road to the land's end.

The sky was clearing up and the newly up sunrise glowed, helping us on our path. When we reached our destination, Quinn parked outside a large house by the sea front. The beach had the occasional undead walking it, but apart from that it was suspiciously quiet.

For a while we sat and watched the sea move peacefully on the golden sand.

"Wow, how I have missed the beach." Carter whispered in awe.

"Damn, I need to pee." Kamesh groaned before he got out the car.

Mona winced as she pulled herself out the seat.

"You okay?" I asked.

She nodded but didn't speak a word. She had been soundless for the whole journey and hadn't shown any emotion when we discussed Benjamin's death.

We all started getting out the car and stretching our legs.

I hated long journeys, I always felt so exhausted afterwards.

"Hey kid, can you help me search the house." Quinn shouted out from the other side of the car.

"Yeah, sure"

I pulled my bag out from the back and searched through. I no longer had any spare ammo, but I did have a few guns that were already fully loaded. Pulling out a assault rifle, I followed Carter and Quinn into the house.

It was huge, made of stone and had at least fifty windows. Whoever this place belonged to had a lot of money.

Carter kicked the door open to get us through.

Inside it looked extremely empty. Our footsteps echoed through out the long hall and tall receptions. A large sign told us it was a hotel.

We searched each room, but nothing but dusty furniture met our eyes. It was completely inhabit-less. All except the kitchen, which was full of about six undead. One by one we shot them down, each dropping onto the hard tile floor. Quinn later carried them out the back door.

"Well this place will do. Unload all the bags, we are going to move in. Check windows aren't broken and nothing is open except the front door." Carter order before he left.

I was left to search round the house once more. Walking round the hotel twice, I only found one broken window. Making a mental note to block it up, I then left the house to help the moving.

"Isaac, have you seen Mona?" Roselyn asked as I turned the tap off after checking it for water.

Her fingers were twitching again.

"No I haven't."

She grabbed my hand and pulled on it,

"Help me find her. Please Isaac?"

Even when I agreed to, she refused to let my hand go.

I guided her out of the house and onto the beach, where we kept low, hoping that the undead wouldn't spot us.

We searched down the beach and in empty huts. She was nowhere to be seen.

"When did you last see her?" I asked as we looked behind the public toilet block.

"Walking on the beach. I wanted to walk with her to keep her safe, but she freaked out and told me to stay away."

"Maybe she is on the other side of the beach" I suggested

She smiled and thanked me for helping.

We changed direction and walked silently on the sand.

In the distance we spotted something, a body on the ground. Covered in blood and surrounded by undead. As we moved closer, the baby's bump became more obvious. It was Mona.

In her hand which was lying on the sand, held a knife.

"Bloody hell" I moaned as the undead dived deeper into her open stomach.

The knife was dripping with blood, her hands were covered with it. It was obvious, she had committed suicide

Roselyn stood paralysed. First, she didn't make a noise. Then she begun to cry.

Her sister and the baby were gone.

"Stay Close" is now up and ready to read! Thank you for reading!