After what seemed like years, Dr. Myers was able to pry Five from Sam's arms, insisting that the runner was in major need of medical assistance. It was only after she told Sam that she had to check for zombie bites and shock that Sam reluctantly lifted Five up from the ground.

"Sam, you need to go back to the comms," Dr. Myers said seriously, helping to hold Five up. "Your shift isn't over yet, and no one is tracking the hordes."

"Sam… no…" Five mumbled, her limbs shaking in fatigue.

The radio operator hesitated, not wanting to leave her side. "Five, I—I have to go…"

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Sam," Jack said quietly. "Eugene and I can take it from here. You go ahead."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Go on."

The Abel citizens stared as Sam helped Dr. Myers transport Five to the hospital. Some were muttering to each other under their breaths, and he cringed inwardly. Five's dramatic entrance into Abel had been witnessed by the majority of the township, and he knew eyebrows had risen as she flung herself into his arms.

Ignoring the whispers, Sam determinedly stared ahead toward the hospital, gripping Five tightly on the other side of Dr. Myers.

"I'm sorry…" she said quietly. "I'm sorry I got lost. Made trouble. Didn't mean to."

"Don't apologize, Five," Dr. Myers said firmly. "It was no fault of yours."

Five's face was fraught with anxiety as they entered the hospital. She struggled to speak, and Sam noticed dark circles under her eyes.

"Just stay quiet now," the doctor murmured, guiding Five to a bed. "You need to rest."

She gave Five a strong sedative, and the runner was soon asleep.

Sam retreated from the hospital room at Dr. Myers's bidding, pacing worriedly outside in the hall. He hadn't noticed any badly torn flesh when Five had collapsed in his lap, but, then again, he hadn't really been paying attention. If the doctor found any bites… Sam was unable to bear the thought of what would happen afterward.

Finally, finally, Dr. Myers appeared at the door.

"She's not…" he stuttered. "She hasn't—we don't have to—"

"No bites," the doctor confirmed. "Don't worry, Sam. She's just exhausted and tore up a calf muscle. She'll have to take a rest from running for a bit."

"Can I see her?"

Dr. Myers relented, allowing Sam back inside the room. He approached the bed and sat down beside Five, gazing at her sleeping form. He sighed, placing his head in his hands.

"I… I thought we'd lost her."

"So did half of Abel." Dr. Myers tidied the hospital room, wiping her hands on a towel. "She's lucky she made it back." She finished cleaning and looked steadily at Sam. "You were really worried about her, weren't you?"

Sam cleared his throat. "No—no more than anyone else. Keeping the runners safe is my job."

"Mmm."

Sam and Dr. Myers were silent for a while, the only audible sounds Five's deep breathing and the clatter of bottles as the doctor prepared some more medicine. Sam was exhausted, but he couldn't leave Five like this. Seeing her so upset… he needed to be here when she woke up.

"Sam," Dr. Myers said slowly, bottling up the last of the pills and sitting on the bed beside him. "I… I realize that… you and Runner Five care about one another."

Sam's face burned red. "Wha—no, don't be silly. We're just…" he trailed off. "Buddies?"

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he fell silent. Suddenly, the hospital room felt very warm.

"Listen. I'm not accusing you of anything, nor is it my business what your personal life is. I just…" She hesitated. "Abel is crowded enough as it is, and we can't afford to have little Sams and Fives running around."

Sam's brain shorted out.

His jaw flapped stupidly for a moment, only able to emit scattered, unintelligible syllables.

"I—we—not—"

"Again, I'm not judging in any way," Dr. Myers continued professionally. "I just want to take precautions."

The doctor handed Sam the small box she was holding. Sam's eyes widened as he took it; its label read Trojan.

Once he was able to speak properly again, Sam swallowed. "We aren't. We haven't. She doesn't even... she doesn't even like me that way."

"All the same," Dr. Myers replied calmly. "Just keep it."

Sam stared down at the little box, struggling not to picture the situation in which he'd need it. His fried brain could definitely not handle that right now. "You… You never said anything when Alice was around."

Dr. Myers pulled up a chair for Sam, indicating where he could sit if he wanted to stay the night and keep the sleeping runner company. She walked toward the door and turned to him just before she left.

"You never looked at Alice the way you look at her."

She exited the room quietly, clicking the door shut behind her.