Chapter 8: Just Like That.

A month. A long agonizing month, since she's spoken to him. He wouldn't even look at her, he didn't even take note of her presence, he didn't care that she was there. Ally ignored the pain in her heart and it soon became distant and she covered it up. She wouldn't go on any runs anymore, because Austin would always be there. She'd stay and help out with the washing and she'd look after the animals with Frederick. Ally knew that things were never going to go back to normal between them and she wished she could leave, but everyone else was keeping her here. She even felt sorry for Angela, she understood her pain, they only ever exchanged small words, but they'd never shout at one another, they'd never make some rude remark, they'd just share a few words and that was it.

Ally had become closer to most of the woman and Mary become her right hand woman in everything. They'd sit and talk about their problems and Ally would always unload her feelings to her. She was just about showing her stomach, but it was barely visible. Ally ways happy for her, but she was scared about when she would give birth, she didn't want anyone to die. Nevil had become a very important person in the group, he knew how to fight and he never left Lizzy's side and was ready to protect her, and George's jealousy had not died down at all, it got worse by the day. Ally had barely seen the old pair together and she felt really bad for George, so she'd always get him to come and help her with the animals.

Ally was collecting eggs from the chicken coop with Gregory, they were both working in silence and Gregory was stepping around her like she was going to break at any minute, but she knew she wasn't, she was over the issue. Elliot had told her that Gregory had said she reminded him of her sister and Ally didn't mind his company, the boy had no family and if she reminded him of one of them, then she was fine with his company.

"Gregory, would you pass me the basket," Ally asked and Gregory handed it to her and she placed the eggs gently into it. She handed it back to him and he smiled at her.

"Do you think I'll be able to go on a run soon?" He asked and Ally shrugged her shoulders.

"The best person to talk to is Wayne. I don't go on them anymore," Ally explained and Gregory sighed.

"He scares me," He admitted and Ally smiled.

"He's a big softy on the inside, trust me," Ally replied and Gregory laughed. "Go talk to him now. I think they're going on one in a bit."

"O-Okay, thanks Ally," He stammered and he jogged away, leaving her alone in the chicken coop.

"Alone again," Ally sighed and she picked up the remaining eggs and put them in the basket and stepped out of the chicken coop and headed across the field. She walked over to the farmhouse and saw Mary sitting with Elliot on the swinging chair. Austin was sat on the porch steps and George was sulking next to him. Sarah was leaning against the railings, cradling Lexi. Ally could hear raised voices coming from inside the farmhouse. "What's going on?"

"Dean and Kyle found a man stalking around the farm and he started shooting at them. They brought him back and now they're arguing with him, trying to find out who he is," Elliot explained and Ally nodded.

"Oh," She muttered and George walked over to her, his hands were stuffed in his pockets and his head was hanging low.

"Can we go horse riding later?" He asked and Ally smiled down at him.

"Of course we can," She placed the basket on the ground and patted his head. "I might even let you go on one on your own."

"Really?" He beamed up at her and she laughed.

"Yeah, I think you're ready," She explained and the voices in the house grew louder.

"Someones gonna' get shot in a minute," Elliot muttered and Mary hit his arm.

"My dad's in there!" She scolded. "Ally, did you get many eggs?"

"Yeah, I got a few," She replied. "Who's in there with him?"

"Daddy, Wayne, Dean and Kyle," Sarah explained and Ally sighed.

"I don't suppose Gregory came here?" She asked.

"No, haven't seen him. I thought he was helping you out?" Elliot said curiously.

"He was, but he went looking for Wayne," Ally elaborated, then a loud smash came from inside. The door flung open and Ally glanced at the man. Her eyes widened and she stumbled back. Austin stood up and turned around to look at the man. He didn't even look in Ally's direction.

"Well, I never thought I'd see your pretty face again, girl. I see you've shacked up with these people, they must've changed you. I preferred it when you looked like a hellcat," His husky tone voice chuckled deeply and Ally felt her heart beating at sonic speed. Then everyone else that was inside with him came out. For the first time in a month Austin looked at her, and that was another to send Ally sky rocketing to the sky. She could feel her body trembling and her hand rested on her knife. "You left speechless sweet cheeks? Didn't think you'd see me again did you?" His eyes fell to her twitching feet and he smirked. "Don't even think about running!" He yelled and everyone pulled out their weapons as he walked down the porch steps. Ally stepped backwards as he stalked closer.

"Stop right there!" Wayne's voice boomed from behind him. He had his gun aimed at his head and Ally brought her hand to her mom's necklace and she stroked it.

"Oh, they've given' you pretty things and now your wrapped around their little finger. I thought you'd know better than that. I thought you were all about independence. I preferred it that way, it was easier to kidnap you," He laughed evilly and Ally could see the pure hate in his eyes. "Now, I think the saying goes it's an eye for an eye."

"I swear to god it wasn't like that!" Ally yelled, finally speaking out. "I'm not a killer!"

"Bullshit!" He spat. "I bet these people would love to know how many people you've killed! How many innocent people you've killed!"

"What is he talking about?" Wayne asked and Ally's eyes widened.

"What the hell are you on about!" Ally yelled. "I haven't killed any innocent people!"

"Where's your other two friends? I'd love to see them," He sneered.

"They're dead," Ally replied and he smirked.

"Good. They always came to save you and it was becoming a pain in my ass," He ranted and Ally eyed him carefully, watching him prepare for his next move.

"I didn't do it," Ally spoke through gritted teeth.

"You were standing over her body, blood all over you. I saw the fuckin' weapon in your hands," He yelled and Ally glanced at everyone. They still had their weapons raised, but they were clearly interested in what was going on.

"I think we should go back inside and talk," Wayne suggested.

"Now, why the fuck would I want to do that. I've found what I've been searching for," He slurred and Ally watched as he stepped closer to her and then she decided to do what she'd been contemplating on doing ever since he stepped out the house. Run. She turned away and took off sprinting, gun shots immediately rung out and she could hear his heavy footsteps chasing after her. She ran off into the woods, she could hear everyone shout for her and then more shots were fired. Ally pushed herself as fast as she could through the trees and she pulled out her knife and plunged it into the skull of a lone creeper, which stumbled into her path. She spun around and saw him right behind her. He tackled her to the ground and he swung a punch and it connected with her face. She tried to push him away, but he was way to heavy for her to move him. He punched her again and her vision blurred and her face began to heat up.

"P-Paul, it wasn't like that. You need to hear me out!" Ally yelled and he growled, hitting her again.

"Get the fuck off her!" Wayne shouted and he yanked him away from her. Wayne threw him against a tree and aimed his gun at Paul's head. Mary raced over and helped Ally to her feet. She wiped at the blood trickling down her face and she glared at Paul.

"Your not well, Paul listen to me!" Ally shouted and he tried to get out of Wayne's hold. Austin, Dean and Kyle walked out of the trees and took in the scene. Austin's eyes briefly locked onto hers, but he immediately diverted them. "She was dead. She was already one of them. You were keeping your wife as a pet, she didn't deserve it. You locked me in a room with a creeper, what else was I suppose to do. I had to kill her."

"She could've been saved!" He spat.

"She was dead and gone! There was nothing anyone could do! When you've been turned, you can't go back to normal!" She screamed. "I'm sorry that you wife got turned, but you have to understand that I didn't do it intentionally."

"You had no right," He growled.

"I had every right! That thing was going to kill me!" Ally shouted and Mary grabbed her arm and began to guide her away.

"I wish she'd torn into you," He snapped and Ally pulled her arm out of Mary's hold.

"Yeah, well there are time's when I wish she had too, but Paul open your eyes! She's gone, there's nothing you can do. Hurting me isn't going to help, so do me and everyone here a favor and leave!" Ally spat and she stormed past everyone. Her shoulder collided with Austin's and he glared at her. Ally looked up at him, disgust plastered all over her face. She walked off into the tree's and away from everyone.

...

The moon beamed down on Ally and George. They were both side by side, riding horses. They were making their way back from a long ride and George had loved being able to ride on his own. Ally had been trying to clear her mind of what had happened back there, but she couldn't. She'd completely forgot about Paul, she hadn't seen him in over a year. She had met him near the beginning, but it was only a mere meeting. He took her in and gave her food and water. Ally had thought he was nice and kind, but that was until she stumbled across the basement and found a zombie down there. Paul locked the door behind her and shouted "save her!", but Ally didn't know what to do. The creeper tried to take a bite out of her, so she grabbed her knife and plunged it into its skull. Then Paul came running down and he fell to the ground in a bundle of tears and he cradled the dead creature in his arms. Ally took off and left, but then when she met Freddie and Nicky, Paul decided to make an appearance and he kidnapped her, he did that four times, and Freddie and Nicky always came and rescued her.

When Ally tried to forget about Paul, Austin seemed to pop up in her thoughts. The way he looked at her in the woods sent a chill down her spine. If looks could kill. Ally really wanted to talk to him, but she knew that if she did, he'd just snap at her and tell her to go away.

"Ally, can you smell smoke?" George sniffed and Ally inhaled the air and she indeed smelt smoke.

"I do," Ally replied and she head ear-piercing screams and what sounded like a chorus of creeper groans. Ally got off the horse and George got off his, they were on the dirt path and the field where the farmhouse was, was nearby. About ten creepers came storming out of the trees and Ally grabbed George's hand a pulled him away. The creepers went straight for the horses and tore into them. They bucked and screamed, but they were both brought to the ground and were being turned into their meal. George let out a cry and Ally heard the screams getting louder and she began running, pulling George behind her. They rounded the corner and the sight made Ally gasp. There were creepers everywhere, the trees were on fire, along with the barn. She couldn't see anyone, but she could hear the screams. Ally grabbed her knife and took out the creepers that was stumbling towards them. She picked George up and took off towards the farmhouse. She took out any creeper that tried to grab at them. She ran onto the porch and she glanced over at the field where the barn was on fire and that was when she saw everyone, they were all fighting away and she knew she needed to help them. She flung open the door and put George down. She raced into the room where Frederick kept all the medical supplies and she grabbed the rucksack and filled it up with what she could. She returned to where she'd left George to find he was gone.

"George!" Ally screamed and she raced around trying to find him. "George!" She cried and she quickly grabbed a gun from the dresser and slipped it into her belt. "George!" The front door flung open and in poured around fifty creepers. Ally's eyes widened and she raced towards the back door, but then more creepers poured through it and Ally looked around frantically and she raced up the stairs. She raced into the room nearby and raced over to the window. She looked around to see if she could see George, but all she could see was fire and creepers. Ally could hear the chilling sound of them downstairs and she opened up the window. The thick smoke filled her lungs and she began to choke. She realized the only way out was through the window. She took in a deep breath and she ran forward and jumped out of the open window. She flew across the creepers heads and crashed to grass. Her ankle rolled underneath her and she was almost certain she heard a snap, her head smashed against the mud and her vision blurred, before returning back to normal. The creepers turned towards her and Ally got to her feet, she cried out in pain as her ankle demanded her to stop, but she couldn't they were going to rip into her if she didn't move.

Ally took off in a run, gripping onto her knife. The tents had been trampled on and a few were on fire. Ally kept looking around to see if she could see George, but she couldn't. She prayed that he wasn't still in the farmhouse, because he didn't stand a chance in there. Ally raced down the hill and into the main fight. There had to be around two hundred of the things. She could make out people fighting their way through the creepers. The barn was engulfed in flames and Ally could feel the heat from where she was standing. The bright fire must've drawn them all here. "George!" Ally called out and she quickly took out a creeper, and advanced into the field. "George!" Hot tears streamed down her face and she hissed at the pain coming from her ankle. She heard a babies cry and she looked around, knowing it was Lexi. She saw a basket near the trees, creepers were advancing on it and Ally screamed out in horror. She sprinted over and began to pull them away, swinging her knife around, hoping it would hit the target. She saw Lexi in the basket, crying in hysterics. She bundled her up into her arms and she pulled out her gun and shot the remaining creepers in the head. The shots seemed to draw more over, so Ally ran away. She saw Kyle up ahead and he was fighting off about ten of them. She stabbed one that was about to take a bite out of him and Kyle quickly nodded at her.

They took out the small herd coming at them and Kyle took Lexi from her arms. Ally could see the tears falling from his eyes as he cradled his daughter. Ally wiped away her tears and she pushed away an approaching creeper.

"George. He was with you! Where is he!" He yelled above the commotion and Ally sobbed. "Where is he?!" He cried.

"I'm sorry!" She shrieked and then she took off and began fighting off more creepers. She felt the heat from the barn, blazing into her skin. More creepers made their way out of the trees and the ones from the farmhouse began staggering over to the field and towards the blazing barn. She felt like she was dragging her leg behind her as she moved, but she knew that she needed to fight through the pain. Ally felt dead hands grab at her and she screamed, pushing it to the ground and she pushed her knife into its head. She was covered head to toe in guts, but she didn't care. These things were destroying her home...Their home.

"Help!" Ally looked around, trying to find the source of the cry. She saw Angela on the ground and Ally knew it was too late for her to help. The creeper took a bite out of her side. The scream that came out of her mouth made Ally want to throw up. She fired a shot and it pierced through the creature's head and she hobbled over. "Don't let me turn, please don't let me turn into one of them!" She cried and Ally reached out and stroked her face. She nodded her head and fired the final shot to her head and her head rolled to the side. She kicked away a creeper that was trying to take a bite out of her, but then about ten of them came and began to rip Angela apart and eat her. Ally's whole body began to tremble and she glanced around to see if she could see anyone, but there was too many creepers blocking her view.

Ally began to demolish the creepers in her path. She was savoring the bullets and just stuck to her knife. She could hear male voices and she tried to see who it was, but couldn't. A heavy weight came plummeting on top of her and she came face to face with a creeper, its jaws snapping away trying to take a bite out of her. She let out a scream as its weight crushed her ankle and it crushed her arm holding the knife and she regretted her next move, she tried to pull her arm out, but the knife plunged into her stomach as the creeper wiggled on top of her. Ally shrieked out in pain and pushed at the creepers head, keeping its mouth away from her. She swung her fist and it embedded itself into the side of its head. She pushed it off her and punched its head over and over again. She cried out and she stopped when all that was left was mushed bits of brain.

Ally brought her shaking hands to the knife in her stomach. She laced her hands around it and she wailed out in pain and she pulled it out. She collapsed to the ground, she knew she should tend to her wound, she had all the supplies she needed, but they were in the middle of a fight, and she wouldn't have time. Another creeper stumbled over to her and Ally grabbed her knife and got to her feet, taking the creature down. She placed her hand on the stab wound, blood seep through her fingertips and she began to feel light-headed, I can't pass out, not now! Ally began to fight her way through the herd, but each time she killed one, more seemed to appear. She saw Mary fighting her way through some creepers, her eyes locked onto hers for a mere second, then she returned to fighting. She needed to help her, she was pregnant, but there was to many creepers in the way, though she knew Mary could handle herself.

Ally saw a flash of blond hair and she almost sobbed. "George!" She shrieked, but he was gone before she could run towards him. He ran into the crowd of creepers and began firing shots. "NO! GEORGE!" Ally pushed the creepers away from her and tried to make her way over, but he completely disappeared from her sight. Another cry caught her attention, she turned to see about five creepers about to circle around Lizzy. Ally stumbled over and she took them all out and Lizzy raced into her arms and Ally cried out in pain. She pulled her over to the trees and Lizzy began to climb up. "You don't come down, not until one of us come and get you," Ally demanded through gritted teeth and she nodded her head.

"N-Nevil went to fight," She sobbed and Ally cried out in pain and fear. She couldn't let anything happen to anyone. Angela was gone and for all she knows everyone else it too. Ally took one last glance at Lizzy and walked away. She got closer to the barn and she began to choke on the smoke. Animals were crying, but they were going to be dead within seconds.

"Nevil!" Ally shouted and she began to look around for him. A hand latched around her ankle and a creeper pulled her to the ground. She landed on her stomach and she cried out in pain and she kicked at its dead hand with her good ankle. She fumbled for her gun and she fired a shot at its head and its hand fell from her ankle. Ally got to her feet and she took off in a run, her limbs were weak, crying out for her to stop, but she needed to carry on. She would die protecting these people and she needed to at least know that all the children were going to be okay.

Ally caught sight of Nevil, he was taking down a creeper with his machete knife. Ally staggered over and she bundled him into her arms. She cried into his hair and she pulled away and kissed him on the forehead. "I need you to get up into the tree."

"I wanna' help," He replied.

"Nevil, please. Don't argue with me, get up there where its safe," She demanded and she shook him slightly and he nodded his head.

"Your hurt," He whimpered and Ally glanced down at herself. She was covered in black blood, her blood and guts.

"Don't worry about me," She pushed him towards the trees and got him up into the tree. A creeper took Ally down to the ground and it mouth flew to her neck. Nevil jumped out from the tree and plunged his knife into its head, just as it was about to rip into her flesh. She pushed its body off her and Nevil got back into the tree and Ally stumbled away. She knew that Lizzy and Nevil were safe. Lexi was with Kyle, but she needed to make sure George was fine.

A loud creak made Ally pause. The barn began to sway and the flames forced it to the ground. It crumbled into millions of pieces and Ally heard Frederick yelling and Ally felt so sorry for him, his pride and joy was falling into pieces before his eyes.

"Holy shit!" Dean's voice boomed and Ally caught sight of him through the creepers. He was looking up at the farmhouse to see about two hundred more creepers ambling towards them. We're all going to die. Ally couldn't stop the thought flooding her mind. They couldn't survive this. She just knew it. Ally gripped at her stomach, her eyes began to sting from the tears and she fell to her knees. She saw her mom's cross out of the corner of her eye.

"I kicked ass mom," She sobbed and she looked away from it and up at the night sky. Ally felt hands grab at her arm and she turned to see a creeper, she pulled it to the ground and stabbed it in the head. Her body was becoming weaker by the second and she stumbled to her feet. The new herd of creepers were getting closer and Ally cried out. She wasn't going to give in, she was going to fight. She took out the approaching creepers and she saw the familiar sheriff's hat in the middle of the herd. She killed every creature by her and stumbled over. He looked over and saw her, she collapsed into his arms and she threw her arms around him. He held the embrace for a few seconds and quickly pulled away.

"Are you bit?" He yelled and she shook her head. "Ally, you need to run. You need to get away from here!"

"I can't leave you. I can't leave any of you!" Ally cried.

"I've told everyone to run. I don't know where they've run too, but everyone's gone off and I don't know who's gone with who, and I don't even know who's escaped. You just need to run!" He shouted and Ally whimpered.

"What about you," She sobbed.

"Don't worry about me. Now, run. Grab someone and run!" He yelled and she nodded her head and fought her way through the herd and towards the woods. She ran straight to the tree where she'd left Nevil and she looked up to see he was gone.

"Nevil!" Ally screamed and she looked around. "Nevil!" Ally took off in a run towards the tree where she'd left Lizzy, thinking he might have gone to her. She got to the tree and looked to see Lizzy wasn't there. Ally knees gave out and she collapsed to the ground, her shoulders shuddering from her sobs. "Lizzy!" She screeched. A groan came from behind her and she felt its hands on her shoulders and she was ready. She was going to let it bite her, but she heard the whizzing sound of an arrow and she watched it pierce through its skull. She looked over and saw Austin standing with his crossbow raised. Ally checked him over to see if he was injured, but he was fine. He was covered in guts and black blood, but he didn't look hurt. He walked over to her and he pulled her up to her feet. "I need to find Lizzy and Nevil!" She yelled and she tried to pull herself out of his hold, but his grip only tightened around her.

"Ally, we need to go," His voice was soft and gently. The big herd of creepers made their way onto the field and multiplied the numbers of creepers. "There's nothing we can do," Ally nodded her head and he put his crossbow on his back and put Ally's arm over his shoulder and they walked off into the woods, leaving their home behind.

...

It was deep into the hours of night. Ally stared into the fire that Austin had started to keep them warm. They were deep in the woods and they'd decided to stay in this spot for the night. Austin had used all the medical supplies from Ally's rucksack to stitch her wound up and he said that her ankle was just badly sprained and he'd wrapped it up for her. Ally could smell the guts of the dead on her body and she wanted to wash it off, but she knew she couldn't. Austin sat next her, mimicking her actions. They were both lost in thought and seemed content to stare into the fire. Flashes of the barn crossed Ally's mind.

"How did it happen?" Ally asked, her voice sounded husky from all the fumes she'd inhaled.

"Your friend Paul. He set fire to the barn and to our camp. He fled just before all the creepers came," Austin explained and they both didn't break eye contact with the fire.

"Did you see anyone escape?" She wondered and he glanced at her and she stared back at him.

"I saw Trish and Gregory run off together. Did you see anyone?" He asked and Ally sighed.

"I'm not sure, but I gave Lexi to Kyle and I know he wouldn't separate from her, so hopefully they made it out together, but I put Nevil and Lizzy up in the trees and then Wayne told me to run, to get someone and run. I went back for them, but they were gone," Ally whimpered and a stray tear fell down her face. "Angela's dead. I couldn't do anything, it bit her and then she begged me not to let her turn into one of them, so I shot her in the head and then the creepers ripped her apart."

"I saw Sarah get cornered by a herd of creepers. I don't know whether she made it or not. I tried to help her, but there was to many," Austin explained, his voice was shallow and Ally could sense the hurt in it.

"G-George, I think he's dead. I saw him run into a crowd of them and then I lost sight of him," Ally cried and Austin wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Everything's gone. Everyone's gone."

"Just like that."

"Just like that," Ally whispered and she stared into the flames.

AN: Wow. Now things got pretty emotional back there. We're taking a trip away from everyone and it's just going to be Austin and Ally for a while. They're going to be stuck together for quite a long time. Thank you for your reviews on the last chapter, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

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