Chapter 15: One Two Three Breathe.

The cold spray from the shower collided with Ally's bare skin. Austin stood behind her, his body flush up against hers. His body molded against hers and she buried her face into his neck and he held her tight in his arms.

This had been a repeated process for the past two weeks. Ally put on a face in front of everyone, but every night, she'd meet Austin in the shower block and they'd shower together. It was a way to be close, without being physical with one another. Austin didn't think Ally was ready for that at the moment. She'd been trying hard to contain her sadness towards her findings of Lizzy's shoes. Austin had been out everyday searching the town for any sign of her, but he always came back empty-handed. Ally didn't believe Lizzy was alive, it seemed impossible that the young girl could survive on her own...if she was on her own.

Ally let a small smile play on her lips and she grabbed Austin's hands, which rested on her stomach. He circled her skin with his thumb and she embraced the cold water. Austin placed a feathered kiss on her neck and her head rolled back.

Moments like this were ones Ally was going to cherish forever. Knowing that tomorrow may be her last, she knew these moments with Austin would stay with her in heaven. They'd both left the issue of 'love' alone. Ally loved him dearly, but she knew he wasn't going to say it anytime soon, though she knew he felt the same way.

Ally saw the moonlight flutter through the window and bounce of the water droplets. She snuggled herself closer to Austin's body and his grip tightened on her body. Austin was amazed at the sheer beauty on her face. He didn't understand what he'd done to deserve her. She'd changed him. He was cold-hearted back when he'd met her and now here he was embracing her in his arms and he knew she was his, no one else's, but his.

It was then that his breath hitched in his throat and a single droplet fell from his lips. His eyes roamed across her pale milky skin. She was his, all his and she'd chosen him. For once in his life someone had chosen him. He wasn't second best, he was first, just like she would always come first to him. She was his number one priority in his life, his main goal in life was to protect her. He couldn't lose her, he needed her more than he needed oxygen to breathe. She was everything to him.

All the time he'd been left in the dark. Not knowing who his real family was. Growing up in an orphanage, being bullied and beaten, day and night by the older children there, he'd never been cared for. Everyone came and went, finding new families, but him. No one had wanted him. Those bullies had made him who he is today, he was strong and powerful. If he met any of them people who bullied him now, he knew they'd run in the other direction, because he wouldn't even hesitate, before beating their ass's to the ground.

Now, here she was. The most beautiful girl ever, one that he was allowed to call his own. She wasn't one of those girls that he'd pick up in a bar. She was an angel that deserved to be treated like one. Nothing was going to change the way he feels about her, he knew he'd never felt this way about anyone before. She brought out a new type of feeling in his heart. Just by smiling at him, she could send his heart on overdrive.

He froze and his hold fell from her body. She turned around to face him, the water droplets falling down her face. He reached up and wiped them away with his thumbs. Her lips parted and she gazed into his eyes. He could see the pain in her eyes and he knew what to say to make happiness flood into her eyes.

"I love you."

Ally's face relaxed and her sadness faded. A smile spread out from ear to ear. She felt her heart begin to beat faster. Austin's face was stern and stiff, like he was expecting her to reject him. Her hands stroked up his chest and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She got up on her tiptoes, her lips hovering over his. His hot breath plastered her lips and she licked her bottom lip. Her gaze flickered to his and a playful smile appeared on her face.

"I love you too," Ally whispered. She crashed her lips against his and pressed her body even closer to him, one of her legs slipped into the gap between his legs. Her fingers wrapped around the blond curls of his hair and she nibbled on his bottom lip.

She knew that it took everything he had, just to say them words. Just hearing them in her head sent a shiver down her spine. He'd said it, he loved her and there was no doubt that she loved him.

...

Sarah looked around the apartment. Her and Dez had been brought here. They'd entered the safe town of Verndale, they were welcomed by a man called Dallas. He gave them this apartment and left them to settle in. That was a week ago and now Dez seemed to have disappeared. She knew he was okay, but he spent most of his time with the other men, helping out with security, because Dallas said that Verndale was attacked a while ago. That savages tore through the town and shot him. He'd recovered fine from his injuries, but he was set on revenge and Sarah understood, because if she ever laid hands on Paul, she'd definitely want to hurt him. Stupid idiot burnt down my home.

Sarah tapped her fingers against the wooden table. Her gaze flickering to her stump. She'd grown to understand that it good either be an advantage or disadvantage in a situation. If she ever got the chance, she wanted to learn how to shoot. Her only good weapon was her knife, but still that caused difficulties with one hand. She wanted a hand gun which she could use easily, but in Verndale the women weren't allowed guns, only knives just in case.

Sarah felt very uncomfortable in Verndale. There was just something about the place, which seemed off to her. Like there was more going on behind closed doors, which no one else was allowed to see. There was a curfew, the bell would go off signaling for everyone to return and everyone on watch would patrol the streets. That was when she would hear the screams. They sounded distant, but they were there, and everyone else seemed to ignore it. She'd asked Dez when he came back from watch at night, but he said he never heard anything.

With distance being put between her and Dez, she realized how lonely she was. Back on the farm she had loads of people to turn to, but now she barely had anyone, only the occasional conversation with Dez. She missed everyone, her daddy, her sister. She hoped Lexi was okay. She hoped that they'd all find each other one day, but that dream was being clouded over by reality.

Sarah got up from her chair and walked out of the small apartment. She made her way down the stairwell and out of the metal door at the bottom. They cold air hit her skin and she wrapped her arms around her waist, in an attempt to keep her warm and to hide her stump. She'd received plenty of disgusted looks and she tried not to let it get to her, but it did. It always did.

She made her way up the street, passing through the buzz of crowds. Children raced around playing games and the adults stood in circles gossiping away like the world hadn't gone to shit. She saw a bench by a tree, which as empty. She made her way over and sat down. She watched a group of young boys playing football and a sweet smile played on her lips at the sense of normality.

Sarah felt the presence of someone else nearby. A figure walked over and sat down on the bench next to her. She looked over to see a man with dark grey hair smiling at her. She returned a friendly smile and then her eyes fell on his arm. He had a metal cap on the end of his stump and a knife sticking out of it. She looked into his eyes and he smiled.

"You kinda' get used to it. I think its cool having a knife there instead of a hand, easier to kill zombies that way," He chuckled and Sarah uncrossed her arms and revealed her stump. The man's eyes widened slightly, before he relaxed and he undid the strap, pulling off the peculiar device from his arm. Sarah stared at his stump for a few seconds, then returned to his gaze. "Here, you'll look more badass with this," He handed her the contraption and she placed it on the end of her stump and did the buckle up. The new weight felt weird, but as she held it up in front of her she realized, that she did look like one badass chick.

"Are you sure?" She asked, beaming at him with her big blue eyes.

"Yeah. I have another one," He smiled. "How did it happen?"

"I got bit. My friend rescued me and I thought I was going to die, but he knocked me out and then when I woke up, my hand was gone and I was fine...You?"

"I got bit. Thought I was going to die, but Dallas found me and he chopped it off...I kinda' wish he never."

"Why not?" She asked.

"Now, I owe him my life and Dallas isn't a nice man at all...I wish I could just leave, but he won't let me," He explained.

"I knew there was something off about that guy. I can see it in his eyes...pure evil," Sarah said and he nodded his head in agreement.

"I had a son. We were running away from a herd of zombies and he saw me get bit. I told him to run...I don't know if he's alive or not, I trained him well, but not everyone can survive out there alone. He's just a kid, but I pray every night that he's alive and safe. He probably thinks I'm dead, I just want to find him, let him know that I'm alive, but because I'm not allowed to leave. I have no hope," Sarah heard the pain in his tone and she reached out a grabbed his hand.

"I've lost people too. A whole lot of them. They were my big dysfunctional family. We all got separated by a herd. I don't know if they're alive. I only have Dez, but he barely utters a word my way, he's to busy on guard duty," She explained.

"You might want to get him to stop. Dallas will brainwash him, make him one of his minions. He'll get him to do things, which he doesn't want to do. I've witnessed his cruelty first hand. A few weeks ago he tried to behead someone. He claimed that they were dangerous, but he wasn't. He was just trying to survive and protect the people he cared about."

"Did he do it, did he behead him?"

"Nope...His people came and rescued him. I knew one of them, her name was Ally. She was on the roof, watching the whole scene. She had a crossbow in her hands, and a sheriff's hat on her head. She was going to kill Dallas, but she got spotted and she was shot down. When she came plummeting from the roof. I fled, I feel bad for doing it, but if Dallas knew that I knew her, it would just make the situation a whole lot worse," He looked over at her and he saw a tear fall down her face. She bit her bottom lip and looked over at him.

"Did you say Ally?" She gasped and he nodded her head.

"You know her?"

"She was part of my big dysfunctional family...She's alive...I can't believe it," Her hand flew to her mouth.

"I think she's alive. I don't know if she made it out, she was shot in the shoulder and when she fell off the roof, it was a long way down."

"H-How do you know her?" She stammered.

"She walked into my house, exhausted and hungry. I gave her a place to sleep, but a herd attacked the house and we got separated. I thought she was dead, but then I saw her on the roof, looking all crazy eyed with a crossbow."

"Crossbow...Austin," She whispered and a small laugh escaped her lips. "He's alive."

"Austin...Is he also apart of your family?" He asked and she nodded.

"I have to find them. I have to get Dez and I have to find them," She rambled.

"Good luck with that. People never tend to leave Verndale, unless you're one of Dallas's men."

"I can't stay here. We can't stay here, you can come with us. We can look for your son too," She pleaded with him and he could see the determination on the young girls face.

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"You've got fire girl. But if you think its simple to just walk out of here, then you have another thing coming. Your friend managed to get in and out, you need to find how they're doing it, because as far as I know every exit is guarded."

"Well, there must be one exit that isn't. So, I'm going to find it and you're going to help me," She waved her arms around, almost slicing his face with the knife. He chuckled and she squeaked an apology.

"You need to learn how to use that since its going to be your new hand," He smirked. "What's your name girl?"

"Sarah."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Sarah. My names Derek."

...

Ally rocked Erica from side to side. The cold morning air hit her skin and goosebumps appeared on her arms. Ally had taken Erica this morning, because Grace needed some deserved rest. She watched Junior graze the grass and Billy race around trying to get his attention. She was bundled in the green grass and she observed the beautiful autumn morning.

She took off Wayne's hat and placed it on the grass, her gaze lingered on it, then she focused her attention on Erica. The young girls auburn curls were just forming a mop of hair on her head. She was going through teething and was keeping Grace up all night. Ally smiled down at her and let her grab a hold of her fingers. Flashes of Lexi appeared in front of her. Ally knew that she had to be alive out there somewhere, Kyle would die before he let anyone hurt her, but Ally doesn't even know if he made it out.

She pushed the negative thoughts out of her mind and focused on the ray of sunshine in her arms. She'd always wanted children of her own, but she'd never want to bring a life into this world, not knowing that it could get ripped out of her life in the blink of an eye. Also, she could die as well, they didn't have the correct equipment to help someone give birth and she would be at a high risk of dying.

Footsteps crushed against the grass, they came to a stop next to her and the figure sat down next to her. She looked over and was greeted by Jack.

"Mornin' Ally. You okay?" He asked and she nodded.

"I'm fine," She replied.

"You told him yet," Jack nodded towards Billy and Ally shook her head.

"He's not ready to know. I'm going to find him though, and I'll bring him back to Billy."

"Don't you think he deserves to know?"

"He might, but I don't want to get his hopes up. He already thinks he's dead and I don't want to tell him he's alive, then find him dead or I may never find him. Billy's been through too much," Ally explained.

"I suppose...Julie told me what you did," He murmured.

"I've done a lot of things, you might wanna' be more specific."

"How you saved everyone's lives back on the farm."

"I didn't save their lives. My past came and destroyed the farm, I ruined all of their lives, its my fault that everyone's gone...my fault that Lizzy's probably dead. Wayne...its all my fault, that man was all that was good in this world, he was born to lead and because of me he's gone, all I have is his hat. Maybe, maybe I should've just left when I had the chance, I should've just returned Lizzy to Harriet and then I should've left, but no I brought hell to that group."

"Well, Julie has other ideas. She told me that you coming to the farm was the best thing that ever happened to them. You saved them all from the holes they were disappearing into. You rescued Austin, changed him into a better man. You turned Sarah and Mary into proper women, taught them how to stand up for themselves. You became Wayne's right hand woman. You turned Harriet into a powerful woman. You were the protector to Lizzy, Nevil, George and Lexi. You were supportive of Trish and her attitude, you helped her relationship improve with Dez. You made Frederick see the truth about this world and how once you turn, there's no coming back. You gave Gregory a chance and you brought Elliot a best friend. You put up with Dean's charm and you made Julie's relationship stronger with Kyle."

"She said that?" Ally muttered.

"That woman speaks highly of you. Just like I do, you've done a lot for my group as well," He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself for what happened. You're carrying too much blame on your shoulders. Austin doesn't blame you for anything, neither does Julie or Dean. You took my group in, you let Roxana, Ronny and Cal stay. You have a heart of gold and that's rare in this world, you protect your family and that's the type of person we need more of in this new age. You may not believe it, but everyone you've helped does."

A tear fell from her eyes and a small smile appeared on her face. She glanced at him and he pulled her into his side and placed a kiss on her head. She placed her hand on his knee and she held Erica tighter to her chest. Ally released a staggering breath and glanced at Billy.

"From now on Ally, if you ever feel like you don't deserve praise, love, or if you ever blame yourself for something, just stop count to three, then breathe."

"Okay, I will. One, two, three breathe," Ally said and she pulled away from Jack and smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem," He flashed her a smile and then got to his feet. "I'll see you later," He saluted her, then walked away. Ally sighed and she placed Erica in the grass. She began to wave her arms around and pull on the grass. Ally tickled her stomach and she giggled.

"Ally!" Billy shouted and she looked over to see he was gone, he was on the other side of the fence, outside the safety of the prison, no longer playing with Junior. She got to her feet and walked over to the gate.

"Billy! Get back in here!" She yelled.

"I saw someone!" He called back and he looked into the woods from the edge.

"Billy, get back in here now!" She yelled stomping her foot and she looked back at where Erica was in the grass. "Billy, stop playing around, it's not safe!" She pushed open the gate and kept a close eye on a creeper which was stumbling around. "Billy, quit playing around!" She hissed. She looked back at where Erica was, torn between going back or just running up and grabbing Billy.

"They might be in danger I-"

BANG!

The shot shriek into Ally's ears, she gripped onto them tight and she felt like a drum was being banged right by her ear. Her eyes widened and she watched Billy's body fall backwards and she screamed at the top of her lungs. She could hear the distant crying of Erica, but Ally didn't even look back she ran forward and caught Billy in her arms.

"BILLY!" She shrieked at the top of her lungs and then she looked into the trees to see a huge herd of creepers getting closer. She bundled him up into his arms and she ran through the gate. She saw people running out of the cellblock and she raced up the dirt path. Billy's body was lifeless in her arms and she ran through the gate and when her feet connected with the concrete, she felt Billy's weight more in her arms. Her legs began to shake, but she kept on pushing on. She saw the horror on Roxana's face and then little Jasmine gripped onto Tess's leg. Ally pushed past them and ran inside the cellblock. Cal was the first to spot her and he shot up from his chair. He took off running in the direction of the infirmary. Ally ran past the cells and towards the corridor. She felt Billy's bloodstained body slipping from her arms, but she let out a scream urging her to keep going.

She felt the blood seeping through her fingers and when she saw the door to the infirmary, she kicked it open. Cal had a tray of equipment ready and Ally put Billy down on the bed. She looked to see Ronny was there, he was slipping rubber gloves on and Cal was pushing her back.

"You need to leave!" He pushed her further away.

"No!" She yelled.

"It will be better for him if you leave!" Cal snapped. Ally stared at him and she could see the panic in his eyes. She ghostly nodded her head and left the room. When the door shut, its noise seemed to echo into her ears. She stumbled back and when her back collided with the wall. She collapsed to the ground and a sob escaped her lips.

"No," She cried. "Billy."

A loud scream bounced down the corridor and she recognized Grace's scream. It was then the horror dawned on her. There was a herd of creepers heading towards the prison and she'd left the gate opened and she'd left Erica on the grass.

"Erica!" Ally shrieked and she scurried to her feet and sprinted down the corridor, she almost slipped when she rounded the corner, but she managed to keep her footing. She ran as fast as her legs could go. She ran past the cells and into the main room which was now empty. She flung open the door and the horror which met her eyes sent her stumbling backwards.

Creepers were everywhere.

She could see everyone fighting them off and she ran forward and into the war going on in the courtyard. She looked around for Erica, but couldn't see her. She felt a dead hand grab her shoulder and she turned around to see a creepers jaw snapping its way near to her neck. An arrow pierced into its skull and its hold fell from her. She looked to see Austin on the other end of the courtyard, his crossbow raised. She pulled out her knife and nodded at him.

She saw Grace with her back to her, she was fighting off a creeper with one arm and she caught sight of the little bundle in her other arm. She ran over and plunged her knife into the creepers skull. She looked over at Grace and a sob escaped her lip, her whole body was shaking and she held Erica tight in her arms.

"Get inside! Lock yourself in a cell!" Ally yelled and she nodded her head. She turned around and ran away. Ally looked around and she saw the dead carcass of Junior, creepers ripping into him and eating his insides. Ally felt bile rise in her throat, but she forced it away. She stabbed her knife into the head of an approaching creeper. She looked around and she spotted Daniel firing bullets from a gun. She raced over and she took out the creeper, which was fast approaching. She crouched down and gestured to her back. Daniel's small body jumped onto her back and his arms wrapped around her neck.

Ally got to her feet and she looked around at everyone. She checked to see how everyone was holding up. She saw that no more of the children were out in the courtyard and she knew that, that was a good sign. She looked over at the gate and she ran over, making sure to dispose of any creepers. She pulled the gate closed and locked it. She took down the creepers, which were getting way to close and then she stared at the scene before her.

Most of the creepers were now dead. Lucas was taking down the last few and she saw Tess looking around frantically and when she saw Daniel on her back she cried out in relief. Tess ran over and Daniel slipped off her back and ran into his mom's arms.

"Jess and Jasmine?" Ally asked.

"T-They both ran inside," Tess stammered and she brushed Daniels hair and everyone came over.

"Is everyone okay?" Lucas panted and everyone nodded. "Good...Wait, where's Grace?"

"She's inside with Erica...Lucas I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to leave Erica, i-it's just Billy w-was-" Ally paused and she wiped the tears away from her cheeks.

"It's okay, go and be with him," Lucas said and Ally took off in a run up the dirt path and inside the cellblock.

Austin watched her run off and he felt the adrenalin flee from his body. He remembered when he was inside and he heard her scream, it was a bone chilling one and his first thought was 'oh god she's dead'. When he saw her running with Billy's lifeless body he felt relief wash over him, but the horror on her face brought it all back. Then that goddamn creeper had to grab her, his reaction was like lightning, he didn't even think twice. He saw the look in her eyes, she was to far gone at that moment in time.

Austin just wanted Ally to be able to have a long period of time without trouble. He wished there was someplace he could take her where nothing could go wrong, but he knew that place was just a fantasy. He knew he should go after her, but she needed time to be with Billy. He knew he'd just got her back after finding Lizzy's shoes, but this was the last thing she needed.

...

The house creaked and the old wood crawled with insects. It was like every horror movie location you've ever seen, scared to turn every corner, always looking over your shoulder. This cabin seemed to be filled with old memories and past death. The old man, which he'd found stumbling around in kitchen was enough to prove his thoughts correct, whoever lived here had lived alone. The smell of rotting flesh still lingered in the air, so he pushed open the front door and windows.

They'd be back soon. Back with food and new supplies. They'd be running low for ages and in the town nearby there was a store packed full of food and medical supplies. The three of them had stumbled across the cabin and he'd stayed here to check it out, while they went back and collected supplies.

It had been months since the fire on the farm, months since he'd seen any of his friends, he missed everyone and he just wanted things to go back to normal, but he just knew that, that was never going to happen.

He dropped his knife on the wooden table in the kitchen. It was stained with old and new blood. He sat down on the chair and crossed his arms on the table, then buried his face in the gap. Exhaustion took over his body and he was looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight, his first good one in a while.

The three of them needed to rest. They deserved it. After all the fighting, the killing and the running, they needed time to relax, have that one form of luxury, which was available to them. They'd been camping in the woods for around two months, wandering every road they found, hoping to find more survivors from the group, but when they saw Wayne's hat in the woods, they all began to lose hope. He'd tried to get it, but they heard people approaching so they fled, leaving it behind. He wish he had Wayne's hat, a token to remember him by, he deserved to be remembered, he was a hero.

He rested his chin against his forearm and sighed. He stared around at the broken kitchen. Most of the cupboards were empty, nothing useful for them. Nothing seemed good enough nowadays. He'd hoped they'd have found survivors, but apparently this world was just as cruel as he knew it was, but he was glad that he wasn't alone.

Not like last time.

"Nevil!" The female voice shouted and Nevil got to his feet and walked over to the front door and stepped out of the stench of the cabin. He inhaled the fresh air and he smiled over at her.

"Harriet," He beamed over at her and saw the rucksack overfull of canned food. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at the figure walking into the clearing.

"Elliot's got wood," Harriet smiled and Elliot nodded his head at Nevil.

"I'll go start a fire. We can have warm food tonight boy," Elliot walked over and ruffled Nevil's hair, then walked inside.

"You didn't run into any trouble?" Harriet asked and he shook his head.

"Just one creeper, but I took care of him. There's one double bed and a couch, we're going to have a good nights sleep tonight," Nevil spoke excitedly and Harriet smiled at him.

"Let's go empty this bag into the cupboards," She walked inside and Nevil followed her inside. He shut the door behind him and walked into the kitchen. He pulled one of the chairs up to the counter and stood on it. Harriet passed him the cans and he placed them in the cupboard.

"Harriet...do you think we'll ever find them?" Nevil asked and Harriet cringed. Her heart ached for the knowing of Lizzy's whereabouts. "Do you think Lizzy is out there?"

"My daughters out there, I know it. She's probably with Ally, I know her, she'd have rescued her."

"But she put Lizzy in the tree, like she did for me, but when I got down..."

Nevil could hear the snarls of a creeper, scratching at the bark of the tree. His grip tightened on his machete knife. He could make out the blazing fire through the leaves of the tree. He could hear people screaming and people crying. Tears stung at his eyes and he just wanted to know if everyone was okay.

He stared into the creepers dead eyes and he let out a scream, then jumped down on top of the creepers and stabbed his knife into its head. His feet slipped on the black blood and he fell onto his back. He looked over his shoulder to see more creepers coming out from the trees. His eyes widened in panic and he knew he'd done wrong getting down from the tree, he should've listened to Ally.

Nevil got to his feet and he ran onto the field. Smoke clouded his vision. He stumbled about and then a hand grabbed his arm and he scream loudly, attacking it with his knife, it got wedged into his stomach and Nevil began to yank at it, with one last pull it came out of its chest, flying from his fingertips, flying into the unknown. He couldn't see where it had landed, so he ran across the field quickly, over to the tree he'd seen Ally put Lizzy up. He looked up to see she wasn't there, he looked around, a fit of coughs taking over his body.

"Lizzy!" He cried and he wiped the sweat and tears off his face. He stumbled forward, looking around at the scene before him, he couldn't tell who was human and who was a zombie, they all seemed to blend into one another.

A hand grabbed his shoulder and he let out a scream. He was picked up into someones arms and he looked to see it was Elliot.

"I can't find Lizzy," He sobbed and Elliot bundled him closer to his chest and he looked around.

"We need to go!" He shouted above the noise.

"W-What about Lizzy," He whimpered.

"She'll be fine. She'll be with Ally," Nevil nodded and Elliot walked into the woods. The groans of the creepers became distant and the cries became less shrill. Nevil buried his small head into Elliot's neck and gripped at his shirt. Elliot looked around and he saw the little river where he'd left Harriet.

Harriet got to her feet. Her face covered in black and tears. Her small frame was shaking violently and she looked at Nevil.

"Lizzy?" She asked and Elliot shook his head.

"She'll be fine. She'll be with Ally," He repeated what he'd said to Nevil and Harriet nodded. "We need to go find somewhere to stay, we'll start looking for everyone in the morning."

Nevil shook his head, trying to forget the memory of that night. He smiled at Harriet and she passed him the last can of food. He placed it on top of the others and Harriet helped him down off the chair and she placed it back at the table.

"Guys!" Elliot shouted and they walked out of the kitchen to see Elliot wasn't there. The front door was open and they both saw Elliot on his knees with his hands behind his head. They stepped out onto the decking and they saw three men aiming their guns at them.

"You do exactly the same as him. We don't mean any harm," A man with dark hair spoke and Harriet ushered Nevil down the steps and they both got to their knees and placed their hands behind their heads. "Did you fire the gun?"

"W-What gun?" Harriet stammered.

"Did you not hear the gunshot...There's dangerous people in this area, are you apart of their group?" He asked.

"It's just us three, we've been alone for age's," Elliot explained. "What do you mean dangerous people?"

"They attacked our camp, shot our leader for no reason," He replied.

"You have a camp," Nevil retorted and the man chuckled.

"Yes we do boy. You could come with us, its a town called Verndale," He explained and Elliot looked back at Harriet and she nodded at him. "There's a lot of people there, other children, other women, a lot of men."

"Okay. We'll come."

AN: Sorry about the delay! I hope you enjoy this chapter, I couldn't resist introducing other members of the group. So, Harriet, Nevil (Yay, he's alive!) and Elliot are heading to Verndale? Thoughts on that? Poor Billy, I know. In my mind I still haven't decided who's going to have shot him, just going to have to wait and see what comes to my mind.

You guys are the best! Your reviews always make me smile :) Thank you, oh so very much!

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