Chloe's POV

Derek tugged at my pajama pant leg.

"Let me check the bite," he said.

I sighed and said ok. Derek undid the bandage but I could tell he wasn't looking at the wound so much. He was looking at the scars from the symbols.

"It looks like it is getting better to me," I said.

Derek nodded and put the bandage back on. He looked utterly exhausted, he must have stayed up all night watching over me.

"Why don't you get some sleep," I suggested.

Derek's expression immediately conveyed he was not ok with going to sleep and leaving me alone.

"I promise not to isolate myself," I said. "I'll go find Simon and Tori."

Derek's eyelids drooped for a second, as much as he tried to fight it; I won. He wasn't going to stay awake much longer.

"No," he said.

"Please Derek, you can't help me if you can't stay awake."

He growled quietly.

"Fine," he grunted and before his head hit the pillow, he was out.

I got up and quickly showered and changed. I knew I had to make that promise to Derek because I really did want to isolate myself. I was a danger to everyone. I came downstairs and went to washing dishes. I was starving but not for food... But here I was technically still not isolating myself. There were people still eating in the dining room.

I was so deep in thought I didn't hear the person approach behind me. An arm snaked around my waste and I jumped out of my skin. Hissing. Jeremy chuckled, holding on to me.

"My my someones a little jumpy today."

"Let go of me," I responded.

Partly because I didn't like the way he was touching me and partly because I could feel the beating of his heart against me. I could hear the rush of his blood.

Jeremy let go and propped himself up on the counter. He grabbed a towel to dry the dishes I had already washed.

"Whats got your bun in a twist?" He asked. "Did Rachel say something again?"

I shook my head, "I'm fine."

Jeremy frowned, "Obviously not."

I rephrased it, "I don't want to talk to you about it."

His smile returned, "There we go. Was that so hard?"

"Why would you want me to say that?" I genuinely asked.

"Because honesty is the best policy. Us survivors need to stick together through thick and thin."

I looked around, not seeing Simon or Tori anywhere. I guess I'm stuck talking to Jeremy for the meantime.

I reached into the water and didn't find any more dishes.

"Well, looks like I'm done. You can go away now."

Jeremy set his last dish down and grabbed my hand.

"Come on, lets help Tess with laundry then."

I sighed, I really didn't want to do chores all day long. But I saw no valid argument out.

"Fine," I said and took my hand back.

Tess was loading the last of it into the back of her car when we walked up. Her face brightened when she saw me.

"Mornin' how are you feelin'?"

I avoided the question.

"Can we come help with laundry?" I asked.

Tess shrugged, "I don't see why not. There ain't much to do around here until the house is fixed up."

She shut the trunk and we all got in. It wasn't too far of a drive to the laundromat but I was silent for most of it. In the back of my head, I was worried about going into public so soon. Being surrounded by humans. Was I going to be able to handle it?