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"We're in a pretty rural area," Lis said with a furrowed brow, "It might be a bit before we can shelter again. But we can at least travel through this field so we have better visibility."
Tohru went to reload his gun, just to make sure he had it ready, should there be another attack.
"I'm still… what the hell was all that?"
"I have no idea." Levi gasped, out of breath. "I've never seen them do that before." He looked back at the trees, watching a couple of zombies they'd left behind stalking up and down the fence line. He shivered and turned, looking up at Tohru. "Is your face okay?"
Kas nodded weakly and closed his eyes, growing a bit limp in Luka's arms. He still had his bow clutched in one hand, and he looked pretty drained. Mori hiccuped and curled in on himself, shaking violently with fear. He'd never seen zombies chase people in broad daylight like that, and it was really freaking him out, in addition to there being zombies at all.
Tohru nodded.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm alright," he replied, his voice still a little bit raspy and fragile-sounding, "It's just a scratch. I'm definitely a lot more concerned about… that, whatever that was they just did."
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Aspen looked around worriedly, her eyes darting all over the place, she paced back and forth, her chin rested in her palm, she thought about her mom and sister, their tragic death scene flashed into her mind. She shook her head, as if to banish the thought and opened her backpack; getting out the various bottles of water and little snacks cheez its, chips and bags of cookies, and sat them on the ground, where everyone could see them, there were more than enough for everyone, she cleared her throat "there's food and water, for everyone." She said loudly enough for everyone to hear, and then leaning against a tree, her back and hip aching.
Luka held Kas close as he continued to think about everything that happened. He was worried about everyone…especially Kas. Lilac held Mori close, whispering words of comfort into his ear. He really needed it and she was willing to provide. Bean sat next to Aspen, worry on her face. “You okay?” she asked.
Aspen nodded, and rubbed her fingertips against her eyelids "yeah, im fine." She said aloud, looking around, she rested her head on Beans shoulder, leaning her weight onto the other girl, she set her hand on top of Beans.
Bean held onto her hand tightly. “You should rest too…you seem tired,” she whispered, pulling Aspen close to her. “I’ll keep watch,” she added, smiling a little as she rushed her fingers through the other girl’s hair. She had been worried about her since they sat down. She was worried that she was hurt or something.
"I cant, my hip reopened and its uncomfortable." She whispered, gesturing to her blood soaked pants. She then blinked wildy, she then turned her gaze to Bean, gripping her hand tightly "do you ever think what things would be like…if it was normal? if this stupid virus never happened?" she asked quietly.
Bean went silent before looking away. “I know for a fact we probably wouldn’t have met…” she muttered, trying to think of something other than her sister. She loved Hailey but the latter’s death made it hard for Bean to sleep at night…or at all, really. She gripped onto Aspen’s hand. “Most of us wouldn’t have met, actually…” she tried to laugh. “It’s funny…months ago, I would have never imagined meeting someone like you but now I can’t imagine my life without you in it,” Bean smiled, turning to face Aspen once more.
Aspen shoved her face in her palm, the tips of her ears turning red. She made a noise of affection "thats funny, I was just thinking the same thing" she said quietly, kissing the tip of Beans nose, she then smiled so hard, her cheeks began to hurt.
Bean smiled, kissing Aspen on the lips. Her smile then faded. “You said your hip wound reopened?” she asked as she grabbed the extra bandages she had after patching up her sister. “How bad is it?” she tilted her head in worry.
Aspen couldn't help but give a stifled laugh, she waved her hand in a 'so-so' gesture and said "not to bad" while laughing against the back of her hand. "I don't think we should waste those, especially on me, someone could end up getting an injury far worse, and we might need them." She added quietly.
Bean sighed, setting the bandages down. “Just…Just tell me if it starts to hurt too much, okay? I don’t want you to be in pain…” she mumbled before leaning against Aspen. When Hailey got hurt, Bean didn’t stop to check how bad the wound was…and she regretted it so much. Maybe if she stopped, Hailey would still be alive. Bean could feel tears welling up in her eyes.
Aspen saw Beans tears and frowned, she used her thumbs to wipe them away and said "hey, its not your fault" she said quietly.She knew Bean was thinking about Hailey. She felt bad, she knew how bad guilt could tear someone up, and make them feel helpless and alone.
“I-It’s just…I-I was supposed…” she choked out, “s-supposed to protect her…I-I promised…” she started crying quietly as she hugged Aspen tightly. She was careful when it came to the other girl’s wound, though. “I-I miss her so much…I miss all of them…” she whispered, thinking about her parents as well. She felt horrible. Her parents depended on her to protect her siblings and she failed.
Aspen rubbed Beans back with her hand, going in slow circles, she laid her head on Beans shoulder and whispered a "shhhhhhhh, its okay." Into her ear, after a few moments like that she said "I miss them too." With a soft whisper.
Bean managed to calm down a little as she leaned her head on Aspen’s chest. “I’m tired of people getting hurt…I’m tired of everyone around us dying…” she whispered, her silver eyes filled with grief and sorrow. Anyone who didn’t know what was going on would’ve thought she was giving up. “I-I miss my family…I miss my school and my friends…I miss having a normal life,” she added. “The only good thing that’s come out of this…is you guys.”
Aspen ran her hand through Beans hair, she frowned. "I get it, all I ever find myself craving sometimes; is a normal life." She said quietly "I hate this just as much as you do, trust me." She whispered, her voice faltering.
Bean continued to lean against Aspen, her eyes looking exhausted. She hadn’t slept very well lately and it showed. “I wish this would just end already…haven’t we lost enough?” she whispered quietly, trying to stay awake. She needed to stay up…she didn’t want anyone to be forced to watch her back as she slept.
Aspen smiled widely as she whispered "go to sleep, dream of a place better than this one." and stroked Beans hair, admiring her grey eyes.
Bean hesitated before cuddling up with Aspen and falling asleep. She was so tired and she was a little glad she could rest. She dreamed of a world where her family was still together and everyone here was together. Everyone was happy…she was upset it wasn’t real.
Kas soon passed out in Luka's arms, although it wasn't very clear whether he was sleeping or just unconscious. Mori wasn't very reassured by everyone else calming down, still paranoid they would be attacked again.
Lilac brushed her fingers through Mori’s hair. “Hey, we’re gonna be okay…” she whispered trying to comfort the kid. Luka held Kas close as he leaned back against the rock. He was stressed, no doubt, but he was glad they were safe…even if it wasn’t for as long as anyone would like.
Mori hiccuped weakly and buried his face in Lilac's shoulder, his heart racing. He shook his head a bit in reply. "N-No… we c… we c-can't stop… it's not safe to stop here in the middle of the woods…" He whispered.