~ Luke ~

Lucy was as mad as I thought she'd be. The trip to the van was made with no problems. The dead, however, were still there, just not as much of a surprise this time.

Randy made it clear there was one thing that they needed urgently for this coming winter; gasoline. He devised a plan to gather some from the city two hours away. He didn't want a repeat of what happened in the town, so he took time to make a real plan.

"We'll dispatch a group in two days to the city. Winter is coming and we'll need to be prepared. Hopefully the city isn't looted too much. I'll make the group, but for now go about business as usual." Randy turned away and walked off.

A few people stood idly by before going back to their normal life within these fenced walls.

I sighed. "Since I've seen them up close, I'll probably be asked to go, again."

I glanced off to the side and saw Annie hurry off from beside one of the houses. I swear I saw tears on her face.

"Was she...was she crying?"

I started walking her way when Jeremy stormed around the corner of the same house. Our eyes met in a brief instant before I lowered mine to the ground, acting like I hadn't seen. When I looked back up, Jeremy was gone and so was Annie.

"Should I go find her? See if she needs anything? ... But what if she wants to be alone right now and me showing up will only make things worse?... Ugh fine I'll go."

★★★★★

Her place is where I checked first. After a few knocks, shuffling and clinking of locks soon followed. I was in luck, she was there. The sight of her made my heart race and my mouth got dry.

"Why am I so nervous?"

When Annie opened the door, she forced a smile on her face.

"What's up?" She said with fake enthusiasm.

"I, uh, are you..."

She stared at me with those gorgeous green eyes as I fought my tongue to find the words.

"I was just wondering if everything was alright..."

"You dummy, of course things aren't alright."

She smiled and nodded. "Yup! Never better!"

Deep down, I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe her smile, her nod, but her eyes gave a different answer. They were red and misty and you could see the streaks on her cheeks left by the tears. My heart ached seeing her like this.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about--" I started, but was interrupted.

"Yes, I'm sure. It's nothing, really. Thanks though." She leaned on the door, drumming her fingers against the window.

"Alright... I'll uh, be around then." I forced a smile and turned down the steps.

"Ah, Luke! Just the guy I wanted to see. May we talk a second?" Randy came out of nowhere, and honestly startled the crap out of me.

"Yeah, of course."

I gave one last look over at Annie's face. I sighed and walked off with Randy.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

~ Annie ~

After closing the door I rested my forehead against it.

"Why didn't I let him help... I don't want to be alone right now.."

I went to the living room and laid on the couch, covering my eyes with my arm.

"Why am I so sad? Jeremy did this, right? That prissy girl couldn't be better than me... Maybe she is and that's why he chose her... I wonder how long it's been going on... Wait, I don't want to know... Why does it hurt so much?"

Jeremy was cheating on me. They were behind the girl's house, all over each other. He tried to deny it and say she came onto him, but I'm not stupid. Her back was against the wall while his hands caressed her body. There was no "she came onto me" about it.

He cheated, and yet... I hurt. Jeremy and I have been together only a few months, but it felt real. I thought it was real. I guess I was just playing along with his little game.

I grabbed my shirt over where my heart ached. A tear trickled down my cheek. I let it slide down to the cushion. I rolled over and stared at the back design of the couch. My fingertips traced the flowers and sewn stems.

"I feel so used and worthless..."

The light got darker as my eyes slowly closed, letting loose a few more tears.

★★★★★

I awoke a few hours later. The sun was still up, but it was that gorgeous dark golden, orange color.

"Nap well?"

Startled, I turned and saw gramps looking through his book collection.

"Yeah. Kind of." I sat up and he replaced the book he was holding back on the shelf.

"Jeremy, huh?" He sat down next to me.

"How'd you know?"

"Come on now, I've lived a long life so far and I think I know what a heartbreak looks like."

I laughed and wiped a tear from my eye. "It's that obvious, huh?"

"Just a little bit." He smiled as I hugged him. "I don't know what happened, but I do know you're the strongest girl I know, right next to your mother and grandmother. If anyone can get through this, it's you."

"Thanks gramps." I sat back, "so, what'd you need to talk to Luke about earlier?"

"A bit interested are ya?" He chuckled, "I asked him to join the group to the city. After everything that's happened, you'd think he'd decline and stay away from the world outside these fences. However, he accepted without hesitation."

"He did?" I couldn't hide the shock as much as I wanted.

"He's a crazy young man, but loyal, brave and will do anything for the ones he loves. He's the type of person I'd want to protect you after I'm gone."

I blushed a bit. "It's true he's an amazing and good guy, but you're not leaving any time soon so there's no need."

"True, but it doesn't hurt to have more protection right?" He gives a long, genuine laugh, "well I'll cook dinner. Tacos alright with you?"

"I love tacos. Yes please." My stomach grumbled with the thought of tacos.

"I'll get started right away then!" Randy left the room and the light flicked on in the kitchen.

Resting back on the arm of the couch, my mind began to wonder.

"The type to protect me, huh?... He's caring, he actually cares. Jeremy though... What would he do to Luke if she started hanging around him?... Luke can handle himself well though, but I don't want to cause him any problems. Besides he might not even want to be around me now... Oh shut up, he's all googly-eyed when he sees you."

"Ugh!" I flipped over and shoved my face in the pillow.

"Isn't it wrong to like someone so soon after your heart gets broken? Maybe I don't like him... Quit lying to yourself. You feel a certain way about Luke you didn't feel for Jeremy, maybe this is true love?... You can't be serious, I just met him!... I guess I'll wait to see where it goes."

A smile spread across my face. "Hey gramps?"

"Yes hunny?" He hollered from the kitchen.

"How many more people do you need for the group to the city?" I hung my arms over the back of the couch.

"One more should be fine. Why? Know someone?"

"I can get to know him better this way... Ugh this might be stupid..."

"I'll go." I finally said.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

~ Luke ~

"Absolutely not!" Lucy yelled across the dinner table.

"Of course she'd react this way... Can't really blame her though, I kind of spoke without much thought."

"I'm one of few who really knows about these...things. They need someone who has experience with them, I suppose." I tried to sound convincing, but even I didn't truly believe the words I was saying. In fact, I didn't even know why I went back to the van. There was just a sense of responsibility to volunteer, I guess.

"They can ask someone else. You've helped enough. Not to mention, you put your life on the line several times." Lucy hadn't even touched her food since the topic first started.

"I'll be fine, I always am. Besides I want to help out. This is the world we live in now. If we can help out or make even the slightest difference towards survival, we've gotta try."

Lucy started to pout, she knew I was right, "Yeah, but why always you? There are other people who can help out too you know."

She was right. There were others who could've went in my place, more responsible and older. You know, more experienced.

I shrugged, "I know what's out there now, so I'll be extra cautious."

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. Lucy went to her room and I washed the dishes. After they were done, I went to my room and jumped in bed.

"I should get some rest. It's gonna be a LONG trip."

★★★★★

The last day before the trip went by fast. Before they knew it, it was was Saturday morning and the vans were being packed up.

There were different people going this time.

The jocks weren't going, thank you Randy. Brick was going, some other guys I've seen work on the fences and... Annie?

"She's going too??"

Annie looked my way and gave a small smile and wave. I returned the gesture and looked around for Jeremy to be watching. To my amazement, he was nowhere to be seen.

The vans were ready to go with all the things we'd need. Backpacks, gas cans, some food and a few weapons.

I hugged and promised to return to Lucy who went back to the house before seeing us off.

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her." Randy walked up beside me after hearing me sigh, "Can I ask you for a favor in return?"

"What's all this about so suddenly?"

"Sure, anything."

"Protect Annie while you're out there. I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to her." He was serious, dead serious. His eyes were unblinking and stern.

"Yessir. I'll make sure she stays safe."

Randy smiled and ruffled my hair, "You know, you're an alright kid." He walked off to talk to Brick.

"He asked me, personally, to protect Annie? I won't let him down."

★★★★★

Sadly, Annie got stuck in the opposite van. The guys in my van talked about life before the Z's. Gambling, alcohol, chicks, sports, anything manly.

I participated in the conversations when I had adequate tales to tell, which made the ride go by quicker.

The city they were heading to was a neighboring city. A two hour ride there, but still a neighbor city.

★★★★★

We didn't drive the vans into the city where they could get stolen by looters. There was a hill that blocked the view before you rounded the top and saw the city. We parked the vans on a small side road that had been mostly covered with wildlife now and hid them with branches and whatnot.

The city was close enough to walk to.

"So a simple, get in get out and meet back here routine, right?" I asked, stretching after getting out.

"Yeah." Says one of the guys I've learned to know as, Chip.

The other van arrived. Everyone in it got out, making a total of seven of us. Annie noticed me looking and smiled.

"You aren't supposed to get caught staring! Ugh."

Annie went to the back of their van and opened the back hatch and let out a soft squeal. Everyone readied their weapons and rushed over.

"Guys it's okay. Put the weapons down." Annie said, reassuring everyone.

She looked at me, smiled and shook her head as she stepped aside. Someone crawled out of the back.

"I thought no one was ever going to open that!"

My mouth hung open.

"What the hell is she doing here??"

"Lucy. What on Earth are you doing here?" I stomped up to her.

She smiled as she replied. "I got tired of letting you go out by yourself. So, I snuck in the van when no one was watching and came along. Cool, huh?"

"No. Not cool. This isn't a game Luce. It's dangerous out here." I folded my arms across my chest.

"What can I do? It IS impressive she was a total ninja about it, but I can't let her know that."

"I know. But I got tired of not knowing when you'd come home. So, I came along instead." She smiled, clearly knowing there's nothing we can do about it now.

I sigh heavily, "Fine. But you come with me. You have to listen if I tell you something. If things get bad, you will run. No questions. Understand?" I had to set the ground rules.

She nodded. "Yep."

I turn back to everyone and shrug. "I guess we got eight."

Brick came over and split us into groups.

Group 1: Me, Lucy, Annie and Chip.
Group 2: Brick, Leon, Shannon and Jon.

"This trip is simple. Get in, get gas, get out. Don't worry about other things because we can always come back for those." Brick paced in front of us like a commander.

"Why did we have to travel this far for gas? There were gas stations much closer to home." That was Jon. He was always complaining. If there wasn't anything to complain about, he'd find something.

"Well..." Brick was having a hard time figuring out a good response.

"It's simple. We need this gas for winter, right? Well if we get gas from far away before it gets too cold, it'll save the gas in those gas stations close to home for when or if we need it badly when the snow comes." I thought that sounded okay, but whether or not it made sense, eh.

"I still wish we got it closer..." Jon complained.

"Let's say there's a blizzard and it's negative degrees outside and you need gas for your generator, which place would you rather travel to? The close gas station or this far away city?" He was annoying me, so I simplified it for him.

"Gas stations." He mumbled.

"Exactly. If we drained it dry now, you'd have to make this trip anyway, but it'd be freezing next time."

Jon finally stopped his ranting. We all geared up and planned to head out. We got in our groups. My group was to head into town through the road we were on, group two was going around and entering further to the other side.

Brick and his group disappeared from sight. Chip was eager to get going, so we started walking over the hill.

We were a group of nerves and tension. We had no idea what this city would look like. It could be swarming with Z's, on fire, a bloody battlefield, or even completely gone and this whole trip would've been for nothing.

When we got to the top of the hill, I couldn't believe what I saw. I don't think any of us could or would.

"What the hell? How is this possible?" Annie asked.

"I-- I don't know. I wasn't told it was going to be like this." Chip added in.

"Does this mean we should leave?" Lucy was the next to chime in.

"No, I think the plan still stands." I finish it off.

There, down at the end of the hill on the other side, was the city.

Completely intact. Completely inhabited. Completely normal. Completely untouched by the virus.