“What are you doing?” Michael asks.
“We’re gonna take him with us.”
Michael steps back, “Wha- are you sure?”
“What are we supposed to do?”
“I don't know. Do you even know how to take care of a baby, Moxxie?’ Michael asks.
“My Mom does. She raised two of them.”
“Okay, but your Mom’s not here now. What are we supposed to do until we get back?” Michael asks.
“We’re taking the baby, Michael! Don't try and change my mind.” Moxxie says.
Michael is surprised by her aggression. He had never seen her act this way before. Moxxie holds the baby firmly and walks out of the room. Michael takes a moment and then walks out the room behind Moxxie. He doesn't know how he feels about taking the baby with them, but he feels guilty enough already. He decides not to say anything about it, and just leave with Moxxie.
Moxxie feels comfort when holding the baby. She knows that it’s dangerous to bring him into the real world, but she can't just leave him here to die here. Michael and Moxxie walk to the exit of the building, but Michael stops her from leaving so soon.
“Wait. You saw what those guys did to those people. They’re killers… and they probably regrouped with the rest of their friends. What are we going to do if we cross them?” Michael asks.
“We don't cross them. Let’s just leave and head back to the store.”
“What about Matthew?” Michael asks.
“We looked, but he’s not here. If he’s alive, he would have escaped this place by now. And he’s probably on his way back too.” Moxxie explains.
Michael takes a deep breath, “I hope your right.”
Michael hesitates, but eventually opens the door to the outside. Michael slowly cracks the door open and peaks outside. In the rain and mud, all Michael can see are infected roaming around. Michael knows it's dangerous to just try and escape the way they came, but it’s the only way out. Michael watches the group of infected walk until they pass by the building that they are in. Michael swings the doors open and runs down the steps. Moxxie follows him with the baby. Michael and Moxxie run past a few Military tents and buildings. They pass by one tent and see the opening in the fence. This is it. This is their chance to escape.
The three of them run to the opening and run outside of the camp. Their hearts are beating fast as the rain continues to land on their heads. Moxxie is surprised that the baby is still asleep. Michael and Moxxie run along the tree line back toward the road that leads up to the camp. Michael looks behind them as they run and sees dozens of infected come out from the forest and approach the camp. In only a few minutes, this entire community was destroyed. Michael looks back in front of him and continues running. They reach the road but have to make a decision. When they were driving with Zak, they hadn't been paying attention to where they were going. Now, they don't know how to get back. If they knew how to get back to the military truck that left the gas trail, they could find their way home. Michael doesn’t care however, and just runs down the road. Moxxie fears what's to come next. Not only are they lost, but they have an infant that they must take care of.
A few hours later, Michael and Moxxie are walking on a road. They are tired from the day’s work of trying to find Matthew, as well as all the traveling they did. The sun is starting to go down, and they still have no idea where they are. The rain has stopped, and the sky is clear of clouds. Ahead of them seems to be a small town, with only a few buildings. Michael knows it’s not safe to travel in the night, especially with a baby, so it makes sense to hold up in a building and rest until morning. Moxxie looks drowsy but makes sure that she stays awake. Michael looks sad as he still thinks about the whole situation with the baby and his Dad.
Eventually, Michael and Moxxie reach the town. They are both thinking the same thing; they need to get some rest. Michael looks and points at one of the buildings. It looks like a small two-story office building.
Michael looks at Moxxie, “This one's as good as any.”
Michael proceeds to enter the office building and holds the door open for Moxxie. Moxxie, still holding the baby, enters the building. They look the main room and see a dusty front desk most likely where someone's assistant used to work. Just behind the desk is a doorway that leads to a staircase. That’s where they decide to go. Michael and Moxxie cautiously proceed to walk up the stairs that lead to the second floor. Once they reach the top, they enter one open office room. Michael takes it slow and checks around to make sure it’s safe. He sees nothing alarming, so they both enter the room. On one side of the room is a shelf with glass windows, and the other side has multiple glass windows peaking to the outside world. It seems secure from infected, so they can relax and rest now. Moxxie goes and sits down up against the glass shelf. She continues to hold and comfort the baby. Michael walks over to the windows and looks outside. They only have a few minutes of sunlight left, but that doesn’t matter. Michael just watches the sun set in the distance. Moxxie wishes she could too, but it’s too much of a hassle to get up with the baby in her hands. Moxxie looks down at the baby, and his eyes slowly open. The baby looks up gracefully at Moxxie. He is not scared or worried that he’s in a stranger's hands. The look on his face makes Moxxie smile. She can't help it, and the joy she feels is alien to her. She can't remember having this kind of feeling, even from before the world burned to the ground. Moxxie looks up at Michael.
“What should we name him?”
Michael turns his head slightly, “I don't know. What did you have in mind?” Michael asks.
“How about… Jacob?” Moxxie asks.
Michael thinks about that name. That was her boyfriend’s name. All this time he spent with Moxxie, he felt so much closer to her, and he felt like they had a connection. What he quickly forgot was that she had just lost her boyfriend not too long ago. Michael doesn't know if he should approve of the name, so he just says nothing. Moxxie looks back at Michael and wonders why he remains quiet. She knows that Michael is interested in her, but she can't stop thinking about Jacob. She doesn't know if it’s because she loves him, or because she just misses having him around. Up until this moment, she had never consciously considered whether she was interested in Michael. She begins to wonder if the name is what's bothering him. She is curious as to what's going on inside his head.
“You don't like that name?” Moxxie asks.
“It’s fine… it’s just…”
“Just what?” Moxxie asks.
Michael slowly turns around and looks at her. He really doesn't know what to say. He doesn't want to talk about her boyfriend because he knows it’s a sensitive issue, but he also doesn't want to suppress his own feelings. Moxxie looks at him and looks understanding. Michael decides to go and sit next to her. Michael walks over and sits next to Moxxie and the baby. He remains silent and just looks forward outside of the windows. The baby begins to fall back asleep. Moxxie looks down at him and smiles again. Michael looks at the baby, but he feels the opposite of joy.
“I never thanked you… for burying him.”
“You don't have to thank me for that.” Michael says.
“No, I do. You made me feel better after I thought no one could. Thank you, Michael.” Moxxie says.
Michael does not respond. He doesn't care about what Moxxie is talking about. He can't seem to get the image of the father of this baby out of his head. He told himself to not feel guilty after what he did to the woman in the woods, but this is on a whole other level. He killed a baby's father. Now the kid will grow up without a Dad, and it’s because of him.
“I can't stop thinking about the baby. The fact that I’m the reason he has no Dad makes me feel like shit.” Michael explains.
“The baby has people now. He has us, and everybody at the store. You can't regret what you did Michael.”
“I do regret it. How am I not supposed to regret murdering someone?” Michael asks.
“If you didn’t kill him… you would have been in
his place, or I would have shot him dead when I walked into the room.”
Michael is surprised to hear her say that. She had never killed anyone before, so this seems unusual for her to just comfortably say.
“How do you know you would do something like that?” Michael asks.
“Because I would have seen you dead on the ground, and I know that I would have no choice other than to kill the person who killed you. I can't keep losing people, so I’m gonna start stepping up and doing shit about it.” Moxxie explains.
“Why would you do that for me?”
“Because I care about you! What other reason do you think?” Moxxie asks rhetorically.
She never thought about the way she felt about Michael. She just let out how she felt now, and it is the truth. Michael’s face turns red as he hears this. She knows that he must be uncomfortable just about now.
“What? You didn’t think that I cared? You care about me… and I care about you. That’s how things just are now.” Moxxie explains, “I know how you feel about me, Michael…”
Michael freezes when he hears her say this. He never imagined her openly expressing any kind of feelings for him. He instantly begins to question whether or not the feelings she has are romantic or friendly. Moxxie looks at Michaels confused face. She smiles for a moment, and then leans in for a kiss. Michael doesn't know what to do. He never kissed anyone before. Moxxie leans in and gives Michael a small kiss on the lips. It doesn't last long, but it felt special for the two of them. Moxxie leans back and starts laughing.
“Was that your first kiss?” Moxxie asks.
“Uhh…”
“Oh my God.” Moxxie laughs.
“What? Was it that bad?” Michael asks.
“No… I could tell though.”
Michael smiles and starts laughing with her. The two of them needed that kind of joy after a hellish day like that.
The moon is visible and bright. Michael stands near the window holding the baby in his arms. He looks down at the baby’s face. He is sleeping, but whenever he sees the kids face, he remembers his father. Michael tries not to look at the baby, and just keep watch for the next few hours. Michael looks back to see Moxxie sleeping on the floor of the office. They agreed for her to sleep first, and then Michael sleeps a few hours later. Michael can't help but watch her as she sleeps. He feels creepy doing it, but he can't stop appreciating how beautiful she is. Michael feels happy. He wonders what things will be like when the two of them get back to the group. He questions whether that kiss from before was just an attempt to feel comfort after she lost her boyfriend, or whether it actually meant something. Michael turns and looks back at the moon outside. He watches it for a while, but suddenly hears the door to the office open. Michael spins around to see someone in the shadows, pointing a gun at him. Michael freezes up in fear, not knowing what to do. The mysterious man walks over toward Moxxie in the light. As soon as he does, he recognizes the man.
Standing next to Moxxie’ s sleeping body and pointing a pistol at Michael is Lucas. Michael is shocked to see him. He only remembers him as being the fat creepy dude who held Moxxie at gunpoint earlier in the day. Michael begins to wonder where Zak and the others are. Lucas steps closer to Moxxie, while still pointing his gun at Michael. Michael is holding the baby and can't do anything. Lucas has a sick evil smile on his face. Moxxie slowly wakes up and begins to panic at the sight of Lucas. He quickly gets down and grabs her while still pointing the gun at Michael. She begins to cry. Lucas puts Moxxie in a hostage position.
“You think we wouldn't follow you from the campsite? No, no, no. You see, we knew you were here, and my boys are outside, so you better not try anything stupid.” Lucas says
“Please, just don’t hurt her.” Michael pleas.
Michael slowly lays the baby boy on the ground and steps away from him with his hands raised.
Lucas puts his mouth real close to Moxxie’ s ear, “Ever since I saw you back on the road, I knew this was gonna happen.”
Moxxie begins to cry and squirm. She has no luck. Lucas has a tight grip on her. Michael begins to sweat and tremble. Lucas is here to rape Moxxie.
“They are just waiting outside for their turn, so we can just take our time, honey.” Lucas laughs.
“Please man, don't do this!” Michael pleas.
Moxxie continues to cry. Lucas points the gun at Michael, and with his free hand, he begins to grope and caress Moxxie’s body. Her cries become louder and more desperate. Michaels eyes get filled with tears. If he could, he would slaughter this man right now, but he can't. Lucas will kill Michael if he tries to do anything.
“You’re just gonna stay there, and your gonna watch. Okay?” Lucas chuckles.
Michael begins to panic. He can't do anything without losing. He desperately wants to help, but he knows he’ll die. The sight of Moxxie helplessly being groped is too much for Michael to handle. If he sees it anymore, he will lose his mind. Lucas runs his hand down Moxxie’ s body, down toward her legs. Lucas starts laughing sadistically over Moxxie’ s cries. Lucas reaches down to undo his belt. As soon as he does, Moxxie slaps the gun out of his hand and elbows Lucas in the ribs. Lucas steps back in pain, but quickly punches Moxxie. She falls to the ground. Lucas looks on the ground and sees his pistol. He reaches down to grab it, but before he does, Michael charges him and tackles him into the shelf. As soon as they hit the shelf, the glass windows shatter. Michael quickly puts his hands around Lucas’s throat. Michael has every intention of ending this man's life, right here, and right now. Michael begins to choke Lucas. It starts to work, but Lucas reach down at the shattered glass and picks up a shard. It cuts his hand, but he doesn't care. Lucas swings the glass and cuts Michael on his stomach. Michael steps back in pain and reaches down to feel his cut. It’s a minor cut that barely went deep in the flesh. Michael looks up at Lucas. Lucas looks back with the glass knife in his hand. He smiles sadistically at Michael, but before any of them can do anything, Moxxie walks up next to Lucas and puts his own gun up against his head. Before Lucas even knows it, Moxxie pulls the trigger. Lucas’ brains fly out the other end of his head and land all over the wall. Moxxie has no mercy for him, especially after what he had just tried to do.
Michael runs over to Moxxie and hugs her. After a moment of realization, she starts to cry. Michael wants to cry too, but there's no time for that.
“He said his friends are outside! If they heard that shot, they’re coming up here right now!” Michael says.
Michael steps back and looks at Moxxie. She looks horrified, but she nods her head. She looks down at Lucas on the ground watches the blood spill out of his skull. She just killed someone for the first time, and it felt terrible, but she doesn't regret it one bit.
Michael runs over and picks up the baby. Michael walks over to Moxxie and trades the baby for Lucas’ handgun. It's time for them to escape now.
“We gotta go now!” Michael says.
Michael walks over to the door to the stairwell and kicks it open. Moxxie follows him. Michael has a loaded gun and is ready to kill any of Zak’s crew.
Michael opens the back door of the office building and steps outside. He holds the door for Moxxie to come out as well. They are in an alleyway behind the building. They can go to the left or to the right. To their left is a small group of infected, most likely there because they heard the gunshot. To their right is the street. Michael knows that the Legion is probably searching the building right now, so they must make a decision quick.
“Run to the street and wait for me!” Michael whispers.
Moxxie steps back, “I’m not leaving you!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right behind you.”
Moxxie hesitates but ends up running toward the street with the baby in her hands. Michael turns and looks at the group of infected. Michael looks angry.
“I’m over here you mother fuckers!” Michael screams.
It sounded like he was screaming at the Legion members inside, but he was staring right at
the infected. The infected notice Michael and quickly begin to walk toward him. Michael walks backward toward Moxxie near the street. The infected continue to follow him and get lured near the back door of the building. Some of the Legion members heard Michaels scream, and are looking for him now. A few men barge through the back door of the office building but are caught off guard by all the infected around them. The infected lunge toward the men and take them down. The infected swarm around them and eat them to death. Their loud eerie screams can still be heard as they are ripped into pieces. That was all a part of Michaels plan. He lured both the infected, and Zak’s men to the same spot to buy them some more time.
Michael turns around and runs toward Moxxie. They regroup and run down the street. He knows that they have some time to get away, but their mistake last time was that they were followed on the road, so Michael knows they must do something different this time. Michael stops running and looks at Moxxie. She still looks terrified, but a lot more confident after seeing what Michael did back in the alley way.
“Come on. We’re going through the woods. Make sure you stay close.” Michael whispers.
Moxxie nods her head and follows Michael. The two of them run into the woods as fast as they can. It is dark and scary, but they know it's the best thing that they can do. They still have no idea where they are, or how to get back to the group. One thing they know for sure is that they have to run like hell.
Chapter 13
Unturned
He walks on the train tracks near a neighborhood. The winds blow through his thick black hair. He looks tired and upset. Dan wears a backpack with arrows sticking outside one of the pockets. In his hand is a bow. This survivor must be an archer of some kind, but he looks young and inexperienced. Dan wears a blue dress shirt that's quite dirty. His black jeans have some tears in it, but the clothing is enough to keep him warm in this spring temperature. On his waist is a sheath with a long bowie knife attached to it. He is heavily armed, and clearly prepared to deal with any infected that may come his way.
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