In the early morning light, Tommie stirred from his restless sleep on the couch, stretching stiffly. Brian, who had slept on the floor in a makeshift bed, was already up, peering cautiously out the window.

"It's quiet," Tommie noted, frowning as he sat up.

"Too quiet," Brian agreed. He moved closer to the window, scanning the empty streets outside. "Not a soul in sight."

Tommie pushed himself off the couch and headed towards the room where I was resting. Sunlight streamed in through the cracked window, casting a soft glow across the room. His gaze fell on the blood-soaked towels that had been used to clean my leg. "Shit, that's a lot of blood," he muttered under his breath, worry creasing his face.

Brian followed him into the room, glancing from the towels to me. "How's she looking?"

"She's still asleep," Tommie said, relieved to see my chest rising and falling steadily. "Rest is probably the best thing for her right now. I won't wake her."

Brian nodded but didn't look fully reassured. "We'll need to clean her wounds soon, though. Infection like that doesn't just go away on its own. It's going to need around-the-clock care to stop it from coming back as bad as it was."

Tommie rubbed his hands over his face, exhaustion settling in. "We need the antibiotics."

Brian crossed his arms, deep in thought. "We'll have to think of a way to find them."

Tommie sighed, frustration seeping into his voice. "ARGH!" He ruffled his hair angrily. "I have no idea where they could've gone. We got chased out of the pharmacy, and we made no plan. I don't know where they might be."

Brian considered for a moment, then said, "Look, I've got weapons and enough experience to survive out there. Give me a description of them, or at least the cars. I can go and try to find them."

Tommie paused, his eyes searching Brian's face for any hesitation or doubt, but found none. After a moment, he nodded and launched into a detailed description of my dad, Uncle Jim, and the vehicles they were driving. "Her Dad's truck is a beat-up old Hilux. Dark blue. And Her brother Jake drives an old SUV, probably low on gas."

Brian grunted in acknowledgment. "Good enough. How's your car?"

"Out of fuel," Tommie muttered with frustration.

"Walking it is, then," Brian replied, already moving to gather his weapons and supplies.

Tommie's worry deepened as Brian strapped on his gear. "Are you sure about this?"

Brian gave him a hard look, slinging a rifle over his shoulder. "If I don't come back, expect the worst and focus on getting her better. She's got a chance if you keep that infection under control."

Tommie stood frozen for a second, then nodded, swallowing hard. "Just... be careful."

Without another word, Brian opened the door and stepped out into the deserted streets, disappearing into the quiet, broken world outside. Tommie stood in the doorway for a moment, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders as he looked back at me, still unconscious on the bed.

Brian stepped cautiously out of the house, the rising sun casting long shadows across the street. The neighbourhood was eerily quiet, each step he took echoing off the cracked pavement. He kept his hand close to his pocket knife, alert to the possibility that danger could be around any corner. Ashta needed those antibiotics, and every minute wasted was a risk to her life.

The streets were lined with abandoned cars, many of them rusted and useless, but Brian knew the cars Tommie had described would stand out. He just hoped they hadn't gotten too far.

After a few blocks, Brian spotted a rundown servo up ahead, surrounded by a few scattered vehicles. His eyes scanned the lot, searching for any sign of movement. Still no Hilux. He sighed in frustration, moving closer to inspect the area when a sudden noise caught his attention.

"Shhh," came a hushed voice from nearby.

Brian tensed, immediately crouching down to stay out of sight. He moved silently, his instincts sharp. "Who's there?" he whispered, keeping his voice low.

Before he could get an answer, two figures popped up from behind a car. One of them threw a rock in Brian's direction before both took off running.

"Wait!" Brian yelled, too loud. The sound of his voice echoed ominously through the quiet street, sending a jolt of fear down his spine. 'Stupid,' he thought, cursing himself for the outburst. He shook it off and began sprinting after the two, his years of surviving making him fast and determined. They couldn't get away.

The chase took them down narrow streets, twisting corners, and Brian stayed on their tail, his breathing steady as he closed in. Finally, they darted into an alley a dead end. The two boys turned around, their backs against the wall, panting in exhaustion.

"Please don't kill us!" the younger one pleaded. He couldn't have been more than sixteen.

"Don't beg, you idiot," the older one snapped, pushing him aside. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, clearly trying to put on a brave face.

The younger one glared at him. "You're the one who made me shush in the first place!"

"Only because you wouldn't shut up!" the older one shot back.

Brian watched them, raising an eyebrow. He was almost amused by their bickering. "Uh, boys?" he interrupted. "Are you two done, or...?"

The older one looked up, his face hardening. "What do you want? If you're gonna hurt us, just... not the face, okay?"

Brian blinked in surprise. 'Not the face?'

The younger boy, wide-eyed, turned to his companion. "The hell, Jake? What's wrong with you?"

At the mention of the name, Brian's eyes widened. "Jake?" he repeated, realization dawning. He stepped closer, lowering his guard just slightly. "Jake, is that you?"

Jake stiffened, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Yes?"

Brian let out a breath, relief washing over him. "I've been looking for you. I'm Brian- I'm with Ashta and Tommie."

At the sound of Ashta's name, Jake's bravado faltered. "Ashta... she's alive?" he asked, his voice catching just a bit.

Brian nodded. "Yeah, but she's hurt. We need the antibiotics your dad had. It's bad, Jake. She doesn't have a lot of time."

Jake's face paled, but he quickly masked it, turning his head slightly toward the ground. "We've got the meds in my dad's truck, but we got separated when we were chased out. No clue where they are now."

Brian nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll need the details on the truck and where you last saw them. We'll get those antibiotics and find your dad. But we can't waste time."

Jake straightened up, nodding as the urgency of the situation settled in. "Fine. Let's go."

Brian turned to the younger boy. "You, too. What's your name?"

"Riley," he said quietly, still shaken.

"Alright, Riley," Brian said, his voice steady. "Stick close. We've got work to do."

Jake, Riley, and Brian made their way down the quiet street toward the servo. The tension of the previous encounter still lingered in the air. As they neared the servo again, Brian eyed Jake curiously.

"Why are we coming back here?" Brian asked, glancing around for any sign of trouble.

Jake shrugged and kept walking, his gaze fixed ahead. "I left the car this way with the other two love birds," he said, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. Riley snickered behind him.

Brian rolled his eyes but followed Jake down a side street. Soon, he spotted the SUV parked near a row of empty shops. As they approached, Brian saw movement from inside the vehicle. Two figures sat up straight in their seats, their eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Jake, who's this?" a girl called out from the car as she opened the door and stepped out. She had an air of protectiveness in her posture, clearly cautious about strangers.

Jake introduced Brian. "Reya, Quin, this is Brian. He says he knows where Ashta is."

At the mention of Ashta, both Reya and Quin jumped up, their faces instantly brightening with hope.

"Really? Where?" they asked in unison, desperation flickering in their eyes.

Brian held up a hand to calm them. "She's in a small unit a few streets over. She isn't doing great got a nasty infection in her leg from the bullet wound. I managed to treat it the best I could, but she needs antibiotics, and her bandages need to be changed. It's a bad situation."

Reya and Quin exchanged worried glances before Reya turned to Brian. "We have some bandages with us. Jake's dad has the stronger supplies, but we picked up what we could before we got separated."

"That'll help," Brian said with a nod. "Let's get back to her quickly. We can change the bandages, and hopefully, we'll figure out a way to get those antibiotics."

The group agreed without hesitation. Jake moved to the driver's seat, and Brian slid into the passenger side to give directions. Reya and Quin climbed into the back, with Riley squeezing in next to them.

As the car roared to life, Brian glanced over at Jake. "You ready for this?"

Jake's jaw tightened, his eyes on the road. "Let's just get her better," he muttered, and with that, they sped off, heading back toward Ashta.

As I started to come to, a faint whimper escaped my lips, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped the small room. Panic surged through me as I bolted upright, only to be confronted by the stark reality of my surroundings. "Tommie!" I called out, my voice trembling, echoing off the grimy walls. The dim light filtering through the window illuminated the blood-soaked towels on the floor, and the sight made my stomach twist violently. I leaned over, retching as bile spilled from my lips, the acrid taste stinging my throat.

Moments later, I heard hurried footsteps and then the familiar sound of Tommie's voice filled the space. "Ashta! Are you okay?" His concern wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but the urgency in his tone only deepened my unease. He rushed to my side, finding a clean towel and gently wiping the remnants of my panic away. "Yeah," I managed to reply, my voice barely a whisper, laced with fatigue. "Just the sight... it made me sick."

Tommie's eyes searched my face, worry etched across his features. "You're not looking great," he said softly, his brow furrowed. I could see the shadows under his eyes, the weight of fear and helplessness reflecting back at me.

"Yeah, I don't feel great," I admitted, glancing around the room, trying to shake off the dread settling in my chest. "Where's Brian?"

"He went out looking for your dad and the others," he replied, and I nodded, feeling a pang of anxiety.

Tommie let out a shaky sigh, the tension in the air palpable. "Ashta, you really scared me last night. I thought... I thought you weren't going to make it." His voice broke slightly, revealing just how deeply my struggle had affected him.

"I didn't think I was going to either. I'm glad you were by my side, Tommie," I said, mustering the faintest smile.

He shifted closer, the worry still clinging to him. "Ash, about what I said in the car- about it being your fault... I'm sorry. I was just scared and frustrated, and I took it out on you. It wasn't your fault."

I raised a hand to silence him, "I know, Tommie. It's okay. I'm not mad at you. You're doing your best."

As I attempted to sit up, a wave of pain shot through my leg, forcing a gasp from my lips. "Tommie-"

"Just take it easy," he urged, his voice steady but laced with concern.

I took a deep breath, the air thick with unease. "I know this is bad timing and probably not the best conditions, but I don't know what will happen to me. If I'll ever get a moment alone to say this again..." My heart raced, each beat echoing in my ears. "When I first started school, I had my eyes set on you from the start. Quin would always hype you up. At first, I thought it was just a stupid little crush, but at your party, I realized it wasn't just that. It was something more."

His eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and hope flickering in his gaze. "What are you saying, Ash?"

I swallowed hard, my emotions swirling like a storm inside me. "These past few months with you... from losing my mom to this chaos, it's been so hard. But you've been my anchor, Tommie. I want to move forward with you. I love you."

The silence that followed was deafening. Tommie sat frozen, processing my words. "Sorry, I know it's bad timing... just ignore it," I added awkwardly, laughter escaping me, but it felt hollow.

"No," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "I can't ignore that. And you're right; it is bad timing. You're injured."

My laughter faded, leaving an ache in my chest. But then he leaned forward, a warmth radiating from him. "Ash, right now, all I want to do is pick you up and spin you around in happiness, but I can't."

His words wrapped around me, a bittersweet comfort. "The most I can do is this." He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment, then rested his forehead against mine, grounding me in that chaotic moment.

"I love you too, Ash," he whispered, and in that fragile space, with uncertainty surrounding us, I felt a flicker of hope ignite.

As we shared this fragile moment, the world outside faded into the background, but a sudden sound shattered the tranquility, a car engine rumbling to life, breaking our fragile bubble. "What was that?" I asked, my heart racing with a mix of hope and dread.

Tommie bolted upright, his expression shifting from tender concern to urgent determination. "Tommie, don't leave me alone!" I begged, panic rising in my chest.

"I'm just checking the window," he replied, his voice steady but his movements quickening as he rushed into the lounge. I could hear the rustle of the curtain, and a wave of relief washed over him as he glanced outside. "Thank God," he murmured, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly before he moved toward the door.

When he opened it, Brian stepped into view, his eyes locking onto Tommie's with a sense of camaraderie and relief. "It ain't her dad, but it's the next best thing," he said, a smirk breaking across his face as he walked inside.

Behind Brian came Jake, Riley, Reya, and Quin, each face a blend of determination and concern, their presence a reminder that I was still connected to the world outside. Tommie quickly shut the door, a protective gesture that felt like a lifeline in the chaos surrounding us.

"Tommie, thank goodness you're okay!" Quin exclaimed, his voice brightening the tense atmosphere, but Jake's serious tone cut through the excitement. "Where is she?"

"First room on your right," Tommie replied, his voice steady despite the worry in his eyes. As we entered, Jake stepped forward, and when our eyes met, an avalanche of emotions flooded through me relief, fear, and an overwhelming sense of love. "Ash..." he started, his voice faltering as he took in my surroundings.

Tears welled in my eyes as he registered my condition pale and weak, surrounded by bloodied towels that painted a harrowing picture of my ordeal. "Jake," I whispered, the sound barely escaping my lips as I reached out for him.

Tommie settled beside me, a reassuring presence amidst my pain. "Brian found them," I managed to say, my voice trembling with gratitude. "I'm so glad."

Quin stepped into the room, his expression shifting from excitement to horror as he took in the sight of me. "Oh my Ash," he gasped, his voice cracking with concern.

"Come on, guys, it's not that bad," I attempted to joke, but the laughter that bubbled up turned into a strained cough, sending a sharp pain radiating through my leg.

"Take it easy," Tommie urged, his brow furrowed with concern as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Ashta, I have fresh bandages here," Brian said, stepping into the room with a look of determination on his face. He settled at the end of the bed, his focus shifting entirely to my leg. "Can you lift it?"

I nodded slowly, dread pooling in my stomach, but I forced myself to respond. "I'll try." With every ounce of willpower, I lifted my leg, feeling the sharp sting of pain but also a strange sense of relief knowing I was no longer alone. Brian gently placed my leg on top of his lap, his touch both firm and reassuring.

"I'm going to take this bandage off and clean it. Are you ready? It may sting," he warned, his eyes searching mine for consent.

I steeled myself, determination flooding my veins. "Nothing can be as bad as last night," I replied, trying to inject confidence into my words even as fear knotted in my stomach.

"Tommie, I want you to support her and hand me what I need to clean the wound," Brian instructed, his focus unwavering. Tommie nodded, his face a mask of concentration as he prepared to help.

Brian began unwrapping the bandages slowly, each layer revealing the harsh reality of my injury. The sight of my leg was horrifying bruised, red, and swollen, with dark veins threading through the skin, but at least the infection seemed to be under control. "Why are there cuts?" Jake asked, his voice laced with disbelief as he leaned closer.

"I did it," Brian admitted, his tone steady as he met Jake's gaze. "Her leg was infected. If I hadn't drained it, she would have lost her leg... and potentially her life."

Jake gasped, bringing his hand to his mouth as horror washed over him. "Ash..." he whispered, his voice heavy with concern and love.

"Pass me some of the paper towels and disinfectant," Brian ordered Tommie, his focus unwavering as he prepared to tend to my wounds. "This will sting."

As the disinfectant touched my skin, I gasped, instinctively pressing my face into the pillow. My muffled scream barely contained as I buried my face in its softness.

"Stop! It's hurting her!" Jake yelled, panic rising in his voice.

"Jake, he's helping her," Tommie said firmly, his eyes locked on Jake's, both of them filled with concern for me. I squeezed Tommie's hand tightly, grounding myself in his presence, the warmth of his grip reminding me that I wasn't alone.

"Almost done, you're doing amazing," Brian encouraged, his voice steady and soothing as he continued to clean the wound.

When he finished, he expertly re-bandaged my leg, his touch gentle yet precise. "It looks much better," he said, a hint of relief breaking through his professional demeanor.

"Do you need anything?" Tommie asked, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart swell.

"Water," I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper as exhaustion pulled at my eyelids. I felt my body begin to relax, the sweet pull of sleep calling to me.

As I closed my eyes, a wave of gratitude washed over me. Despite the chaos surrounding us, I was no longer alone. I was surrounded by the people who cared for me, who fought to keep me alive. That thought wrapped around me like a warm embrace as I drifted into a peaceful rest, feeling safe for the first time in what felt like an eternity.