UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

A Strange Noise

(Jasper's POV)

After about ten minutes or so, Noah falls back soundly asleep. It's gotten darker by now and we haven't had any trouble by ourselves so far.

I sit up in bed and slowly climb out, causing it to make a squeaking noise. I glance back to make sure I hadn't woken up Noah. When I see I haven't, I exit the room and head downstairs.

I grab for any candle I can find and blow each one out one by one. No reason to leave these on, they'll be back tomorrow most likely.

I yawn a bit before blowing out the last candle and heading back upstairs. I carefully make my way back to our bedroom, trying not to trip on something in the dark.

I open the door to find a single candle lighting our room. "Oh there you are." Noah croaks while sitting up in bed. I nod and shut the door. "Sorry, did I wake you? I was just blowing out the candles." He simply shakes his head. "No, I woke up from coughing." He says through scratchy words.

I sigh and sit down. "Your voice hasn't gotten much better, huh?" Noah shrugs weakly. "Guess not."

I lean back into some pillows. "Maybe just try and fall back asleep, okay? You've gotta rest."

Noah just groans. "I'm not even tired. And, just to put it out there, sleep doesn't cure illnesses. Medicine does."

"Your mom's gonna kill me if I don't make you sleep." I smile with a laugh.

"She won't know." He shrugs and sits up on his elbows. This sentence baffles me a bit. "Woah. Is the Noah Ashwell disobeying his mother?"

He laughs a bit. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, I've done worse during this breakout than stay up late."

"Like what?"

"Well, most of the time I've snuck out with you or something along the lines of that. If she knew we went out of the bunker that night, I think my head would be on a stick." He says with a raspy voice.

"That night was fun." I smile.

"Yeah." He smiles back. Before I know it, he's leaning in for a kiss which causes me to scoot back the slightest bit. "Nope."

"What?"

"You're sick, idiot."

"And?"

"Is that even a question, Ashwell?"

"Yes. Since when are you cautious?"

"Since when are you not?"

"I just don't understand why—"

A sudden noise is heard from the downstairs. Noah and I both stare at the shut door intensely. Did something fall? Must've been or else-

Another noise. A sort of thumping sound. Something making their way around the downstairs. I look over to Noah and see the fear across his freckled face. Holding a finger to my lips, I stand up and make my way to the door slowly. Once there, I turn the lock on it slowly, not letting any noise escape.

I slowly creep back to Noah and take his hand, pulling him up. I pick up the candle on the bedside table and blow it out. I also grab my pocket knife.

"What are you-" "Shh."

I slowly lead him towards the closet across the room and I set him down inside. I take a seat across from him and slowly close the door.

"Jasper what are we doing?" He says in a quick tone. He's obviously terrified, and I am too to be honest.

"We have to wait out whatever that thing is. It's possible that a biter broke the door down or something. It's not a big deal though because it didn't hear us."

I can't see Noah's face too clearly but I can tell that he's furrowing his eyebrows at me. "We can't just sit in this closet. What if it doesn't leave?"

That's actually a good point. "Alright then, I'll just go take care of it while you wait here." I say hesitantly while standing up in the closet. I feel and hand pull me back down. "No wait! Just stay here please. Let's just wait it out."

I smirk a bit. "Is Noah Ashwell scared? That definitely has to be a first." The sarcasm slips through my teeth. Noah punches my shoulder out of annoyance. "Stop saying it like that. I'd rather you in here with me than out there with a flesh eating monster."

I roll my eyes. "Ashwell, I've killed like a trillion of those things. What's one more?" Noah groans quietly. "We don't even know if that thing is a biter. What if some really dangerous guy is sneaking around down there?"

I sit back down completely in defeat. "Okay okay. You've convinced me. I could prevent us from having to sleep in this uncomfortable closet but we'll just stick with your plan." I mumble sarcastically.

"Let's talk then. I do have a few questions about something." I say. Another sudden noise is heard from downstairs. This causes Noah to move to my side of the closet, and he leans his head on my shoulder.

"Yeah whatever. Let's talk. I do not want to think about what's happening downstairs." He huffs. I laugh quietly before continuing.

"Cooper and Lexi seem a bit distant, no? Do you know why?" I question and feel Noah slump against me. "Yes, actually." He mumbles sadly.

"Okay.." I say, wanting him to continue. "Uh...Lexi told Cooper that she loved him and he... didn't say it back to her."

My eyes widen. What?! But he does love Lexi, right?

"Why would he not say it back?" I question. "I know for a fact that he loves Lexi."

Noah turns towards me a bit. "Has he said it before?" I think back to all the times we've talked about Lexi.

"He talks about her like she's the only girl in the world. If that isn't love then I don't know what is." I shrug.

Noah nods. "I mean... talking about someone passionately doesn't always mean you love them."

My eyes widen and I turn to him. "What? Of course it does." I think to all the times I've talked about Noah. He raises an eyebrow. "How do you know?" Noah genuinely asks.

My face seems to heat up. I don't want to tell him now. In this closet when we're hiding from a probable biter.

"I just.. I just know." I shrug with a heated face. "Besides, if you heard the way he talks about her you would agree."

Noah sighs. "I hope you're right. They are made for each other, I know it."

The closet is silent before I declare that we should go to sleep.

"There's no way I'm sleeping. Not when that thing is still here." Noah's scratchy voice fills the small closet. I run a hand through my hair. "Noah just sleep. I'll stay awake and keep watch. If anything happens then I'll wake you up."

I hear him shift a bit. "What if you don't realize something is happening? What if whoever that is sneaks up on us without you realizing? What if-"

"Noah. I promise you, we're safe. I've got this." I reassure. I hear him sigh before two cold hands touch either side of my face. Suddenly, our lips connect for a short moment before separating.

"Fine then. Goodnight." He yawns. My brows furrow the slightest bit.

"You're still sick, dork."

"I don't care."

A/N- i hope whoever is reading this enjoyed it. ALSO THE SEROTONIN THIS GIVES ME IS IMMACULATE. anyway, stay posted :D