UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Back Where We Started

(Lexi's POV)

"You guys are okay!" I hear from behind me as the door to the jail cell room creaks open. I recognize the voice as Noah's and stand up, pulling him into a hug.

Carlos clears his throat from behind us, silently asking us to stop. We back away from each other instantly and turn to him, waiting for him to explain what's going on.

"You're all probably wondering why we've done all of this..." He starts. I glance over to Cooper and squeeze his hand tightly. "...This may be a shock but... we were wondering if you all would like to come back to this community."

"You're kidding, right?" Jasper snarls. Cooper places a hand on his shoulder. "Just hear him out." Cooper gives Carlos a reassuring smile.

Carlos nods and explains to the boys everything.

"And I-I know that it may be hard for you to trust us. We weren't really welcoming whatsoever in the past twenty four hours... we're at least hoping you'll consider it." He concludes.

It's silent for a good thirty seconds. I can tell Cooper is trying to make the right decision, as usual. He then turns to me suddenly. "Lexi? What do you think? And you boys too." He gestures to the three of us.

I didn't really expect him to ask. "Well... I think that maybe a community is our best option. Yes, we do good alone but a big group would be unstoppable."

He glances over at Jasper and Noah, who looked cautious but nodded at my statement as well. We all turn back to Carlos to give him and answer.

"I think that... we don't exactly trust you." Cooper starts. "But this is probably our best and safest option. We'll do it, but if you give us any reasons to not trust you, we'll take you out. And you know damn well I'm pretty capable of that."

Carlos widens his eyes and smiles. "I see no problem with that deal. I think we'll all get along just fine. Now, let's retrieve Denise."

My eyes shoot wide open in realization. "Shit! I forgot about mom! Is she okay?" I stammer. Carlos holds up his hands defensively. "Yes yes, she's fine. She's just in another room chained up, no harm done."

I nod thankfully as Carlos leads us out of the room and to my mother's destination.

~Short time skip~

After Carlos unchains my mother, and we all hug in relief, Carlos interrupts us.

"Most of the community knows you all fled, but we never told them anything. Not even that you knocked me out. I'm assuming most will be cautious of you, just because they obviously saw us firing shots at you when you all fled." He states warningly.

"They did what?!" My mother raises her voice abruptly. Carlos didn't seem to expect her outburst either, causing him to jump a bit.

"Yeah, they did." Is all I said. Before I can explain any better, my mother cuts me off. "None of you were hurt right?!"

I glance over to a worried Noah who stares intensely at his wrist.

"Y-Yeah. Nobody got hurt." If she found out Noah was bit outside of these walls, she'd never let us stay.

She squints her eyes and tilts her head a bit, but soon nods in approval.

I let out a sigh of relief and turn back to Carlos. "Shall we get you all back to your house?" He asks plainly. Cooper seems to give a surprised face. "We get our same house? I would've thought you would fill it with another family by now."

"We haven't gotten many new arrivals, which actually seems worse. It only means that the world is depopulating ever second. But yes, you will get your same house. It should be the same as you left it." Carlos scratches his neck worriedly. We all glance at each other and nod in unison.

~Another short time skip~

Entering our house felt as though we never left.

(Go to the chapter "A Safe Haven" if you forgot what the house looks like.)

Carlos trotted in behind all of us and closed the door. A click is heard and lights come on. What? I turn to him quickly. "Since when is there-"

"Electricity?" He cuts me off. I nod slowly while quirking up a brow. "We managed to install solar panels that spread electricity out through our whole community."

"Cool." I smile. Carlos nods and smiles. "I'll leave you all alone for the night. Show around your mom maybe?"

He waves a goodbye before glancing back. "Oh and... Cooper? Thank you."

Cooper just smiles a bit awkwardly and shoots Carlos a thumbs up.

We all smile as Carlos shuts the door.

Jasper lets out an enormous sigh and makes his way over to the couch, flopping down on it. "I kinda missed this place." He says while his voice is muffled through the couch cushions.

Cooper and Noah laugh a bit and walk over to him. "Is no one going to tell me why you all fled this town in the first place?!" My mother exclaims suddenly. My eyes widen and Cooper makes hard eye contact with me instantly.

"Well?" She crosses her arms angrily. I sigh. Right as I'm about to spill my guts, Jasper interrupts me. "We stole from them! A very expensive... erm- weapon. Yeah! We were just borrowing it but they thought we were taking it for good so..." He trails off.

I stare at my mother, hoping that the answer was acceptable. She tilts her head but nods nonetheless. "Okay..."

I huff out a breath of relief and make my way over to the couch as well, taking a seat. "I'll show Mom around. I think there's a spare room, but I'm not sure." Noah announces. "Okay, thanks dude." I yawn. It has been an aggravating, stressful, and fearsome day.

A/N- It's a school night boiiiii 😭