Love is Dead

Chapter Nine: No More Lies

Margot had cried until she had no more tears left. She cried for Gabriel, for Jeremy, and Buck, and Rowan, and everyone else she caused to die over the last few days. So much blood was on her hands. So many lives were lost because of incompetent little Margot. Even still, she tried not to blame herself for what happened to Gabriel. Sure, he would have been with the rest of the group fleeing to town if it wasn't for her, but he chose to stick by her. But then again, if Margot could have gotten the boards off the door on her own, he wouldn't have had to make that choice.

She hadn't let go of the rifle since she grabbed it the other night, after Gabriel had died. She held it against her chest as she laid on the ground, head resting against her backpack. It was morning now, and the others had begun eating, but Margot just didn't feel hungry, even though she barely ate yesterday.

"You know, you should try to eat something," Fallon spoke up from beside her. "We have a long journey ahead of us today."

Fallon wanted to make it to the next town before nightfall. The hoard seemed to have passed through the town overnight, so it'd be safe to travel and she wanted to get away from this town fast, knowing that her clan was here.

"Are you two going somewhere?" Jackie asked from where the others were sitting across the room. "Maybe we could join you."

"No, we travel alone, sorry."

Margot was too tired to deal with Fallon's shit today. "I don't see the harm in at least telling them where the safe haven is so they can go there if they want."

"A safe haven?" Jackie perked up at this. "Like a Safe Zone, or a settlement or colony?"

Fallon glared at Margot before responding. "It's none of your business, you're not coming with us."

"Then do as Margot said and tell us where it is."

Fallon remained silent. Margot sat up, finally setting the rifle down beside her. "You don't know where it is, do you?"

"It... I just know it's on the other side of the country."

"Does this place even exist?" Margot asked. "I mean, you haven't even told me anything about it."

"I know it does, I've met people from there before." Fallon replied.

"But you've never actually been there?"

Fallon shook her head, causing Margot to scoff. "Oh my God, are you kidding me? We made a deal, and you don't even know if you can keep your half of the bargain?"

"I know it exists, it has to!" She replied, almost yelling. "I was travelling with some of my clan members a while back, and we found this camp with people saying that they were from Project Hope, this large facility where they said they were working on a cure for the zombie virus. That they had plenty of food and water, and places for people to stay. Some other members ended up scoping it out, and decided not to raid it because of how heavily protected it was. It exists."

"I think we should go," Elliot said to Jackie and Ayumi. "It's not like we have any other plans." Jackie agreed, while Ayumi shrugged, not taking her attention off of her can of food.

"Well, find your own way there. Margot and I are going alone." Fallon said to them.

"Actually, I think I'm going to go with them." Margot spoke. She knew she promised Fallon that they'd go on their own, but she was trusting the others a lot more than Fallon right now. "You can come if you want, but I'd like to travel with them."

Fallon looked so... betrayed. Maybe even a bit disgusted. She nodded in understanding, but didn't respond. Margot knew then that any chance at her and Fallon becoming friends was now ruined. While Fallon did destroy Margot's trust in her by not telling her the truth, Margot destroyed Fallon's trust as well when she went back on her word.