The day we fell.

chapter 14: The silent Dead

Jace's POV:

I had to put Lucy back on the floor as I searched for ways to help her. As Lucy lay unconscious, her delicate form resting against the cold, unforgiving ground, panic surged through me. I had never been the one responsible for her well-being, and I felt the weight of that responsibility press heavily upon my shoulders. My mind raced, desperately searching for a solution, for a way to revive her from her unresponsive state. But amidst the chaos, my heart sank as I remember that I witnessed a scene that tore at the fabric of trust. Tom, Lucy's devoted boyfriend, stood beside Skyla, a girl whose intentions were clouded by her relentless pursuit of him. Their laughter mingled with flirtatious banter, and I could feel the bond between them weaken with each passing moment. Confusion gnawed at me as I watched Tom turn his back on Lucy, leaving her vulnerable and defenceless. How could he abandon her in this time of need? I couldn't comprehend the allure Skyla held over him, nor the depth of Tom's loyalty. It was a betrayal that cut deeper than any zombie bite.

With a heavy sigh, I knelt beside Lucy, doing my best to tend to her unconscious form. In this bleak world, where survival trumped all else, I found solace in the simple act of caring for someone in need. Lucy deserved better than this, better than the heartache and abandonment that surrounded her. As I looked down at Lucy's pale face, a spark of determination ignited within me. No matter the challenges we faced, I vowed to protect her, to provide the support she deserved. In this sea of uncertainty and broken loyalties, I would be her steadfast anchor, standing strong against the raging tides of betrayal.

Tom's POV:

We've been walking for what has felt like hours now, I've been massively protected by the Deadshot Syndicate and their leader Skyla. The world had become a living nightmare since the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse, which if I kept track of now, it has been months. Lucy, my girlfriend, was my anchor amidst the chaos, her unwavering strength and dedication to 'us' keeping me grounded. Little did I know that lurking in the shadows was a force that would challenge our bond like never before. As dusk settled upon the barren wasteland, I ventured out, my mind weighed down by worry for Lucy. She argued with Skyla, which turned everyone within the camp to turn against her and we all left her. Including me. The nagging fear gnawed at my heart, but duty compelled me to venture forth in search of supplies. I stand away from Skyla, as she was having a meeting with her little Syndicate, a repeated shiver down my spine as my realisation skins in. I left my girlfriend alone. Everyone, including Jace and I, left her. She's on her own. I remember why I left. It wasn't for her, it was because of her. It was because of Skyla, a beguiling woman with a commanding presence, known for running the feared Dead-shot Syndicate. Her piercing gaze and seductive smile sent a shiver down my spine. "Thomas," she purred, her voice a velvet whisper, "It seems fate has brought us together in this desolate world."

Caught off guard by her unexpected approach, I couldn't help but be drawn to Skyla's enigmatic allure. The boundaries of loyalty and desire blurred as we engaged in playful banter, our words laced with a dangerous magnetism. In this grim existence, the spark she ignited within me felt like a respite from the relentless horror that surrounded us. As we traversed the crumbling streets, our laughter mingled with the echoes of distant moans, a chance encounter disrupted the charged atmosphere. Jack, another survivor, stumbled upon our path. His eyes darted with fear, his movements unsteady yet purposeful as he waved around a stick which was about double his height. Skyla's attention shifted from me to Jack, her intrigue sparked by this unexpected presence. I, too, was captivated by Jack's resilience and the unique lens through which he perceived the world. In his quiet strength, I saw a reflection of the humanity we desperately clung to in these dark times.

But amidst the allure and intrigue, the image of Lucy flashed before my eyes. The guilt of leaving her side weighed heavily upon me, casting a shadow over the delicate dance of flirtation between Skyla and me. Lucy's love and the promise we shared compelled me to tread with caution, even as my heart swayed in the face of temptation. With a lingering glance at Jack, who now stood beside us, I extended a hand in friendship, understanding the importance of unity in this unforgiving world. We were survivors, bound by the shared struggle against the encroaching darkness. Skyla, Jack, and I embarked on an uncertain journey, where loyalty would be tested, and choices carried heavy consequences.

As we ventured forth, I couldn't escape the weight of the decisions that lay ahead. Lucy's well-being and safety were paramount, and my love for her anchored me even amidst the allure of Skyla's world. It was a dance on the edge of a precipice, where the slightest misstep could lead to irreparable damage. In this world of shadows and uncertainty, I vowed to tread carefully, honouring the commitment I had made to Lucy. With each step, I carried the weight of our love and the hope for a brighter tomorrow, determined to protect her at all costs.

Jace's POV:

I pace around, panicking as I was unsure of how to look after someone who has fainted. Tom usually knew more as he suffers from similar problems, but he's not here right now and I hope he doesn't come back. In my mind's eye, I saw Lucy's patient smile as she patiently guided me through the steps. She had taken the time to ensure that I knew what to do, never imagining that one day I would have to put that knowledge to use for her. But now, as the weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders, I felt the weight of her absence. Meanwhile, Tom, oblivious to Lucy's plight, had been enticed away by Skyla, a girl whose intentions were clouded by her desire to steal him away. As they indulged in their flirtatious banter, I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. But now was not the time for dwelling on the betrayal.

 Lucy needed my help, and I would not let her down. I swiftly applied the techniques Lucy had imparted, carefully positioning her in the recovery position to ensure her airways remained clear. The memories of her calm instructions fuelled my determination to protect her. How could Tom abandon Lucy in her time of need, seduced by the promises of another? Tom should be the last of my worries now, he isn't the one in massive danger, and if he was, I couldn't give two shits. Lucy's well-being was my priority. Drawing strength from her past teachings, I knelt beside her and carefully assessed her condition. The memories of her calming voice echoed in my mind, guiding my actions as I checked her pulse and ensured her airways were clear.

I applied the techniques Lucy had taught me, gently placing her in the recovery position to ensure her safety. As I tended to Lucy, a silent oath formed within me. I swore to myself that I would be her staunch defender, her unwavering guardian amidst the chaos, just like how she takes care of me as my mother figures in this shitty place we called 'Home'. The bond of friendship ran deep, and I would honour it by keeping her safe, even in the face of Tom's misguided choices. My hands moved with a mix of urgency and tenderness, my touch guided by the memory of Lucy's warmth and kindness. I muttered words of encouragement to her unconscious form, willing her to awaken and find solace in the knowledge that she was not alone. With every action, I channelled her wisdom, my hands moving with a mix of confidence and desperation. I couldn't let her down; she had shown me the way, and now it was my turn to protect her. As I tended to Lucy, my mind was clouded with worry and questions. Why had Tom left her side? Did he truly not know she lay unconscious on the floor?

 The anger and disappointment simmered within me, but I pushed those emotions aside, focusing on the task at hand. Lucy needed me now more than ever, and I would not let her down. In this broken world, where trust was scarce and loyalty shattered like glass, I vowed to be the unwavering guardian that Lucy deserved. I would honour her teachings, drawing upon her strength and resilience to ensure her safety. No matter the challenges we faced, I would stand by her side, a beacon of unwavering loyalty amidst the darkness that threatened to consume us all. 

Alongside the tangled emotions of worry and frustration, a resolve hardened within me. I would be the strength that Tom had failed to be. In the depths of this grim reality, I would rise as Lucy's protector, never swaying in my loyalty. With each passing second, my determination grew, solidifying the bond between us and vowing to shield her from the dangers that lurked in the shadows. As I stared into Lucy's peaceful face, the weight of my promise settled upon my shoulders. She had entrusted her well-being to me, and I would do everything in my power to honour that trust. The world may have crumbled, but our friendship remained unbreakable, and that means everything to me right now.