Apocalypse [will not be finished]

Chapter Three

My hands were clenched into fists, my fingernails digging deep into my palms. Okay, so it wasn't that I hated him - I was actually kind of in his debt since he saved my life back in the store - but Quinn was really getting on my nerves.

Lou invited him to sleep here last night, and I wasn't happy at that. But when she suggests he should stay with us and keep us safe? I'm angry. What does she thinks I've been doing for so long?

Ever since she was born, I've been protecting her. And I'm that easily replaced by some strange boy who turns up. It kills me to think that way, so I divert my thoughts. Start to blame myself.

No wonder Lou thinks I can't keep us safe. I can't get us enough food, can't be trusted to come back after every scavenger hunt. And, to be honest, I don't really feel like fighting off any creatures for a while. I still ache whenever I move. And, to add to everything... Quinn decided to take Lou up on her offer. So now he's staying with us. Haha, you think I'd let something like that slide past me so easily? No. I will send Quinn on his way, if it's the last thing I do.

I storm into the room where Lou is still dozing and Quinn is up, rifling in his backpack for something. "Quinn," I say, making my voice gentle.

"Yes...?" He says, eyeing me suspiciously. Ah, come on, I'm not even holding my knife.

"I thought you were leaving today." I cross my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyes. He looks kind of awkward for a second, and there is a painful silence.

"Um, well, I, er..." He stutters, and I can almost taste the victory on my tongue. "Okay. I'll leave, if you really don't want me here. Sorry for intruding."

He gives me a small, sad smile, and I remember what he said to me the other day. That he didn't want to be alone. Now I feel a bit bad about my adamancy. He's getting up, laying the duvet over the mattress he had been sleeping on neatly.

I shake the thoughts out of my mind and lean against the wall, watching him. His eyes flicker up at me and I quickly avert my eyes, suddenly finding the cut on my hand very interesting indeed. I barely notice him walking over to stand in front of me. But some part of my brain is alive, at least, and my heart starts to beat uncontrollably at his sudden closeness. This time it isn't me who makes the move.

He leans towards me and hugs me, tightly.

"Thanks for letting me stay, Laurie." The gesture means nothing to him, probably, but it does to me. He's trying to make me change my mind. I let out a short, wavering breath, frowning, and he looks startled, stepping back for a second. I walk briskly away from him, into the kitchen again, wanting to be as far away from him as possible.

"Whatever." I mumble. He needs to go.

He has the power to make me feel bad for something I was certain about, made me want to let him in. I couldn't control it, it was just how he made me react.

I can hear quiet talking. Is Quinn talking to himself? No, wait, he's talking to Lou.

I perk my ears up, eavesdropping.

"Okay, so does she hate me or not?" Quinn says, sounding kind of confused.

"I don't know. But I can tell that you really annoy her." Lou's response makes me smile, and I can hear the smugness in her voice.

"How?" His voice is exasperated, and I'm immensely glad I've annoyed him.

"Maybe she doesn't want to end up having to kill you." Quinn looks confused, so she stops herself and changes her tactic. "Well, she's my big sister. She doesn't trust you. She's probably just trying to protect me." She trails off. I'm not quite sure she knows what she's saying.

"I think she has more power over me than I have over her. She watches my every move, and I swear she's just itching to shove any weapon within reach into my face." I stifle a laugh at that, and I have to admit it's true.

"Well, yeah. She's protecting me, like I said."

"But who's protecting her?"

There's silence.

"No one." Lou's voice is quiet.

It's true. But I don't need protection, I can take care of myself.

I think back over everything. I've done an unmentionable thing in my past, and yes, I've been hurt. Many times. But just because I've been hurt so much, does that mean I don't need looking after? I bury my face in my hands, irritated that Quinn has made me think so much already, and just about catch his words.

"I promise you, Lou, I'll take care of her. I'll get round her somehow, you'll see." I can almost see his face, that concerned one that appeared when we were in the pantry.

"You'd better."