Risen from the Grave

We've built this town on shaky ground

title from 'Atlantis'

A/N: this chapter is very action based, not much description, but that's to prepare you for chapters coming soon...

I don't even know how long we walked for until we finally came across some clues. His jacket, slung over a tree branch, coated in blood and dirt. I carefully picked it up, inspecting it for any marks that may suggest he was bitten through it. "Those rips were there before,"Julie told me, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. "I wonder why he took it off?" I shook my head, swinging the jacket over my shoulders and scanning the area for any signs of Alex, dead or alive. I saw a figure slowly approaching us, limping slightly and I immediately drew my gun, pointing in their direction. Julie mirrored me, but we both quickly pulled them down when we recognised the figure as the blond we'd been looking for. I slowly moved towards him, making note of the limp and lack of noise.

"Alex?"I called, trying not to be too loud.

"Bobby?"the taller man responded, collapsing next to a tree. Me and Julie rushed towards him, throwing his jacket next to him and kneeling beside him. "Are they gone? Is Owen okay? Is Willie okay? Are you all okay?"he questioned, leaning his head against the trunk of the tree.

"Everybody's fine, are you okay?"I asked, not ready to tell him about Caleb or Willie.

"I'm fine, fine,"he replied, panting slightly and holding his side.

"Did you... did you get bit?"I gently asked, reaching for his hand. He shook his head, explaining he just had a stitch from running. I nodded, then slid my arm underneath his, Julie mirroring me on his other side as we hoisted him up. I grabbed his jacket as we stood up and we began slowly walking, me keeping one hand on my gun, the other around Alex's waist, supporting him. "Let's get you home dude.

"We soon arrived back at camp, Owen running outside the moment he saw his dad, wrapping his tiny arms around the blond and hugging him. Julie let go to go find Dad so he could assess Alex whilst I stayed, holding him upright. "I thought you died,"Owen whispered, and I watched Alex's heart break a little.

"I'm okay bud, I promise I'm okay,"he replied, embracing his son. "I'm sorry I left." He looked up towards the house, spotting Luke stood outside and Dad and Julie coming towards us. "Where's Willie? And Caleb, for that matter?" I took a deep breath, telling him we should go inside first. Dad helped me carry him in and we lay him down on the couch resting his head on a pillow. Dad began checking him for bites, scratches and bruises whilst I explained what happened while he was gone. I watched his face go from concern, to anger, to fear. "His... his insulin,"he said, looking between me and Dad. "He needs his insulin he can't... he needs it..." I turned to Dad.

"He does, yeah,"Dad replied, starting to get worried.

"How long can he go without it?"I asked.

"Five or six days maximum. Then he'll just get weaker and weaker until he... he dies." I turned to look at Alex, who was trying to stand up. I quickly pushed him back down.

"No, you stay right here-"I began.

"No,"he argued, almost crying. "I have to go get him, I'm not gonna let him die, I can't, let me go!" He started pushing me, trying to break past me before he collapsed into my arms, sobbing.

"Alex, look at me,"I said kneeling down so I was level with him. He looked up at me, teary eyed, worried and scared. "Me and Jules will go look for him. I can't promise we'll find him, but we'll do our best. If we do find him, we'll bring him back here to you, okay?"I promised. He nodded, smiling at me. "But you need to stay here. You're clearly either injured or ill and are in no condition to be fighting the infected, let alone people. Let my dad take care of you." I squeezed his hand before standing up and heading over to Julie, pulling her aside. Luke looked at me, concerned. He came over and stood beside me.