THE LAST OF US: THE EVIL WITHIN

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17: YOU MATTER.

third person's POV.

...

The day of their plan had arrived, and the group gathered in a room, each preparing makeshift weapons and suiting up with whatever they could find to protect themselves.

They went through the stuffs in the house, grabbing anything that could serve as a weapon. Syndra chose a crowbar, Gerthy went for a hammer, Zild fashioned a bat with nails, Perseus grabbed a mallet, Vladimir got creative with a modified garden hoe, and Serena stuck with a rusty machete, while the rest settled with kitchen knives and guns they had with him.

"Let's suit up, cover ourselves as best we can." Drystan suggested.

Everyone tried to find whatever they could to protect their skin. Varus tore a piece of fabric from an old curtain to wrap around her arms, and Perseus fashioned a mask out of a bandana. Syndra and Madison used torn clothing to cover their limbs, while Vladimir wore an old leather jacket that he found upstairs for extra protection. They all also added a layer of magazine book and taped it around their arms to be sure.

Zild offered to help Gerthy cover her arms with pieces of cloth, and while Zild wrapped fabric around Gerthy's arms, he looked at her with a comforting smile. "We gotta stay safe out there," he said.

Appreciating the gesture, Gerthy gave Zild her necklace, a small pendant of a four-leaf clover. "Here, take this. It's my lucky charm. Keep it with you for good luck," she said.

"Happy birthday."

Touched by the gesture, Zild hugged her tightly. "Thanks, Gerthy." They exchanged glances and crossed their fingers, symbolizing a silent promise between them.

At the other side of the room, Lilith and Cadmus were gearing up. As they prepared, Cadmus handed Lilith a small dagger, suggesting, "Just in case." Lilith, acknowledging his suggestion, secured the knife in her boot.

"Thanks..." she said in a low voice.

When Lilith was about to leave, Cadmus held her wrist and gently pulled her aside for a private conversation.

Cadmus sighed, then turned to Lilith, "Can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"I need you to live. Stay alive," Lilith's lips parted, and her eyes widened by what Cadmus said. "You matter to me."

Overwhelmed by Cadmus' feelings for her, she felt something inside her, emotions that she couldn't put into words.

Stay alive?

This was the first time Lilith experienced such emotions. It felt like a comforting warmth hugging Lilith, as if an invisible hand gently touched her heart. It was a new and soft, like discovering something special in the hidden corners of her feelings.

"You'll be on my mind when we're outside. You won't have to be alone anymore because we'll be together, I'm going to be there for you every moment. So, do me a favor, remember to breath and live for me..."

Lilith knew she was feeling something special, but doesn't want to acknowledge or accept it...

Live for you?

"You matter to me, Lilith..." he repeated.

The world may be against Lilith and not value her, but he did, Kiel Cadmus did.

"Until when?" Lilith asked, looking away.

"As long as you'd like."

I'm afraid. This feels unreal.