Apocalypse [Pentatonix AU | Kavi / Scomiche]

Chapter 12 - Consternation

"Hey, the beds are actually comfortable," Kirstie called, already setting down her things in one of the cells. The soft mattress felt like heaven underneath her aching muscles. It had been a very long emotional day, but now they were finally safe. Even if it was just for now. Kirstie fell asleep almost immediately.

She woke up around an hour later with a start. It was dark outside, with minimal light illuminating the cell block. She sat up, searching for a reason for her awakening until her eyes landed on the figure standing in the moonlight outside her cell. Kirstie quietly grabbed her gun, walking over to the silhouette.

The person turned, and sure enough it was Avi, eyebrows raised at her shotgun.

Kirstie smiled, lowering the weapon. "Sorry. I couldn't tell whether or not you were a biter."

Avi chuckled, heading back into his cell. Kirstie followed him mindlessly. "I didn't realize walkers stood so still."

Kirstie smiled. "You never know. Better safe than sorry."

"I guess that's true." He sat down on his cot, and Kirstie leaned against the wall across from him.

She took a deep breath. "I never got to thank you for today." Avi seemed confused. "You saved my life back there, when you held that walker off. You sacrificed yourself for me."

"I just did what I had to."

"You didn't have to. But thank you. How's your wrist?"

"Sore, but uninfected."

"We need to change those bandages."

"I'll be fine."

"So what do you think of Scott?" Kirstie asked after a brief silence.

"What do I think of Scott?" Avi smiled. "He's smart, witty. I can see why you like him so much, and I can also see why he's survived this long."

"Those are all facts. You're avoiding the question."

"Why does it matter?"

Kirstie shrugged, heat inexplicably rising to her cheeks. "He's my closest friend. I just wanted to know whether or not you like him."

There was a pause, then Avi smiled playfully. She'd never seen him so light and happy. "You value my opinion!" he said, as if taunting her.

"Shut up!" she giggled. He laughed, a sound she'd never heard him make. It was deep, hearty, genuine. She wanted to hear it again.

"I do like him," Avi said. "It's clear we're going to butt heads in the future, but I can also see us becoming close friends. He's a good guy."

"He is," Kirstie smiled.

There was a silence, both of them searching for conversation starters. For some reason Kirstie didn't want to go back to her cell. Something about being alone again made her uneasy.

"Have you checked yourself for scratches or bites?" Avi finally asked.

"Why would I?"

"Running through that prison yard was rough. You might've gotten scratched without realizing." Kirstie shrugged, realizing he had a point. "Here, come here," Avi said, motioning her over.

Kirstie stood, taking a seat next to him on the bed. He got up, crouching down near her ankles and checking up her legs for rips or bites in her jeans. Kirstie momentarily went stiff, feeling self conscious, but something about Avi also made her feel safe, relaxed.

Avi made his way up to her back, sitting behind her. She felt his warm hands on her, pulling at the fabric of her shirt. He wasn't taking it off, just stretching out the folded material, looking for blood. His hands were coarse and strong, yet his touch was gentle as he continued to graze his fingers across her back in silence.

Kirstie's heart was pounding.

"You're good," Avi finally said, his hands leaving her waist. She wished they hadn't.

She turned, not realizing how close they were. She couldn't help but notice how his lips were just inches from hers, how if she just leaned the slightest bit forward...

The paper in her pocket suddenly became heavy.

This caused her to jump off the bed, gathering her gun which she'd left on the other side of the room. Avi looked at her worriedly.

"Everything okay?" he asked, standing.

"Yeah," Kirstie mumbled, making her way out of his cell. "I should get some sleep, that's all. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Avi still seemed confused.

Kirstie hurried into her own cell, dropping onto her cot and breathing heavily. There was no hope of her sleeping now.

The feeling she'd just felt toward Avi, she hadn't felt it since Jeremy. And it scared her, it terrified her. She knew she wasn't ready to let go, she'd promised herself she wouldn't ever let go. She'd promised herself that she'd never love another man.

But she was falling in love with Avi Kaplan.