The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Three, TCOM Part II

Alexis and Ellie hid behind a fallen tree in complete silence. Their breathing slowed down entirely. But they were prepared. They were keeping themselves safe. The girls then began to hear the crunching of twigs... Getting closer and closer. Then, the noise of voices became clearer. They listened closely.

Unknown 1: Did you get anything apart from firewood?
Unknown 2: Nope.
Unknown 3: I almost got a deer but it escaped.
Unknown 1: You're both so stupid. I feel like I'm the only one working around here.

Alexis moved her ear closer to the fallen tree in attempt to hear the voices more clearly.

Alexis: I know that voice.
Ellie: Who is it?
Alexis: No, no... it can't be.

Alexis peeked her head from around the fallen tree and then shook her head.

Alexis: My fucking last group.
Ellie: Your last group?
Alexis: Mmm hmm. Xavier, Ross and Hailey. There were others. But those are the ones I can hear.
Ellie: Are they dangerous?
Alexis: If you consider them trying to murder me because they thought I killed my sister and best friend then yes. Very dangerous.
Ellie: Did you kill your sister and best friend?
Alexis: No, goddammit.

The girls sat in silence listening to the conversation the people were having.

Alexis: Hailey and I have... history.
Ellie: What kind of history?
Alexis: Well...

Alexis repositioned her foot which caused a stick to crunch beneath her shoe. The other group fell silent and raised their guns.

Xavier: Who's there?
Alexis: Shit.

Alexis started to stand up slowly. Ellie tugged her shirt to make her sit back down but she ignored it. Hailey and Alexis glared at one another coldly, their guns loaded and ready to fire. Ellie then stood up too, revealing herself. Her gun was drawn to protect Alexis if she needed to.

Hailey: Alex? I thought you were dead.
Alexis: I would be if you killed me.
Hailey: I had no choice but to do what I did.
Xavier: Okay, okay.
Ross: I see you have a new group.
Alexis: I wouldn't have if you didn't force me to leave.
Ross: It was Andrew.
Alexis: What was Andrew?
Xavier: That killed Sam and Ashley.

Alexis gripped the handle of her gun harder.

Alexis: I fucking told you it wasn't me!
Ross: How were we supposed to know?
Alexis: Trust!
Xavier: Fuck trust.
Alexis: And fuck you. You're the one who lied!

Alexis began gritting her teeth. Ellie kept her gun drawn, too. Just in case they tried anything.

Hailey: Who's your friend?
Alexis: I'm not telling you.
Hailey: Fine... fine.

All of a sudden, a group of infected came out of absolutely nowhere, trying their best to attack both groups. Luckily, it split them up. Ellie took Alexis' wrist, dragging her away. Alexis was beyond angry. That group left her for dead. She hoped she'd never see them ever again. But she did. The two girls began running away from the herd and the three people Alexis knew once before. After walking for a little bit in complete silence, Ellie was bored of it.

Ellie: You know I'm here, right?
Alexis: Yeah.
Ellie: Need to talk?

All Alexis did was shrug and sigh at Ellie's question.

Alexis: I was with my older sister, Ashley. Our parents took the easy way out, together, as soon as this damn thing started. Left me and Ash to survive by ourselves. We ran into a whole herd in the forest. Xavier and Ross saved us. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. They offered us shelter, food and water. We couldn't pass up that sort of opportunity. So we took it. It was great. We stayed at a motor inn. There were sixteen members of the group including us. We felt like we fit in there. We felt... happy, for once. I made a really good friend. Sam. She was three years older than me. She had been surviving by herself and taught me a shitload of things. Including the kicking the back of their leg thing I showed you. She was so strong. And I... really loved her. One day, Sam went out to find food with Ashley and Xavier. I didn't trust Xavier with Ashley. I know he had feelings for her. And I thought he'd do something awful to her if she didn't feel the same way. So I went out, too. To... spy on them, I guess. But I didn't find them. And then when I eventually got back, only Xavier was there. He told the whole group I had killed them both. I don't know why the hell everyone would think I killed my own sister and best friend. But they believed Xavier. Nobody believed me.
Ellie: Did Xavier kill them?
Alexis: I thought so. But they just told me it was a guy called Andrew. He was a real asshole. I lost the two closest things to me. So I was pretty much fucked. Something changed in Xavier that day. He became unbearable. When I'd lost Ashley and Sam, Hailey started talking to me more. We were really close. And she ended up being my... girlfriend. A part of me thinks I only liked her because I was trying to get over Sam. But another part of me tells me I genuinely did really like her. Anyway... one day, Xavier completely lost it and set the whole camp on fire. And like before, Xavier completely pinned it on me. Everyone was so far up his ass they didn't believe that it wasn't me. The group got split in half. Half ran away, including Lilly and Nova. The other half, including me, Xavier, Ross and Hailey got in our RV and made our way to the road. Xavier interrogated me for about an hour before the RV broke down. We all got out. Xavier tried pushing it out of me that I set the base on fire. But I didn't, obviously. Hailey backed me up a little, but she did a shit job. Anyway, he told me I could either run and live on my own. Or get shot. And I chose to run away. After I went away, Hailey came after me. I assumed she'd want to come with me. Or help me. Or something. But she attacked me instead.