alive ↠ hs

.38

Harry's POV

I helped pack up all the weapons and supplies we would need for the next week. Johnathan had the map and places we would go once we go to the city, Alex had inventory on food and supplies, along with time and when we would need to stop for a break.

I was the leader. I was the one that lead these people into danger, made the calls, and took responsibility for what happens on my time. 

"Ready, Styles?" John asked me.

I nodded as everyone loaded into their trucks, weapons strapped onto their thighs. I turned back to where I knew that Saige was standing, her brown eyes begging for me to stay.

I wanted to run over to her, comfort her, tell her that I was coming back as soon as I could. I wanted to kiss her and tell her I love her, I wanted her to know that if I didn't make it back, I loved her and that even after I died, I would never stop loving her. I wanted to beg her to tell me she would be okay, but I knew she wouldn't. She would tell me that she wouldn't be okay without me, I knew because I'm not okay without her.

My eyes fell on Jay, who had his arm resting on her hip. The same hip I was grabbing last night when I had her pressed against the tree. I bit my lip hard as I turned away, resisting the urge to go over there and punch him in the face. 

Even from the distance, I could see the tears gathering in her eyes as she watched us depart. She knew something was off and so did I. The threat of her losing me made my heart swell with anger at the image her being broken.

I climbed into the truck as it pulled away, pulling Saige and I apart, making my heart began to ache without her near me.

The driving was the worst part of any supply run. I hated the wait as we drove down the road, slowly getting closer to what could possibly be our death. I liked being in the action, I liked fighting against the dead, getting our supplies. The adrenaline. The drive home was much less anxious than the drive there. The drive there, we didn't know what we could be possibly facing. 

You never knew what was inside the city. There could be other groups of people that wanted our supplies, most of which were willing to kill us. 

Soon, night had started to fall and so had rain. The clouds had become dark, swelling with rain before falling, along with thunder and the occasional lightening strike. Driving in the dark was bad enough but driving in the dark and the rain was everyone's worst nightmare. Especially when a Biter can just wander into the street.

We stopped for a while, eating and drinking water, letting everyone stretch their limbs before switching drivers. I drove for a few hours until we got on the outskirts of the city, deciding that it would be better to wait until morning when we could see.

We all set up camp, designating people as lookouts for the night. I sat on the ground, staring up at the stars. I knew she saw the same stars and apart of me felt that she was with me.

Saige was probably in her apartment with Asher, laughing about some stupid joke he's probably told her. She was probably snuggled into his shoulder, his fingers playing with her hair. I loved their relationship. It comforted me that if I didn't make it back, she had someone to be there for her when I wouldn't be able to. She had someone to keep her going when I couldn't.

Asher was the one constant in her life that I knew wouldn't be stripped away from her. The one thing that could keep her going until one of them died. I never wanted her to die, I wanted her to live until the world became a brighter place. To when the sun came out everyday and she would be happy to be there, hopefully Asher would there too so I know she would stay strong and happy.

***

The next morning, I awoke early and gathered the troops, sending them into the city. We stayed close together, our guns held at our sides. They knew not to shoot unless they absolutely had to.

We came to a building. I started to push open the door but someone stopped me. "We probably shouldn't."

"Why not, Jacob?" I asked, turning to the soldier James specifically put on my run.

He met my eyes before pulling away. "Fine, go inside."

I threw open the door, my gun searching for a target. "All clear."

They followed me up the stairs, where I threw open another door, searching the room. I was unusually quiet, so I assume the other soldiers had found supplies and were too focused on packing them that they weren't talking loudly. I gathered medical supplies into my bag before turning around.

Jacob shoved me hard into the room, opening another door, letting Biters into the room. I immediately starting shooting at them, screaming for help. I looked up at him as he smirked down at me, making my eyes widen with fear. I knew it.

Jacob pulled the door shut, barricading things against it. Then, gunshots echoed through the building, cutting through the door, hitting all around me.

I groaned loudly as one hit my side, forcing me to the ground. I continued to fight against the horde of Biters that came at me. I fought until my legs couldn't force anymore. Until my heartbeat was pounding against my chest. Until blood had soaked through my clothes, covering my hands. I wasn't sure if it was mine or the Biters. It didn't matter anyway.

I collapsed to the ground as they started surrounding me, black dots invading my vision. 

"No," I begged quietly. "Please."

As they stumbled to their knees beside me, ready to tear the flesh from my bone, I fell unconscious.