Don't Let Me Go

Not Safe Anymore

Mark and Jack sit across the basement, away from the others as the infected pound against the door. Their moans and groans fill the basement, seemingly much louder than it actually was to the group trapped inside. Ken sits quietly, with Mary-Jane in his lap again. Felix and Marzia are still holding on to each other, and Tyler's sitting a little away from the group, but not as far as Mark and Jack.

Stephanie and Nate are sitting back where they were, and Stephanie's crying softly, clinging to Nate. He holds her, shushing her, all the while glaring at Tyler. Tyler stares at the floor, ignoring them for as long as he can get away with it. Jack takes his backpack off and slowly rummages through it, trying not to make too much noise.

He pulls out some bandages and peroxide. He knew it wouldn't help much, but it might make Mark feel a little bit better. He turns to Mark, who looks back at him with teary eyes. Jack smiles softly, his voice is barely a whisper, "It's going to be okay."

He then gestures to Mark's injured ankle. Mark nods lightly, he's shaking, trying to hide his fear and pain. Tyler looks at them, glaring, "Don't waste your supplies on him."

Jack halts for a moment before looking back at Tyler, "He's not dead. I'm going to help him."

He turns back to Mark and pulls up the pant leg a bit to look at the injury. Jack grabs a wash cloth and a half empty water bottle from his backpack before turning back to Mark, "This is probably going to hurt, but I need to clean it before I dress it."

Mark nods, letting out a strained chuckle, "I already know that, so just do it already."

Jack smiles softly and pours some of the water on the cloth before working to clean up Mark's ankle. Everyone is silent while Jack cleans and dresses Mark's injury. The group stay still and silent for several hours while waiting for the infected to wander off. And after the hours of silence, the pounding at the door stops, but the moans and groans of the infected can still be heard.

Everyone's on edge, their situation is still bad. The hours drone on and the group is agitated and tired. No one wants to sleep even though they need it. Finally, after twenty-five hours in that basement, the infected clear out of the house. When the group notices the quiet, Ken is the first to react. He stands, "Listen. I think they're gone."

He draws his knife, "Nate, Felix. Come with me to check the house. Jack, you're in charge until we get back."

He looks around at the others, "And no one start fighting before I get back, please."

Nate and Felix stand and walk over to Ken, who turns back to Mary-Jane. Ken smiles, "Can I have that key, please, sweetie?"

The little girl stares up at him, clasping her hand around the little key that's tied to a string around her neck, "But I need it.. In case the scary people come back.."

Ken crouches in front of her, "I'll protect you if the scary people come back. But I need the key, to make sure it's safe for us to go back up yet. I'll give it back, I promise."

Mary-Jane looks reluctant, but complies. She takes the necklace off and hands it to Ken, "Can I come with you?"

Ken shakes his head as he stands, "Not this time. I need you to stay down here with the others, where it's safe. Okay?"

She nods slowly, "O-okay. But promise you'll come back!"

Ken smiles softly, "I promise you, I'm coming back."

Mary-Jane smiles, "You can't break your promise now."

He nods and turns to Nate and Felix, "Let's go. Got your weapons?"

Nate nods, pulling his knife. Felix pulls his as well, grinning, "Never leave home without it."

Ken smiles, "Let's do this."

He leads them up the stairs to the door and unlocks the padlock. Moving the chain out of the handle, he opens the door slowly, knife in hand as he takes a quick glance around the kitchen. Seeing no infected, he steps out, letting Nate and Felix leave the basement as well. Ken closes the door back behind them slowly, as not to make noise.

They scout the house, but it doesn't take long for them to find that the infected had wandered away. The house is empty of the diseased threat. The house itself is a mess, there's broken wood and glass all over the floors, most of the windows had been destroyed as the house had been surrounded. The door is broken, lying on the living room floor.

The house is no longer safely livable. Ken sighs, putting his knife away, "House is clear, but we can't stay here any longer. We need to get going."

"Back into the woods?" Felix looks scared, "We'll run right into the horde of infected that did this to the house. If we run out into the woods again, we'll die."

"He's got a point," Nate frowns, "But we can't stay here, either."

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Ken sighs.

Felix clears his throat, "I'm going to get the others, let them know it's safe to come up. Then we can all discuss it."

He runs off to the basement and Ken scratches at his beard, looking thoughtful. Nate crosses his arms, looking frustrated. A few moments later, Felix comes back with the others. Mary-Jane runs over and hugs Ken, "The scary people broke my house.."

Ken pats her head, "I know.."

Jack tilts his head, "So, what's the plan? We obviously can't stay here like this."

"Whatever we're doing," Tyler speaks up, "We can't let Mark come with us."

"We're not leaving him here," Ken frowns, "We're all getting through this, together."

"Why are you fighting so hard to keep Mark around," Tyler snarls, "when you all were just fine making Ethan leave?!"

"I wasn't around when that happened," Ken states, "But while I'm here, no one is going to be kicked out of the group. No one's gotten sick, I see no reason to make Mark leave."

"He's bit!" Tyler groans, "What is wrong with you?! Haven't you seen what happens when you get bit?! He's going to turn! Not to mention having him around while he's infected is going to infect the rest of us!"

"Keep your voice down," Nate says harshly, "Listen!"

Everyone goes quiet. They can hear the unmistakable sounds of the infected, and after a moment, a faint cry for help. Mary-Jane gasps, her eyes widening, "Mamma!"

She takes off outside and Ken curses, "Mary-Jane, wait, it's not safe!"

The rest of the group exchange glances, then run after Ken and Mary-Jane.