❦growing❦ COMPLETED

alone.

As the britt popped a chip into his mouth, looking out the window bitterly, seeing a mob of eaters roaming in the fields.
"I saw you run out with Harriet and Rachel, where'd she go?"

"I shot them."

"Oh."

It made Dylan sound immoral with how quick and innocent his answer was and sounded, but at least it was the probity.

"They went back to look for aris, and they where... Bitten. So I didn't give them a chance to say anything, and I shot them both."

"That's... "

"It wasn't the correct thing to do but... No, I uh-"
His voice cracked, and he perilously tried hiding it behind a chuckle, hoping it would go unnoticed
Nothing went that way around Thomas.
"I cried for a pretty long time after that. Before I found you."
Wich was a big revelation for Dylan, seeing as he never cried. This... Maybe this was just the demurral

"You did the right thing. Better for it to be done than just held out, y' know? You weren't completely wrong."

Thomas tried making sure he showed the tone in his voice that told Dylan it was okay, though he knew it wouldn't help Dylan's mindset.

dylan derided. for once in his life, he had to hold back tears.
"I wasn't completely right either."

"You don't always have to be. And sometimes, there just isn't a way to be all right or wrong. You did good, Dylan." The tone was mellow, and affectionate, wise almost. Like Dylan's mum, he never had.

"Okay."
Dylan nodded, his tears settling, and he nodded softer.
"Yep, okay. Thanks."

The britt grinned. He genuinely gave Dylan a soft smile that just said... "You did a fucking phenomenal job."
And ... Dylan needed that.
_

"So, uh- why where you alone...?"

It was so strange to Dylan that Thomas made no change in expression, and instead shrugged, smiling.

"I just... Didn't have anyone. I had a child but... It... Yeah."

"Did the one that was after you... You know."

Oh, you know... Just eat the baby?

Shaking his head, the blonde's smile lessened, looking to Thomas and tilting his head. He looked like he was striving to understand or... Struggling to form the right words. Dylan knew the feeling, so he patiently waited, observing the buildings from the north compound getting closer.

"No, it- well... Yeah. I thought we were in a safe hut, and then- I just came out of a room to find the baby with a missing hand, flooded in its blood."

The thought of that sight was horrible. It clenched Dylan's heart, and so tightly. Tightly enough to assure their where holes now. He felt sick to think of that poor pure soul being taken by some shameful cannibal...

"How old was it?"

"She was at least 7 months."

That feeble baby girl was torn apart.

"And I'm pretty sure she lived. I'm sure she did. I chopped off her arm."

"What the hell, Thomas?"

"No. No no, we met a doctor, it was to stop the infection. And then I got shot in the leg by some delusional guard and was forced out. The naval nurse said he'd pledge to take care of her."

Thomas swallowed the unease and gave another small smile. It was consoling, telling Dylan it was the right choice. But he couldn't celebrate too soon

"That's... Wrong. But-"

"I was just so angry, y' know?"

He quelled the brunette with his thoughts, making Dylan nod at his understanding of something he's been through his whole life.
"Like, how can you do that? How can you be that sick? Sick enough to create something like this... Then just simply... Leave. Abandon this. I should have stayed in London."

Ouch, that low-key hit Dylan in the heart, but he smiled. He smiled because... Thomas was valid.
Of course, he was. He's never mistaken.
Though Dylan was a bit disoriented about what the fuck Thomas meant. About leaving, that is. He left it alone, though.

"I don't know. I hope that baby is okay."

"We'll know one day."