I wake up to see the burnt out fire. I feel a hand resting on my waist while I lay on my side. I panic and instantly sit up, glancing around. I realise Gabriella and Sean are still asleep. Gabriella lies with her head on her bag on the ground, as if it's a pillow. Sean sleeps while propped up against a tree near Gabriella. I notice West is twisting a dagger around in his hands. He must've been up all night. He looks up at me, "Morning." He says.
"Morning." I mumble in reply, before I yawn, putting a hand to my mouth while I do so. He gives me a quick smile, before it quickly disappears as he looks back at the dagger in his hands. He seems a bit off, but I ignore it.
I notice the hand that rests on my waist is, of course, Drew. I turn my head back and see he's still fast asleep.
Suddenly, I realise that Buddy isn't beside me anymore. I glance around worriedly, "Where's Buddy?" I question, looking back over at West.
"Right here with me. He came to lay beside me throughout the night." He replies and pats Buddy. The large German Shepherd rests against his side and sleeps peacefully. I sigh in relief. "How long has it been since you and Drew last saw each other?" I hear West ask, as I take one last glance at Drew, who's propped up against the tree.
"About..." I think for a few seconds, before I remember the answer, "Eight months ago."
"So, you aren't used to staying with groups again?"
"Not really." I say, before adding, "I still can't believe he's alive." I whisper, playing with Drew's hand as he sleeps.
"I'm gonna go get some more firewood to cook breakfast." West stands up, changing the subject completely. Buddy jolts awake and notices West standing up so quickly. He stands up as well.
"I'll come." I say, also standing up. He nods.
I carefully move Drew's hand off of me and stand up, following him out of the camp. Buddy follows along with his tail low, as he stays alert to warn us for oncoming Infected. It's not like there are very many here though. After a few minutes West puts away his dagger in his jacket pocket. The blade clangs against something else metal in there. "You know," He begins, keeping his eyes on the snowy ground ahead. The snow has started to melt away which reveals the fact that it's becoming Spring. "Before we found you, Drew wouldn't tell us anything. He was always as solid as stone, as if he was constantly deep in thought. He wouldn't tell us a single thing about his past. And, we met him five months ago. He never said anything about you." He says.
"Well, we both thought that each other were dead." I state.
He turns to me and pins me against the closest tree roughly, "Liar!" He shouts at me. His eyes are very dilated and filled with fury. My eyes widen from shock. Buddy barks wildly and bites West's jacket, tugging on it roughly whilst a low growl rises in his throat. He rests his front paws against West to hold himself up as he does so.
He instantly turns around and kicks Buddy off of him. I quickly step aside from the tree and rush over to my dog. I grab the scruff of his neck to stop him from attacking West instantly. Although, he continues growling lower.
West looks like he doesn't know what happened and has a surprised look on his face. He quickly blinks and steps back. I glare at West for attacking me, "Don't come near me." I say darkly, before adding, "And, don't you dare touch my dog again." I then let go of Buddy and stand up straighter once more, before turning and walking back to camp. I notice Buddy stands exactly where he was and continues growling at West. "Buddy. Follow." I command. He hesitates, before running to catch up with me and following me back to camp. I walk quite fast to get well away from West.
There's something wrong with him.
I make it back to camp to see everyone is awake and packing everything away. I quickly make my way over to my bag and shove everything deeper in it to zip it closed all the way. Drew must have noticed the change in my mood because before I know it he asks, "Jess, are you okay?" I look up as I swing my bag over my shoulder. I notice Buddy begins to growl at my side. I glance to my right to see West coming back to camp. He keeps his head down after hearing Buddy's intimidating growling at him.
I keep a steady glare at West and ignore Drew's question. "Buddy. Stand down." I order my aggravated dog. He immediately obeys and ceases to growl anymore.
"Jess?" I hear Drew repeat.
"It's nothing, Drew." I say stubbornly. He gives me a suspicious look, before glancing over at West.
~-*-~
We begin moving. Buddy follows close by my side, keeping a close watch on West. I make sure to walk on the complete opposite side of wherever he is. He has definitely noticed by now.
Drew walks closer to me so he walks by my side. "Jess, what did West do?" He asks, "You have to tell me." He talks quietly so no one else hears.
"It's fine, Drew. It doesn't matter." I sigh, before adding, "He just shoved me against a tree. It wasn't that bad. But, he did kick my dog, so..." I trail off. Drew's eyes narrow, but I quickly take a hold of his hand, "Don't." I say quietly.
He sighs and turns his head to the side to look at me, "Fine. But, if he does anything else I will do something about it. I'm not letting him touch you again." He says. I feel a slight pang inside of me when he says that and I can't help, but blush lightly. He smirks, "I didn't know I could make you blush so easily." He says, a little too loud for my liking.
I elbow him in the side, "Stop." I say, lengthening the 'o'. He chuckles and jabs me in the side. "Ow!" I exclaim and punch him in the shoulder.
Suddenly, he wraps his arms around my waist and hoists me up over his shoulder. "Drew!" I exclaim through my fit of giggles, "Put me down!" Sean and Gabriella laugh at the scene we make. I think I even catch West with a slight smile on his face. Buddy jumps up on Drew from behind, reaching up high enough to lick my face. I push him away while laughing as he barks loudly and runs a circle around Drew, before jumping up again. Everyone laughs.
But, this is all cut short when multiple gunshots go off in the distance, followed by the dull groaning of the Infected. Me and Drew's eyes widen.
That sound is all too familiar.
~-*-~
