Walking Amongst Them (Among Us, Book 2)

Who Are You?

*short AN: thanks everyone for the continued support, even with my sporadicness * 

We walked in silence. Each of us lost to our thoughts. I kept thinking about Michael, and how the others were waiting for us to return. We kept a brisk pace, not wanting to outright run but not wanting to walk either. It was important that this trip be as quick as possible.

As we walked, I worried about all of the things I could possibly worry about. Zombies. Michael bleeding out, Sam not being able to help him anymore and Michael dying. The quarantine being a myth, or something that had once been standing and now was overrun, like the compound. My thoughts rounded to the people we were running towards for help. What if they didn't exist, and all of this risk was for nothing?

Or better yet, if they existed and we got there, got past their walls, only to be told that they wouldn't help. What would we do then? Return to the others and try to make it work, spend the time it would take to get Michael there? Would he even make it?

The different scenarios swirled around my mind until I couldn't take it anymore and I had to force myself into focusing on the world around me. Watching the birds that flew in the sky and listening for any zombie moans. I was so caught up in my surroundings that I didn't notice when Ben started talking until he said my name.

"Hm?" I said, turning my attention to him. I couldn't help but to glance at the scar that was on his eyebrow. I remembered how when I first met him, it had made him seem so intimidating. Now it was just a part of him.

"I said, we should stop here for tonight. The map takes us off the road and into the woods soon. We should take shelter in the cars while we can."

Beck made a face, "it's not even nighttime yet," he grumbled.

"Yeah, I know," Ben shrugged, "we can look in the cars and build a fire and have some food and by the time that's done the sun will be down. We're not wasting much time."

Beck gave a shrug in return and stretched his arms above his head, "It's your friend's life on the line. If it were my friend, we wouldn't stop at all."

Ben's cheeks went red, "Hey now, Michael's important to all of us."

Beck didn't acknowledge him, instead he shook his head and went to the nearest car, opening the door to it. I frowned at his behavior and looked to Ben, who was now looking at me as if he expected more of the same. I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a bit awkward.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that," I said, not entirely sure why I was apologizing for Beck.

"No. He meant it," Ben muttered as to not be heard by Beck, even as he moved further away from us, "he's never really liked Adam or I. Barely put up with Michael for Chester. He sees us all as something he's got to take care of. He told me as much while we were out on our first run together."

"What do you mean?" I asked, walking to a car away from the car Beck was going through.

Ben followed as he spoke, "just what I said. He thinks we're dead weight. Probably a lot now that Michael's been hurt like he is."

"But why would he volunteer to go on this trip then?"

Ben gave me a bored look, "he's chasing you, Kodi. He still wants you. Look, Sam and I have talked a bit, and we know you told Beck you're more comfortable as friends, but Beck just sees it as a waiting game. If he tries hard enough, he'll get you."

I didn't know what to say to him there. He was right, as far as I could tell. But assuming that his actions were centered around me and what I was doing felt uncomfortable. I nodded in acknowledgment to his words and he gave a sigh, turning away from me while mumbling that it wasn't his business.