I think I liked you better when you didn't have a knife in your hand, Peaches

Blame

Blake covered her face with her hands, waiting to feel sharp and broken teeth sink into her skin, hearing the rasps and snarls drawing nearer and nearer.

But as she winced, giving a whimper of fear.... the sound of two silenced gunshots came from close range just over her shoulder.

Blake pulled her hand away from her face, her breath ragged in her throat, watching the two zombified figures dropping to the ground in an untidy heap.

The blonde woman turned her head sharply, staring up and over her shoulder hurriedly.....

...to see Eugene stood there, pistol held tightly between his shaking fingers.

"I thought you could use a hand," he said in a slow and sluggish voice, seeming more than a little heroic now, as he reached out a hand towards Blake for her to take.

She continued to breathe hard for a second or two, staring up at him in shock. Before slowly taking his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet.

"T-Thanks," Blake managed to mumble out, brushing herself down embarrassedly, before her eyes met with Eugene's.

Of course, the dark-haired man looked as stoic as ever, barely showing any signs of panic or emotion at the chaos of the situation. But as calm and collected as Blake had ever seen anyone, he quickly bumbled past her, shoving the door the two walkers had emerged through, closed once more.

He offered the nearest now limp walker a kick with his toe. "I'm afraid it is far beyond my means to clear either of those sorry monsters up-" he began. But Blake, barely listening, moved over to him hurriedly, her gaze becoming desperate and her heart resuming its fast-paced thudding.

"Eugene, h-have you seen Simon?!" she asked with a fool's hope in her voice.

But the dark haired man merely stared at her for a long moment, his lips pressed tightly together. "In the confusion, I really cannot be sure, I mean, he's was bound to be-"

"He's got Tara," Blake snapped over him, clutching a hold of his black sleeve suddenly. "Eugene, he's got her and he's taken her...I don't know where..."

For a second Blake saw the flicker something in Eugene's eyes, but his face revealed nothing in the gloom of the long empty hallway.

Blake immediately frowned not quite sure Eugene understood the severity of the situation.

"Why would Tara be here?" he finally asked with a low mumble.

"Because..." began Blake sounding, at once, a little severe at the man's nonchalant attitude, but she faltered, blinking a little as she let go of Eugene's arm, taking a step away from him, giving a hard swallow "...because she came to see me. T-This is all my fault....a-and now.."

But Blake trailed off, dragging her tearful eyes away from Eugene's face.

God she had been so stupid. She should have gotten Tara out of the here the minute she had showed up.

And by the look on his Eugene certainly didn't seem to care. For why should he? Tara hadn't come here see him. In fact, no chance to save Eugene had been attempted, at least since Blake had been here. So why should this man, abandoned by those he had once called his friends, care about them any more?

But to her surprise, Eugene suddenly spoke, his voice low and hurried.

"I haven't seen Simon," said the mullet-wearing man with a nod. "But if it's any help I know where he might have taken her."

Blake glanced up at him in shock before nodding herself hurriedly.

"Where?"

Eugene led the way, pacing with purpose down the lengthy Sanctuary hallway, as Blake followed him, still just in her tshirt, with hair messy from sleep.