Louie woke to the sound of voices talking low and bright morning light streaming in through the hole in the wall. Rolling over to her back, she instantly regretted it as a shock of pain tore through her body, her lips betraying her. She rolled back to her side. There was a scuffling of feet and a shadow fell over her closed eyelids.

"Louie are you alright?" Peyton asked, kneeling beside her.

Louie worked to control her body, to keep it from shaking from the pain.

"Yeah. Just great," Louie said, through clenched teeth.

Louie started to push herself up and Peyton's hands wrapped around her, helping her. With one hand Louie pushed Peyton back, looking at him with a defiant glint in her eye that made him take a step back. All eyes were on Louie as she stood. She forced her expression into an indifferent look, that cracked slightly as she took her first tentative steps.

Her back seemed to be on fire. Every action threatened to bring her to her knees. But she moved about as if she felt nothing, using every bit of strength to keep her pain from showing on her face. The voices started up again as she picked up her sleeping bag and stuffed it into her pack. She joined the group around the charred remains of the fire. Settling gingerly beside Jonas, she ignored Peyton's stare as he tried to read in her face the state of her wounds. Peyton forced his attention away from Louie and to Trevor.

"Did you find any remaining ammunition?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah, a few rifle rounds and two extra clips," Trevor said.

Peyton nodded.

"Good," he said. "We'll keep all the rifles. No need to leave behind something that could be useful."

"How far away from the Crawler's last location are we?" Luther asked.

Peyton took out the maps from his pack and spread them over the ground. As he talked about the distance, Louie ate, food giving her the energy her body was desperately craving.

"We'll rest here for a bit," Peyton said. "It's not too far. If we leave later we should still make it there before night. Along the way there is a river I've used. We can clean up there."

At the mention of getting clean, Louie's gaze traveled around the group, seeing the signs of dirt, blood and grime that she was sure she wore as well.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I think we look great," Jonas said, his clean smile looking lost among his dirty face.

This brought a round of laughs.

"Speak for yourself," Luther said. "I originally had blonde hair."

The corners of Louie's mouth curved up slightly as she looked at Luther's hair that now held a light brown color.

"So its settled," Peyton said. "We'll head for the river and end at the last location, once Louie's ready to go."

********************

The sun had shifted in the sky by the time everyone started preparing to leave. Louie pushed herself off the floor, biting back the sound of pain that rose to her lips.

"How are you doing?" Peyton asked, seeming to see the pain she was in, though nothing in her features betrayed her.

"Fine," Louie said, lifting her pack and placing it onto her shoulders.

The pack rested against her wounds and Louie closed her eyes briefly trying to combat the shock that was coursing through her. Everyone stood, collecting their own belongings. Dax stepped over to Louie and snatched the pack off her back, adding it too his own. Her eyes shot open and met Dax's steady gaze. His expression seemed to dare her to argue.

"Thank you," Louie said.

Dax only nodded and handed her a second knife. Louie took it and slipped it into her holster, as Peyton positioned himself at the front of the group.

"Everyone ready?"

There was wave of assent and Peyton nodded.

"Alright, usual formation," Peyton said. "Trevor bring up the rear, Luther and Dax stay by Louie, Jonas with me. Let's go."

The group broke free from the confines of the building. Louie's breath caught in her throat as she stepped out. Scattered about the building and stretching down opposite streets were the bodies of Crawlers. Their distorted faces stared up at Louie as she moved passed, trying not to look at them.

Red eyes peered up from sunken, yellow stained skin. Their mouths hung half open, their cries long since vanished from the air. Her boots became lined with the blood that coated the ground. They left a trail of dark red prints behind them as they moved across the city.

As they fell into their normal pace, Louie found her whole body resisting the movement. Every limb was heavy and the pain from her wounds weakened her stamina. They had left the city behind and had travelled a few miles when Peyton stopped, calling for a water break. He looked to Louie.

"How are you doing?" Peyton asked.

Every inch of Louie felt as if it was bruised. Her legs felt unstable and her body felt as if it weighed a ton, but she straightened her shoulders, gave Peyton an even look.

"Fine."

Peyton's lips twitched, but he only nodded.

"Alight, let's keep moving then."

By the time they reached the river Louie had become accustomed to the pain and felt as if her mind had numbed her to the ache in her limbs. She sank, gratefully to the ground, ignoring the broken branches that the other's were using as seats. After making sure the perimeter was secure Peyton settled down beside her, quietly taking in the scene before him.

"How are you doing?" Peyton said.

Annoyance bubbled up in Louie and she turned to him, scowling.

"Peyton, you ask me one more time how I'm doing and I'll stab you in the arm and let you bleed to death," Louie said.

Jonas burst into laughter as the other's exchanged amused looks. Peyton smiled and nodded.

"Alright then."

He stood and taking off his boots, before pulling off his shirt. Louie looked up at him startled, but quickly regained her composure. Peyton smirked.

"For the sake of propriety I'll leave my pants on," Peyton said, then stepped into the river.

Louie watched as he walked further in and submerged himself. Bubbles rose from where he had gone down. He came back up, wiping water from his face and pushing back his wet hair. As the dirt dripped away, the white scars appeared.

"Toss me my shirt, will you?" Peyton asked.

Louie reached for it, wincing at the movement. Peyton noticed the reaction and waded over to the bank, taking the shirt before Louie could throw it. He put it in the water, watching as blood and dirt trailed away from it.

Boots clattered to the ground and shirts were discarded as the rest of the team followed suit. Luther dunked his head first rinsing it until its original color returned. Dirt and grim came away as each member lowered themselves beneath the water.

Louie slowly pulled off her boots. She looked for some place less exposed to wash but found none. She stepped tentatively into the river, fully clothed. The water was icy cold and shocked her as she walked further and further in. When the water was to her waist she went under, the cold racing through her body.

She came back up, breathing deeply, the chill setting into her skin. She worked quickly to rub away the blood and dirt from her skin before she climbed back onto the bank. Peyton was already there, digging through his pack and pulling out his other set of clothes.

"You alright?" Peyton asked.

Louie nodded, clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering. She rummaged through her pack and found the extra pants and shirt. The cold leeching her strength, Louie moved behind a cluster of boulders and tried to change quickly. But she found every time she moved a shock of pain tore through her back.

She managed to change and reappeared, jaw set. As the rest of the group warmed themselves by a fire, Louie dug through her pack pulling out bandages. A form blocked the light and Peyton knelt beside her, arching one eyebrow.

"Are you planning to change your own bandages?"

Louie gave him a look that said she was planning on attempting it.

"It's okay to ask for help, you know that right?" Peyton asked.

Louie didn't reply and Peyton smiled.

"I'll take your stony silence as a request for help."

Louie managed to keep her face expressionless as Peyton helped change the bandages, though it took up most of her strength. As she pushed herself up, she felt herself teeter and found Peyton's hand was already reaching out to stabilize her.

"Thanks," Louie said.

Peyton nodded and turned away.

"Alright, we'll break here for half an hour and then keep moving," Peyton said.

********************

Night had swept the sun from the sky and stars were splashed over head. A low wind whistled through the bare tree branches joining with the sound of the crackling fire. Louie found sleep out of her reach and pulled herself out of her sleep bag. She eased herself down to the ground beside Peyton, wincing slightly.

"You should be asleep," Peyton said, without looking at her.

"I couldn't, so I figured I would keep you company, or at least let you get some."

Peyton nodded but didn't move. They grew silent again, Louie's gaze drifting to the surroundings. In the darkness the world looked normal but Louie knew just feet away were skeleton remains.  The stench of decay still lingered in the air.

It had been easy to realize when they had reached their destination, the land was trampled and bones littered the ground. The sight had taken them all be surprise, all except Peyton who instantly moved around. He crouched close to the ground, studying the earth, his eyes seeing things that were invisible to the rest of them.

After a long time of wandering about he announced that the Crawlers had left this spot at least five weeks ago; according to the state of the remains and the foliage that had started to revert to their vertical stances. He said they had taken off in a South/ South West direction and it would be easy to track them in the morning.

Peyton shifted, glancing at Louie.

"How are you doing?"

"Fine."

There was a tug at the corner of Peyton's mouth as he looked away.

"Liar."

Louie's attention snapped to him in surprise. Her retort was on the tip of her lips, but never got voiced, Peyton's words halting her own.

"Louie you forget, I've had those type of cuts before. I know how painful they are. So I'll ask you again, how are you doing?"

Louie's shoulder fell and she stared into the fire, her back aching with pain.

"I've been better."

Peyton gave a low chuckle.

"I guess its as good as I'm going to get."

They fell into silence once more, the sounds of nature filling their ears. Louie eventually roused herself and looked at Peyton, her eyes dropping to the faint lines that covered his bare arms.

"Do you remember where you got each scar?" Louie asked.

Peyton was silent for a long moment, his eyes staring unseeing into the night, as if every memory was flashing before his eyes.

"Most of them yes. I probably couldn't define each one but I could tell you the times that I got cut." He glanced back at her. "Why? Curious?"

Louie didn't respond and Peyton smiled. He pivoted towards her, stretching out his arms. He looked down at them as if seeing how they looked for the first time.

"The first scar I ever got from a Crawler was when I was fifteen. I was outside our Compound one evening and got attacked. The men who worked the gates saved me, but I came away with my forearms torn up. The next was a few months later, I was traveling with my father and we came upon a group of Crawlers, it was this one."

Peyton pulled up his sleeve revealing a long thin line that ran from his shoulder down to his elbow.

"I remember that one because the Crawler was on top of me before I knew it and my father saved me. I got better over time." Peyton said.

Louie listened intently as Peyton kept talking, taking her through year after year of encounters with Crawlers. The narrow escapes that he faced. Peyton finished with a vague shrug, his eyes dropping back to the ground as if the scars weren't a big deal. Louie looked at him puzzled.

"I just don't understand how you can keep doing what you're doing, even after all that you have been through," Louie said.

Peyton gave her a weak smile.

"Makes no sense, right?"

Louie nodded.

"Yeah, that's what everyone else tells me as well. But I won't ever stop doing it because it means safety for someone else. I'm just one person, not a lot of people would miss me if I died. So if I die while taking out a group of Crawlers that is headed for a unsuspecting town, then it's worth it. Besides if I don't do it, who else will?"

"You would be missed."

Peyton looked up, meeting Louie's gaze, doubt flashing across his face.

"I know Marie would be extremely torn up if you died," Louie said.

Peyton barked out a laugh.

"That's true, but she would be one of the few people."

Louie shifted, wanting to speak her thoughts but held them back, letting silence settle between them again.

"Peyton."

He looked at her, his face expectant.

"Yeah, Louie?"

"I don't think I've ever thanked you for everything you've done for the Compound, so...thank you."

Peyton bent his head in acknowledgement.

"You're welcome."

There was a brief pause, then Louie spoke again.

"You would be missed, by more people than just Marie."

Peyton gave her a wry smile.

"Just in case that's something worth knowing," Louie said.

"It is."

They held each other's gaze for a long moment, then Louie shifted, grimacing with pain.

"You should try to get some sleep. You'll need all your strength tomorrow," Peyton said.

Louie nodded and stood gingerly.

"Goodnight Peyton."

"Goodnight Louie."

*****************

They followed the Crawler's trail for over a week. Louie's wounds healed more and more each day, with it her strength returned. By the eighth day, their pace had slowed, Peyton's movements more cautious, his senses heightened. Louie felt her nerves humming as they kept moving forward, something in her surrounding telling her they were close to the group.

As evening was draping itself across the sky, Louie heard it. The low rumble of hundreds of footsteps pounding away, and inhuman voices filling the air. Every nerve felt alive as the hair on the back of her neck stood straight up. Peyton halted the group, crouching to the ground and motioning everyone closer.

"You hear that?" Peyton asked.

All heads nodded.

"By my guess they are about two miles ahead of us. We're going to cut to the left and approach from the East so the wind in against us. They will have no warning of our approach. This is just a tracking mission. We are not prepared to fight a group as large as this, so stay alert for any signs of stray Crawlers. We need to take them down before they warn the other's. Got it?"

The group assented.

"Alright, we'll travel in pairs," Peyton said. "If one group gets split up from the team, meet back here. Is that clear, I don't plan on losing anyone now. Pairs are as usual, Jonas and Luther. Trevor and Dax. Louie with me. Stay close to your partner, and watch each other's backs. Alright, lets go."

His gaze met Louie's and she nodded, moving to take her place by his side. They moved quietly, skirting the edge of the rundown town, using some of the broken down buildings as cover. The sound of the Crawlers grew louder and louder as they approached. The noise made Louie cringe.

They were just sidling out from behind a cluster of trees and cresting a small ridge when the air filled with a thundering sound coming from over head. Peyton instinctively pulled Louie down to the ground as five large metal objects flew over head in the direction of the Crawlers.

A second later the world exploded.

**************

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