My feet pounded into the gravel with each step. Wind lifted my ripped clothes and gave Dib a glimpse of my bruised stomach. I giggled when he flinched. Served him right.

As the distance between us diminished, I noticed his posture change. Looked like he was getting serious. He arched his back, relaxed his shoulders and tightened his grip.

I spotted a flash of silver in my line of sight. Seconds later, something tore into my skin and held me in place. Dib grinned ear-to-ear, his arms reaching for something below me. My gaze traced down his tattooed arm until it came upon his blade fixed in my side. Thick amounts of blood flowed down my legs and seeped into my clothes. I winced at every drop hitting my toes.

Dib was in stitches. His toned body shook with mirth. While one hand never let go of the machete's handle, the other pointed at me. "That hurt, bitch?" he asked, sneering at my perplexed face.

Even when I inhaled the iron stench and my hands clamped over the gash, it didn't feel real. Something wasn't right; this should've been the part where I screamed in agony, right? But no matter how much he pressed it into my body, there wasn't any pain. There was no use denying it―I was a bona fide undead. A chuckle bubbled out my lips at the realization. I'd had enough.

Using what adrenaline still pumped through me, I trudged forward. Green and purple splotches filled my vision. Moving straight was my best option. I headed for the outline of Dib's figure while his machete was lodged in my side.

The savage noticed my dawdling progress. He sighed, then attempted to rip out the sword. It was stubborn and refused to cooperate. Instead, Dib shook me as he grew more frustrated. With one last effort, he hauled his arms back. The only result he got was me tumbling his way. "Dammit," he cursed between clenched teeth, "let go!"

His raucous, frustrated voice removed me from my inert stupor just before our heads collided. I grabbed his shirt strap before he could fall back, then slammed my fist into his jaw. It took everything I had to reach him, but wiping that smile off his face was worth it.

My breaths were heavy and shallow. I looked up to see his neck fixed to the right. Not wanting to wait for his counterattack, I threw punches and dug my nails into wherever they could get to.

With every hit, images of those two bubbled to the surface of my thoughts. Different scenarios stirred within my core. How I could've carried them out even if my body perished in the process, how I could've risen from the ashes to bring them to safety at all costs. Anything, just to keep them alive. Who was I kidding? Nowhere was safe.

Gradually, my pummels weakened to soft taps as a whirlwind of emotions infiltrated my mind. Mary and Bonnie would've been safe, but for how long? Jack was the one who always protected me. I was useless even in death. I dropped my arms to my sides.

Dib blinked. His once curved lips now rested in a neutral line. When he faced me, the savage sighed. "Done?"

My jaw clenched at the consequences of my stupid mistakes. Because of my hesitance, my suspicions... they were gone for good. "Give them back," I uttered, ignoring his taunt.

"They deserved to die. One committed treason and sided with the undead, the other was just an abomination." His hand tightened around the machete. "You should've burned with them."

I persed my lips and glared at him, nose flaring. "How dare y―"

An itch disturbed my train of thought. Looking down, I found Dib's arm pushing his weapon further in. It was an annoyance if anything, but he didn't need to know that. I turned back to him with a grimace. Four jagged lines on his shoulder caught my attention, one dotted with red droplets. I licked my lips in morbid curiosity. It should've been fine to play a little trick on him, right?

So, I took a deep breath before forcing out an agonizing scream. It sounded layered, as if I had two voices aching to be heard. Dib grinned, sawing into my intestines quicker. Meanwhile, I stepped forward. By the time we were centimeters apart, my yell lowered to the level I used to exclaim whenever I got to try a new treat. Our chests pressed together as I wrapped my arms around him. He tried to push me off, eyes widened. Yet I clung to him stronger than a blood leech.

Saliva wet my lips until drool leaked from the corners between them. I ran my tongue over the scratch. Squeals escaped me when his bitter blood and sweat met my mouth. Unable to restrain myself, I grazed my teeth over his cut.

Dib gasped while tottering back. Curses slurred past his trembling lips. Our feet tangled together until he lost his balance, bringing me down with him. Once his body slammed into the gravel, dust surrounded us.

I lifted my neck up to get a good look at him. His face blanched, straining to look at the wound. The sight of pure fear and panic sent shivers down my back. A savage felt like this because of me. Me! The mere thought sent me in a giggling fit when I pressed my weight on his chest.

Dib squirmed beneath my shadow. His lips curled into a snarl. "You fucking bitch!"

"Sorry about that; zombies just get so hungry, y'know?" I teased after adjusting my legs around his hips. "Still... you should be happy I held myself back." My hands slithered up his body as I leaned down to whisper in his ear. "If I really wanted to, I could've ripped into your neck and made you the same disgusting creature you despise."

The savage breathed a hesitant laugh, eyes darting everwhere. "Y-You're bluffing!"

Of course I was. There was no way in hell I'd voluntarily eat someone, right? However, I had to play my part to the end. In the back of my mind, I wondered if Mary had the same worries. Eating people just to live must've taken a toll on the both of them. Shaking away the distraction with my head, I spread my hands to his shoulders. I nibbled on his ear with my canines instead of responding.

His legs tried to lift me off, to no avail. "Dammit," he croaked, "this can't be happening."

Next to my leg I felt him moving his arm at a snail's pace. At first I didn't care―he was immobilized, after all―until he whipped his hand up and grabbed his machete. My nibble escalated to a harsh bite when he ripped it out. Shit!

Blood and wax coated my teeth once I rose. I spat to the ground, scowling. "What the hell do you think you're―"

All at once, Dib lifted himself up with his blade and used its hilt to shove me off. "Shut up!" he shouted, then rose to his feet. Brows furrowed and mouth agape, it didn't take him long to catch his breath.

I regained my balance, dusting off my sweater. Blood was one thing, but I never wanted to know what ear wax tasted like. After wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I narrowed my eyes at him. "How rude."

He burst into laughter as if my comment was the funniest thing he'd heard all day. "That's a riot coming from you. It's you savages that want to eat the living as an excuse for survival." His arms opened wide, I guessed for effect. "What makes you different―the fact that you're a little pretty? Big deal, but your existence itself is sin."

My gaze lowered to the ground. It felt like I'd just been smacked with reality. I remembered the zombies who gnawed at my skin until my heart stopped. The dead, hollow look in their eyes were etched into my memory. Would I become like that? What would Jack think if he saw me?

I opened my mouth to offer a response, but nothing came out. No words could fuel my argument because deep down I knew he spoke the truth. Even Mary knew she wasn't supposed to be 'alive', which was why she accepted her second death―or at least pretended to. Did I even have a right to live?

Confusion and despair surged through my veins. Meanwhile, something crawled around in my head. It was uncomfortable, like when water got stuck in my ears. What was going on? Was I hearing things? I frowned, patting my scalp lightly. Yet the sound continued to intensify. Intelligible whispers pulsated in my ears. "Get it out, get it out, get it out," I muttered while slamming my wrists on my head.

It never stopped. A day full of torture and loss must've driven me mad. That had to be it. How else could I hear these disgusting noises? I shut my eyes, stepping back. Trembling hands covered my ears. A ravage scream released from within as tears threatened to fall down my cheeks. I hated bugs with a deep passion, and this was far closer to one than I could handle. Just before I erupted again, everything went silent.

Relief flooded through me. I opened my eyes and sighed. My arms sunk to their sides while my head turned towards Dib. He was pale as a sheet. My lips curved into a small smile at the sight. However, something was wrong.

I wasn't in control of my body.