The city was empty.

Whatever remained of its former inhabitants was quickly purged by my family. Beyond a few scuffles with the occasional Viral, everything went off without a hitch.

Jeremy was keeping an eye out on the streets, nostrils flaring to catch the slightest scent possible. Any change in scent or sound made the entire group wary.

It was quite a difficult task to remain focused on what happened with the group that had left under the guidance of Jeremy.

After a long discussion and an even longer argument between us, I had finally relented and stayed back within the safety of the Hive. As long as he went along with the group to make sure they were safe.

Of course he had protested initially. Wanting to remain by my side and protect me. But then I pointed out how I had the entire Hive by my side while he expected a small group to head in possible danger.

Even if I was supposed to be the most important thing to the Hive, I also knew that losing the Hive, anyone from the Hive, would hurt me. Emotionally and physically.

So after one searing kiss that had left me lightheaded and breathless, Jeremy had taken the small scouting group and left for the city.

Before he left, he had taught me how to use my connection to the Hive properly. How I could sense anyone who wasn't near, how I could experience what they were at that very moment.

It was what I had been doing the moment Jeremy and the others had reached the city. Guiding them around to all my stashes that I could remember.

Luckily, there were no signs of any human activity, nor any heavily armed Rogues in the area. Just the shuffling, roaming remains of a lost era.

Though I was a bit wary, as the first few outposts I had marked on the map, had already been emptied. It seemed that at least Eric had found and made use of the outposts I had shared.

Which also posed the risk that potentially, Eric and his men could be in the area. And I could only assume how Eric or his men would react when they bumped into a pack of infected.

They'd shoot every single one of us on sight. Or worse. My mind could easily come up with a different alternative, knowing how Eric and perhaps other groups were still desperately searching for a cure.

Humans wouldn't think twice of using any infected they could as unwilling test subjects. To them, all infected were the same. A notion I had shared until my own change.

A sigh slipped my lips, focusing back on the images that flooded my mind. Sending warmth and reassurance to those I connected with, while providing them with an extra set of eyes and ears.

My knowledge of the city, traps that could potentially be laying around, humans that were crazy enough to live close by a city. Anything and everything that I thought could be useful, I shared.

And a weight fell from my shoulders when Jeremy and the others finally found several stashes, untouched. Everything was quickly, carefully and efficiently cleared out.

There was no issue with any rogues or other humans either. Jeremy and the others were able to sneak in and out several of the stashes unseen.

A sigh of relief slipped from my lips, shoulders relaxing as I rolled my neck for a moment. My relief must've been a signal to the other group roaming out, because a few of them eagerly contacted me.

Excitement and joy bubbled over the link as they gently invited me to share their vision. Climbing high in the trees to give me a proper view as I focused on them.

The group that had been sent out to look for our new Hive's location, were nearly vibrating with excitement as they shared their vision. Eyes scanning the horizon, the thick trees with massive roots gripping into the earth, several boulders covered with dense moss scattered about.

"It's perfect." I murmured, sending my gratitude and warmth back to them. I was instantly flooded by their contentment and awe, purring at the praise they received from their Queen.

I could already visualize the hidden entrances between those roots or rocks, hidden by moss and foiliage. And I could feel the distance between us as well and smiled. They were far, far away from here, which also meant far away from the city.

Far away from Eric.

That had been one of my own requirements of the new location. As a new species, we could run without tiring for hours on end. From my experience, humans wouldn't be inclined to explore the woods, venture out into the unknown when there were infected around.

Nobody in their right mind would venture where Infected could be hiding. They would stick to the beaten path, one they knew was safe.

Even back in my own human days, I had only stayed to the parts of the forest I frequented often. Places that I knew were safe.

And even then, I had still been wary of my surroundings. Had made sure to double, even triple check just to make sure there were no infected.

Hence why I had insisted we needed to be far away from easily accessible areas for humans. I didn't want any Rogue or human being able to ride up to our new home and possibly endanger the entire Hive, simply because of my own insecurities.

Luckily, that had been a point which Jeremy had easily agreed on. He too wanted the Hive and me especially, save. The Hive itself had eagerly agreed, giving their own suggestions and desires of the new place.

"Jeremy, we found it." I murmured over the link, sending my own joy and elation along with the sense of pride from the Scouts who found our new home.

Even more pride flooded the connection, the Hive basking in the contentment and praise of its two leaders as Jeremy replied with a soothing, rumbling purr.

"Perfect. We'll gather what we need now and return. I'm uncomfortable being separated from you." He confessed easily, as if noting the current weather.

I flushed, flopping backwards on our bed with a flustered huff, swallowing back my human bashfulness. "I...I miss you too."

Try as he might, Jeremy couldn't hide the jolt of awe, pure joy and satisfaction that surged over the Hive Link before he managed to contain himself.

"Then I'll hurry home, my heart." He replied eagerly, showing me a glimpse of the party gathering everything before turning back.

Heading home.

I grinned at the ceiling, opening my eyes before sighing. Pushing myself upright, I helped direct the Hive to prepare for our future move.

They all eagerly attached to the link, scouring my mind for any information they could find about building these subterranean houses.

While I wasn't an expert, I had quite a bit of information about the subject. A slight smile slipped on my lips as a few of the Hive curiously inquired where I got the information from.

I showed them a memory from the past. Back when my brother had still been alive, still human, innocent and full of dreams.

The young boy had wanted to become an architect, to build a house with his own two hands. Had been intrigued by designs that melded together with nature instead of disrupting it.

While it hadn't been one of my own interests, I was however interested in my brother's happiness. So I had spent a few hours on the internet and in libraries, finding him books and good source material that he could use.

The memory was bittersweet and I had to bite back some tears as I blinked rapidly. A few noses nuzzled against my cheek, several of the Hive letting out distressed whines as they felt the inner turmoil I experienced.

Luckily they didn't ask what happened, or perhaps they had already seen the memories that had surfaced on their own. Sitting on top of my turned brother, begging him to stop before I was forced to strangle him.

How I had yanked him against my chest, tears running down my face as I howled in agony while begging him to forgive me.

Begging the world for it to please be just a horribly realistic nightmare. Yet I had been faced with cruel reality and no way to escape it.

After all, both of my parents went missing not too long after the infection spread. Which was also one of the main reasons why I had moved out of my hometown and settled in the bunkers.

Because I didn't want to recognize my own parents among the infected. Forced to shamble across the streets and spread the virus until they were ultimately consumed by it, or killed by humans.

I knew I wasn't the only human forced to kill someone they loved. It was sadly a common story among survivors.

Lovers who had to kill their partner. Parents who had to make the horrifying choice of killing their turned children so they couldn't infect others.

Of course, there were those who couldn't make that choice. Who locked their loved ones in a room, hoping that someday, a cure would come that would turn their beloved back to normal.

Life was cruel. Reality was even crueler.

The losses I had experienced, both in family and good friends, had made me wary of making new connections. Anyone who entered my life could leave a gaping hole once they became infected.

Even now, no longer a human being, I still feared losing anyone from the Hive. Which is why I strived to make sure that none of them would ever be at risk.

I was going to make sure that the Hive prospered and endured. That every single member could live out their lives, however long they may be, in bliss and happiness.

Any human or rogue that dared to harm or threaten those I loved, would face the wrath of the entire Hive.

Which also meant that I would undoubtedly faced with another impossible choice in the future.

A future where I would have to decide which I cherished most.

The Hive.... Or Eric.