Another fist plowed into my stomach, causing blood to spew past my bruised lips. I groaned weakly, dangling from the ropes tied around my arms. I was too weak to try and defend myself, after the countless of beatings I no longer drew my legs up to defend my stomach, nor did I try and kick these Rogues away.

My stomach was undoubtedly one big bruise as these men took turns questioning me. Even though they punched me so hard my ribs cracked, where blood was dripping steadily from my nose and mouth, I stayed silent. My joints ached from being suspended from my arms but not as much as my entire body thrummed with the pain of the abuse I was enduring.

My hands had gone numb a long time ago, my shoulders overwhelmed with pain the more my body drooped, carrying my full weight. The tips of my toes scraped over the floor as I dangled on the ropes, close to passing out.

The evening was quickly turning to night, mist slowly forming above the bushes and dancing in between the trees. The only lights around were from the flickering fires the rogues had made after they realized their explosives had damaged my generators beyond repair.

I can't let anything spill...They'll kill everyone...

Black spots swarmed my vision as the man in front of me socked me in the jaw, a cruel smirk twisted his lips before he spat in my face and let me hang there. The tissues in my face were already swelling to the point I could barely see out of my right eye, my lips split in several places and bones shivering, threatening to break with the lightest motion I made.

I barely dared to breathe, air rattling through my chest and wheezing past my cracked lips. Blinking slowly, I only caught a blurry image of my destroyed house, the floors cracked from the blast radius while the men were strewn around the place, raiding whatever they could find.

Several of the men were digging into my carefully preserved food while others were changing their ratty outfits for my newer clothes.

Footsteps approached and my heavy gaze lifted to the Rogue leader of this group. His yellowed teeth were digging into my hard fought for deer, smirking as he chewed loudly. "So, how's our lovely host doing? Feel like talking yet boy?"

The rest of the group laughed mockingly as I just dangled there before the rope was suddenly cut down. I landed heavily on my knees, yelping in pain before I collapsed on the dirt in front of the rogue's shoes. Small puffs of dust betrayed I was still alive, trying to cope with the pain that flooded my system.

Tiredly I lifted my gaze to the man, who smirked as he hovered over me, waiting for me to catch my breath so I would be able to betray my friends. I huffed out a breath, making the man chuckle and lean closer.

"I'm terribly sorry, I didn't quite catch that. You'll have to speak up." He drawled, gaining a few chuckles from the men around.

I panted, not daring to move an inch in fear of the jarring pain that flooded my system. Fear had long ago fled my system, as I had come to realize that I was going to die, whether or not I betrayed Eric's trust.

"We're waiting, boy."

Wetting my lips, I panted a few times in an attempt to get more air in my lungs before glaring up at the man. "G-go...fuck y-yourself." I gasped, chuckling weakly as the man's cheeks grew hot with rage before his boot slammed in my stomach, prying loose a pained cry from my lips.

Gods, it felt as if my ribs were broken, probably even piercing my lungs. It was getting harder and harder to breathe as the leader raged and kicked me again and again before pressing his boot on top of my head.

I was barely conscious, gasping and wheezing in pain, practically begging for death at this point. My heart jumped as I heard a familiar click before I forced myself to look up.

The barrel of a gun was being pointed at my head, the Rogue's eyes full of rage and murder as he bared his yellowed teeth. "I don't need to get that bloody information, I know those rats must be close by for you to be able to get any intel over there. We'll comb out this entire forest if we have to!"

Yanking me up to my feet, I was forced to stumble outside and kneel in the dirt while he strutted around me, a wicked smirk on his lips. I didn't even have the strength left to raise my head as I felt the cold barrel of the gun press against the crown of my head, the man's boots filling my swaying vision.

I sighed, closing my eyes and letting the air slip out of my lungs. Even if the man wasn't about to shoot me, I knew I'd die anyways; my injuries were too severe to make it out alive. If they were to leave me be, I wouldn't be able to move anywhere and would most likely pass out, a perfect snack for the infected around.

Crack

The small crackle of a twig breaking was all the warning they got. A blur sped through the forest and pounced on the man as he was turning around before warm liquid spewed over my bowed head.

"INFECTED!"

I gasped in shock, flopping over when my energy drained to nothing. From my position on the dirt I could see several of those Infected lunge for the men, most of which had put their weapons down when they were beating me.

Now their cruelty proved to be their downfall, as most of them were scrambling to get their guns when the infected reached them, ripping into their throats and snapping their necks with ease. The men whom were left stumbled and ran, trying to get away from the infected before they were ambushed from the back, even more infected pouring out of the forest as a deafening roar resonated through my bones.

Its back...

Gunshots and yelps filled the air, the metallic stench of blood thick in the air before the guns silenced soon after. There was still plenty of movement going on, growls and hisses approaching before I felt several noses nudge my limp form.

Stay still...play dead...though it doesn't even matter...

I wheezed out a chuckle, blinking weakly at the familiar female as she sniffed at my hair before snorting, baring her teeth. Her fingers reached out hesitantly before slightly nudging my face, coming back wet with my blood.

She rubbed the fingers together, growling lowly as her eyes flicked towards the dying bodies of the rogues. The other infected gathered around, nudging my body and sniffing at the blood. They seemed uncertain of what to do, hissing in periodic bursts as if threatening me one moment, only to sniff me like a curious dog would the other moment.

Footsteps approached but I didn't have the energy left to look up anymore. Slowly my energy was slipping from my body as I laid there, shivering from the cold and the pain that roared to life with each gentle nudge against my limp form.

A huff sounded above me, bare feet coming to a halt before the creature crouched. Muscular thighs twitched and flexed before a hand turned my face, baring my throat gently as a painful cry ripped through my damaged throat.

My eyes clashed with pale grey ones as they stared down at me. Its fingers felt warm to the touch, gentle against the multitude of bruises. I breathed slowly, feeling myself slowly slipping further into unconsciousness.

"Hey big guy..." I murmured, slowly recognizing the tall male I had only seen a few times before. Its nostrils flared while it leaned down, eyes gleaming as it inhaled my scent. I could feel his nose nudging against my throat, a low growl slipping from his wide chest before a warm tongue lapped at the blood that was trickling down my face.

I closed my eyes, feeling a spike of fear jump in my heart as I looked tiredly at the group. The pain was slowly but surely dragging me under and I had the feeling that this group of intelligent infected was going to be the last thing I'd see-

Hands wrapped around my body, tilting my head back before a sickening crunch filled my ears. I screamed in pain and terror, unable to move as the male bit down on my neck, teeth digging in my flesh without remorse.

I could feel my clavicle bend and break under the immense pressure, could feel the blood that poured from the wound as I weakly tried to punch at the creature.

And then it stopped, drawing back enough so I could see his lips red with my blood, his tongue flicking out to clean them as his eyes gleamed brightly. I panted and shivered, unable to move as he leaned back in to lap gently at the marks left behind, sealing the wound with his saliva.

I didn't even know I was crying in pain until a cool nose nudged against my cheek, hesitantly lapping at the tear before the male snarled and heaved me in his arms.

Droplets of sweat beaded on my forehead as I was cradled against the man's chest, my throat and neck throbbing along to the beat of my heart. Fear bit down, the frigid sensation coursing through my body only to be burned away by the pain emanating from the bite mark.

He stood, holding me cradled against his chest before he huffed at the others and started moving. I could hear them rush past us, leaving the chaos of my demolished base behind as it carried me deeper and deeper into the forest.

I didn't know what their intentions were, if the male knew the consequences of its actions. But as I slowly gave into unconsciousness and allowed the steady breathing and rocking motions soothe me to sleep, I vaguely realized one thing.

He bit me...

He bit me!

I swallowed thickly, sighing out a breathe as I felt the man tighten his arms around me and growl lowly. Even the fear of being bitten wasn't enough to fight off the pain and unconsciousness that soon followed, but I should be grateful

At least I wouldn't be conscious when I was forced through the change.

My last moments as a human...