We've been staying in the same house for three days now and holy hell is it nice. We even rigged the bathroom up so we could all take a bath, a mostly cold bath, but still! I was able to actually wash my hair and remove the grime gripping my skin.

My favorite part of this whole mini vacation is I found a bunch of those one use toothbrushes in the basement! The kind with the toothpaste already in the bristles so all you have to do is wet it and brush! We can have fresh breath for like two months! Some of us, coughMurphycough, need it more than others.

"Can I sit here?" 10k mumbles and I look up to see he's standing at the edge of the loveseat I'm spread across.

I nod, lifting my blanket clad feet so he can sit down. Once he's settled I lay my feet across him, making him tense up. He seems to get shy when I do bolder forms of touching, but I've always been a very touchy-feely person.

It's still early in the day, Mack and Addy aren't even back from patrolling yet. I've learned that Warren, Garnett, 10k, and I are the early birds, well kind of, I don't really sleep so I'm always awake.

Luckily for me we found coffee and so my lack of sleep hasn't been affecting me too terribly. I'm not sure what to expect when we run out though. My lack of sleep will probably catch up and take me out.

"Do you two ever sleep?" Doc asks groggily, drawing my attention to the stairs where he stands rubbing his eyes.

"Well! If it isn't sleeping beauty!" I tease making the older man grumble tiredly before he heads towards the kitchen, to get coffee, where Garnett and Warren have been relaxing since they woke up.

The whole coffee situation is truly a god send, almost makes Murphy tolerable in the mornings. Which, speak of the devil, just stumbled down the stairs. His hair looks more messy than usual as he makes a bee-line for the kitchen.

I shake my head with a small, airy laugh.

"Did you sleep?" 10k asks suddenly and I turn to look at him, curiously.

He looks back at me, his blue-green eyes genuine. 10k looks almost relaxed as he awaits my answer and I try to decide if I should be honest or try to hide my exhaustion.

"A little bit," I answer vaguely, not really wanting to explain the hour nap I took before another nightmare forced me out of the dream world, "Did you?"

10k nods as his attention shifts towards the stairs, the last sleeper standing there. Cassandra blinks quickly as her eyebrows furrow, like she's trying to place her surroundings. Her eyes land on the couch next to us.

She sleepily makes her way to the piece of furniture before she plops down, her eyes closing before her head even hits the cushion. Clearly, she didn't get enough sleep last night.

"I get to shuffle first!" An annoying loud voice exclaims and I turn to see Murphy and Doc coming back into the room, a deck of cards in the older man's hands.

Could he at least pretend to care about whether people are sleeping in the room? Cass is clearly snoozing away right now!

Murphy happens to glance my way so I shoot him a deadly glare before zipping my lips and pointing to the brunette sleeping. He makes a face before sarcastically nodding.

I grab the throw pillow from behind my head and chuck it at the man and I manage to hit him in the arm. This time he glares at me, but I smile an innocent smile. A quiet chuckle catches my attention and I glance over to see 10k is amused by the interaction, whether it's because it's funny or he doesn't like Murphy, who knows.

"I'm gonna turn the radio on, I'll keep it quiet." Doc informs me as the two men sit at the table, flipping on the radio, which whirs to life with quiet music.

~

After about an hour of fading in and out of sleep, I stand up and stretch, Murphy and Doc still playing cards. Cass is still fast asleep on the couch and 10k seems to be dozing, or at least he was until I moved. I hope when we save the world, we still get to have times like this.

I watch Doc and Murphy, who appear to be bartering drugs for wins. Seems silly since Doc will end up with all of them anyways, but hey, to each their own.

"Man. That's five hands in a row. If you're gonna continue to use my deck you need to quit pulling cards out your ass." Doc laughs in a light hearted teasing way and I can't help but smile.

Before all this, I bet people loved him. He seems like the life of the party, but also the friend you call when your car breaks down and you need a lift.

"Oh boo hoo." Murphy replies and I roll my eyes at the grouch sitting across from the older man.

"Hey shhh. Hold on, he's back on." Garnett shushes as he and Warren moves further into the room, alerting me of their presence within the room.

I follow everyone's attention to the small radio on the table, which Doc turns up slightly to make sure we can all hear what CZ has to say.

"Friends, I'm talking about mean weather coming in fast. Some reports of tornados. Find shelter and take cover. It's dangerous out there. More so than usual. Now back to the soothing sounds of the Apocalypse." The static voice warns before the music resumes and I look to our leaders to gauge their thoughts, but neither of them shows me any emotion.

What are we gonna do if there is a tornado? I don't know much about them except they are incredibly dangerous and you don't wanna be outside or near windows. Maybe I'm scared of the unknown, but my anxiety is raising just thinking about facing another one of mother nature's cruel jokes on humanity.

"You know after he was so wrong about that chopper, weatherman's a pretty good job for that geek." Murphy nods and I cross my arms while raising my eyebrows at him.

"Geek? What are you, a mean girl in a 90's coming of age chick flick?" I ask and he glares at me with an annoyed expression.

Before he can reply the sound of the door opening and closing draws everyone's attention to see Mack and Addy walking into the house. They both look a little tired, but neither seems worse for wear, so that's good.

"You're up." Mack informs our leaders of their turn out in the fun world of the apocalypse.

"All good?" Garnett asks the pair like a concerned parent.

"Peaceful night." Addy nods, he eyes glancing over her shoulder briefly to make eye contact with her boyfriend.

"Your stalker said there's a storm front coming in. How is it out there?" Warren asks as she holds her mug a little closer, like she is mentally preparing to leave the peaceful paradise of the house.

"Cloudy with a chance of zombie." Addy says making me smile, what an interesting movie that would have been for DreamWorks to make.

"Okay, you two get some rest." Garnett orders as he begins heading outside, but my attention is drawn to Cass who lets out a soft mumble, her body curled into itself like she's cold.

Well since I'm not using the blanket, might as well put it to use, right?

I grab the discarded blanket from the couch and walk towards the sleeping form before I gently place it over her. The blanket is a little low so I go ahead and adjust it so it's under her chin, but to my surprise, she pulls a knife from under her.

Cass stabs the blanket near my hand as she jolts awake and I pull the weapon from her hand and out of her reach as she seems to panic before her eyes land on my form. She studies me for a moment before I hold the knife back out to her, which she takes.

"I just wanted to make you comfortable miss stabby." I tease as she flashes a small apologetic smile my way.

"Scared of that one." Murphy mumbles, but I hear him and choose to ignore him.

If I keep rolling my eyes at every dumb comment he makes my eyes will get stuck and he's not worth that pain.

"Best not to mess." Doc agrees as I step away from Cass who seems to be very awake now.

"You know if we breed those two, it'd be all over for the zombies..." Murphy jokes and both men laugh as I turn to glare at them.

Men are so stupid sometimes, and if I didn't like Doc so much I'd probably clonk their heads together. Maybe then they wouldn't have to share a singular brain cell anymore.

Warren suddenly bursts through the front door, startling me and from the slightly annoyed look on her face, shit is hitting the fan right now.

"Puppies and kittens! Time to go! Everybody out the back!" She hollers as everyone begins scooping up belongings.

I swing my bag over my shoulders and slip my cross bow inside. Glancing at the table I watch as Doc and Murphy sling cards and pills into the brown bag Doc carries around.

A warm hand lands on my upper back and I snap my head over to 10k who is all ready and urging me out the door. I scrunch my nose at leaving this place, but follow the taller boys instructions and rush out the door, the group hot on my tail.

~

The wind is blowing my hair around like crazy so I pull it up into a messy ponytail, which doesn't do much, but it helps a tiny bit. We are currently trying to outrun, or I guess outdrive, this storm, but it's not really working in our favor.

"Anybody got a mint?" Murphy suddenly speaks up loud enough I can hear him from the back of the truck and I roll my eyes.

I offered him one of the toothbrushes from the house and he didn't want it, but now he wants a mint? Dick.

"Castle Point. That's your hometown right?" Garnett says as we come to a fork in the road, one direction apparently towards Warren's old home.

To my surprise Warren turns the other direction, away from the place she called home. Does she not wanna see it, say her goodbyes, take anything from her home? I'd love to go to my house and try to find the pocket knife my dad has had since he was a kid.

As we turn down the road, movement catches my attention and I look up at the tornado directly in our path. Holy shit is it bigger than I would have thought, even from 50 miles away.

"Whoa. Look at that storm coming in." Addy comments from inside the truck and I look through the window to see her leaned between the front seats to point at the tornado.

Warren grumbles something in a bitter tone, but I can't hear what she says before she turns the truck around and heads towards the place she used to call home. Why does she seem so against going back?

"Welcome home, Roberta." Garnett says as we pull into the deserted town and head towards city hall.

Once we park in front of the large building we all climb out to check out our surroundings, but I decide to follow after the woman who knows this place best. I keep my crossbow up and ready in case we find trouble, which usually follows us closely. She seems incredibly on edge here and I don't wanna leave her alone.

"So you know this town?" Mack asks as he glances over his shoulder at our second in command who nods without looking at him.

"Born and raised here." She replies as she heads towards the community bulletin board, flyers filling the cork.

Garnett and I follow after her, standing close to cover her back as she scans the papers attached to the board with a slightly sad look on her face.

"We need to take cover. Is there someplace safe nearby?" Garnett asks in a soft tone, like he's trying not to poke a bear.

"Yeah, there's a storm cellar in my house." Warren informs him distractedly as her hand comes up to gently touch the papers and my heart clenches at her expression.

"How close by is your house?" He questions.

"It's not far. I knew these people. My neighbor. My boss. My..." As her voice dies off, Garnett steps closer to see what has her silent.

She seems so focused on this one singular flyer, but I don't wanna intrude on her personal life if she doesn't wanna share, so I don't step closer to look. Footsteps draw my attention so I grip my crossbow tighter as my eyes move to track the sound. Annoyingly, it's just Murphy coming to be a pest.

"Is that him?" Our leader asks, but my attention stays on the newcomer who furrows his eyebrows as he comes to a stop behind the pair.

"Who's him? Oh, no. No. We are not here searching for dead hubby, are we?" Murphy whines and I actually smack him in the back of the head this time.

He drops his head with a loud whiney 'ow' as I pull my hand away with a glare. He rubs his head as he faces me with his own glare, but upon seeing mine, falters slightly.

"Learn to shut up." I growl in a warning tone that makes him look away with a scowl, still rubbing his head.

"Let's go. Shelter's this way." Warren declares as she turns on her heel and walks back to the truck.

"Move or I'll hit you harder." I warn Murphy who is just watching Garnett follow after Warren.

He grumbles before following the pair. I turn around and let out a short whistle that attracts the attention of our team and I jerk my head towards the truck. Everyone makes their way back to the truck and gets back in so we can find safety.

My gut is screaming that something bad is gonna happen and I don't have the energy to deal with chaos right now. My coffee from this morning is fading away to leave me tired and anxious.

"It's so green. I never seen a sky look like that." Addy comments as she leans out the window to look at the sky.

"I've only seen tornadoes on TV." Mack comments, but my hands are starting to shake lightly with the nerves building up in my system.

My dad's words suddenly fill my head as I remember a memory long since forgotten. When I was little, storms always scared me and one time I wedged myself behind my dad's dresser in his room. He found me and sat at the exit while I trembled and cried.

"Why are you scared?"

"It's loud and made the lights go away." I cried as snot rolled down my nose.

"I see, well I'm loud and I shut the lights off sometimes, are you scared of me?" Dad had asked and I shook my head no.

"Well how about I give you the big flashlight and we can be louder than the storm?" He had suggested and I sniffled before nodding, sliding out from the small space.

I sat in my dad's lap holding the flashlight and we sang songs at the top of our lungs until the storm stopped. He always knew what to do to make me feel better. I wish he was here.

"I don't like tornadoes. I'm pretty sure they don't like me either." Doc's voice brought me back to the present and I look around before my eyes land on 10k who is watching me.

We only make eye contact for a moment before he looks away and the truck comes to a stop in front of a cute house. The wind is picking up, so I'm excited to be inside a building.

Once the truck is shut off, we all pile out and head towards the house, everyone except 10k who seems much too invested in giving mercy to the locals. He really is an interesting guy.

I shake my head before I walk towards the sharp shooter and grab the back of his shirt. He must knows it's one of the group because he doesn't even react as I begin leading him backwards towards the house where everyone is waiting. He continues shooting as I guide him and I almost laugh at how silly this moment truly is.

"Come on!" Mack exclaims as he keeps trying to beat the front door down, but Warren places a hand on his shoulder before grabbing a key from the porch ledge.

Mack looks embarrassed as he opens the door and everyone begins heading indoors, everyone except Warren and Garnett. I turn 10k around so he's facing the front and gently push him inside which he obeys my silent instructions.

We split up to make sure the house is zombie free, 10k and I walk down the hall while Addy, Doc and Mack head upstairs. As we make it into the Livingroom, Murphy sits down in a chair, making himself at home.

"Home sweet zombie." He exclaims as Garnett and Warren walk into the room and Warren's face becomes enraged as she storms towards the sitting man.

"Get out of that chair! Go on and get out of there! That's my husband's favorite chair!" She yells as she grabs him and pulls him out of it, Murphy's face shows fright as he puts his hands up in surrender.

"All right!" Murphey mumbles as he stumbles away, acting like that was uncalled for.

Does he not have anyone he cares about? If he did, then he should understand. Clearly the chair means a lot to the woman and he crossed a line.

"Uh, upstairs is all good." Mack alerts us his presesence awkwardly and I turn to look at the stairs, but instead find myself staring at 10k's chest because of how close he is behind me.

My cheeks heat up as I snap my face forward, trying to ignore the fact I could feel the fabric of his shirt brush against my nose. His smell filling my unexpecting nose. Good god do I need to get it together!

"I got this." Warren mumbles as a soft moaning reaches my red tipped ears and I watch her pull her gun from it's holster and creep towards the kitchen.

I stay put, trusting Warren can handle this on her own. I'm praying to whatever god there may be that it's not her husband because that's a pain that Warren doesn't deserve.

"Please don't shoot us. My husband is hurt." A human voice comes from the room Warren just stepped into and I rush forward to check out the situation.

"What are you doing in my house?" Warren asks as I pop my head into the door to see a woman and a man on the kitchen floor.

The man is laying in the woman's lap and I can see his head is bleeding a lot and the woman looks utterly terrified. Warren looks warily, but also slightly happy to not see her zombified husband.

"The fireman said we'd be safe here." The woman answers and Warren immediately tenses again, telling me her husband must be a fireman.

~

Everyone has met the strangers now and Mack and Addy is checking out the storm cellar while Warren is doing something in the Livingroom. Garnett is leaned against the counter while Cassandra and Murphy are standing near the cellar door. 10k is at the window and I'm crouched next to the strangers, Doc standing next to me anxiously.

"You're going to be okay. He's a doctor?" The woman reassures the man in her lap before turning to Doc.

"Uh, well they sorta just call me Doc." He tells her rubbing the back of his neck with an apologetic smile.

I grab the bandana from Doc's pocket and wipe some of the blood from the man's forehead which makes him stir slightly. His eyes open and look at his wife groggily who smiles down at him, the smile not quite reaching her scared eyes.

"No. No doctor. I just... need a nap." The man grumbles before his eyes begins to close again and I look to Doc panicked.

"Oh that, no that wouldn't be good, dude. Do not nap. Don't let him fall asleep. He's got a bad concussion at least." Doc says and I turn to the woman nodding, knowing Doc and I were thinking the same thing.

I'm no doctor, but I have first aid training which means I can offer some help, but most of my knowledge is to keep someone alive until a professional can arrive.

"Rick? Rick? Help him!" The woman cries as the guy falls unconscious in her lap, making me cringe at how bad that could be.

"Basement's clear. Is he gonna be okay?" Mack says as the pair walk back into the kitchen and a moment later Warren bursts into the room as well, a photograph clutched in her hand.

She shoves the picture into the woman's face as I wipe some more of the blood from the man. If this guy makes it, it will be a miracle.

"Is this the fireman?" Warren demands and I feel bad for the woman trying to save her love's life.

"What?"

"Is this the fireman that brought you here?" Warren demands again as she waves the photo in the girl's face.

The woman stares at the picture, her eyebrows furrowing as she tries to remember, but I'm sure that's not where her attention was at the time. She looks up at Warren and I think it clicks what is going on here and looks closer at the picture, like she wants nothing more than to definitely confirm Warren's hopes.

"I don't know. Maybe. He was wearing a helmet. Maybe it's him. I think it is." She expresses as she tries to remember and something tells me she has no idea, but can't bring herself to crush Warren's heart.

Warren pulls the photo away with a small smile and my heart aches. I wish I could be so head over heels for someone that just the thought of them makes me smile. It just seems so pure and maybe I had that in store until the world went to shit, but now? I'll be lucky to meet a man who won't die easily.

"We need to get out of here before this storm hits." Murphy whines as the wind makes the windows rattle slightly.

I turn and glare at him, his eyes shifting to mine before quickly looking away from me.

"Is that so? Where do you suggest we go, because the way I see it, we leave and we get sucked into a wind filled death." I roll my eyes making him scowl at me, but I know the rest of the group agrees with me.

"What are we supposed to do, just sit here?" Murphy retorts and I flip him off before Garnett steps forward placing a hand on my shoulder to tell me to calm down.

"We can ride it out down there." Garnett says as he gestures to the cellar and I give Murphy a smug look which definitely gets under his skin.

Hopefully Murphy will make it to California, but his shitty attitude and selfish mindset are making his chances drop. Luckily for him he has a protection squad keeping me from strangling him, so instead of killing him, I'll just annoy the crap out of him and make the score even.

"Let's just gather some supplies before it hits." Garnett says and Addy perks up, ready to say her piece.

"Kitchen was pretty well stocked up. There's water and canned food. No medical supplies, no batteries though." She explains and I tell she enjoys helping the group, she's like a puppy, wanting to make people happy.

"We need to get our communications up. You two, go out in the neighborhood. See what you can find. But don't go far. Be sure to get back before the storm hits." Garnett nods before turning to me and 10k.

I try to not visibly show my discomfort with that idea and instead stand up, clutching my crossbow tightly. 10k takes the lead, walking in front of me so I follow after him. We exit out the front door and I try to remember my dad's face as we sang loudly, hoping the visual will be enough to soothe my anxious mind.

"You should calm down, you're fear is gonna cloud your judgement." 10k tells me without looking at me as we start jogging through town to find some stores to scavenge.

"Easier said than done." I reply as 10k leads us towards a general store and he opens the door, making a bell go off.

We walk inside, weapons at the ready, but nothing can be heard within the store. If there had been a Z, the bell should have sent them scrambling to our position, so I think we are safe for now. I drop my crossbow to my side and begin walking the aisles looking for anything we can take back.

I find some cigarette packs and shove all of them in my bag. I keep looking and end up finding a bottle of Tylenol and some bandages, but that's all I can get my hands on. I walk around until I find 10k and he glances at me.

"Come on, let's head back." I state, but I know my voice gives away my uneasiness.

He nods and we head towards the door. My heart jumps into my throat as I see the tornado at the edge of town. A sudden tug on my hand makes me realize that not only had I completely froze on the spot, but 10k now had my hand gripped tightly in his.

"Stay focused!" He demands and I shakily nod as we run out the door and towards the others.

I glance behind me to see the cyclone is moving way to fast and there's no way we will out run it. The panic sets in as I try to find an escape from a death I really don't wanna experience.

"We're not gonna make it! What do we do?" I yell making 10k turn to see my nightmare and he looks forward before he turns us to the right.

"Take shelter! Run for the car!" He yells back and if he didn't have such a strong grip on my hand I don't think I would be able to make my legs move through the panic gripping every inch of my being.

He releases my hand as we reach the car and I slide into the front seat, slamming the door once I'm inside. I'm in the driver's seat while 10k is in the passenger seat and I watch the tornado moving closer and closer. 10k buckles up and then reaches over, buckling me into my own seat as I try to not have a heart attack.

"Hang on!" 10k yells as the car starts to move and I let out a cry as my eyes squeeze shut.

10k grabs my hand in his again as the car lifts into the air. I can't contain the screams that are ripping from my throat as I try to not pass out from fear. My attempts seem to be futile as my world falls into darkness.

~

When I come to, I find I'm no longer in that death trap of a car, but moving. I blink rapidly to figure out where I am and what's happening. I finally focus on 10k who seems to be carrying me like a bride.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice scratchy as 10k glances down at me.

"You passed out when the car flipped over. We are almost back to the group, just over this hill." He tells me and I rub my head as I try to process this information.

"Oh, thank you. I think I can walk." I tell him and he nods, placing me down on the ground.

My legs feel a little weak, but I feel bad making him carry me. I can't believe I let myself pass out! How weak can I be!

I manage to walk the rest of the way with 10k and as soon as we get back to the rubble that was once a house, Cass rushes to my side and grabs my face in her hands.

"What happened? You look like hell!" She exclaims and I push her hands away and pull her into a hug, just needing the comfort of someone after facing my worst fear and surviving.

She doesn't say a word, but hugs me tighter, rubbing her hand up and down my back while I bite my lip to keep the tears at bay.