We moved an old coffee table into the middle of the room and I laid back on it.

   "Laila, why don't you go into the other room, ok?" Mackenzie ordered.

   Laila gave me one last look before nodding and walking off into the adjacent room.

   Once she was gone, Mackenzie pulled my shirt up, inspecting the wound. "The bullet's still in there alright. I'm gonna need a knife."

   I pulled out my pocket knife and handed it to her.

   She flipped it open and held it against the wound before looking to me. "This is gonna hurt."

   I placed the bandanna between my teeth and gave her the nod.

   The pain immediately shot through my body as she cut into me. I instinctively bit down into the folded up bandana, grunting in pain.

   "Almost done." She said.

   I closed my eyes and took steady breaths as she pulled the knife back.

   "Hold tight, I'm gonna have to dig that bullet out." She said, giving me a reassuring look. Right, sounds fun.

   I gave her a nod before closing my eyes again.

   A deeper pain shot through my body as she grazed the back of the bullet with the knife. I threw my head back, the pain almost unbearable.

   "Almost there, don't move." She said.

   I could feel the bullet moving up my side before finally popping out, instant relief washing over me.

   I spit the bandana out with a grunt and took in a few deep breaths. "That wasn't so bad."

   She smirked. "Well, we still have to cauterize it."

At least she's enjoying herself.

I put the bandana back between my teeth and gave her the nod...

After even more excoriating pain, the wound was finally patched up.

As she was finishing up, she noticed an old battle scar a little above the fresh wound. She gently ran her fingers over it. "What happened here?"

"Some asshole with an AK." I replied.

She pulled my shirt up higher, seeing a few more scars along the way. "Jesus..."

The warmth of her fingers on my skin ignited something deep inside me. Something I haven't felt for a long time.

"What's this one?" She asked.

I swallowed hard as her delicate fingers traced the scar. "Ricochet."

   She looked up into my eyes, her hand still grazing my skin. "And you still served? Even after all this?"

I avoided her gaze as I sat up. "It was my duty to protect those people and I did the best I could..."

She ran her hand down my arm. "I'm so sorry... I meant no disrespect."

I finally looked into her eyes then. That same sincerity was back. "I-"

Laila suddenly walked into the room, causing us to quickly split apart. "Are you guys done yet? I'm ready for bed."

Mackenzie rubbed the back of her neck as she stood, throwing me one last look before addressing Laila. "Uh, yes."

I stood up. "Thanks, Doc. You guys sleep, I'll take first watch."

Mackenzie nodded before leading Laila over to an old cot and laying down for the night.

I sat on the coffee table in front of the stairs, shotgun in hand.

I let out a sigh as my fingers traveled over the old scars, the feeling of her touch still lingering...

   As the sun rose, we sat around the coffee table, eating breakfast in silence.

Then, Mackenzie spoke. "So, how much further do we have to go?"

I looked up at her. "Once we get through the city, it should be at least a days ride to Chicago."

She nodded. "... Thank you."

I avoided her gaze. "Don't mention it."

Then, I stood. "Alright, pack your things and let's get a move on..."

The city was quiet. Bodies lined the streets and hung from telephone poles. Luckily, none of them were moving.

"Laila, don't look out the windows." Mackenzie said, taking in the scene.

"You see any movement?" I asked.

Mackenzie shook her head, her hand covering her mouth.

I took a quick glance at her. "Are you ok?"

She shook her head again. "I've never seen so much... death."

I rested my hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you close your eyes?"

She gave me a quick look before looking back out the window, suddenly jumping in her seat. "Look out!"

I looked back out the windshield, just in time to see a giant Humvee barreling towards me.

I cut the wheel hard, swerving out of the way just in time.

My car came to a screeching halt, the Humvee stopping a few feet behind us.

I slowed my breathing as I looked at the rear view mirror. Whoever was driving the Humvee didn't get out.

"You two stay here and keep your eyes peeled." I said, grabbing the sub-machine gun before slowly stepping out of the car.

"Step out of the vehicle." I ordered as I slowly approached the Humvee.

I stopped when a pair of hands shot out the passenger window. "Don't shoot." A voice said.

Then, all four doors opened and out stepped three men and a woman. One man was clearly a civilian. But, the other three wore various military uniforms, assault rifles in their hands.

They quickly pointed them at me. "Drop the weapon." The woman ordered.

   I kept my gun trained on them. "You first."

   The door of the Monte Carlo opened and Mackenzie stepped out, shotgun trained at the small group. "I suggest you follow her orders."

   Tensions rose as we shouted orders back and forth, neither group lowering their weapons.

   Then, Laila stepped out. "Can everyone stop, please?"

   Everyone looked to Laila before refacing each other.

   I let out a low sigh before lowering my gun, Mackenzie and the other group followed my lead.

   "Are you guys military?" Mackenzie asked.

   One man stepped forward, the rank on his sleeve telling me he was in charge.

   "Lieutenant Colonel James Blackburn of the 75th Ranger Regiment." He said.

   "First Sargent Samantha Poole, United States Marine Corps." The woman added.

   "Chief Petty Officer Brock Hudson, DEVGRU." The second man finished.

   I looked at him. "You were part of SEAL Team Six?"

He gave me a stern nod.

"And, who're we speaking to?" James asked.

I quickly saluted him. "Lance Corporal Iris Deckard, United States Marine Corps."

   "Nice to finally run into another jarhead." Samantha said.

   "Who're they?" Brock asked.

   "That's Mackenzie and Laila, Mackenzie is a doctor and we think Laila's blood could help us create a cure." I replied.

   The last man finally stepped up, walking towards Mackenzie. My grip tightened around my gun as he stuck his hand towards her.

"Doctor Arthur Calloway." He said.

Mackenzie shook his hand. "Another doctor? What was your field?"

"Virologist." He replied.

"We're transporting him to Chicago. He thinks he can help in the development of a cure." James said.

I looked to him. "We're headed there as well. Permission to tag along?"

James thought for a second before nodding. "Permission granted..."