"I can explain. . ." Micheal's voice hitched as she shook her head.

"NO!" She yelled out, still pointing the gun, "No. . . You can't. . ."

"He was Bitten, one of my guy's shot him. I didn't want that." He spluttered out, his eyes trained on the gun.

"SHUT UP!" She screamed, cutting him off.

"Okay." He said softly.

"You deserve to die." Bree stated softly, her voice barely reaching him.

He gulped, looking around him; everyone was outside now, and the weapons confiscated. Seven others were with Bree, he wondered who they were. Surely not members of this group, he had never seen them before.

"I said look at me." Bree said demandingly.

He turned to face her, "What."

She pulled the trigger, and Micheal yelled out, falling backwards as the bullet dug into the ground before him. Rose jumped out, and tackled Bree before she could fire again; all seven of the people pointing the guns at her.

Kyle ran out, "Don't Shoot!"

He sprinted over and kicked the pistol away from Bree. Micheal was pulled back to his feet, another gun pointed at his head. A still silence enveloped everything and Bree pulled away from Rose who was held back by Kyle.

"Just let me explain please..." Micheal whispered softly, his pants inexplicably soiled.

~~~~~

"So. . . What you are saying is that you made a mistake and you want us to work for you to fix it?" Brent faced Michael from across the table, everyone already following behind him in his unspoken ability to lead.

Michael frowned slightly, "With. Work with us."

Brent scoffed slightly and stood up, "This is ridiculous!"

Both men knew it would be a very uneasy alliance, but did they have a choice? No, Michael thought they didn't; Brent knew the kid. . . Ethan, from somewhere. Surely that would make him agree.

"I should just end you now, get all this nonsense out of the way." Muttered Brent softly.

Michael sat up, "Not if you want Ethan to live. I lead my people, you lead yours, but we report to each other. Make decisions together, and fix this."

Brent shook his head, "Waist of resources for just one person. Why would I risk it all for something you SAY is true?"

He caught him there, why would he risk everything? Michael didn't know, but he had to give it a chance.

"Because if we get inside the Quarantine zone and clear it out; together, we can use it as a more fortified base." It was an old plan Michael had concocted in the first year of the outbreak. He couldn't believe they were reaching the second year already.

That stopped Brent's stubborn denial, it did make sense in ways, but he had his doubts, "What about all the Rotters inside? We would have to clear thousands in a confined space inside of a confined space."

"Easy." Michael knew he had his hook, "Military camps outside got overrun, clear those out with our sheer numbers, and then loot the camps. If no one has already, we should be stocked up with military grade everything."

Brent stalled and then nodded softly, "You've got yourself a deal-"

Michael cut him off, "That's great!"

"But." Brent tossed him a glance, "Bree and I become the front runners after setting up camp. You will take orders from us, and keep your guys in check."

Michael's excitement faded. Did he accept these rules and hand over his only chance of keeping himself in control, or risk the whole deal? He had kept the information about the military coming for good measure; he thought he would be in control when they would have to fight. A long silence filled the room, and Brent waited for his answer. He finally answered with a reluctant nod, causing the both of them to sigh in relief.

"It's done then." Brent said casually while offering a hand shake.

Michael accepted, "Yes, now for the hard part."

Both of them thought, Maybe people do know how to help others instead of themselves.