Our lips made an odd noise as he abruptly pulled away, gasping. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, I'm so sorry."

"Was...nice." It was very nice, if I do say so myself.

"Will I turn?"

"Won't...hurt you. Only bite...makes you...dead." I've bitten enough people before to know that. A faint brush over somebody's skin or an exchange of spit doesn't kill them. There have been lots of people who have gotten away from my attacks before, some where I tried to bite their lips off, but all I did was get spit on them. Gross I know, but can you blame me? I'm a monster. Everything about me is gross. It's natural, isn't it? But anyway, they lived. I'd even seen a few of my almost-victims before.

I felt him shift in the darkness. "Hypothetically. And I mean, this is totally hypothetical here. If I had sex with you, would it turn me?"

Okay, this time I did laugh. It was such a weird question, I couldn't help it. Why would he want to have sex with me? I was a dead man. He was hot, he could have anyone he wanted. An alive person, for starters. I may not be smart and my brain may be partially useless, but even I can see how much of an idiot he is. I couldn't understand why he trusted me so much already.

"That sounded really stupid. I admit that. Don't laugh at me, it makes me feel bad." But he was laughing too, so I didn't stop. I haven't laughed in awhile. Not since James last cracked a joke. That was a really long time ago.

"Sex...with me? Sex with r-rock better."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. I shouldn't have asked. I mean, I just met you and I've already kissed you. I have no clue how to take it slow," he laughed. I wanted to say I didn't care how slow or fast we went. I wanted to also say I didn't mind doing the do. He's hot and I'm a gross creature from hell, I'd be considered lucky if one of those corpse chicks even looked at me. This is a gift from god.

But of course my body did the only response it could successfully do without making an idiot out of myself. I shrugged.

"Stop shrugging!" He whined, hitting me on the shoulder again. "Tell me what you want to say. And don't feel like you have to go fast when you talk. I just want to understand you. You don't have to be good at it, god knows I'm not."

Right. Well, it didn't hurt to try.

I sucked a breath in through my teeth and slowly made out my sentence. "Don't care...how slow...or fast. Don't mind...if you w-want me...to do t-that. Really...like you."

He lit up at my words, so I guess he understood them. He looked down at his hands as blush began to creep up his cheeks. "So. You'd be okay if we did it? Because...I haven't gotten any in awhile. The camp is strictly against sex because we're overpopulated. Plus, I don't know. Doing it with a dead person seems...endearing." He looked up at me for a response, but all I could do was stare with my mouth partially open.

Oh my god. I don't know if I should be completely ecstatic or weirded out. I mean, isn't this necrophilia or something? And wait a second, why should I be the one who's weirded out? He's the person who just admitted he wanted to have sex with a flesh eating monster. I don't understand why he'd want anything to do with me in that way.

Maybe I did. The world had ended long ago and there was only so many things left to enjoy.

"Right...now?" I don't even have time to clean up. I guess I'm as clean as I can get, I took a shower and scrubbed every inch of myself. I should be good. Right?

He shrugged and looked down at his hands, the blush in his cheeks growing scarlet. "It's...whatever's good for you, Tom."

"Need...protection?" I assume he's the one that's gonna be doing all the work.

He looked up again to furrow his eyebrows. "Well yeah, you do."

Wait. What?

"...what?"

He laughed, hands going up to cover his flushed cheeks. "I thought you wanted to do it!" He giggled. I broke out in a grin and held my hand up in equal confusion.

"Thought...you wanted...to do it," I said, trying to match his excitement.

He laughed again and covered his whole face, which I could tell through the cracks of his fingers, was also turning completely red. "Oh my god, this is so weird. Okay, rock paper scissors for who gets to do it." He uncovered his face and stuck his hands out, but I could hardly see them because of the dark.

"I'm...too slow." It'd take me an hour to make a fist before I actually got my hand to form a pair of scissors.

His face grew even redder from the embarrassment. "Oh, yeah. Maybe we could just take turns?"

"Okay." Please god don't let me mess this up. I don't want the only love interest I've ever had to scurry off because of my limp corpse dick.

Here goes nothing.

~

"So that was interesting," he declared suddenly. I shifted my shoulder away from his in fear that I was making matters worse. I've screwed everything up. My life's over. I should just jump off the room balcony right now because what's the use of living anymore when I can't even please somebody sexually.

"Y-Yes," I agreed.

The silence in the room was very uncomfortable. I didn't know what to think. I couldn't remember what sex was like or if I was doing everything right, and him not saying a single word during it was really confusing too. He made no noise and neither did I. Silent sex is really awkward, I've learnt. I stopped in the middle of it and rolled back over on my side. He hasn't said anything yet but the statement he just declared.

"You...hate it?" I must have done something wrong. That's why he didn't say anything. My skin was too cold, my kisses freaked him out, the condom was on wrong, I touched something I shouldn't have. I must've done one of those things.

"To be honest, it was amazing. I don't know why you stopped. Did I do something wrong?"

I face palmed myself in the dark. "Thought...I d-did something...wrong."

He started laughing, and soon I joined him. This is weird. This is so weird. This isn't right, none of this was natural, the dead and the living aren't supposed to be together. I don't know what I was thinking. That maybe this could work out? Maybe I'd magically turn back into a human by doing it with a human? It was stupid, whatever I was thinking.

"So...weird."

He sighed. I felt his hand envelope mine and his shoulder bump against the skin of my own. "Yeah. We're weirdos."

"Why...did we...do that?" I was still trying to understand why I agreed to it, I could have very well infected him while we went at it. I don't know the physics of this stuff, I don't know for sure if we have sex that I won't turn him. It's not like anyone's ever tried this before, I have nothing to compare it to.

I felt his head lean on my bare shoulder, his warm breath tickled the skin of my arm as he breathed against it. "Because we both know the world is really messed up, and we just wanted some time to pretend to be normal?"

Huh. That's a good reason actually.

"Good...expla...nation."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Y-Yes."

"I really don't want to go back home."

"Why?" And somehow I knew I'd just set off an emotional rant that would last a good hour. He sighed again and pressed his body closer to mine, so I did the only thing I could think of to do in this position. I put my arm around him.

"It feels like a prison. We can never leave unless we sneak out or go scavenging, and even then it's once every three months. Being here with you is like being on a vacation. And you're such a good listener. You care about me and you protect me."

"Not...alive. Guys at...camp not g-good?" I can't imagine he wouldn't want those normal guys, the ones who can breathe and please him like a living person should be able to.

He shook his head. "All of the other guys at the camp are so lifeless. They train and train and train, to the point where that's all they know. It scares me. It's like they have no humanity left in them. All they care about is surviving. We're not allowed to eat actual food, drink alcohol, have fun, be in love. And I know you're dead, but you're still more alive than most of the people I know. I'm just so glad I met you. Being trapped in a box with those people is just...horrifying to me."

Huh. I didn't know life as one of the living could be so horrible.

"That why...you s-snuck out?"

"Not the exact reason. They switched my job. Today was supposed to be the day I started training as a soldier. I..."

"Okay?"

"Yeah. I didn't want to. They would've kicked me out if I refused. You can't refuse your job. I decided to have one last night of fun before I started. A few of us sneak out every so often to get illegal items, and I happened to know a girl who was going with them this time. I swear I didn't know how dangerous it was. Everyone said the city was safe."

"City...is never s-safe. Hoards...everywhere."

"Yeah. I know that now." He let out a deep sigh. I felt really bad for him. His life sounds way worse than mine. At least I can do the things I love without getting punished for it. At least I can eat things that have taste, even if it is flesh.

He could stay with me so he wouldn't have to be a soldier. I could take care of him. I could bring him food, keep him pleased, give him a permanent vacation away from those people.

"Stay h-here...keep you safe."

"I wish I could stay here with you forever Tom. I really do. But I don't know. I just don't think we can do that. Nothing is ever permanent. The world is so fucked up."

"We can...pretend...it's n-not." I reached for his hand in the dark and I found it. I squeezed it tightly, and he squeezed back.

"I guess we could." I heard him sniffle.

"We...can. I..make you...happy. Always."

"You promise?"

"Pinky...promise."

~

"Tom this is absolutely disgusting," he shuddered.

"Keep...you safe."

"I know that but Jesus, do you have to put so much on me?"

I just grinned and smeared more muck on his arms and shoulders. Since I showered, I didn't have any more dried blood on me to cover him with. So now I'm using someone else's dried blood. There was a corpse on the fifth floor that was still sort of fresh, so I used him. Jordan says it smells worse than mine. It must smell like ten thousand dumpsters then.

"You're a smug bastard," he whispered under his breath. I fake growled at him, and he jumped backwards in fright. I loved scaring him to death. It was really hilarious.

"Stop doing that," he grumbled.

"Stop...being m-mean."

"You're the one who's being mean! Smearing a dead guy's blood on me and laughing about it!"

I snickered and coated the rest of his neck with red. He may smell dead, but he still looks human. I need to tear a few holes in his shirt.

"Don't...freak," I told him. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"What are you talking-"

I bit down on his shirt and tore a huge hole in the shoulder, causing him to scream and jump back. "What are you doing?!" he screamed at me.

"Still look...alive. Tear...shirt." I pointed at the new hole in his shirt. He let out a groan and clutched his chest.

"You could have warned me first."

"I d-did."

"No you should've said 'I'm going to rip your shirt' not 'don't freak'. That tells me nothing." He crossed his arms. He must be one of those people who get angry when they're scared. I'm cool with that. He's cute when he's angry.

"Let...me finish." I motioned for him to scoot closet. He sighed and did what I said. I smeared more red along his shoulder so it looked like he was bitten there.

"Ready." I gave him a thumbs up. He narrowed his eyes at me in a suspicious way.

"I hope to god you know what you're doing." He scooped up his backpack from the floor.

"Don't...worry. K-Keep you safe."

I won't let anyone hurt you. They'll have to kill me first.

I mean...they'll have to kill me again. Yeah.

~

"This place is creepy when no ones here." I watched him scan the empty mall with fearful eyes. There as nothing here, nothing but flipped furniture and weird stains on the tiled floors.

"Dead n-not here." They all must have left, because I can't smell them for miles. I hope the rest of Jordan's friends got away and didn't get caught by another hoard.

He frowned and stuck closer to me. "Still creepy though."

The only reason we were here again was because I found out quite recently that Jordan has severe asthma and he doesn't have an inhaler with him. He asked me last night if I had one, but unfortunately I didn't. It was the one thing my collection didn't have. And he said if he's gonna be staying here for a long time, then he really needs it.

But to be honest, I think he just wanted an excuse to get out of the smelly hotel room.

"Where...we get medi...cine?"

"There should be a drug store around here somewhere. I saw it when I got here. I think it was past the cafeteria." He was leading the way, since I didn't know where the store was. I've only been in this mall a few times so I'm not really sure where everything is.

"Sorry I made you come all the way out here for an inhaler."

"It's...okay. Get what...ever you n-need."

"You're a sweetie, Tom." He laughed a little and nudged my hand.

I was about to respond back with a scaredy cat diss, but then I smelled something. It wasn't the dead, the dead smell like rust and dried blood. I stopped so I could get a better grip on it or what direction it was going in.

"What? What's wrong?" Jordan stopped in front of me.

"Someone...here. Smell them." They were extremely close by too.

And then we heard them.

"He's not here and he's not answering the radio. He's dead Sonj." A guy, that was a guys voice. The voices were bouncing off the walls, it hard to tell which direction they were.

"Stop being a downer. He's not stupid enough to get killed. Chelsea said he went in hollister. Maybe he's still in there."

"Doubtful. He'd be dead by now."

Jordan's eyes widened at their voices. "It's Sonja! And Tucker! Oh my god they came to find me!" He began to run towards the cafeteria at lightening speed. I didn't follow him. If his friends saw me, they'd kill me instantly. I'm covered in blood and I probably smell like death. I watched Jordan run all the way past the main fountain, when I realized something.

He's dressed like a dead person.

"Jordan!" I called. He stopped in his tracks and turned back to me.

"Are you coming or what? I'm sure they'd want to meet you!" Aw he's so excited. Naive little shit doesn't know he's about to be killed.

"You...look dead. Not s-safe."

His smile dropped. "...oh. I forgot. I'll just call their names first, it'll be fine. You coming?" He waved me forward, but I didn't go.

"Can't. Not alive." They'll gun me down for sure.

"I have a plan, it's cool. Just come with me." He grabbed one of my hands and pulled me forward. I reluctantly went along with him. I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong.

When we were near the cafeteria, he made me stay behind next to the trash can Id hidden behind before. "Stay here until come get you. I have to tell them what happened first." He was smiling so brightly, I just went along with him. I don't want to crush his spirit.

"Okay." I crouched down beside the trash can.

I watched him walk further towards the cafeteria where I could see the two figures. They were both dressed in all black, holding really big rifles. The girl had her brown hair tied back in a bun and the guy had his pushed back by a pair of headphones. They were still talking, even though Jordan was walking right in their sights. Please god don't let this end badly. I promised I'd keep him safe.

"Sonja! Tucker!" I heard Jordan yell. They both snapped their heads towards him, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Jordan? Oh my god! Jordan you're okay!" The girl started to run towards him, but the guy beside her held her back.

"No! Look at him, he's infected! Don't come any closer Jordan! I'll shoot!" He aimed the gun straight at the boy, and he stopped in his tracks. A sick feeling made it's way into my stomach. No. Please don't shoot him.

"I'm not infected, it's just camouflage! It covers my scent!" He inched closer, and the guy cocked his gun. I swallowed.

"I mean it man, don't move. I gotta make sure."

"Tucker put your damn gun down, he's okay." She jerked her arm back from the guy and ran to Jordan. She enveloped him in a hug and he returned it with just as much excitement.

"I can't believe you guys are here! I've missed you so much!" He cried happily, clutching the girl like she was his lifeline. I felt almost jealous. I wish he hugged me like that.

"Captain wanted us to come check and see if you were still here. Are you okay? You're sure nothing bit you?" She pulled away quickly and looked him all over for bites, but there were none for her to find.

"No I'm perfectly fine!" he laughed. She laughed too and hugged him again. More jealously. I let a small growl out from my throat, but none of them heard it, thankfully.

"How are you even alive? You're all alone aren't you?" She asked him.

"Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. I'm surprised you made it three days without breaking a limb." The guy joked. He moved a little closer to Jordan now that he knew he wasn't infected.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I have to introduce you guys to someone." Jordan's eyes flickered over to me, and I crouched further behind the can. Oh god. I know this isn't gonna end well. "But you have to promise not to freak out, okay? Especially you Tucker. Put your gun down for five seconds."

The guy named Tucker reluctantly put his gun down and raised his eyebrow. "What's so bad that I might freak out about? I'm cool most of the time." Cool? Ha. I can tell the guys a total arse already.

"We won't freak out. Promise." Sonja gave him a warm smile. I like Sonja more than Tucker already. She seems like an angel compared to that stick in the ass.

"Okay. You can come out now Tom!" he yelled to me. I didn't move. I was too scared.

I heard Jordan sigh. "One second."

His footsteps echoed throughout the empty mall as he ran over to the trash can. He held out his hand for me to take, but I just stared at it. "Are you coming? Come on, it's safe. I promise. They won't hurt you."

I shook my head. "Not...safe."

"Tom please...I know you're scared but it'll be fine. You can stay behind me if you want." He smiled and took my hand. How could I say no to him? I stood up from the can and hid behind him. He took a deep breath and began to walk, and I stayed behind him like a coward. When he stopped, I could feel the fear tighten in my stomach.

"Okay. This is Tom. He's been taking care of me. He's the only reason I'm still alive. Tom, this is Tucker and Sonja. They're my best friends."

I stepped out from behind Jordan. Something weird happened. Both of them widened their eyes and something flashed behind them, something like—...I wasn't sure. Anxiety? Dread? But then Sonja looked over at Jordan and Jordan narrowed his eyes at her, and she snapped right out of it. I watched her take a small step towards me.

"Um...hi. She said the words with uncertainty. She was studying me closely, her eyes completely unreadable.

I looked to the guy to see his expression, but it seemed as if he had wiped all emotions from his face by the time I turned to him. "Sup," he said. His voice sounded unsteady.

"H-Hi Sonja...and Tucker." I tried to sound as normal as possible.

"Jordan, can you explain this to us?" Tucker asked, now staring at Jordan with suspicion. Jordan looked nervous as hell, looking back and forth between me and them. Finally he sighed and looked down at the ground, like he was ashamed or something.

"Tom isn't...he's not exactly alive."

Those one sentence sent everything into disaster.

Tucker immediately stepped back and aimed his gun at my head. Sonja did the same. What the hell? I haven't been the least bit threatening. Why the hostility? I said hi.

"No! You promised!" Jordan stepped in front of me in a protective stance.

"Jordan. Get out of the way before he bites you." Tucker's gun remained fixed on my head.

"No, you don't get it! He helped me!"

"Jordan," Sonja said slowly. "It's gonna be okay. You need to move so we can end this."

"That's not how it is! He's not completely dead! I swear!" He had tears in his eyes. He shouldn't be this upset over me. He was fine without me before.

"What are you talking about?" Sonja demanded angrily. I could see Tucker inching to the side to get a clear shot of my head. This isn't going to get better anytime soon. They would shoot me. They were going to kill me and that was certain.

"Sonja, I love him!"

Silence. I could actually hear the breathing in the room. The words were a bit of a surprise to me too. I knew he cared about me but...love? Did he really love me? He just met me. How can he already be so sure?

"Jordan. He's dead. I thought you came to terms with this stuff a long time ago." Tucker said the words very carefully.

"But...but he's not actually dead. He's still alive, sort of. He still has the mind of a living person. He's funny and caring and smart, just like he-....I just mean that he's capable of feeling. Don't shoot him. Please. You know how much I-..." I could see tears flowing down his cheeks, and it made me feel bad. I don't understand why he cares so much about me. Am I really that important to him?

"Stop...crying. Love y-you...too." I kissed the back of his head. He spun around and hugged me. I hugged him back, keeping my eyes on the two people with guns pointed at me. They exchanged looks. I could've sworn Sonja's lip quivered. She lowered her gun quickly. Tucker followed her, looking torn.

Well. At least they weren't trying to kill me anymore.

~~~
YAAAAAAAAY I WROTE AN OKAY CHAPPIE!

It's so hard to write past 4000 words because of my iPad. The typing keys get so slow when it goes over the 4000 count -.- but I can't write on my laptop, I mess up way too much and I really feel more comfortable writing on a digital keyboard :3

Tell me what you think! Comments are always my favorite part of posting SO PLEASE LEAVE LOTS! Your comments make my life worth living <3

Thank you beautiful people!

- Lee