Blue Iris

Silence.

THE WORLD had turned into a deafening silence of danger and uncertainty. And in the darkness where sadness and horror lingered.

The night fell. It was time for me to move.

The desolated pet shop had been my shelter for the past few days and the safest place so far as no one who would think of getting pets nowadays. A dog was probably a good idea, but the food was not easy to search in this world full of chaos.

After shoving my extra shirt and the only blanket into my backpack, I slipped my feet onto the old running shoes and ready to move out.

After a few steady breaths, I walked out, determined to find a new place where I could stay for a few days or longer. I had been running from places to places for two weeks now and I hadn't seen or met any living human being other than the littered dead bodies everywhere, burned or decomposed.

I couldn't remember the last time I talked-probably the day I escaped, and I missed my own voice. Talking to myself would make me crazy and singing would make me cry and hungry, so, I just kept my mouth shut.

The cold breeze smelled death. A ghost of pain rippled through my body. It had been like this since the unknown deadly virus wiped out the country. My labored breathing and my steps against the asphalt echoed through the darkness.

I picked my way to the intersection, hoping to find an apothecary. The weak light from the silver moon was the only guide I had to follow.

I knew for a fact that it had been raided, but by any luck, I could find a stash of painkillers or any medicine I could trade with food when I met survivors.

Passing by rusting vehicles lined at the sides of the deserted road, the Bowl of Hygieia printed in the white wall came to view. I sighed in hope, but it quickly crumbled down when I noticed the open tail lights of the SUV parked in front.

Hustling, I ducked down and hid behind the car. After everything I had been through, it taught me many, and one thing was to trust no one other than my own instinct.

Silhouettes of a man and a woman hopped out from the SUV. The short curvy woman walked toward the trunk, pushed up the hood, and took something, then left it unlocked.

A click of gun and murmurs were the only thing I could hear. They marched to the apothecary door in somewhat in rush. Alerted, the man's handgun was out and aimed at the glass door, and the woman cautiously tailed behind him.

A few minutes later, I slowly and carefully walked to the SUV, hoping to find something to fill my grumbling stomach. When I got into the trunk, it was empty, only a stinky blanket that smelled blood, and nothing else my eyes could find. It must be their first stop, and I could not find any food.

Shit!

Hurried footsteps crouched against the broken glass made me stiffen. It was too late for me to run, and when they spotted me, I was dead.

My instinct kicked in. I got into the trunk and covered myself with the blanket, then someone shut the door down.

A moment later, the engine revved.

"This isn't enough," said an angry male voice. It was almost a roar.

"We don't have time to search around, Frost. We need to go back right now." A soft voice came from a woman.

"I know," the man hissed, angrier.

"He'll be okay. He'll live."

Someone's life was in danger, I thought.

"Yeah, he needs to be."

I was counting how long the drive was. A silence loomed from the two people for a few minutes.

If my feeling was right, the car turned left in less than ten minutes. The gravelly road against the tires indicated that we were off the highway.

"We can go and search the nearest pharmacy once he has this," she suggested.

"No. You'll stay. I'll go with Colt. It's more dangerous out there than that area."

"I can take care of myself," she answered defensively.

"Do you think I don't know that? But Darick needs you, Heloisa."

"Fine."

My temples pounded as the car jumped from the bumpy road a couple of times-the driver seemed to be in a hurry, and my stomach also ached. I closed my eyes when my headache worsened. I was beyond hungry and thirsty. And weak.

Minutes passed, and I must have lost count of the time. My plan was to escape before they would notice someone was in their vehicle.

Nowadays, people would not accept excuses. People killed each other when they found them they were threats.

For months, no one really knew if the government still existed. They killed to survive. They killed for food. They were paranoid, and trust didn't come easily even to a girl like me that could barely harm a fly.

I was in my deep thoughts when the blanket was pulled away from me.

"I'll take- oh, my God!"

Shock rocked me in my place.

My arms flew to my face, not to protect myself from harm, but to shield my eyes from the light pointed directly at me. My heart pounded. My lips went dry.

"Who are you?" the angry man asked in a cold and deadly tone.

"I-I'm... I-I'm unarmed." I raised my hands to surrender.

I closed my eyes when silence surrounded us. I could only hear my breathing until several clicks echoed in my ears.

This is not good. This is the end. My end.

I forced the strength in my voice. "I'm just a survivor who wanted to live like you."

"Yeah, I get it, and shit like this and that," the same angry guy said.

"How did you get inside the car?" the soft voice asked-the same woman who talked earlier.

"You forgot to close the trunk, again, didn't you? Now, I need to kill her because she already knows our place. How could you be so reckless, Heloisa?"

I quickly moved to sit down. My world spun, but I managed to support my body with my hands to avoid falling. Squinting, I blinked until my eyes adjusted to the light.

Another silhouette stepped forward, his shadow alone vibrated deadly and intimidating as his muscles shifted against the illuminating light from the post. His overwhelming size reminded me that he was taller, bigger, and stronger than me-than any of the two.

"You're running out of time. Talk!" No hint of humanity in his deep voice.

His lack of emotions twisted anxiety in my empty stomach. I'd been in this situation many times, but one thing I was sure of before, I knew they would not kill me, at least not yet, but these people didn't know me at all. So, this is the end.

My chin trembled.

"Who the fuck are you?" Something more terrifying about his command that I'd never been encountered before.

I swallowed. My mouth ran dry. My throat clogged, and I had barely strength left to answer him.

"Don't!" the woman screamed that shocked me through my core.

In a split second, the darkness claimed me.

***

What happened?

WHERE AM I? The smell of soap tickled my nose. I tried hard to tune in my other senses, but all I could hear was my own breathing. The comfy feeling against my head and my back made me want to fall asleep cocooned in this warm blanket.

I opened my eyes and wandered around the wooden-walled room. At least two bunk beds from my side and two from the opposite side. There were no windows, they must have blocked it for safety-just the kerosene lamp lighting up the entire room. Beds were empty. I could smell now the mud and the musty smell of cabins. This must be the campsite based on the bed style I was in.

The door swung open, revealing a woman-the same woman from the-Oh, my god!

I'm still alive.

"Of course, you are?" The sweet smile spread across the woman's lips. If my memory served right, her name was Heloisa.

Did I actually say it out loud?

"You collapsed. You must be hungry. I brought something for you. This isn't much, but it fills an empty stomach."

The smell of mushrooms made my stomach grumble.

She chucked. "I know you are."

When I was about to sit down, I realized there was something hooked to my hand. My heart rate accelerated.

"It's alright." She must have seen my reaction. I was terrified. "Our doctor checked you up when you passed out and while you were sleeping. He said it could be due to hunger and dehydration. Well, just like everyone, right? And you look so pale and fragile. How long have you been alone out there? Good thing you found us before something bad happen to you." She continued talking while I stared in horror at the transparent tube attached to me.

"That's just fluid." She sat beside me in the bed. "I cleaned and changed you up into my clothes. Yours are already washed." But something was missing.

Shock, I searched for my neck. "Where's my necklace?"

The woman looked shocked as well. Her brown eyes widened. "Oh, the necklace? Um, it's with Gael."

"Who's Gael?" Hastily, I pulled out the IV and stood up, ignoring the pounding of my head, the grumbling of an empty stomach, and the spinning of my vision. "I need that necklace."

"It's safe. You can have it back once you've eaten something."

I walked to the door, squeezing my eyes shut. I open my eyes after a couple of breaths. I was right, we were in the middle of the forest, and guarded by walls from old metal roofs, but not safe enough to stand still with strong blows of weapons.

There were three old cabins aligned across the cabin where I was standing, with the same structural designs and disparate from where I came from. A large fire pit in the center with charred pieces of wood caught my eyes, reminding me of the summer camp back in high school.

I shoved my feet onto the first shoes came to my sight aligned beside the door and walked down to the muddy ground.

"You're still weak. You need some more rest."

"I'm fine. I need to take my necklace back," I insisted stubbornly.

"Okay, then. Follow me. This place is an old campsite in the middle of the forest. It's way safer from the looters. By the way, I'm Heloisa. You can call me, Lois. Where you from?"

I ignored her rambling question and followed her crossing the muddy ground. "What happened last night?"

"You mean two nights ago?"

"What?" I stared at her in shock. "H-how long did-?"

"You slept for almost thirty hours. You must be so exhausted."

She had no idea.

"I'm fine, thank you."

We stopped at the wooden ladders with muddy footprints leading to the door. She knocked while I stared at her again in disbelief.

She then yanked the door open and said, "Gael, she's awake and wanna talk to you. It's urgent."

"Has she eaten something?" The calm and concerned tone of a male voice came from the room.

Warily, I stepped inside. The room size was the same as where I slept in. Only there was no bed except for a desk and two chairs. Stacks of papers and a single pen atop of it. No guns and no decoration hanging on the wall, but there was a single open window from my right, probably for ventilation because I could smell cigarettes thickly hanging in the air.

He was a smoker. Gael was around my dad's age. He had short graying hair and bright blue eyes. A medium built, and from where he was sitting, he was probably around five feet and eleven inches tall.

I took a deep shaky breath. "Sir, I need my necklace back."

Gael strolled his gaze on me from head to toe. "That must be so important to you. A gift? Just Call me Gael."

"Gael it is. That's my mom's."

"You can go, Lois," he dismissed her. "Have a seat-"

"Iris. My name is Iris Clayton." Slowly, I took a seat at one of the two chairs across him.

"Were you separated from your family or group?"

"My group. We were attacked two weeks ago by dangerous and armed men while we were heading North. My group leader thought we could change the route and search for some supply on our way. We got separated from each other after the attack."

I doubted if Gael was convinced with my story, but he was listening.

"It happened so fast. It was all blurry, and all I could hear was the gunfire and screams from my group. I saw..." My eyes stung and my heart broke every time I remembered how my brother died. "I saw my brother collapsed to the ground."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Iris. We've also lost people we cared about from the outbreak and killed by dangerous people. Everyone here is like you who wants to live."

I nodded and wiped my tears dry.

"How did you get into that place?"

"I've been strolling from places to places almost every night, but I stayed for a couple of days at the pet shop since no one seemed to pass by that place anymore."

"Quite clever."

"You'd become clever when you only have one mission since the virus wiped out the country. To survive."

"I want to be honest with you, Iris. We don't recruit or take people in anymore. These past few months, we barely survive through scavenging. We don't have enough food, medicines, and supply left. We have families and children here, and in a few days, some groups might find this place, and you know what they would do when you refused to give what they wanted. We're also lacking ammunition and manpower to defend this place."

"I understand. I'm leaving as soon as I get my necklace back. Thank you for your hospitality, Gael."

Colt

I BARELY slept after leaving the guard post. Now, I wanted booze, but nowadays you felt like a goddamn billionaire if you had a bottle of a cheap whiskey at your disposal.

Frost pissed me off. He could have put the group in danger by bringing a stranger to our camp. That woman could be dangerous no matter how weak she might look.

Darick was still recovering from his bullet wound-he'd been with us for months and proved his value, and being our supply runner, we could not afford to lose a resourceful person like him. What had gone wrong with the last run, I still didn't have the answer.

And then those eyes-taunted with terror.

Those terrified eyes. I've seen many, but there was something in the way she stared back at me-not just pleading for her life to spare-there was something more.

"Hey."

"Cora." I locked my cabin and faced her.

"Where did you sleep last night?" Well, that's not what I expect to start a conversation in the morning. She gave me a smile that men would be glad to take my place.

Cora was beautiful, and despite this world was dying, there was still a beauty left in it to ponder. She had this vibrant looked with long wavy blonde hair and body that every man wanted to warm his bed, but her attitude was not quite pleasing. She was a pain in the ass to everyone in the camp and a little too overconfident. Cora was the type of girl that man never wished to bring her to his parents.

"In my room," I answered politely. "Do you need anything?"

"But it was locked." She moved closer and spread her hands on my chest.

"Of course it's locked because I was sleeping, and that's why we have this called knocking."

She rolled her eyes. "But the last time I came, it's un-"

"Look, Cora. I told you what happened to us three nights ago shouldn't have happened, and will never happen again. That was good-the sex, and you're a good lay, but that's it." I sounded like an asshole, but what she needed was the fact. "Look at us, we barely eat and protect ourselves from what's out there. Darick is still in his bed. I couldn't think of a relationship right now or a roll in hay because I have to focus on protecting our people. Look what happened the last time." I swallowed, remembering the scariest thing I never wanted to look back.

"So, is it true that Frost found a girl?" She changed the topic because she knew me-if I said no, it remained no.

"Yeah, and she's leaving once she wakes up."

"Good. Because if she's sick, she can't stay here and infect us all."

"She's not infected. She's just... weak."

"Then we don't need a weak or another member, right?"

"That's not up to me, Cora. If Gael wants her here, we have to respect his decision."

She shrugged. "Of course."

I walked past her. "Got to see Gael."

"Are you sure- fine." She was not pleased, but I didn't give a damn shit. She was just a distraction and the least in my priorities.

I knocked on Lois's cabin. When no one opened up, I pressed my ear against the door, but it was silent.

I strode towards Gael's and almost bumped into her at the front door.

"Colt!" Her brown eyes lit up. Lois was one of the people I cared about. She had the kindest heart, and people thought she was weak, but the truth was, she was one of the strongest people I knew.

"Hey. I was in your cabin."

She smiled. "Oh, I brought her to Gael."

"She's awake?" My brow cocked, surprised.

The blue-eyed.

She whispered, "Yes. She jumped out of her bed when she couldn't find her necklace though."

"Huh." I saw that necklace-it was an ordinary silver chain, but the pendant was a vintage blue mini perfume bottle.

She shrugged. "She said it's her mom's."

"I see. I have to see Gael."

"Sure." Lois nodded in resignation.

She was definitely awake. Her voice was soft as silk and melodious as the Oscines. There was a warmth in the way she spoke-it reminded me of how mom sang for me lullabies-it was just like hers.

I could hear their conversation, and it was a good decision that Gael told her we didn't recruit people in. With our lack of supplies, we couldn't afford another mouth to feed. And by the look of her, she needed lots of it to get her shape back.

She was so skinny and looked like a walking corpse. Her skin was so pale, and her bones were prominent. She was barely breathing when Frost and Lois found her two nights ago, and now she was talking with Gael.

No matter how ruthless we had become, we couldn't just throw her out of the camp, unconscious and defenseless. She could barely stand on her own feet, what more protecting herself. I knew the moment she walked out of the gate, she signed her death wish. It was odd how she survived all alone out there-that thought alone made me anxious and skeptical.

"But I wouldn't mind you staying here with us for as long as you want, Iris," said Gael.

For as long as she wants? What the fuck?

"You've got to be kidding me!" I bolted inside his office.

Gael's brows furrowed. "And do you have an idea where to send her?"

It was my mistake to question his decision. We respected and never doubted his ability to lead us because of his experience in the military that kept us all alive. He cared about this group, and I knew we were always his top priority before anything else. He must have seen something in this woman that made him decide to keep her.

"She survived for months out there. What made you think she won't survive again?" I said fiercely and watched the woman's reaction.

Despite my protest, she remained seated in front of Gael and stared down at her necklace, playing with the pendant. What was so important about it?

"Because she was still in shape that time, Colt, and now, look at her."

"Let me send her back to where she came from with food that will last a few days. By then, she gets her strength back and able to look after herself again."

"No. She stays, and that's final."

"Are you sure about that? She could be snooping or she came here on purpose; to scout this place. I couldn't put our people at risk. Not again, Gael." We'd been through hell, ambushed, lost the people we cared about, and everything. And now, he just decided to let her stay?

What the hell is wrong with him?

We could barely protect ourselves, and yet he took her in. Just like that, because she's fucking weak!

And who is this woman that he's willing to put his group at risk?

"I think about that, too."

"And?"

"She will stay." Has he lost his mind?

Unbelievable!

"Jesus, Gael. Did you check her arms? She has bruises and needle pricks." I pointed at her. "This woman is a drug addict."

"What?" The woman spoke, lifting her chin. Her gaze directly met mine. Her surreal blue eyes widened in shock.

I felt an odd sense down my spine. My heart started to beat faster the longer we stared, reading each others' thoughts.

She's dangerous as hell... and definitely pretty now that her face was clean.

I could see every tiny detail on her face-the dilatation of her pupils, her light brown soft angled eyebrows, to her small upturned nose, high cheekbones, and her pale droopy lips. She had this pixie cut bronze hair that looked like she did it by herself.

"We don't have the luxury to do drugs here, twig. I wonder how did you maintain your supply, and where were you really come from? You must have a wide of resources, huh?" My sarcasm had her eyes flooded with pain and unshed tears.

Oddly, I felt guilty for calling her twig. And I hated that feeling, but I was just honest. Or should I have kept it to myself?

"This is not what you think it is." She wiped her tears with bony trembling fingers.

"Explain then."

"Colt, that won't be necessary. Give her a break," Gael interrupted.

"I'm just protecting our people."

"So do I."

"Fine." I snatched the necklace from her hand, and that was what I was planning to do-to distract her and snatch it. I wanted to know how far she would fight for this. "Collateral."

"Give that to me," she ordered. Her voice was stronger than I thought she could-it was authoritative but calm.

"Not a chance. You can stay here, but this necklace." I raised it up. "Will stay with me until you decide to leave the camp."

"No. You won't dare take that away from me!"

"Oh, I dare you." I turned and walked away from her.

"Colt," Gael called my name.

Then it happened so quickly and surely, I did not see it coming.

My adrenaline spiked. Swiftly pulling the knife from my right thigh strap, I aimed at her carotid artery. I could feel the strong pulse against my shining blade-she tensed against it.

"You slit my neck, your balls and junk will decorate this entire floor." She pressed my handgun on my groin. Great!

"And your blood will spill all over, my dear."

"Give me my necklace back, Colton, or your ticket gets punched!"

"It's Colt."

"Who cares when you're dead?" Oh, yeah, why do I care?

Was it because I called her twig? Funny for a woman so thin could throw sarcasm while being threatened with a knife.

"Give it back to her, and stop this shit between you two! From now on, you, Colt, and you, Iris should work on your differences," Gael barked.

I kept my eyes pinned to the woman who still had a gun on my crotch. Her eyes where unbelievably wide and... expressive.

"She stole my gun and threatened me. Can't you see it? This tiny little thing is dangerous and indomitable! You made a mistake, Gael." If this woman had brought danger to this camp, she would pay it with her life.

"It's your fault your junk is threatened by a woman you called twig. Pull the thing away from her neck and give her back the necklace!"

My nose flared with anger, but this woman, Iris, or whatever her real name just stared back at me with devoid expression, increasing the pressure against my groin with a brow cocked in a challenge.

"Busted balls and your tiny dick or my necklace."

I almost wanted to smirk when she said tiny. See for yourself, woman, then tell me if it's tiny or not. But I held on to my expression.

Uncomfortable, I shifted my hips.

"Uh-uh, be careful, dear." Then two clicks followed-she pulled the hammer and unlocked the safety.

"Iris, don't do this. You can kill us both, but you can't get out of here alive." Gael's voice softened, but the tension in his tone didn't go unnoticed.

"I'm not gonna kill you, Gael. You have my word. You could shoot me to protect this asshole, but why haven't you done it yet?"

"Because I know you just want back what's yours," Gael answered.

She increased the pressure this time. "My necklace, Colton."

"Do you like my dick that much that you can't take your hand off of me?" I smirked.

Her closeness made me felt like I wanted to reach out and touch her. Jesus Christ! What's wrong with me?

"To blow off?" Her brow rose. "Anticipating."

I huffed to her threat. "How many people have you killed, Blue... Iris?"

Her eyes suddenly widened, lips parted, then she gulped, but the gun remained pressed against my groin. "H-how d-did you know?" Her question was hesitant and wary.

Huh! I could distract her. "My mom had a flower shop. Of all the flowers, she chose iris to bring home every day and placed it in my room. As annoying as it is, I liked the blue one. Your eyes are blue like an iris flower. They remind me of her."

Her lashes were lighter, almost blonde. It was possible she dyed her hair. She had tiny freckles scattered all over her nose and under her eyes.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Now, my deal. You can stay and pull that gun away from me or you die." I pressed a little harder against her neck. "One wrong move, your blood will splatter all over the floor. Since you're pale, you'll die in a matter of seconds, Iris."

"You'll die with me, Colton. That's a promise."

"Jesus, the two of you are starting to annoy me. Just shut it already and I have something to do here! And you Colt, you finally found your match."

"The hell I am."

"He's arrogant."

"And you're bitchy for a visitor."

"My necklace."

"My gun."

"I promise I won't tell anyone that a certain twig threatened your junk." She grinned, spreading a devilish smile at me. Then she whispered, "Your secret is safe with me, Colton."

My blood rushed through my head in anger that I could almost see red.

"Fascinating how I could make you blush easily."

"I'm not blushing." Absentmindedly, I wiped my cheek.

"I know you have a rep, Colton, but it would be worse if a twig blows off your balls and that would not be so great for them to tell that the almighty Colton-"

"Stop! Stop!" I pushed the necklace right into her chest. "Have it your way and stay away from me!" And I walked away, defeated.

"Just so you know I haven't killed anyone!" she yelled. "But you don't wanna be the first on my list, do you?"

"I don't give a damn. Just fu-back off!"

IT HAD been a week since the incident at Gael's office, and I hadn't seen Colt around. Lois once mentioned of the guards and Colt happened to choose the night shift, so he'd been sleeping at day time.

I shared lunch with the group every day and been able to meet some of them; Darick, a wounded Asian guy. He questioned his value to the group when his skill as a computer geek was no longer needed. I heard that a group of hackers created a virus and that the entire technology especially the Internet collapsed with half of the world.

Then, I met the blonde named Cora who had an attitude problem, and damn, she hated me. I didn't know why, but she said something that I didn't deserve a place in this camp, and that I was not a part of their group or their family. Lois advised me ahead of time to ignore her because she thought everyone was a threat to her for Colt.

But the thing was, I envied her body even though she had an attitude to loathe for.

"Hey, Iris! How're you doing today?" Dr. Hull spotted me from his cabin. He was the doctor who treated me when I was out. He was on his late fifties who had a small clinic back in his small town.

Yesterday, I went to see him, and he gave me some multivitamins and did a brief check-up. He had pots of herbs and medicinal plants at the back of his own cabin where he spent most of his time.

"I'm great, Dr. Hull. Thanks!" I smiled and waved at him.

I was able to sleep without thinking of what would be my death wish. Months of being paranoid and cautious made me sleepless, but this place had been the safest I had been for a long time.

I poke the softened soil and tossed dry tomato seeds. I didn't have any idea about gardening, but I couldn't just sit there, watch them, and be useless, so I asked Anna, who cooked for them to teach me. For the past week, I took over the garden from her.

I plucked some decaying leaves off and cleaned the soil of carrots and white radishes when a shadow towered over me.

"Iris." And that voice made me stiffen. My heart thundered in my chest.

"Twig is fine," I grunted.

"Not a good time to be sarcastic."

"So, the sleeping beauty is finally awake? I wonder who kissed you from your deep slumber, Colton? Is it the princess Cora, or the evil witch Maleficent?" I lifted my chin, still, I couldn't meet his gaze. He was just so tall.

"Will you just stop it?" He sounded annoyed, and that made me snort.

"Then what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to the garden, Mr. Colton?"

He clenched his jaw in irritation before he spoke again. "We're going to scavenge some gasoline, I thought we might find shops or grocery store along the way. Do you need anything?"

Dusting my hands from the dirt, I stood up.

Colt was strikingly handsome despite his unshaven beard covering his sharp squared jaw. He is the definition of gorgeous and raw.

His stare alone was deadly, but I knew there was some humane deep inside him. I could feel it. Whatever made him like this-it was a part of his survival, or he might lose someone close to him.

I pushed that thought back to the recycle bin in my head. I could think of it later, but not when he was here in front of me.

He had an amazing physique, and I would bet he had ripped muscles underneath his dark shirt and jeans. He looked dark and broody with his midnight black hair, long lashes surrounded his sharp gray eyes that were always filled with doubt and anger.

Yeah, he definitely has trust and anger issues.

"Are you just gonna stare at me or tell me what you want?" I blinked at his irritated voice.

"Lois got it covered," I replied shortly.

"You might want something other than what Lois had."

I sat down again and plucked some dying leaves. "For someone who doesn't belong to your group and or any family, I can't be choosy, can I, Colton? So, I'm good."

"You can't be serious right now. Self-pity doesn't suit you. They're waiting for me in the car. How about for monthly thing?"

What did he just say?

I tried hard not to burst into laughter. "For monthly thing? You mean tampons?" My comment made him uncomfortable.

He shifted in front of me, shoving his hands to his pockets. "Yeah, something like that. We don't have the luxury to bring for you the brand you like, but we might find something... like that."

"I will share with Lois. Thanks though."

"Stubborn," he muttered, and I knew he intended to let me hear it. "Suit yourself." His thuds of footsteps faded as he walked away.

I couldn't help but feel grateful that somehow someone came to me and ask me what I needed despite survival became everything for humanity, or was it an order from Gael? Probably the latter.

Anyhow, I took a deep breath and continued working. The sun started to get prickly against my skin, but there was no way to be choosy and applied sunscreen lotion.

I missed beaches.

What mattered to me now was that I was still alive, had a roof above my head, food for my hungry stomach, and the people started to grow on me.

Before I could withdraw my hand from the cucumber vines, a boot stopped me, and I knew who owned it. I hissed in pain when I felt the heel dug into my skin. My thumb fidgeted as she crushed my fingers deeper into the dirt.

"Why the hell are you still here, bitch?" she hissed in anger.

"You know why."

"Gael feels pity for you. That's the only reason why you're here. Now, you can stand by your own two skinny feet, I want you gone before we came back. Did you understand me?"

"You don't decide if I stay or not, Cora. The last time I checked, you were just like me who were lost and pitied by Gael. So don't feel so comfy yourself because you never know you might be gone before me." I blinked, trying to hold the tears that stung my eyes as she increased the pressure of her boot against my hand.

"You'll regret this. Do you think you can fool everyone here with your damsel in distress drama? You'll be gone once I find out who you really are, Iris Clayton."

"Good luck then! I'm sure the corpse of CIA, FBI, and M-16 could help you dig into my past," I countered.

"You, bitch!"

"Shit!" Once she was gone, I shook my hand, and hissed as the broken skin on my fingers started to throb.

I went toward the cabin I shared with Lois. I just didn't know why where ever I go, I couldn't get rid of people who wanted to harm or threaten me. I cleaned my hands with the water from the bucket, then kicked off my shoes, lied down on my bed, and thought of the gray-eyed angry dude.

***

I MUST have fallen asleep until a soft hand nudged me on my shoulder. "Iris, wake up."

I stretched and instantly stilled, blinking as my pupils assaulted by the halogen lamp. "Oh, we have electricity?"

She laughed softly. "You sleep for the whole day. Again. And you missed your lunch and dinner."

"And you're back safe. How's the run?"

"Pretty good. That's why it took us a few hours. We're lucky today that we did not encounter looters."

"Thank, God. You're all safe."

"I talked to Gael earlier. Maybe next time you can come with us. I don't like going when Cora. The annoying and demanding bitch came with us today."

I chucked. "Figured." I looked at the two plastic bags on her bed.

"Colt wanted to see you."

"Why?" I eyed her suspiciously.

"I don't know. I guess you have to go and find it out yourself. His cabin's the last on the left."

I stood up from the bed and took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Relax, Iris. He's a good guy. You still didn't tell me what happened at Gael's office last week though." She had been insisting that something happened back there, but I kept on denying just to honor my promise to keep Colt's secret.

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I led my way to the lion's den.

I let out a sigh before knocking, and I could hear faint of voices from the inside. If I guessed it right, the other voice was Frost.

"It's open," Colt yelled from the inside.

I pushed it open only to find Frost was grinning at me. Blond was not really my thing in a guy, but it was hard to ignore how handsome Frost was. He had the same body and height as Colt, but he had this overconfident and cocky grin that amused me instead of getting turned off.

Lois told me that he was pretty popular and playboy and the only son of the billionaire. Frost was traveling around the country when the virus wreaked havoc.

"Hey, Iris. Wanna join me hunting tomorrow?"

"No, she won't. Now, out," Colt quickly interrupted before I could reply.

He smirked. "Man, she's safe with me. I promise to keep my hands on the hunting gun all the time."

"Even if you'll ask Gael, he won't allow her." His unwavering gaze bounced between me and Frost.

"I am here, you know. And I can decide for myself. I don't mind going, and I can ask Gael to join you."

"Good luck with that," Colt dismissed me.

"I got the message, man. Some other time, Iris. Oh, wait." He opened his plastic bag, pulled a shirt, and offered it to me. "This would be perfect for you."

"You're giving me that?" I asked in disbelief, smiling like I just received the best gift ever.

"This is a ladies' shirt. So, it's definitely for you."

I took it from him-a shirt with a strawberry print. "Thank you. That's so kind of you, Frost."

"You're welcome." He then asked Colt, "You're off tonight?"

"Yeah, and I badly need some sleep."

"Night, man. Bye, Iris."

"Bye." I watched him as he closed the door. I wandered my eyes around. The same style as ours, but he had a double-deck that served as a divider, and a six drawer dresser. I guessed Colt like his own privacy. His room smelled crisp of paper, deodorant, and manly.

My breathing suddenly turned shallow when I could feel his gaze on me. My heart started to pound in my chest when seconds stretched to a minute and none of us talked.

I cleared my throat. "Why am I summoned, Colton?"

"Come over here," he said softly, and I could tell that that was the less deadly voice I ever heard from him.

"Why?" I asked in wary.

"I did not ask you to come over to hurt you."

"Then why am I here exactly?" I walked closer to where his voice was coming from.

His bed was covered with a dark blue sheet, two pillows, and a small nightstand with his 9mm pistol, a holster, and a knife. Three plastic bags and a backpack on the floor.

He grabbed the first plastic bag and offered it to me. "I picked things that I thought you might need them so that you don't have to share with Lois."

"I don't think I can take that." I pushed back the plastic.

"But you accepted from Frost."

"Because I don't feel it was a charity case," I told him honestly.

"Jesus! A little gratitude would be nice," he said dryly. "And we brought for everyone if that makes you feel better."

I sat on the empty bed across his. "I just don't wanna be a burden to all of you."

"You would be if you keep on rejecting what we offer to you. You deserve a place, and as far as I know, you're a part of the group already. Just take it." He placed the two bags beside me, lied down on his bed, and crossed his legs.

"Why so many?"

"Just check them out, and you're welcome," he answered harshly.

I watched him close his eyes. He must have been so tired from the run. I checked the first bag. There were two boxes of toothpaste, three toothbrushes, bars of soap, razor, a big bottle of shampoo, lotion, face cream, hair remover cream, a pack of tampons, and... condoms? My eyes widened. I took it out and threw it to him. "I think this is yours."

His jaw clenched upon seeing the box and pressed his lips in a thin line. He tossed it in his drawer. "Damn him!"

"This is too much, Colton." The other plastic were shirts, tights, shorts, and jeans, I pair of shoes. I burst into laughter when I pulled out the panties and brassieres. "Don't tell me this is Frost's idea?"

His dark brow rose. "What? Don't tell me that's not essential." Why does he always have a say?

I sighed. "I missed my brother. He used to bring me things while we were on the run." I put everything back inside. "He was like you, never asked what I wanted, and just brought things to me. He tried to be strong for my sake, though deep inside, I knew the situation was killing him."

"What was he like?" Colt seemed to put an interest in my brother.

"He was three years older than I am, and he just came back from the Middle East. He came to pick me up from our apartment for a weekend camping- just like we used to do during summer. He used to be funny, but his job destroyed him mentally and emotionally. He laughed less, always awake in the middle of the night, and became overprotective of me. He was the reason why I'm still alive though." I met his sympathetic eyes. "That's why when you took this necklace away, it felt like you stole my soul and my life away from me. I did not get a chance to meet my parents again, Colton. This is the only thing that connects me to my family."

"I'm sorry. I was just cautious. I thought of it as collateral since it means a lot to you."

"It's mom's gift. It was odd actually, but this is the only thing that reminds me of them."

Colt stood up and opened his drawer. He came back with shirts nicely folded on his hands. "I want you to have these."

"Why are you giving me your shirts?"

"These aren't mine. He liked long sleeves, and I think these will fit for you."

"Then whose these belong to, Colton?"

"They belonged to Colton."

My brows furrowed. "W-what do you mean C-Colton?"

"My brother."

"Oh, my God! I've been calling you Colton where in fact there's actually a real Colton?" My breath caught in my throat. Silence overtook the atmosphere as we stared at each other.

He nodded. Strength seemed to withdraw from him. "Was." He took my wrist and placed the shirts on my hand.

Oh god! No wonder he hates me.

"Why didn't you ever stop me?"

"I don't know. That's what was bothering me actually because I like how you call me Colton. I corrected you once, but I thought it was your way of pissing me off."

"I'm sorry. I thought Colt was short for Colton or maybe your Surname. I'm so sorry." I stepped closer to him, meeting his magnetic gray eyes.

He shrugged. "Don't be."

"Are you sure you want me to have these?"

"You make me feel he's alive, and I see him in you."

"I don't mean to make you feel like that. I don't have any intention of bringing back the pain of losing someone. I know how it feels. It still hurts, like it all happened just yesterday."

"I know."

"I promise to take care of these." I ran my hand on the shirt, feeling I just took the responsibility of keeping the real Colton's memory in me.

"What happened to your hand?"

"Huh?" I lifted my gaze, meeting his'.

Concern immediately filled his eyes. "The last time I saw, it didn't look like that."

"Oh, uh. I was cleaning and accidentally-"

"Don't lie to me now, twig."