Tomorrow Never Dies

Chapter 9

A gust of cold wind causes goose bumps to rise on what little skin I have exposed. I pull my beanie down to cover my ears more and mentally curse myself for not finding a scarf to put on. The cold air makes it tougher to breathe which makes all our travel feel like more exercise than usual. Luke's friends had a camp set up a while down the road on top of some building where they had been keeping their supplies. They had run out of bullets so they were looking for any place they might find them, until they ran into us. We have to go back to their camp and get their things before we can go back home.

We have been walking for a while, about 3 hours or so I'm guessing. I walk behind the four boys who never seem to run out of something to talk about, taking out a few walkers who may cross our path along the way. Every once in a while Luke will look back to check on me, giving me a warm smile and not turning around until I return one back. Every time his eyes lock with mine I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach that makes me not feel so cold anymore. His eyes hold so much warmth and I feel it run through my entire body and it's sometimes so overwhelming I get this ache in my heart.

As we walk a little further I begin to feel a little fatigued. I feel myself panting for air because of the sharp pain in my side from trying to keep up with the four boys' long legged strides. Normally I'm fine with physical exercise, I've grown used to it. But when I feel my head other parts of my body begin to ache I realize why it's such a struggle for me. I know my body too well to not realize the signs. I always get like this a few days before my period, which is not something to look forward to in the first place, let alone in a world full of blood thirsty walkers.

I have to stop as the pain in my side becomes unbearable, resting my hands on my knees as I try to catch a breath.

"Guys, wait up." I hear a voice yell through the blood thumping in my ears.

I look up when I feel a warm hand on my back. "You okay?" Luke asks with worried eyes.

I can't help but feel embarrassed as the rest of the boys watch us. I don't want to come off as the weak little girl who can't keep up. I've been there before. I grew out of that. If only they knew.

"I'm fine." I say in between breaths. "My lungs just don't work well with the cold air."

"We're just about fifteen minutes away, you think you can make it?" Calum asks, seeming genuinely concerned.

That's exactly what I don't want. I don't want people worrying about "if" I can make it. I can take care of myself, I have made it so far for so long on my own.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed a minute to catch my breath." I smile, starting to walk before wincing in pain again, Luke grabs my arm to keep me from falling over.

"Maybe we should stop and rest for a little, yeah?" He says.

"Resting won't be so good when that group of walkers catches up." Ashton points out the small group just down the street.

"It's nothing we can't handle." Luke says with a bit of an attitude. His protectiveness over me warms my heart, but if the walkers do catch up I may not be able to defend myself as well as I know I can and I don't want to look completely helpless in front of people I just met.

"Ashton's right, Luke." I say. "And we're losing daylight. Plus I'm fine, like I said, I just needed a minute."

"I can carry you, just give the boys your bags and you can-"

"Luke, I'm fine!" I snap at him. I know he's only trying to help but I can take care of myself, I always have. "Go on, I'm right behind you." I wave the boys off. The three turn around and begin walking but Luke stays put. I roll my eyes and begin to walk away from him, trying to ignore the pain. But I feel an arm slip around my waist, holding my weight as I walk.

"What do you think you're-"

"Hush." Luke says sternly. "Everyone needs help sometimes, (y/n)." He whispers. "Even your stubborn ass."

I huff in defeat. I can see him smirking out of the corner of my eye at his success. I roll my eyes at him.

"You're annoying." I say.

"Yeah but you love me." He mockingly coos.

I look up at his face that's focused on the road ahead. "I do." I say so quietly, I'm not even sure if he hears it.

He stops walking and his sapphire eyes catch mine, a smile playing on his lips. He moves to stand in front of me, both of his hands resting on the sides of my face. He sooths over my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs, my eyes glancing over to the other boys to see that they are still walking, engrossed in their own conversation.

Luke rests his forehead on mine, and I feel his soft breaths warming my face. He lets our noses touch before lightly pressing his lips to mine. When I open my eyes his are still closed. I kiss his cheek and he opens them, still smiling with his hands remaining on my face. He hugs me into his chest, his lips kissing my head. His arm wraps back around my waist as he mumbles into my hair, "We better go."

I nod before starting off in the direction of his friends who aren't that far ahead. I let Luke help me walk until we catch up to the boys.

The sun is setting by the time we reach their camp. The guys lead us to the back of the building to a ladder that accesses the roof. Michael is the first to go up. Ashton motions for me to go next and I sling my bow and bags secure over my shoulder as I climb up. When I reach the top Michael holds out his hand for me to take and hauls me onto the roof. They have three sleeping bags set up on the ground along with a few duffle bags and backpacks. I walk toward to the front of the building and stare at the sunset, lost in its beauty.

"Have you guys been on the move or do you have a camp?" I hear Calum ask. But I try to block out the apocalypse talk for a second and enjoy this moment. The sky looks so beautiful sporting a mixture of blue, purple, pink, orange, and yellow. It almost makes me forget the situation we're in. Almost.

"Nah, we got a place. Been there for about a month." Luke says. I'm brought back to reality when I feel a warm hand on my back. "How do you feel?" he says kissing my head.

"Better." I smile, tearing my eyes away from sky and walking back with him to our group.

"We should stay here for the night, get some rest. We'll get an early start tomorrow." Ashton says.

"So, does this mean you're coming back with us?" I ask.

"I guess that would make the most sense. Is your place secure?" Ashton asks me.

"Yes. First floor windows are boarded up and there are traps set up outside the entrances. It's been pretty quiet, we haven't had many problems so far." I say.

"That's good." He nods. "We'll head there at sunrise and make a few stops along the way. Me and Michael will keep watch. You three get some sleep."

Luke walks me to the sleeping bag, lifting it for me to get inside. After I'm covered he lays one next to me, getting inside and moving as close as he can. There's no denying the smile on his face and I couldn't be happier for him now that he has his friends back.

I reach my hand out to rest on his lightly bearded face and smile myself.

"You do need to shave." I say quietly.

He giggles.

"So do you." He pokes his tongue out.

I laugh as he kisses my nose. I stare at him for a second before kissing his lips.

"Get some sleep." I whisper.

"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll miss you." He says quietly.

I snort. "Go to sleep you dork." He pouts.

"I love you." He says.

"I love you too."

I watch as his eyelids grow heavy, eventually shutting altogether.

I stare at his sleeping form for a while longer before I begin to drift off, dreaming of a boy with blonde hair and ocean eyes.

My reality.

My dream inside a nightmare.