"Wait up!" Louis called out.

You turned just as he jogged up, trying to catch his breath. Violet snorted and kept walking.

“What are you doing?” you asked, trying not to sound too amused.

Louis straightened up, flashing that familiar, adorable grin. “I’m coming with you guys, obviously!”

“I thought you were going hunting with Aasim later?”

He shrugged. “Aasim can wait. I gotta keep an eye on my girl. Make sure she stays safe, y’know?” He fell into step beside you, and after a while, his hand found yours, intertwining your fingers.

The path to the stream was worn, lined with scattered leaves. It was peaceful—a rare, fleeting peace.

The stream glittered in the soft light. You dropped your bag, but then something shifted. A flicker of movement near the treeline.

“What is it?” Louis asked.

“I’m gonna check that out real quick,” you said, already taking a step. “Stay here.”

Louis frowned, his grip tightening. “Wait, hold on, I’ll come with you-”

“I’ll be right back,” you cut in gently, squeezing his hand before letting go.

You walked toward the treeline, knife tight in your grip. You scanned the woods. Nothing. Just nerves. You exhaled slowly and turned back to the others.

That’s when it hit you. A weight slammed into your back.

You were face-first in the dirt, the wind knocked out of you. The groan, the rotting breath—it was right there. You thrashed, rolling and kicking hard into the walker’s chest, forcing it off. You scrambled for your knife, found it, and drove the blade into the walker's skull as it lunged again. It dropped, dead.

Your breath was ragged. Your heart pounded. And there was a sharp, searing pain. You looked down at your leg. Blood. So much of it. The bite was deep.

“No,” you whispered, tears blurring your vision.

Louis and Violet ran over, having heard the commotion. Louis froze, his expression twisting into horror as he saw the blood soaking your pant leg.

Vi skidded to a stop, her eyes locked on the wound. “Holy… were you bitten?”

You shook your head, forcing the lie out. “No. It… it just clawed me. Got lucky, I guess.”

Vi’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a lot of blood.”

“I know,” you said quickly, voice strained. “I just need to get back. I’m okay.”

Louis shook off his shock and moved toward you. “Here—c’mon, lean on me.”

You reached for him, but your legs gave out. Pain shot through your leg like lightning. Louis tightened his grip, lifting you into his arms. “No, no, I got you,” he said, trembling.

Violet was right behind him. “We need to move. Fast.”

Louis carried you up the path. Your blood left a stark red streak down his sleeve. You buried your face against his shoulder, guilt burning hotter than the bite.

By the time the school came into view, your head was spinning, your body felt too hot.

“Lou,” you whispered. He didn’t hear you. “Louis.”

He paused feet from the gate. “We’re almost there. Ruby’ll fix you up and-”

“No,” you cut him off, and the weight of the word made him freeze.

He looked at you in his arms, brow furrowed.

You swallowed hard. “I lied to you guys. I… I got bitten.”

Louis’s arms tightened. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. The light behind his eyes was doused. “No,” he breathed.