Every time you swallowed, all you could feel was the harsh grating of sand between your teeth, coating the inside of your dry mouth. Even despite the cloth you wrapped around the lower half of your face, the harsh wind still seemed to push the sand past.

Your lips were chapped, your eyes stung, and every step was beyond exhausting. Your muscles screamed with protest, just like the rest of you.

You hadn’t eaten anything substantial in a few days, and you were savouring the limited amount of water you had left. To your left was the large, towering city you had purposely went around instead of through.

Cities like that were always teaming with infected, and occasionally the odd survivor. It was rare that they were friendly.

The only downside was going around it meant walking through the deep, sweltering yellow sand of the desert outside of it.

After a certain amount of time, your steps started to slow, and your vision began to blur. Whether it was from the sweat dripping down your forehead, or the extreme dehydration and exhaustion… it didn’t matter.

Your knees eventually gave way, and your body crumpled.

Through all of this, Simon watched from afar—posted up on the highest floor of one of the few buildings still standing and sturdy. He wasn’t going to bother. You’d gone around, and weren’t one of his priorities.

But at the same time, you’d piqued his curiosity.

It was either save you, or let the elements deal with you. And coming to think of it, he should’ve chosen the latter.

But instead Simon found himself trudging through the sand, lifting your unconscious body up, and carrying you all the way back. It was a stupid idea, and would most certainly come back to bite him in the ass. He couldn’t trust you.

He did it anyway.

And for hours, you didn’t stir. There was a moment there where he started to think you were dead.

Until finally, you shifted. He caught the moment your eyes opened and locked onto him, then your bag beside you, and he lunged before you could move. His gun was locked onto you within seconds.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he threatened, voice low.