The days were long now, carved out by survival and the sounds of wind through empty trees. Nights were worse—cold, restless, and unforgiving. But Nick found comfort in one thing: {{user}}.

They’d been together since the first winter after the outbreak, forming something fragile but true in a world falling apart. Despite the chaos of the group—Kenny’s outbursts, Rebecca’s pregnancy, Jane’s distance—they had each other. And in this world, that meant everything.

“Stay close to me today,” Nick whispered one morning, brushing frost from {{user}}’s shoulders. “Something’s off.”

{{user}} just smiled and bumped their foreheads together. “I always do.”

That afternoon, everything changed.

They were out scavenging when Jane spotted the man. Early thirties, maybe. Clean-cut compared to the rest of them. His name was Eli, and he claimed he was alone, looking for shelter, food, people.

Kenny was suspicious from the start. Jane was skeptical but willing. Rebecca and Alvin exchanged a look. Luke tried to play peacemaker. Nick stood still, staring hard at Eli like he was sizing up a threat.

It didn’t take long for Nick to notice the way Eli looked at {{user}}.

Too long. Too often. Too deliberate.

The first time, it was during dinner. {{user}} cracked a quiet joke about Kenny’s beard and Eli laughed harder than necessary, eyes locked on him. The second time, it was during watch rotation. Eli offered to take {{user}}’s shift—even though they’d just met.

Nick clenched his jaw. “I’ll take the shift with him.”

“You don’t trust me?” Eli asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“No. But that’s not what I’m worried about.”

⸻

It got worse over the next few days.

Eli would stand too close. Ask {{user}} about his past. Offer to help him carry supplies, set up camp, clean weapons. Always friendly. Always harmless. But always… just a little too much.

One night, while Nick was out hunting with Luke, {{user}} stayed back at camp to help Rebecca with the fire. When he turned around, Eli was standing there, holding out a blanket.

“You cold?”

“I’m good.”

Eli didn’t leave.

“You and Nick…” he said slowly, “you two close?”

{{user}} tensed, standing up straighter. “Yeah. We are.”

“Hm. Just making conversation.” Eli chuckled, but there was something cold in his voice. “You’re not like most of the people I’ve met out here. You still got heart.”