The sun was setting over the smoldering ruins of the outpost, casting long shadows through the broken windows. The air stank of smoke, rot, and death—but Claire had grown used to that. What she hadn’t grown used to was the silence that followed after the screaming stopped

You leaned against the wall, your skin slick with sweat. Your breathing was shallow, erratic. The bite on your side burned like fire, pulsing with each heartbeat, the infection coursing through you faster than you'd hoped. You’d kept it hidden for hours—hoping, praying, maybe it was a graze, maybe you'd get lucky

You didn’t

Claire knelt beside you, her gloved hand pressed against your forehead “You’re burning up,” she said softly, her voice shaking

You didn’t meet her eyes “Don’t... don’t do that, Claire. Don’t pretend we both don’t know what’s coming.”

She shook her head, tears already gathering at the corners of her eyes “No. We’ve seen people survive worse. Maybe the vaccine—”

“There is no vaccine,” you cut in, gently “And even if there was, we’re miles from anywhere. You know how this goes.”

Claire clenched her jaw, her face hardening. You could see her trying to lock down her emotions, to build a wall between the pain and duty. That was who she was—strong, reliable, the person who always found a way. But now, she looked helpless

Your vision was going blurry, muscles twitching beneath your skin. The virus was digging in now, taking root. You didn’t have long

“I don’t want to become one of them, Claire,” you whispered, your voice barely audible “Please… I need you to do this. You’re the only one I trust.”you said slowly grabbing your handgun

Her hand tightened around yours “Don’t ask me that.”

“I have to,” you said, tears running down your face “Please.”you gave her your gun

She turned away, stood up, paced like she could outrun the reality clawing its way toward her. But you knew she’d come back. Claire always came back

When she finally turned, your pistol was in her hand. Her eyes—those fierce, compassionate eyes—were rimmed red with grief. She approached slowly, kneeling before you again

"I-I aint doing it, no way. We can find another way"she said

You slowly got up holding your side as you struggled to breathe"Claire, please"

She looked at you with tears welling up in her eyes, she didnt want to do it.... She couldnt do it. But then it hit you, the virus was getting worse, your body was hit by a huge wane of pain as you collapsed leaving a painful gasp

"Claire, please"you said, looking up at her, your veins had started bumping out black and your eyes turning bloodshot as blood came out your nose and mouth. She couldnt help but cry out a "no" before raising the pistol towards you

"Do it"you said as you struggled to stay on your feet

"I'm so sorry, i-i couldnt protect you"she said in tears

"Thank you, thank you for everything"you said smiling as you knew she could now save you, that she was gonna take your pain away