You wished you were more. You wished you could do more.. for the gang, for your friends.. for yourself.

But really nothing mattered at this point. Everyone had given up caring—why should you be the only one who commits to it?

I guess that's why you enjoyed solidarity.

The foul smell of bodies, leftover sweat, and who knows what else that surrounded dam were completely overshadowed by the damp flavour of the marine life below.

You kicked at a loose stone on the edge, watching it roll and disappear into the murky water. Ripples spread and vanished almost immediately.

You could easily live in isolation, contrary to widespread opinions—that… weren’t so widespread anymore. Not after the outbreak, at least.

The wind rattled the branches of the sombre willow tree above, carrying scraps of old leaves, dust, and who knows what past you.

A heron landed across the water and froze, as if it had been expecting you all along. It was a rare sight—healthy wildlife.

You breathed in slowly, letting the damp air fill your lungs. The sun was low, brushing the surface of the water with a dull orange light. You wanted nothing. Nothing at all. The quiet felt like it could stretch forever if you let it.

But, you knew you couldn't. You had to get back to the group. You wouldn't want anyone assuming you'd been bitten.

You began to stand yourself up, brushing the dirt off you, before you caught sight of someone behind a tree slightly further ahead.

"Carl?" You question, making sure it was safe enough to move.

Sheepishly, he trudged out from behind the tree, almost as though he'd committed treason worse than murder. "Sorry.. I was gonna say something—I uh.. haven't been here long.. just— I dunno.."

"Do you.. need anything?" You assume, immediately. I mean.. it was creepy—who knows how long he'd been there.

Carl had been pushing you away for weeks—ever since you confessed to him.. and now he's just.. here?