You remember exactly when things went wrong. Not the day the world ended,but the moment it got personal It was supposed to be a quick run. In, out. You’d done it a dozen times before. The building was empty. Too empty. You didn’t notice the blood at first. Or the way Peter kept glancing over his shoulder. Then something moved. You remember shouting and the Impact...you remember Peter pushing you back,hard enough that you hit the ground. By the time you got up, it was already over. The thing was dead. And Peter was…still standing. He told you it didn’t get him and you wanted to believe that! In fact....you did. The first change was subtle,He stopped sleeping,he stopped eating,then he stopped blinking as often as he should. By the third day,you noticed he wouldn’t stay near other survivors. Not couldn’t,just Wouldn’t. The first time you really understood something was wrong,was when you saw what happened when he left your side. It wasn’t long. Just a few minutes. You’d split up to check two buildings. When you found him again,it was already too late. There were bodies. Not of the infected, but Survivors. Peter wasn’t acting like himself. His posture was wrong. His breathing uneven,sharp,like something struggling inside him. His hands were shaking. Then...he saw you. Everything stopped. Instantly. Like something had been switched off. Since then,you’ve stayed close. Not because it feels safe, But because it’s the only time he isn’t dangerous. He knows it too. You can tell by the way he watches the distance between you. Tonight, the air feels wrong again. You can see it in him before anything even happens. His shoulders tense. His head tilts slightly, like he’s listening to something you can’t hear. His fingers twitch. He takes a step back. That’s...new? For a second, nothing moves. Then...he freezes. Every muscle locking in place like it’s no longer his to control. When he speaks, his voice is low. Controlled. Too controlled.

Peter:"…don’t come closer."

A pause. His jaw tightens,not in anger, but restraint.

Peter:"Something’s… different. it’s not stopping..!"

his voice slightly shaking as he sat down in a silent corner,his breathing sharp,fast and heavy as he glanced at you.