3 Years Later

I was awake long before Nick even came back from his watch. The dream I had before was more than enough to scare me into staying up. It seemed that even he expected it as he just gave me a sigh upon seeing me.

Not a single word was exchanged between the two of us. Even as he slipped into the passenger seat and I slipped out the van. The movement causing the damn thing to nearly buckle. Just worried glances as I gently closed the doors behind me.

Thus, leading me here. Perched on top of some banged up car and watching the way day retakes the sky. Clouds slowly rolling through as the morning fog started to overcome the streets. My bat laid next to me, still dripping with what little encounters I had during my watch.

I can barely pay attention anyway. My mind slipping back and forth between my dream and what Nick said. What was that voice? What did he mean turn? Worry and concern settling back in it's well worn groove.

Shifting, my attention soon turned to the sharp pain erupting in my leg. Hands already messaging the flesh and wincing at each knot and popping that came from it. It was one thing to get injured during the alpocalypse. It's another to get a handicap.

"I've got to be more careful..." I whispered to myself as another part of my leg popped causing me to wince.

'What If You Can't?' the voice whispered, the sound hollow but deep somewhere in me. The beginnings of a migraine made itself known in my temples causing a short growl to leave me lips. As I brought my thumbs up to rub at the throbbing spot, I couldn't help but respond back to it.

"I can't f.u.c.k.i.n.g afford not to."

'You'll expire if you keep ignoring your injuries'

"I'll deal with it later!"

'You Can't Walk By Every Little Problem In Your Life.'

Why am I doing this? Why am I even entertaining this little voice? What good am I going to get from doing this, arguing to the void as if it were sentient and spiteful? For all I know, I was just imagining it due to lack of food. Lack of health. Hell, maybe it was asleep. Lists of excuses could be made as to why I shouldn't talk back yet here I am. Feeling hate warm my cheeks as my words slithered out of clenched teeth.

"Yeah? Just watch me. I don't have time to deal with this. I've got other things to worry about."

It laughed. A sniding, higher pitch sound that cause some part of me to stir. Whatever confidence I had now was gone as a dark pit in me began to quake. Inky water moving as if something nearby was disturbing it... or was it something /inside/ the water? A cold sweat began to run down my back yet I knew I was too deep in this to leave.

'You're Still Trying To Control Everything Hm?' The voice was less teasing and actually had bite to it's tone. A calm sort of storm just minutes from picking up and causing destruction. I gulped dryly as my eyes flickered down to my hands in my l.a.p. Each digit was shaking and I didn't know if it was fear or something else.

"Yeah...? Yeah? And what-um f.u.c.k it. What of it. Not like you're any help."

The water churned inside me as, from deep inside it, a familiar toothy smile rolled onto the surface.

'Are You Asking For My Help?'

I couldn't breath. Something grabbed at my c.h.e.s.t with such force that it left me winded and gasping for some sort of air. I wanted to move but it felt like something was holding me back. Something was keeping me in place. The pit kept swirling and churning as if the mouth opened up to speak. What little sounds there was outside turned into daggers as it reached my pounding head. The sounds mixing together in a cacophony that I lose my footing.

My hands gripped the edges of the car, the rust biting into skin, as the voice cackled about. The waves starting to pile higher and higher that I was afraid of it overtaking me. Drowning me.

'Look Up'

My eyes flickered up against my will. Casting off into the white void that the fog brought as it settled in. The sudden change in shade would have been relief. The brighter colors and the faint outlines was a stark difference from the inky abyss.

'Get Ready'

And just like that, relief was just out of my grasp. My eyes narrowed down as a cold chill ran down my back. Just as I finally realized what was hidden in that blanket of fog, the doors to the van opened.

My eyes flickered to them, the haggard forms and tired faces, before I turned back to the white wall in front of me.

"Shaina what's with all the racket?"

I could do nothing but point as the two got closer to me. The sound of fabric rustling and heavy footsteps grew louder yet I couldn't face them.

"Shaina wha-"

"Jake shut up?"

"What the f.u.c.k dude-"

"Look you dumbass!"

Jake's form stepped into view as Nick followed suit. The stockier man adjusting the straps to make sure they were secured before looking up at me. Those hardened golden eyes of his now softened with a tinge of fear. My own must've mirrored his but I couldn't tell from the prickling of tears. As the figures just from the edge of my vision started to draw closer and closer, the drummings of some sort of music began to play again. A word just barely leaving the shake of my lips.

"...Hoard.."