In the aftermath of the violent altercation in the storage room, Sam found herself grappling with a profound sense of disorientation and horror. She had woken up hours later in utter darkness, a void where time seemed to stand still. The pitch-black room suggested it was night, the solar panels having run out of power. This enveloping darkness mirrored the turmoil within her, a stark contrast to the usually lit environment powered by their hard-earned solar energy.

Sam, still reeling from her actions, felt an eerie detachment from her body, as if she were an observer to her own actions rather than a participant. This terrifying loss of control was new to her; she had always prided herself on her discipline and self-command, especially during the chaos of the zombie apocalypse. But now, she was a stranger to herself, her own actions foreign and horrifying.

As she stumbled towards the door, guided only by the cold, unfeeling wall, her mind was a maelstrom of shock and confusion. The heavy door creaked open and slammed shut with a finality that resonated through her. Across the hallway, Josie, who had been waiting, was startled awake. The sight that greeted Josie was harrowing – Sam, a figure she had come to know as strong and unshakeable, was covered in dried blood, her eyes empty and haunted.

Josie's initial reaction was one of fear and uncertainty. She saw Sam standing motionless, her gaze not on Josie, but through her, as if Josie were a mere apparition. This hollow look in Sam’s eyes was a silent scream, a testament to the depth of her shock.

Realising the gravity of the situation, Josie told Sam to stay put and ventured into the storage room, her heart racing. Flicking on the flashlight, its beam cut through the darkness, revealing the bloodied aftermath of Sam's actions. The sight was overwhelming, leading Josie to hastily retreat and lock the door, safeguarding the others from the horror within.

Back in the hallway, Sam's state of shock had rendered her immobile, her focus solely on her bloodied hands. She whispered Josie’s name, a faint plea for help in the suffocating silence.

Josie, recognizing Sam’s need for care, gently took her hand, guiding her through the forest. The moon cast a soft glow, creating elongated shadows that danced around them, adding an ethereal quality to their sombre journey. The flashlight in Josie's hand was the only other source of light, its beam flickering as they walked, a stark reminder of the fragility of their situation.

Reaching the pond, Josie set the flashlight on a branch, casting a serene glow over the water. The pond, usually a place of tranquillity, now served as a setting for cleansing and redemption. Josie’s actions were nurturing and protective, her concern for Sam evident in every gesture.

Sam stood still, unresponsive to Josie’s suggestion to wash off in the pond. When Josie turned to check on her, she found Sam still frozen, trapped in her own thoughts. Josie's query about her well-being was met with a heart-wrenching admission from Sam – she couldn’t move, paralyzed by the realisation of what she had done.

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“I can’t move, I killed him, I killed him… I didn’t mean to,” Sam repeated, her voice a whisper of despair. Tears streamed down her face, a silent testimony to her inner turmoil. “I didn’t mean to” she repeated this time more quietly. Josie gently rubbed the tears off Sam's cheeks with her thumbs. “Come on she said”, taking her hands. She walked her into the pond, both of them still fully dressed. They both stood in the middle of the pond still holding hands, Jo kept reassuring Sam that it was alright.

Sam’s attempts to remove her blood-stained shirt were futile, her body uncooperative, betraying her. Josie stepped in, gently helping Sam out of her clothes. She then methodically scrubbed them clean, the soap suds mingling with the blood, a poignant symbol of their attempt to cleanse the remnants of the night’s violence.

Throughout, Sam stood motionless, her gaze fixated on the stars peeking through the gaps in the trees. The once comforting constellations now seemed distant, unattainable. The weight of her actions, the realisation that she had been out of control, weighed heavily on her.

Once Josie finished cleaning the clothes, She then turned her attention to Sam, who was still visibly stained with the consequences of her actions. Josie gently coaxed Sam to submerge herself, to wash away the blood. But Sam remained unresponsive, lost in her own world of regret and disbelief.

Taking charge, Josie carefully lowered Sam’s hair into the water, supporting her as she floated. With gentle motions, she cleansed Sam’s hair, running her fingers through the strands, washing away the evidence of the night's events. She continued, meticulously wiping the blood from Sam’s face, arms, and body, a silent guardian in the midst of chaos.

After Sam was clean, Josie helped her stand. Sam, without a word, pulled Josie into a tight hug, seeking comfort in her presence. Josie, fighting back her own tears, held Sam close, offering solace in their shared silence.

They eventually left the pond, Josie wrapping a towel around Sam to dry and cover her. Their walk back to the warehouse was a silent procession, each lost in their own thoughts. Josie’s arm around Sam’s shoulder was both a physical and emotional support.

Back in their room, Josie took care of Sam, drying her off, and helping her into an oversized t-shirt. She then gently helped Sam into bed, tucking the duvet around her with care. Climbing in beside her, Sam lay awake, her mind racing with worry for Sam and the implications of the man’s words. What if they were true? What did it mean for their group, for their trust in each other?

In a sudden movement, Sam shuffled closer to Josie, seeking comfort. She wrapped her leg over Josie’s, nuzzling her head into Josie’s chest, and gently placed her hand around her. Josie responded instinctively, her arms encircling Sam, providing a haven in the midst of turmoil.

They lay there, the silence of the night enveloping them. Sam eventually succumbed to exhaustion, drifting into a troubled sleep. Josie, however, remained awake, her thoughts consumed by the desire to comfort and protect Sam from the haunting repercussions of her past actions.