Heart fluttering, Forest maintained eye contact as he came forward. It was time to get answers. "What do you want?" The boy stopped before her, arms crossed. "You obviously want to say something, so what is it?"

"I know what you did." Tossing her hammer aside, the woman showed a fist. "Matthew told me what you people did."

"Yeah, well he's lying," he snapped.

"He wouldn't do that."

Her robotic voice made him shiver; it just sounded so unnatural. "I've been here for about two days and I can already see right through him. That man - he brainwashed you!"

At the tone, she snickered.

"Look, I don't know what he did to save you, but he doesn't deserve this. You of all people should stand up for yourself; not let some macho man push you around."

The woman held her chin high. "Leave right now, or I'm going to march inside and report you."

"Trouble?" Forest hissed. "You're the one who was staring. If not for you, I would be happily minding my own business."

"Someone of such crime should really learn when to keep their mouth shut." With that, her nostrils flared. "Leave."

"You know, I've been hearing a voice in my head for awhile. And it was about you." Chuckling dryly, the boy watched her face fall. "'The blue-eyed woman with the crooked smile.'"

"I-"

"That's what I've been hearing for the past week. And I want to know why."

More than taken aback, she soon gathered herself. "Why are you telling me this? Are you not afraid of Matthew? Someone's bound to tell, even if it's not me."

"Isn't everyo-"

"Yes."

Forest shuttered. "Then why do you listen to him?"

After a long, uneasy pause, the woman took a look around. "We've gathered attention. Do you not see?" She then gave her infamous smirk. "Among us, who will tell? Someone's bound to."

As she stepped back, amused, the boy finally noticed the on-lookers. There had to be a dozen. "Get back to work. There's nothing to see here!"

They whispered amongst themselves, snickering.

He was already in trouble, so why hold it in? "Get back to work, all of you!" When they only laughed harder, his lips curled. "What are you looking at?!" Returning to Jade, he gave everyone a lasting glare. "There's something going on here!"

-

"Look at me."

Forest grunted. "Why?"

"I said look at me!" Grabbing his face, Matthew tipped his chin. "What were you expecting, really? Did you expect not to get into trouble? Because that's just stupid! Have you not the slightest how many loyal people I've got here?"

From the cemented ground, he huffed. "How long am I to be in this cell? And do you really think being alone will make this little lesson effective?"

"Oh, it will." Rising to his full-height, Matthew only grinned. "You'll see."

"How long?"

"Maybe today; maybe tomorrow." Stepping back, he studied him from the doorway. "If it gets tough, just remember what a wise person once said: 'Being alone has a power that very few people can handle.' What's even better, however, it that you're forced to endure the solitude! I can already tell you won't be able to handle it."

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"That not-"

"Wait, solitude sounds too nice. Let's call it isolation!"

"Matt-" About to say it, the boy stopped himself. "Sorry, Master, I thought you said if we get into trouble, we'd be worked like a dog. Remember? Not be in solitude."

"No, we shall refer to this as isolation." Then he waved him off. "I've changed my mind. This is better because you won't have to be watched. In here, we can forget about your existence for a few moments. Anyhow, see you when I see ya!"

"Wait, I didn't have breakfast! Do I not get lunch either?"

Giving a toothy smile, Matthew shook his head, before slamming the door shut.

I'm all alone.

-

As he recoiled to the back, Forest stared ahead with dead eyes. Before long, he hugged his knees and did what he could to accept the fate. But instead of settling down, there was a boiling rage.

How could they do this?

The boy chuckled in disgust. His life of last year was so different; everything used to be simple. It was that trip, he realized. The one for his medication. Ever since then, tragic events kept coming and he could never adjust.

"Dad, I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm sorry for not being a better son. I could have done so much better." Wiping at his face, Forest sighed. "Maybe if I had listened, you'd still be alive. If only I had stayed in that bunker." The shame wasn't rational, but he didn't care. "I miss what we had before. I used to take it for granted! Only when I realize just how wonderful life was is it gone... never to return."

Drained and alone, Forest finally gave up the image and cried his heart out.

All concept of time was gone.

Sniffling, the boy had run out of tears. In replace of the pain was overwhelming guilt. He had promised Autumn to work on his maturity, but here he was feeling bad for himself.

"I'm sorry, Autumn. I'm sorry. I lifted your spirits, but maybe it was for nothing." Forest rubbed at his nose. "Maybe I'll never be as level-headed and just... as perfect as you. Maybe I'll-"

There was a sudden bang, followed by swift footsteps.

Listening, too frozen to move, he soon gained control and wiped evidence from his face. But was it enough?

"Forest."

It was familiar. And then it clicked. "What are you doing here?"

"I did some thinking."

All-too-timid, Forest looked up and met the eyes of the blue-eyed woman. "Yeah?"

She pressed her lips together.

"What?"

"I don't like your tone, but I'll give you another chance." Then, with a heavy exhale, she crossed her arms. "So, I've got questions. If I wasn't in a hurry, I'd ask about your red and puffy eyes."

"Oh, there was just something in-"

"Did I ask?" she sneered, a tone darker. "I didn't."

He swallowed thickly. "Then what are your questions?"

"Your vision - what did you see?"

"I didn't see anything. It's what I heard," he said. "'The blue-eyed woman with the crooked smile.' That's what I've been hearing, and I don't understand."

"I don't-"

"I want to know why you're so special. No..." Forest cackled, his eyes dangerously narrowed. "No, I need to know why." Suddenly, he jolted upright and stalked closer. "So tell me, what's so special about you?"

"You act like I'm so creepy, but take a look at yourself," the woman scoffed. "You've gone mad."

"You don't get to tell me that. Not after what I've been through!" he roared. "You came to me for answers, but that's what I've been looking for. So leave; you might as well! I've got nothing." With that, the boy huffed in defeat. "Nothing at all."

"I'm Bosley."

Taken aback, Forest stared at her for a moment. "Wait, what?"

"Bosley. That's my name."

He cocked his head, struggling for words. "Why would I care? Your name means absolutely nothing to me, Bosley. Is that really all you have to say?"

"Maybe now that I've got a name you can he honest." Giving her signature smirk, she nodded to him. "Do you think I actually believe you? What you're saying - it's so absurd!" About to leave, she gave him a lasting look. "But you were right about one thing: I'm wasting my time."

"Bosley." Surprising even himself, Forest sighed. "I'm... sorry. Could we start over?"

Her steps faltered until she stopped, then shook her head. "I've been trying to scare you, I admit it," she began. "Matthew said you people murdered Jake, Ryan, and Kimberly, and... and I was gullible."

"Really?"

Turning in his direction, she gave a wavering smile. "Yes. I was gullible for believing him right away. If you really are innocent, then I'm sorry."

He remained silent.

"Bye." Almost out of view, she stopped short. "If our conservation leaves this room, you're dead."

"Bosley, please come back!" Forest pleaded. "You asked me a question, but I have one of my own!"

As before, she came to a halt. For a few moments, there was complete quiet. "What?" she asked finally. "What's your question?"

"What were you and Kara talking about?"

"Bombs." Bosley paused. "Only I can make them."

"Why?" he questioned. "Why bombs?"

"As a distraction. One of our people has got a motorcycle. We'd use that to lure them away, then we'd do it."

Forest blinked at her. "Why were you so reluctant?"

"It's too dangerous... making them," she said, wiping at her face. "I'm pregnant, but it's not only that. These bombs - they're deadly."

"Well, that makes sense. They're bombs!"

"No, you don't understand." Suddenly she turned, drew close, then gripped the iron bars. "If activated, it's a suicide for the person holding it. I'd make it smaller, but it won't be enough. It'll never be enough!"

"Bosley?" he tried, locking with her gaze. "You okay?"

"Lately, we've been releasing walkers, little-by-little. But now they're a mob, and they're close. Forest, you really don't understand." She went nose-to-nose with him. "If they get here, those walkers won't leave."

"Then you better make that suicide bomb."

"It's better for one to die then everyone, right?" Inhaling sharply, she stepped back. "But who will do the sacrifice?"