"Morning," came a familiar voice from down the hallway. Then, with a loud slam, the iron door ceased shut. "Let's get out there."

When the figure came into view, Forest stiffly stood, peering back at Autumn.

"You've had your rest. Now for a long day's work." Matthew struggled with the keys. "For... your sakes', you better do your part."

"Master, how's the fence holding up?" Forest studied him, barely composed. "Master?"

For a moment, Matthew remained silent, staring back at him. Then, dropping his gaze, he unlocked the cell and gestured both siblings out. "Come on now."

Autumn suddenly nudged her brother. "This isn't good."

As Matthew led them down the hallway, Forest noticed that the usual guards were amiss. Normally, there would be one for each captive. It must be really bad.

And that was when he heard something - or rather someone - from behind.

Forest willed himself to focus on anything else; now was not the time to look back. However, when it came again, he winced and peered over his shoulder.

Hunched forward, Jade stumbled behind the others, muffling her dry coughs into an arm.

His glance turned into a stare. As soon as she caught his eye, the boy gave a sad smile, then looked ahead. The worst thing he could do was draw any more attention to her.

As he descended the stairs, a single tear fell down his face. I'm sorry, Jade.

Yesterday's sun was gone. Dark and gloomy, the clouds mocked them for above, rain threatening to pour.

"Okay, grab a tool and help us maintain the fence," Matthew ordered, eyeing them over. Then, in the next moment, he pulled a dagger from his belt and hurried off for the barrier. "We'll be out here all day if we have to!"

Forest nearly reached for a weapon when he shivered. The fence was now crippled with dents, and three areas, each spaced-apart, looked ready to collapse. But that fence was the only thing to separate the living from hundreds of walkers.

He blinked hard before grabbing a knife, dry blood staining its blade. Then, with a quick breath, he hasted away to join the others.

-

They were racing against the inevitable. All forty of them against the dead.

He kept his head down. As he jabbed them one-by-one, each dropped to the ground lifeless; a shell of their former self.

"You're alive?"

That voice - it sounded so familiar. And when it clicked, he whirled around, resisting choice words. "Wow, you two look worse than me, and I'm the one who almost died."

The men exchanged critical glances before the shorter spoke up.

"It seems your friend has saved you." Then he shifted on his feet, looking again to his buddy. "The same one that knocked us out."

"She saved my life and risked her own," he said, suddenly blinking back tears. "She knew what she was doing, but did it anyway."

"Well, she's as dumb as she is ugly," the taller scoffed, nudging his friend. "We should get back to work."

Peering for close witnesses, he looked back to the men. "Why are you here when you could be destroying that bomb?" He kept his voice low. "Now's the perfect chance."

"Master has it under protection," the shorter deadpanned. "It's not our fault if this place blows to pieces. No, that's on every one of you." Then, with a huff, he paused as he lowered his knife. "But mostly, that's on you, boy. If you hadn't interfered, the bomb would be destroyed and all temptation would be gone!"

"Now they're bound to use it eventually," the taller equipped.

Forest gave a dry chuckle. "Look around you," he muttered. "Without it, we've got a few hours. Somehow, we need to wipe out hundreds of walkers before this fence gives away." Then he let out a breath, steadying himself. "Our way is the only way that works; this one is impossible."

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"You listen here." The shorter shoved a finger to his chest. "You don't..." But then he peered out into the yard and his face dropped. "Nash, look... over there."

Forest's heart dropped. As he followed the man's gaze, he prayed to be wrong. But he wasn't.

"Is she infected?"

"...I think so."

Jade stood hunched and trembling about ten feet away. Her knife lowered, she was staggered behind the others, coughing into an arm. At any moment, she appeared ready to collapse.

The boy turned back to them, eerie.

Without warning, each gave him a wandering look.

"She is, isn't she?" The taller shifted on his feet. "She's been infected."

"No," Forest stammered, struggling to keep eye contact. "No, she's just come down with something."

"I don't believe you."

"You know," the shorter began, pausing for effect, "Bosley's sister was a scientist." Then he gave him a lasting look, his eyes cold. "And... I also heard that Bosley herself was bitten."

Forest searched the man's eyes. "You seem so sincere, b-but you have to be lying."

"No." With that, he took a shuttering breath. "She was bitten on the shoulder. This was the same day that her sister was killed a year ago."

-

"Bosley," he said, failing to keep his voice steady. "Bosley."

In response, the woman turned from the fence, knife stiffly in hand. "What?" she whispered harshly, looking around. "I can't be seen talking to you."

Forest ushered her over, jaw set. "I need you to come with me."

Bosley cocked her head before straightening and giving in.

The boy stopped by the front doors. After running a hand down his face, he looked her in the eyes. "Nash and his friend were talking to-"

"Nash and Levi," she huffed, tapping her foot. "Now what is it?"

"They told me... that you were bitten a year ago."

Her face suddenly clouded with panic. "Well, they're lying." She grabbed a handful of his shirt, then shoved him back. "They just love to cause trouble. Don't listen to them."

It was his turn to straighten up. "I'm not so sure they are." He studied Bosley before nodding at her shoulder. "That's where they said you were bitten."

"No," she said firmly. "Now get out of my face."

"Please." Forest searched her eyes, his own holding back tears. "My friend is sick... and she's going to die."

Bosley started for the fence when she faltered. And in the next moment, she was locking with his gaze. "Who?" She closed the space between them.

"Jade."

"And she was bitten?"

"Yes."

Bosley watched him with narrowed eyes. "Well-"

Sudden footsteps came their way, slow but even. "Bosley, I think it's time."

Forest's face paled. "Holly," he said, giving her a warning look, "no."

"I'm sorry." Holly took a shaky breath and mustered a smile. "If saving everyone here means that I am to die, then that's not much of a choice, is it?" Then she neared him, wrapping the boy into a hug. "I am sorry, Forest."

He didn't bother hugging back. "No, you're not going to sacrifice yourself. That's just stupid!" With that, he turned back to Bosley, ready to plead, but she had already slipped inside. "Please, don't do this."

"I am sorry."

For the second time, a pair of footsteps came their way, this time quick and staggered. "What's going on here?" came Jade's grave voice. "Holly, I need to know."

Holly looked to her feet, composed herself, then met her eyes. "This is how it ends, Jade, and for that I'm sorry." Then she smiled again, coming in for another hug. "I don't see any other way."

Jade stumbled back, swatting her away. "Holly, are you blind?" she scoffed. "I'm sick! I'm infected! This... this is a death sentence, but you're perfectly healthy!"

Holly shushed her, waving her off. "Stop, you'll draw attention."

"Good," she said and threw her hands up. "Everyone, I'm infected!" Then she smiled sadly at her friend, wiping at her face. "I will do the sacrifice."

"I have a confession."

Startled, Forest turned to the voice, blinking hard. I'm gonna pass out.

Pinching her nose, Bosley finally looked over the sudden crowd and sighed. "Everyone, there's something I should have told you long ago." Slowly, she revealed her shoulder. "Last year... I was bitten and my sister gave me a vaccine. It worked."

Out of nowhere, someone yelled as they hustled to the front. "You mean to say there's been a working vaccine all this time?!" Winter demanded, showing a fist.

"Do you know how many people you could have saved?!" Skylar stopped beside Winter before continuing forward. When she was nose-to-nose with Bosley, she searched her eyes. "Say something!"

"It was only a quarter full," Bosley hissed, glaring right back. But then she let out a sigh, losing the attitude. "I used the last of it on myself. I tried to make the same vaccine, but I could barely read her handwriting!"

"Just give me the bomb," Holly said, changing the subject. "The fence is going to give out any moment. This must be done."

Peering around, Bosley finally nodded and passed it over. "You shall die in honor then, Holly. Your name will never be forgotten; not in this prison."

"No," Forest said, surprising even himself, "I'll do it."

"No, I will," Jade insisted, rolling up her sleeve. "I've been bitten. You know this."

For a moment, Bosley shifted on her feet, then cleared her throat. "Here, take it." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a blue-substanced vial. "This might work."

Jade looked the woman over, searching her face. "I might as well just get on with it, Bosley. This might work, but for what? I'm the sickest out of any of you." She wiped at her eyes and smiled, this time genuine. "Thank you for being a friend." And with that, she turned to her fellow captives. "I may be leaving, but it's not a goodbye; we'll see each other again in good time."

Forest sniffled, breaking down. "You don't have to do this."

And that was when a certain sound came, drawing everyone's attention. The gate parted with a creak and Holly slipped through on a motorcycle, bomb in hand.

It really was the end.