Unknown Territory

Iris sat in the chair she always dreaded. It was cold and rusting from the time its been at there camp. She always sat on it when she was getting a tattoo by her friend Leo. But the tattoo she was getting were two tally marks that add to many. It filled up most of her left shoulder blade. She winced as the line for B was made over a scar. 

"Sorry boss."

"It's okay. I've had worse."

"How many times are you going to do this?"

"I'm hoping to never do it again, but who knows in this world." Iris stated. "Can we do something when you're done with the marks?"

"Of course."

"I need you to make the V on my neck into a heart or something to cover the letter up."

"Damn, I thought you'd want something cool like a zombie on your forearm." He joked.

"I'll keep that in mind." She laughed.

Veda walked in and looked away as she saw Iris with no shirt. "Sorry, I uh. Should have knocked."

"Kinda hard to knock on a tent. You can look Veda, it's nothing new."

Veda turned to see the marks on the girls shoulder. "What do those mean?"

"People I've lost."

"That's kind of twisted."

"I need the pain and it reminds me of my mistakes so I don't make the same one again."

Veda paused for a moment. "I'm guessing I'm one of those marks?" Iris nodded. "Seems kind of pointless now doesn't it? I'm right here."

"I did lose you. In one way or the other."

This saddened the brunette, but she hid it from Iris. "Look, I came in here to say that I was sorry about your sister. I never really got the chance to say that."

"I appreciate it. How is Addy doing?"

"Still shaken up, but she's getting back to her old self. Jean has been doing research on ways to help her."

"That's good, if anyone can do it, it's Jean." Iris said while putting her shirt back on. "Give us a minute Leo."

"Let me know when you're ready for the other one." He said before walking out.

"I got something for you."

"Should I be worried?"

"Leave the worrying up to me." She motioned for Veda to follow her out of the back and walked a little bit before she saw Finn and Chester standing by a row of slot machines from her old camp.

"Did you do this?"

"Finn and I made a quick stop. I felt bad, I know that you like Vegas, so I tried to bring some of your home here."

"Thank you Iris." Veda sounded genuine and it made Iris smile. "This doesn't change anything between us."

"I had no expectations. Hope, but not expectation. Look I'm happy for you and Addy. I'm not trying to sabotage that, but I'm hoping we can form some kind of friendship out of this. It's not too late for that, is it?"

 "I don't know Iris." She took a deep breathe. "Thanks again, I should go check on the progress with Jean."

"S**t." Iris whispered before waving Chester and Finn away and going back to the tent with Leo.

It had been a few weeks since B's death and everything was back to the way it was. No one was trying to kill each other, people were actually enjoying themselves. 

"Hey Veda! Can I talk to you real quick?" Jean asked while waving the girl  over. 

Veda jogged over, trying not to get soaked by the cold rain that had just started to fall. "What's up?"

"I have to talk to you about something."

"Are you sure you don't need Iris? She's the leader after all."

"I figured I would tell you first considering it's about Addy."

"Is she okay?" Veda asked, suddenly getting serious.

Jean brought her in the tent and zipped it up. "I've been running blood samples on Addy for the past couple of weeks and nothing was adding up. I gave her a couple sleeping pills, totally natural!" She rushed out, noticing the evil look from the woman. "It gave me a chance to check her because she wasn't letting me. I found something disturbing, but also astonishing." She said, confusing Veda, but she still followed Jean to Addys' sleeping form. Jean lifted up Addys' shirt and Veda gasped while taking a step back. 

"When was she bit?"

"This has to be over a couple months ago, maybe more."

"How is she not infected by now?"

"Who's to say she's not? She told me that the people that took her did experiments on her. I'm assuming they were curious about the bite as well. There are track marks on her arms and right here near her ribs. I'm sorry to say this Veda, but she is infected. The people who did this just created something that could mix with the virus and become a hybrid of some kind. That's how she was able to throw a grown man twice her size across the room."

"Can she control it? Is it contagious?"

"It's unpredictable. If she bites someone or loses control for just a second, people could die. She is a danger to everyone in this camp. Even to you Veda."

"So what are you saying? That we kill her?" Veda started to raise her voice.

"Of course not! I would never jump to that conclusion. I just wanted to tell you first so you can prepare for whatever may happen."

"Well how f*****g nice of you." Veda said, her tone laced with sarcasm. 

"Please don't over react."

Veda took a deep breath. "So what happens now huh? You're gonna tell Iris? She would love nothing more than to see Addy gone."

"You don't really believe that do you? Iris let Addy stay here after she killed B. She let you and Finn walk around and roam free after your group kidnapped her and killed her sister. She risked her life going after you to make sure you were safe and almost died so you could make it to your cousins. Iris is the kindest and most selfless person I know. She helps people who need it, not kill them to save her the trouble. I'm sorry, but I have to tell her."

Veda never looked at it that way. She always knew Iris was a good person, but it's been so long since she really knew her. "Just give me a few days. If I can't find a way to fix her, I tell Iris myself." Veda hated lying. She had too though, it was the way the world worked now.

Jean pondered this for a few moments, she didn't like the idea of holding information, but it was her fault for trying to do the right thing by telling Veda first. "Fine, but three days and Addy has to be supervised at all times."

"Deal." Veda said before kissing Addy on the forehead. "I'll figure this out babe, I promise." She heard commotion from outside.

"We will be back before nightfall. I'm taking a small group with me to scout out the area. There's a building that Finn and I came across last night that looked like it hasn't been touched. It could have supplies that we need. It's worth a shot." Iris said while holstering her pistol.

"Who's going with you?" Nick asked.

"Finn and Tryston have volunteered. We are going into unknown territory and I don't expect anyone else to chance it."

I volunteer." Ellie said while stepping forward.

"Me too." Chester said. "Besides there's a chance of there being explosives and we've been planning on setting traps around the camp."

"The hell you two are going." Veda chimed in.

"Do any of you know anything about explosives?" Ellie asked. They all shook their heads. "Which is exactly why we need to go."

"She has a point." Iris said, refusing to look at Veda. "Looks like we have our five people. Go get your gear."

"If they're going, then so am I." Veda said as she cocked back her gun.

"I don't need anyone else."

"Well too bad. Besides," Veda started while moving closer to Iris, "Your people don't trust me."

Iris sighed. She didn't like Veda challenging her in front of everyone, but she had a point. Plus, how could she deny those beautiful hazel eyes. "Alright, fine. Tryston, you stay here. Veda's taking your place."

They all got in the armored car and drove off towards the mystery building. 

"How long was I out?" Addy asked.

"Just a few hours. How are you feeling?" Jean asked, trying to keep her cool.

"Tired. Where's Veda?"

"She went on a supply run with Iris, Finn and her cousins."

"Do you know where?"

"Some building a few miles away."

"Do you happen to know what its called?" She asked while jumping up.

"Um, I'm not sure. I think it's called Med Tech or something like that."

"No."

"What's wrong?"

"That's where they took me and did all those horrible things to me."

Jeans eyes widened as she went to the walkie talkie to try and get a signal.

"Remind me why we are going here again? We never travel to places we don't know." Finn stated.

"This place is called Med Tech. There has to be some kind of goodies in there." Ellie said while checking her gun.

"We just need to stay on our toes." Iris added. Iris was driving with Veda in the passenger seat. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Why not."

"If we ever made it to the mountains all those years ago-"

"Don't." Veda interrupted. "Don't ask that question."

"I'm sorry, I just thought-"

"Well you thought wrong."

"I know you're mad at me Veda. You have every right to be."

"I'm not mad at you Iris!" Veda shouted, catching the attention of everyone else in the car. "I don't blame you. For anything. But, you and I." She said softly. "I don't think it can go back to the way things were."

"I just need you to give me a straight answer. Is there anything you feel for me anymore?" Iris said just above a whisper. It was a bad time to have the talk, but she couldn't keep lying anymore. She loves Veda.

"No." Veda stated coldly and ended the conversation there. The rest of the car ride was silent. There Veda was again, lying. She did care for Iris. She just couldn't let her in just to lose her again, her heart couldn't bare it. 

After a few more minutes, they arrived and Iris was greeted by Finn's hand on her shoulder. She just nodded before they checked the perimeter of the building. 

"I found a way in!" Ellie shouted, bringing everyone to regroup at a side door that looked to be a storm shelter of some sort. 

Iris took out her silenced pistol and shot at the lock, busting it open and falling to the ground. "I'll go first, follow in a single file."

They did as they were told as Iris took the lead. Descending down the dark stairwell. As soon as she stepped on the floor, bright lights filled the room and caused everyone to squint. "Automatic lights, that's not creepy at all." Chester said, getting his gun ready.

"It's definitely different these days." Iris said. "Everyone look around."

It was a brightly lite room with computer monitors at the very end and filing cabinets all over. Veda walked to a filing cabinet with the letter A on it. She opened it and saw files of names that started with A's. She quickly went through it and found Addy's file. This could help Jean fix her. Iris walked up to the desk and noticed a cup of liquid that still had steam coming from it. "What the hell?"

"Look at what I found!" Chester said, pulling a book out of the shelf and the bookshelf started to open into a doorway. 

"No!" Iris shouted while running at the man. She wrapped him in her arms as a bomb went off and sent everyone flying back. 

Finn was the first one up and went to Ellie to help her. Veda got up slowly with ringing in her ears. Her vision was slightly blurry. She looked around and saw Chester getting up, but Iris was still down on the ground not moving. "Iris!" She shouted. She ran over and rolled her onto her back. "No. Wake up!" She shouted before banging on the girls sternum a few times.

"OW!" Iris said jolting up. "What was that for?"

"I thought you were dead!"

"Check my pulse next time weirdo!"

The nickname brought tears to Veda's eye's and she brought Iris in for a hug before she could think about what she was doing. "Don't ever do that again."

Iris was confused, but hugged back anyway. She wasn't about to object.

"Not to ruin the moment. But we should get the hell out of here. Whoever planted that knows we are here now." Finn said, stating the obvious.

Everyone ran out the way they came and were blinded by a large search light in their faces. "Freeze!" The mystery people shouted. 

"F**k that." Veda said before yelling at everyone to get to the truck. "Ellie! You're on the 50 cal! Chester, cover us from the back window. Finn! You drive!" Iris, you're in the bed of the truck with me!" Veda ordered and everyone went into place. They made it a few hundred yards before being bombarded my the undead. They came out of nowhere and were stopping the vehicle slowly. "What's happening!" Iris shouted. 

"I think we got one stuck on the wheel!" Finn shouted back.

"We'll handle it." Iris and Veda both jumped out. Veda covering Iris as she started hitting the Z with the butt of her gun to get it undone. "Step on the gas!" Iris shouted.

He did and quickly took off, leaving the girls until stopping a little bit ahead so he was out of the horde. "Come on Veda!" Iris shouted as she fought her way through the horde to get to the car. Veda was about to go, but felt a sharp pain in her neck. She couldn't really think about it before she was on the ground. Iris turned to see her friend being surrounded. She ran at her, tacking down anything in her path. When she reached her, she grabbed on to her collar. "No way! I'm not losing you!"

"Just go." Veda tried.

Iris refused and picked the girl up, carrying her to the car. The undead posing no problem due to Finn shooting the one's in her path back. She reached the car and put Veda in the back seat. "Let's go!" Finn shouted.

"I'm not going this time buddy." Iris said.

"What are you talking about?"

Veda tried to keep up, but was losing consciousness. 

Iris help up her arm and what Finn saw brought him to tears. Gunfire from the 50. Cal was the only noise her could hear. "No. How?"

"Some b*****d got me when I went back to Veda." She said. Ripping her sleeve to wrap it around the bite mark to try and slow down the blood. "I need you to get back to the camp. Tryston is in charge now. I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything boss."

"Make sure to get Veda to be part of the group. We need people to trust her."

"I will do everything I can."

Good. I'll see ya later buddy."

"I love you Iris." He said before hugging her and getting in the drivers seat.

"Take care of her Chester!" Iris said to the man who held Veda's head on his lap.

"I will."

She shut the door and let the car speed off. Before Veda was out cold all she could muster to say was, "I love you."

Iris looked around. She knew the direction of where the people were, so she chose the opposite. She couldn't see straight and she was sweating like crazy, but was cold. So cold. She didn't realize how slow she was going until she was brought down by one of the Z's and it took a bit out of her shoulder. She couldn't even scream, she just layed there motionless. Her eyes slowly closing. The last thing she heard was gunshots before everything went black.