Trust

"I said let me the f**k out!" Veda shouted as she pounded on the cold metal door that was the only thing keeping them in. 
Iris sat in one of the corners of the disgusting room in the same position she was in for the past hour, listening to Veda shout. There were no windows and it was so hot that she swore she was in hell. "That's not going to help Veda. Even if they do open the door, you won't be able to fight with your wound." Iris said as she began to change the bandage on her hip. The bullet from earlier only grazed her, but due to her physical state, it took everything out of her at that moment. 
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do. This is all your f*****g fault! I mean it's not, but I have- I have to- F**k!" She hit the door one last time before falling to the floor and crawling over to the wall opposite of Iris. She took a few moments for her breathing to even out before continuing. Iris didn't dare interrupt or push for answers. "It's not your fault that the zombie apocalypse happened, or that I thought you were dead, or my camp being over run, Addy turning on me, none of it is your fault because even after I put you through hell, you're still the nicest person I've known my entire life. Before and after the world went to s**t."
Iris just sat there in shock. "Why were you treating me like the enemy then?" She questioned.
"When my men brought you to the camp, my heart sank. I didn't know if you were the Iris I knew before this started, or if you had changed for the worse. But when you helped me and welcomed me back with open arms, I distanced myself from you. I lost you once and I couldn't get close to you and lose you again. When I even thought about it, I woke up after the supply run with Finn saying you were dead. That you were bit coming back for me. I was devastated. The feeling didn't last long considering I ended up here, but I can't take that pain anymore."
Iris grabbed the first aid kit and with a couple swift movements, she was beside the girl. "I know how you feel, I was there when I thought I saw you on the side of the road. But when I found out you were alive, my feelings came rushing back, like being without you was just a long nightmare and when I woke up, you were there and I was safe again. I couldn't give up on you. Veda, I know it's a huge risk and the chances of death are around every corner, but I can not live without you. I don't want to stay on this earth thinking, what if. I love you Veda and I always have and as cliche as this might sound, I always will love you."
"I love you too ya big nerd." She said quietly. She looked into Iris' eyes. Even in the dark room, they were still crystal blue and full of hope.
Iris gently placed the palm of her hand on Veda's cheek and leaned in a little bit before pausing to look Veda in the eye for any hint that this is okay and found nothing but consent. She closed the distance as their lips met. It was as if they were meant to meet as they moved perfectly in sync. Iris was the one to pull back. "Glad to hear it weirdo other wise I'd feel like an a*s." They both smiled. "Please let me take care of your leg."
Veda nodded before Iris went to the girls thigh and started cleaning it. "Why did Finn say you were bit? Why did we leave you if you were never dead?"
Iris took a deep breath. "I was bit. I don't remember much of what happened. I remember being chased, you were shot by a tranquilizer, I went back for you and when we made it to the truck, I noticed the bite mark." Iris paused to lift up her long sleeve and showed Veda. It's not the only bite either. I told Finn to leave, I gave him an order. I thought it was the infection that was slowly killing me, but I didn't know that I was shot by a dart that held something that caused me to lose all ability to move. I fell and the last thing I heard was a gun shot and something heavy landing on me. They are saying I'm immune so they have been running tests on me to find a cure."
"These people are trying to find a cure?" Veda asked, desperate to drop the subject of Iris in pain. "These people are what's causing those horrible mutations."
"I don't know, Addy would know more."
"We have to get out of here."
"How is my daughter and Veda?"
"The little bitchy one keeps banging on the door, I'm tempted to kill her."
The woman looked over to Addy. "Would you have a problem with us killing your girlfriend?"
"She is not my girlfriend." Addy defended.
"You don't care for her at all? That's cold."
"Marie, you had me get close to her to spy on her. The sex was just a bonus."
"Fine, than you'll be the one to kill her when the time comes. For now, bring my daughter to me. Make it seems like we are taking Iris away for good. I want to see the connection those two share together."
"What does it matter?" The man asked.
"Love can bring even the most stubborn to their knees. If Veda reacts to it like I think she will, than we might not have to kill her. She could be... Useful."
Iris and Veda sat there, side by side with their hands intertwined with one another. They started to doze off when the door burst open and a few men, followed by Addy entered the room. "Iris, you're coming with me, Veda, say your goodbyes." She said as she ordered the men to grab Iris and escort her out of the room. Iris started to kick and try to squirm her way out of their grips. Veda attacked the third man with a right hook that brought him to the ground before running at the men that were struggling with the blonde. Veda tackled one of them while Iris took the other. Before Veda could do some damage, she felt hot white pain run through her entire body as she fell to the ground beside the man that was slowly getting up. "I really didn't want any violence. Iris was about to attack Addy, but got a boot to her back, sending her to the ground. 
"Get up Iris, I have other plans after this. Iris still tried to fight off the man that grabbed her by the collar, but a large fist was brought down and made contact with her face, forcing her head to hit the ground and blacking out. She was grabbed by the arms and put over the mans shoulder before he walked out. 
"Don't you f*****g hurt her." Veda warned.
"Hurt her? You're going about this the wrong way. I'm going to kill her." She bent down and placed a folded piece of paper into the brunettes hand before forcing it closed. She got up and closed the door.
Veda went to sit in one of the corners of the room, still recovering from the shock that went through her body. She unfolded the note.
'I'm sorry about what happened. Knowing you, you put up a fight. Forget everything I just said to you before giving you this. There is a camera and I couldn't look like I was betraying Marie. We are not going to kill Iris. I assure you that she is safe for now. Her mother just wanted a reaction from you. She says it has a useful purpose, but I think she is sick. I didn't lock the door. I am going to cause a distraction and that's when you need to get the hell out of here. I used you and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I'm just trying to do the right thing. Right and wrong is a blurry line for me, so I hope this is the right choice. When you do make your escape, do not try and find Iris. I will get her out of here eventually. She will be safe with me. I'm sorry for everything. Get back to your people and run far away. There is so much you don't know and a lot of people like Marie out there. I don't know why they are targeting your camp, but trust me when I say this. DO NOT FIGHT BACK. Goodbye Veda. Thank you for everything we shared.'
"I told you not to harm her." Marie said as she pushed Addy away from her daughters sleeping form. She saw the purple bruise forming on on her right cheek. 
"Sorry boss. Things got out of control. As I'm sure you saw."
"Yes." There was a moment of silence before Marie spoke again. "Leave us, but stand guard at the door. She's unpredictable."
"You really think your own daughter would hurt you."
"Yes. After all, I'm the one who put her through hell."
Addy did as she was told and waited outside, thinking of a way to get away from Marie long enough to cause the distraction that Veda needs. 
Iris woke up and instantly felt pain on her cheek where she was hit and had a pounding headache. "Hello Rissy."
"Don't call me that." Iris snapped.
"Sorry, what is it you go by now? Iris? My apologies. It's been some time Iris. I'm sure you have many questions."
"Why are you doing this? I'm your daughter."
"Don't expect me to feel pity for you. I mean my own children didn't even try to look for me. I sure as hell looked for you."
"Oh I'm sorry that it slipped my mind considering the last text I got from you was that you love me but you just can't be around me because I remind you of dad. You left without any warning of where you were going. Boo f*****g who."
"I told your brother."
"Yeah, and he's dead. The day it all started. So is Kaveeta, but I'm sure you don't care about her do you? You too never saw eye to eye? Go f**k yourself."
"All differences aside, I am still your mother."
"No. Not anymore. You are a psychotic b***h that thinks she's God."
This made the woman tear up a bit, but before she could respond she heard alarms go off and gunshots echoed through the halls outside. "Stay here."
Iris was left alone in the office and started using the pocket knife someone put between her belt and pants to cut the ropes that held her captive. As soon as she was free, her mom ran in and stopped in her tracks. "Who set you free?"
"Wrong question Marie. Move out of my way or I will hurt you." She warned.
"I can't do that. I need you."
"No, you need my blood. You don't care about me at all."
"Where are you gonna go huh? Are you gonna run off with Veda and live happily ever after? She must not have gotten that memo cause she's gone. Cameras saw her escaping out the back entrance. She's long gone by now."
"I don't believe you."
"You're more than welcome to look, but we have a bigger problem on our hands. The mutated are loose and roaming around."
"What's that gotta do with me?" Iris asked, trying to hide the hurt she felt.
"They are extremely dangerous and also important believe it or not. I need your help."
"F**k off. I'm leaving." Iris started to walk towards the door, but jumped back as her mom swung a knife, barely missing her daughter's throat. "So much for needing me." She said sarcastically.
"You said it yourself, your blood will have to do since you no longer care about the only family you have left."
They had a stand off before Marie made the first move and lunged at her daughter, knife still in hand. Iris sidestepped out of the way and tripped the woman, forcing her to the ground and dropping her knife. Iris didn't waste any time as she flipped her mom over and tried stabbing her in the chest, but she hesitated for just a second as Marie grabbed her whist to stop her and it was a battle of strength. Iris tried putting all of her weight down, but that wasn't much considering Marie was bigger and stronger. Marie found the bandage on Iris' hip and ripped it off, digging her middle and pointer finger into the wound. Causing the graze to open up. She screamed in pain before being flipped over and in the position her mom was in earlier. She was being chocked as both Marie's hands wrapped around her throat.
She struggled for air and her entire face was turning a dark shade of red. She knew she could beg. All she had to do was beg her mom not to kill her only child that's left, but she refused. Her mom was no longer the one she knew. That woman left years ago, before this all started. Before she lost consciousness, the ground shook violently and it caused Marie to lose her grip and Iris took full advantage. She used whatever strength she had left in her to elbow the woman in the face. She crawled over to the knife and grabbed it, tears rolling down her face.
Veda burst through the door to see Iris bringing a large knife into her mothers chest. "Iris." She said under her breathe. She was frozen in place.
"Taken down by my daughter." Marie struggled out.
"You were my best friend mom. What turned you into this?" 
"There is so-" She was cut off by a fit of coughs. "So much you don't know sweet girl. I'm so sorry. I- I love you." Was the last thing she said before taking her last breathe.
"I wish I believed that." Iris mumbled before rolling off of her and laying on her back and grasping her hip. 
Gun shots brought Veda out of her trance as she ran up to Iris and knelled down. "Where are you hurt?"
"Veda? I thought you left."
"I could never leave you."
"It's my hip, she opened it up."
Veda lifted the girls shirt and noticed the once small wound, open and bleeding. "Come on, we have to get you to Jean." She placed her arm over her shoulder and walked her out. Iris was stunned when she saw an armored jeep that was rammed through the wall. "Did you do that?"
"It's a long story. Lets get you in there."
"What about Addy?"
"What about her." She stated coldly before making sure Iris was in there okay and getting in herself.