Through The Rot: Doubt Creeps In

This is the 8th part of my ongoing zombie story. If you missed any, you can find them all

here. Keep in mind some chapters, like this one, have warnings, while others do not.

TRIGGER WARNING!

Cursing, violence

Word count- 4651

    Kaelor leaned against the cold concrete wall, the chill seeping through his thin hospital gown and settling deep into his bones. He took a slow sip of water, the cool liquid a small comfort against the frost in the air. His green eyes stayed fixed on the floor, unfocused, lost in thought.

    The room buzzed with a heavy, lingering tension. Conversations were nonexistent, movements stiff, like a fragile truce barely holding. It was only a matter of time before Shay or Brax exploded again, throwing accusations his way for running after Missy. And then, like clockwork, Gavin would leap to his defense, ready to fight.

    Kaelor exhaled quietly, his grip tightening around the plastic bottle. He didn’t regret it, not for a second. If he had to do it all over again, he wouldn’t hesitate. He had saved that little girl. That was all that mattered.

    Gavin seemed to share the same conviction. He had stuck by Kaelor’s side the entire way, never once hesitating as they fled the gas station with rotters snapping at their heels. Even now, as they huddled in a dilapidated shed behind an abandoned house, Gavin remained close, a silent shield against the tension thickening the air.

    “Bandage your feet.” Liam said quietly, his tone uneasy. His gaze flicked toward Kaelor, assessing him with a mixture of concern and urgency. “The smell of your blood is going to send every rotter in the area into a frenzy.”

    Kaelor swallowed hard, pain and exhaustion eating at him. He'd been trying to ignore the dull sting of his open wounds, not wanting to dig out all the glass embedded deep in his flesh.

    Kaelor nodded, but before he could move, Gavin was already pulling his first aid kit from his pack. “I've got you.”

    Kaelor barely had time to protest before Gavin took his foot, handling it with surprising care. The sting of antiseptic burned like fire, and Kaelor sucked in a sharp breath, hissing between his teeth. His fingers curled into fists against the cold floor.

    “Yeah, I know.” Gavin muttered, his voice softer now. “Hurts like hell. Just hang in there.”

    Kaelor exhaled slowly, trying to focus on anything other than the sharp pain. The soft ting of tweezers as Gavin went to work, plucking the larger shards of glass from his foot, triggered a memory so visceral it stole the air from his lungs.

    The sharp scent of disinfectant. White walls. White lab coats. Pain, unbearable pain, exploding through his body like fire. Bright lights overhead, so blinding they made his vision swim. Disembodied voices, whispering unintelligible words. Then lightning, sharp and sudden, searing through his chest. Agony. Yelling. A pressure so immense it felt like his ribs were caving in. And then….

    A hand gripped his shoulders. “Kaelor? Kaelor, calm down.” Olivia’s voice, urgent but gentle, barely cut through the static roaring in his ears. His body shook, his breathing ragged. “Kaelor!” She hissed, her grip tightening as she gave him another firm shake.

    His mind crashed back into reality like a car hitting a brick wall. He flinched, his eyes darting wildly around the dim shed. His chest heaved, his mouth open in a silent scream he hadn’t realized was trapped in his throat.

    “Hey, you’re okay.” Olivia soothed, her face pinched with concern as she tried to soothe him.

    Kaelor swallowed hard, trying to drag himself out of the suffocating grip of his memories. But the ghost of that pain still clung to him, refusing to let go.

    Kaelor’s wide, terrified eyes swept the room, desperate for something, anything, familiar as the thick fog of panic churned inside his brain. Shapes blurred, details twisted, and for a terrifying moment, the world felt like it was slipping through his fingers.

    Six pairs of unfamiliar eyes stared back at him, a mixture of concern and uncertainty reflecting in their faces. He must have looked completely unhinged. His breath hitched as his gaze locked onto a pair of ocean-blue eyes.

    Missy.

    She smiled, her tiny fingers brushing against his cheek, the warmth of her touch grounding him like an anchor in a storm.

    “We've got you.” She whispered with quiet certainty. “Gav won’t let anyone hurt you.”

    Something clicked. Like a key turning in a long-rusted lock, the haze inside his mind suddenly lifted. The faces around him stopped being strangers. The confusion ebbed, and the weight in his chest eased just enough to breathe again.

    Kaelor exhaled, his muscles slowly unwinding as reality settled back into place.

    “Sorry. I ed… something. Kinda. Then I got confused again for a minute. I’m okay now.” Kaelor mumbled, his voice rough and unsteady. His gaze dropped to his hands, fingers curling slightly as if testing whether they were really his.

    The room remained silent for a beat too long, the weight of unspoken questions pressing against him like a vice. He could feel their eyes on him, watching, waiting. Judging, maybe.

    Gavin was the first to move, shifting just enough to nudge Kaelor’s shoulder. “Yeah, well… try not to freak out next time. You almost gave Olivia a heart attack.”

    Olivia huffed, arms crossed. “I did not have a heart attack.”

    Missy giggled softly beside him, her small hand still resting against his arm. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.”

    Safe.

    Kaelor swallowed hard, nodding, though the word felt foreign. He wasn’t sure he even knew what safe meant anymore.

    By the time they stumbled back to what Liam called home base, the first light of dawn was stretching across the horizon, bathing the ruined world in a golden glow. The eerie quiet of morning settled over them, but exhaustion pressed heavier than the silence. No one spoke, they didn’t need to. Their bodies ached, their minds frayed from the night’s ordeal.

    The moment they stepped inside, they all collapsed into their makeshift beds, surrendering to sleep as soon as their heads touched whatever served as pillows. Gavin and Missy instinctively set up their sleeping bags close to Kaelor, their presence an unspoken promise of protection. They positioned themselves between him, Liam, and Olivia, a subtle barrier against the tensions that still lingered.

    Brax and Shay were still bristling from the earlier argument and had withdrawn to a separate room, putting as much distance between themselves and the others as the space allowed. They wanted nothing to do with Kaelor or his two new buddies. They weren't all that happy with Liam either. The divide among them was growing, but for now, sleep was the only thing that mattered.

    As Kaelor lay back, the faint warmth of sunrise filtering through the cracks in the walls, he let his eyes slip shut. He felt safer with Gavin near him. He finally had a friend. Someone who didn't look at him as if he were a ticking time bomb. Not yet, at least.

    Kaelor floated in the hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, the soft murmurs of Gavin and Missy pulling him toward consciousness. Their voices wove through his half-dreaming mind, familiar and safe.

    “But I’m hungry now.” Missy whined, her small hands tugging insistently at Gavin’s jacket sleeve.

    Gavin let out a quiet chuckle, swatting at her hand with playful laziness. “Oh? And should I wake everyone up just because the little princess demands a royal feast?” His grin was audible in his teasing tone as he reached out to ruffle her already messy hair.

    Missy huffed, slapping at his hand before crossing her arms in exaggerated frustration. “Maybe! For how stupid you acted yesterday, you owe me, idiot.”

    Kaelor let out a slow breath, blinking against the dim light as he stirred, their playful banter drawing him fully back into reality.

    Missy stretched her stiff back and winced a little before she glanced at Kaelor then back to Gavin. “You seem different today… happier. More relaxed.”

    Gavin shrugged, watching as she burrowed deeper into her blanket, trying to ward off the bitter morning chill. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a place where you could actually sleep safely.” He itted, his voice softer than usual.

    Kaelor groaned as he pushed himself upright, his muscles aching from the activity of the night before mixed with the unforgiving concrete floor. He pulled his thin blanket up to his chin, shivering against the cold that seeped into his bones.

    Gavin turned his attention to him, his eyes scanning Kaelor’s hunched form. “Morning.” He flashed a quick smile before shaking his head. “We seriously need to find you some real clothes. Something warm.”

    A muffled groan came from the other side of the room. “If you guys don’t shut up, I swear I’m going to sew your mouths shut.” Olivia grumbled, rolling over to face the wall. “It’s too damn early for this.”

    Gavin and Missy shared a look before bursting into laughter, making no effort to keep quiet. Their carefree amusement echoed through the small space.

    Kaelor bit his lip, his gaze flickering between them and Olivia. He wondered what it felt like, to laugh without fear, to wake up in a world that didn’t feel hostile every second of the day.

     “Since you two want to act like freaking alarm clocks, you get to make the coffee.” Liam grumbled as he shoved his blankets aside and pushed himself to his feet, stretching with a deep yawn.

    Gavin’s head snapped up, eyes lighting up with excitement. “Wait… coffee?” He practically bounced to his feet, anticipation written all over his face. “You seriously have coffee?”

    Liam smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. “Yeah, we found some last night. No way I was ing that up.” He pointed toward his backpack. “Speaking of things I grabbed…” His gaze shifted to Kaelor. “I found some jeans and a sweater that should fit you. No luck on shoes, though.”

    Liam crouched near his pack, rummaging through its contents before pulling out a thick, red sweater and a pair of blue jeans. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the can of coffee to Gavin, who caught it like it was a priceless treasure. Then, Liam turned to Kaelor, holding out the bundle of clothes.

    “Here. This should keep you warmer than that flimsy gown.”

    Kaelor hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take them, his fingers brushing against the fabric as his mind struggled to process what was happening. Liam had not only thought about him, had assumed they would reconnect, but he had taken precious time to search for clothes. He had willingly sacrificed space in his pack, in a world where every inch of storage mattered.

    Something in Kaelor’s chest tightened, a warmth that had nothing to do with the sweater in his hands. Appreciation. Fondness. A quiet, unfamiliar sense of acceptance.

    Kaelor clutched the clothes to his chest, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. “Thank you.” His voice came out quieter than he intended, thick with unspoken emotion.

    Liam gave a small nod, brushing off the gratitude as if it were nothing, but Kaelor knew better. This wasn’t just a simple gesture, it was a sign that he mattered, that he wasn’t just some mindless guy tagging along.

    “No point in letting you freeze.” Liam said as if it were no big deal. But there was something in his tone, something gentle and understanding, that made Kaelor’s chest tighten even more.

    Maybe he wasn’t just a burden anymore. Maybe, just maybe, he was becoming one of them.

    Kaelor pushed himself up, only to have his legs nearly give out beneath him as a searing, white-hot pain shot through his wounded feet. A strangled gasp escaped his lips as he caught himself against the cold wall, his fingers pressing into the rough concrete for stability. Every step sent shards of agony lancing through his soles, the smaller pieces of glass burrowing deeper into his torn flesh.

    “You okay? You need help?” Gavin was at his side in an instant, his hand firm on Kaelor’s arm, steadying him before he could collapse entirely. His voice was tight with concern, his grip firm.

    Kaelor clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay upright. “No.” He shook his head, refusing to meet Gavin’s eyes. “I'll be okay. The pain just… surprised me. It's fading now.” The lie felt thin, almost laughable, but he couldn’t afford to look weak. Not again.

    As Kaelor slowly pulled his arm from Gavin’s grip, Gavin released him but didn’t step away. His brows drew together in concern. “You sure?” His voice was gentle and soft. “There’s no shame in letting people help you.”

    Kaelor hesitated, searching Gavin’s face, expecting pity or judgment. But all he found was sincerity, genuine concern, not condescension. It unsettled him, how easily Gavin offered kindness, how effortlessly he made Kaelor feel like he wasn’t a burden.

    Swallowing hard, Kaelor gave a small nod. “Okay.”

    Without another word, Gavin slipped an arm around him, guiding him toward an empty room. Kaelor let himself lean into the , hating how nice Gavin’s arm felt around him. Safe. It made him feel safe.

    Once inside, he wasted no time peeling off the filthy hospital gown, shuddering as the cold air hit his skin. He didn't care if Gavin was still there, his only thought was of getting warm. The jeans were a bit baggy, but not a deal breaker. They'd keep his legs protected from the biting cold. The sweater was thick and soft, wool, maybe, and as he pulled it over his head, warmth seeped into his bones. His fingers curled into the fabric, relishing the comfort.

     Like all of his happy moments, lately, it only lasted a few seconds.

     "We need to talk." Shay’s voice was a razor-sharp hiss as she stormed into the room, her boots slamming against the floor with each step.

    Kaelor barely had time to turn before she was on him. Her fingers clamped around his throat like a steel vice, shoving him back against the wall with brutal force. His skull cracked against the concrete, sending a jolt of pain down his spine. His breath hitched, heart hammering like a caged animal.

    Shay loomed over him, her dark eyes burning with fury. “You’re going to get us all killed.” She growled, her grip tightening just enough to make his pulse stutter.

    Across the room, Gavin had his back turned, scanning the outside for threats while giving Kaelor the privacy to change. The moment he heard Shay’s hostile voice, he spun around, instinct kicking in before thought.

    “Let him go!” Gavin’s voice was sharp, laced with an edge Kaelor hadn’t heard before. His fists clenched as his muscles coiled as he stormed towards them. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to intervene, but years of drilled-in restraint held him back.

    He had been taught never to hit a woman. But right now? Shay wasn’t just a woman. She was a threat.

    "How did you survive those rotters last night?" Shay’s voice dripped with suspicion, her question sounding more like an accusation. She ignored Gavin entirely, her grip tightening around Kaelor’s throat, her nails digging into his skin.

    Kaelor’s pulse pounded against her fingers as he struggled for breath, his mind racing. ‘She thinks I should be dead.’

    Her free hand drifted toward the gun holstered at her hip.

    Gavin didn’t hesitate. Like a striking viper, his arm snapped around Shay’s neck, yanking her backward with a force that sent her stumbling.

    "Get off me, you shit!" Shay shrieked, her fingers clawing at his arm as she thrashed, trying to break free.

    The commotion was enough to send Brax barreling into the room, muscles tensed, eyes blazing with instinctive aggression. The second he took in the scene, Shay struggling, Gavin restraining her, he launched himself forward, slamming into Gavin with full force.

    Gavin grunted as Brax’s full weight crashed into him, sending them both to the floor. His grip on Shay loosened for just a second before he went down, just enough for her to rip free, gasping for air as she staggered back.

    "What the hell is wrong with you?" Gavin snarled, rolling with the impact and shoving Brax off him.

    Brax was on his feet in an instant, fists clenched, eyes locked onto Gavin like a rabid wolf. "You put your hands on Shay." He growled. "I don’t give a damn what she did, you don’t touch her like that.”

    Brax launched himself at Gavin again, his fist cocked back, ready to explode. Prepared for the attack this time, Gavin dodged Brax’s fist and slammed his palm into Brax’s back, using his momentum against him, sending him to the floor again with a loud thud.

     "She had Kaelor by the throat!" Gavin shot back as he glared down at Brax. His chest heaved, adrenaline flooding his system. "She was about to pull a gun on him. You think I was just gonna stand there and let that happen?"

    Shay wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, still glaring at Kaelor like he was some kind of monster. "He should be dead." She spat. "That gas station was crawling, and he walked out with just a few scratches. You really don’t find that suspicious?”

    Liam appeared in the doorway, taking in the chaos, his coffee cup still in his hand. Olivia was right behind him, her eyes wide. Missy darted between them, running straight to Gaven and throwing her arms around his waist.

     "What the hell is going on?" Liam demanded, his gaze bouncing between them.

    "She attacked Kaelor." Gavin snapped. "Brax attacked me. And now we’re having a trust exercise at dawn.”

    Brax got back to his feet and moved to Shay’s side, his chest heaving as he stared Gavin down.

     Liam’s gaze darkened. "Shay?" He asked, figuring he needed to hear it from both sides.

     She crossed her arms unapologetically, still breathing heavily. "I don’t trust him. And neither should you.”

    Kaelor, still leaning against the wall where she’d slammed him, finally spoke, his voice rough and strained as he absently rubbed at his throat. "I don’t know how I got out of there." He itted, his hands shaking slightly. "I being trapped. Helpless. When I saw the blanket I suddenly had a memory…” His voice faltered as he glanced down at the bloodstained bandages wrapped around his feet. His face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and guilt, as though the very act of ing his childhood somehow made him feel small and weak.

    There was a long pause before he spoke again, so softly it was barely audible. "I ed when I was small. I used to hide under my blanket when I got scared. You know, to keep the… monsters away." The words hung in the air, fragile and vulnerable, slipping out almost as if they were secrets Kaelor had long buried deep within himself.

    He closed his eyes as his fingers twitched at the hem of his sweater, a nervous habit he couldn’t seem to shake.“I don't know why I did it. I knew a blanket couldn't hide us.” His voice wavered as he slowly lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Gavin. The weight of that silent plea for understanding was unmistakable, and Kaelor felt himself searching in Gavin’s eyes for some anchor, something to keep him tethered to reality and stop him from spiraling deeper into the confusion that clouded his mind.

     "I just… pulled the blanket over us. Hid us from… the monsters." The words were barely more than a whisper, like a confession filled with a fear too deeply rooted to be easily shaken off.

    Missy pulled away from Gavin and slowly walked to Kaelor, wrapping her small arms around him in a tight hug. “I used to do that too.”

    Kaelor swallowed hard as he accepted her comfort, his own arms circling her shoulders. He was filled with a familiar, creeping sense of dread that always seemed to follow him. "We should be dead." He murmured, barely able to keep the tremor from his voice. "But we're not.”

    There was a stillness in the room that followed, thick with unspoken thoughts. Kaelor, unable to meet anyone's eyes now, looked down, focusing on Missy’s messy hair. He wanted to believe that there was something more to all this. He wanted to believe there was a reason, a purpose. But in the pit of his stomach, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that maybe he was fooling himself, that something was seriously wrong.

    "That’s exactly my point." Shay muttered. "People don’t just survive things like that. Not without a reason.” She turned to Liam as she pointed a finger at him. “You know I'm right. Rotters can smell us. Somehow, they can even sense us, like they can hear our heartbeat or something.” Her voice rose in octaves as she continued. “He was bleeding all over for hell's sake! There's no way every rotter in that room didn't know where he was.”  

     Kaelor looked at her, stunned. He had no idea how they hunted until now. By all rights, he shouldn't be breathing.

     Liam exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Maybe we don’t have all the answers. But we are not turning on each other like this." He fixed Shay with a hard stare. "You don’t attack him again. You got a problem, you bring it to the group."

    Shay held his gaze for a long moment, then barked back. ‘We've been telling you from the start, Liam! But you two morons refuse to listen. There's something wrong with him!”

     She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to regain control before continuing. “That stupid blanket didn't save them. I don't know how the rotters once again didn't sense him, but it sure as hell wasn't the blanket.” Her words were laced with the kind of certainty that sent a chill through the room.

    Gavin’s brow furrowed, his sharp mind latching onto the one word that stood out like a flashing warning sign. “Again?” His voice was quieter now, more calculating, as he tilted his head slightly in thought. His eyes flicked between Shay and Kaelor, searching for an answer that neither of them seemed willing to give.

    Slowly, Gavin took a measured step toward Kaelor, his movements cautious. Without breaking eye , he reached out and gently pulled Missy away from Kaelor’s side, shifting her behind him as if shielding her from something unseen.

    His pulse quickened, a mixture of unease and curiosity settling deep in his gut. “Shay.” He said carefully, his voice steady despite the questions racing through his mind. “What do you mean... again?”

    Kaelor’s heart shattered. He saw it now, the distrust flickering in Gavin’s eyes, the hesitation that hadn’t been there before. Suspicion crept into the gaze of the one person who had been in his corner, the only one who had truly made him feel safe. And now, even that was slipping away.

    His breath came unsteadily as he clenched his fists, forcing his eyes shut. He couldn't bear to see the others staring at him like that, like he was something to be feared.

    “This wasn’t the first time he was surrounded by rotters and lived to talk about it.” Liam’s voice was quiet but heavy with meaning as he studied Kaelor. “It’s like he’s invisible to them.”

    “Or infected.” Brax’s voice was colder, edged with something cruel. “He could turn at any given minute. Rip us apart in our sleep.”

    Kaelor’s legs gave out, and he slid down the wall, his body folding in on itself. He didn’t have the strength for this fight. Not again. What was the point? No matter what he said, no matter what he did, they all saw him the same way.

    A threat. A monster. A time bomb waiting to go off.

    His fingers dug into his sweater as he pulled his knees to his chest, his mind screaming at him to defend himself, to fight for his place here. But he was so damn tired.

    Maybe they were right to be afraid. Maybe he should be afraid, too.

    “What are you talking about?” Gavin asked, a mix of confusion and disbelief in his voice. “How could he be invisible to them? That's not possible.”

    “Now you're getting it.” Brax smirked as he looked at Kaelor. “Finally seeing through his facade.”

     “I still say we shoot him.” Shay muttered.

     Gavin stepped in front of Kaelor, blocking him from the group. “I don't believe you.”

     “No?” Brax growled as he raised an eyebrow. “We can prove it, soldier boy.”

    “How?”

     “Watch and learn.” Brax pushed Gavin aside then gripped Kaelor’s sweater and yanked him to his feet.

     “The hell are you doing?” Gavin demanded, but made no move to stop him.

     Brax’s smirk widened as he dragged Kaelor forward, his grip like iron. Kaelor barely had time to steady himself before Brax started hauling him toward the door.

    “Showing you the truth.” Brax’s voice was thick with arrogance, his eyes glinting with something dark. “You want proof? Fine. We’ll give you proof.”

    Kaelor’s breath hitched as dread settled in his gut. He could see where this was going, and sheer terror clawed its way up his throat. “Wait…”

    “Shut up.” Shay snapped, her hand twitching near her gun. “If you’re really invisible, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

    Gavin stiffened, his hands balling into fists. “And if he’s not?”

    Brax’s grin was almost gleeful. “Then he makes one hell of a mess.”

    Kaelor’s heart pounded against his ribs as Brax shoved him toward the door. He turned his head just enough to meet Gavin’s eyes, silently pleading.

    Gavin didn’t look away, but he didn’t move to stop them either.

    That hurt more than anything else.

    “Gav? You can't let them. They're going to kill him!” Missy cried as she looked up into her brother's eyes. When he didn't return her gaze, she frowned. With a final huff, she bolted toward Brax and Kaelor.

     Before she made it halfway to them, Gavin had his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground. “Easy there, Squirt.”

    “Let me go!” Missy screamed as she flailed her arms, her feet kicking Gavin’s shins. “I won't let them hurt him! He didn’t do anything wrong!” She sobbed, her voice raw with desperation.

    Gavin swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. He didn’t loosen his hold, but his grip wasn’t as firm as before.

    Brax barely spared her a glance, dragging Kaelor toward the exit without hesitation. “Kid, you better pray you’re right about him.”

    Kaelor struggled against Brax’s hold, but he was too weak to fight him. “Please, don’t do this.” His voice cracked, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

    Missy turned her tear-filled eyes to Liam, the betrayal in them cutting deeper than any knife. “Liam, please.” She whispered. “You know he’s not a monster.”

    Liam let out a slow breath as he looked away from her. “I don’t know anything anymore, Missy.” His voice was hollow, defeated. “And that’s the damn problem.”

    Kaelor’s body went still, his resistance fading like a candle in the wind. There was no point in fighting. Not when every set of eyes in the room, save for Missy’s, held the same grim expectation, waiting to see if he was what they feared.

    His heart twisted at the sight of Missy’s tear-streaked face, her small hands still clawing at Gavin’s arms. She was the only one who believed in him. The only one who saw him as more than a monster. His chest tightened with guilt. She shouldn’t have to fight for him.

    With a slow shake of his head, he met her desperate gaze, silently pleading. ‘Don't fight. Please.’

    Then he turned his attention back to Gavin, masking his pain beneath an empty, resigned stare. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, but it carried the weight of finality.

    “Don’t let her watch.”