One Ocean

It had been days. They'd floated on the water in their small raft. Lost in the middle of the ocean Alex had tried to make Jake's last moments on this Earth those of comfort. She laid down with him. Held him. Gave him her body heat when the nights grew cold. But it wasn't enough. The blankets, the water Alicia's family had given her. It wouldn't save them. Alex knew it. Even Jake had given up hope. He closed his eyes and thanked her for not abandoning him. She held his hand as the final gasps of air shook his body. She cried then. For the first time in a long time Alex found herself crying over someone. At least he was with his mother now. Quickly Alex plunged the screwdriver she'd been keeping safe into the front of his head. She failed to return him home, but atleast she could give him this. Peace. She fell back in the raft, Jake's still warm body giving her company. She didn't have the heart nor the energy to throw him over board. "It won't be long now" she thought as she closed her eyes to the waning sunlight.

Whether it was the chill of the wind on the ocean, or the sound of the motor that woke her Alex couldn't be sure. A strong light blinded her as she held her hands up in defense. She could just barely make out a shrouded character behind the spot light on the boat. More strangers. Alex steeled her teeth and waited for her fate. She was tired of fighting. She couldn't even remember what she was fighting for. She heard before she saw the rope that they flung at her. Picking it up, Alex moved to the edge of the raft, waiting to see if they would pull her aboard. A strong tug on the other side of the rope hoisted her off her feet as she thew a remorseful look back at the body of Jake. When they'd finally pulled her about she heard a slight intake of breath and the muttering of "poor bastards". Struggling to lift her head, Alex glanced up at her survivors or captives depending on fate's whim before embracing the darkness clouding her mind. 

When she awoke, Alex was laying in a bed, rope tied her arms to either side of the bed. Maybe they thought she'd been bit. Fear and rage caused her to pull harshly at her bindings tearing red angry burns into her skin. She was still weak. She could feel it in the way her body moved. Every time she moved her head, images rushed at her like waves. Probably because she was dehydrated. The footsteps came door the stairs slowly but confidently as a young man rounded the corner where she lay. He cast a brief look at the binding to ensure it was safe before noticing her wrists.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Then let me go." Alex answered.

"Sorry, can't do that. Not until we see if you're sick or not."

"I'm not."

"Would you honestly tell me if you were?" the man smiled back at her. 

Alex had to admit that he did have a point. Her mind flashing back to the husband who'd boarded her plane knocking at death's door. "How long have I been out?"

"Couple hours."

"And you didn't check to see if I was bit in all that time?"

"Respecting you're privacy. The world might be coming to an end, but I'm still a gentleman."

"Oh yeah? What's your name?"

"Marcus. And yours?"

"Alex."

"Well, nice to meet you Alex." He smiled again and this time Alex had the chance to really take in his features.

Marcus was at least thirty years of age with sandy brown hair. Warm brown eyes, like melted caramel with a strong jawline that only relaxed when he smiled. Looking at him standing up she estimated that he had to be about 170-200 pounds. Not a bad size for the average man. Obviously size wasn't enough security as her eyes caught the glint of the gun he kept concealed under his white T-shirt.

"That for me?" She asked nodding at his waist line.

"I'd prefer if I didn't have to use it honestly." He walked over the last remaining steps sitting at the edge of the bed inside he had to move away quickly. "A few of us went on your raft. Saw what happened to your friend. You do that?"

Alex knew he was referring to the screwdriver still lodged in Jake's head. "He was dying."

"What happened to him?"

"Plane crash. Neither of us were bit."

"Planes stopped flying a few days ago." He reminded cautiously, his eyes locked in a fierce stare with hers.

"Exactly." She met his stare with one of her own. 

"You were lucky then."

She scoffed "If that's what you call lucky."

"How long were you out there? Before we saw you."

"Couple days. I don't know honestly." It was her turn to ask him some questions." How did you see us?"

"We keep eyes on the water at all time." He shrugged as if the answer should be obvious. "The light on our boat picked up the yellow of your raft. We thought about survivors and supplies so we stopped."

"How many are with you?"

"A few."

"Guessing I don't get to meet them." Alex turned her head to the side resting it on the pillow.

"You will. We're going to get you washed up and checked out. Then you can come top side." Marcus pulled a switch blade from the pocket of his pants deftly cutting the knots on each side of the bed. Alex gripped her wrists and rubbed them in a soothing manner. Once again the marks caught his attention and Marcus frowned pointing at them with the tip of his blade. "If everything checks out we'll get you something for that too."

"Why?' Alex asked. "Why are you helping me?"

"In short? I'm not afraid of you. You can't take us all." Marcus stood up and walked back towards the steps. "I'll send my someone down to help you get cleaned up." He finished his sentence and jogged up the steps.

It was a girl. A girl with short blond hair and observant blue eyes. Alex briefly wondered if her favorite color was black of it that was all she had to wear. Black jeans that molded to every curve of her body. A white 'boyfriend' V cut shirt hung loosely on her slim frame accentuating the swell of her breasts. A black leather jacket covered her arms. A navy blue book bag clung to one shoulder. As Alex took in the girl's face, she noted that the girl appeared to be young as well, no more than twenty years of age herself but the way she welded the shot gun spoke volumes about her confidence. At the sight of the barrel Alex had jumped, not sure what to make out of the girl. It was clear that whoever had sent her had warned her to be careful with their "guest". At the shock on Alex's face she pointed the gun to the double doors behind her.

"Shower's that way."

"You planning on watching?"

"You planning on staying?" the blond called back. At Alex's evident displeasure she elaborated. "You shower, I confirm there's no bites or scratch marks, you get to stay." She thought for a moment. "Or leave. Your choice."

"If I was infected, I would have turned by now."

"Maybe, maybe not. Some hold on for days." She hoisted the gun up on her shoulder. "Either way the sooner you move, the sooner we can get this over with" 

Alex stood contemplating her options. Option one, she denies the girl in front of her and when she does her gracious hosts sends down someone far less pleasant...if at all possible. Or she could appease their suspicions and show them that there was no reason to fear her. Pulling at her shirt Alex removes it then begins to work on her pants. She was incredibly pleased when her companion dropped her head and tilted it slightly away from Alex who was disrobing. Standing in her bra and panties Alex cleared her throat signaling it was okay for the other girl to turn around again. 

"Ready?"

"Just a sec." the book bag slid down off her should and the young girl dug around quickly only to chuck the towel at Alex.

Reaching up and catching it with one hand Alex nodded. "Thank you."

The blond returned the nod, seeming to understand the discomfort one would feel completely naked and vulnerable. She walked through the doors to the shower. Smiling she realized now why she had to use the shower downstairs...it was made of pure glass. Stepping inside she turned the knobs adjusting the temperature of the shower and allowed herself to enjoy one of the few pleasantries left on this world. Taking the bar soap Alex lathered her body, scrubbing away the grime from the plane, ocean and sand. She watched as dried blood, Jake's and some from the infected, ran down her legs. She lathered and washed again. Standing under the spray from the shower head Alex let the water scorch her skin. She was vaguely aware of the blond watching her carefully from behind the door of the shower. Reluctantly, Alex turned the knobs off screaming over the steam.

"Satisfied?"

A smirk then the blonde dropped the book bag at the foot of the tub. "Clothes are in the bag." She turned to leave, "See you upstairs?"

"Wait!" Alex darted her head from behind the door , "What's your name?"

"Everyone calls me Elyza."

"Alex." She offered. 

"Alex" Elyza commented back as if she were playing with the name on her tongue. "When you're ready. We'll be upstairs."

Alex dressed, not bothering herself with where these people might have gotten her clothes, though she suspected she knew. If they were on the water the same time as she was, only a few days behind, then it stood to reason that they'd been on the same beach that she had. That damned beach. That damned plane. From a distance it looked like a place of reprieve, no wonder why it's terrain felt like quick sand. Daring to capture any brave enough, or stupid enough to venture onto it's banks. She'd lost someone by going to that damn beach. Even if Jake were already gone, it was her fault for bringing him there. Her fault for whispering in his ear that they were safe. Her fault for trusting those people. NEVER AGAIN she vowed. Never. Walking up the steps she heard quiet voice before the sun temporarily blinded her. As she looked around she saw four bodies standing on the deck of the boat. The man Marcus she'd met, the girl Elyza and two other men. Elyza was the first to spot her and cleared her throat in an attempt to get her crew's attention. Marcus turned to see what she was staring at and beamed.

"Alex. You decided to join us."

"I was hungry."

"I'll bet. Jake, could you bring our guest something to eat and some water please?" Marcus walked over to Alex sweeping the deck with his hand. "Sit. Please."

"Nice boat." She pointed out ignoring his invitation.

"We needed the space."

"Don't we all." She countered. 

"Some more than others. Take us for instance," Marcus paused smiling again, it was now at this point a shiver started to run down Alex's back, though she dared not show it, "We needed it more than it's previous owners."

"Is that right?" Alex's brow raised now fearing the situation she was in.

"I didn't kill them, if that's what you're asking me. They had a choice in the matter. They opted for the sea."

"That's as good as leaving them for dead."

"Technicalities." He shrugged again and took a step closer to Alex lowering his voice. "It was them. Or us. I picked us." 

"So what are my opinions?"

"Well the way I see it, you can jump over. Right here, right now. Or," He stopped mid-sentence shifting to grab the plate of food Jack was handing him, to hand to her, "you could stay with us."

She took the plate and looked Marcus in the eye, "For how long?" How long do you plan to stay on sea in this boat?"

"Not long, we have our eyes set on...bigger accommodations."

"Marcus," the one they called Jack spoke out, "That yacht's not too far a head of us. What do you want us to do?"

"Nothing's changed. We take it."

"You'll have a hard time doing that."

At the sound of her voice all four crew member looked at Alex. "And how would you know that?" Elyza asked.

"Because I meet them. They're the reason you found me floating in the middle of the sea."