For a moment, Chloe flinched when a hand touched her shoulder. Quickly she looked over and although her immediate reaction was to swat it away, she didn’t and relaxed into his touch. She smiled softly back at him and let herself relax a bit. Her breathing slowed and it felt like she was able to relax for the first time in a long time. She wasn’t sure why, but his firm yet gentle grip made her feel safe, not to mention she was now no longer alone. They were a bit strange, each and every one of them in their own way, but they hadn’t tried to kill her so that was worth something.

Finally, along with Josef, she found herself able to close her eyes, comforted by the hand on her shoulder and all too soon the hand left, leaving her shoulder feeling cold but she continued to relax. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed as they drove and although she felt herself wanting to slouch so that her head could rest on something, she kept her back straight so that she wouldn’t inconvenience anyone. Even so she managed to pass out, if only for a second during the drive, a nap that was very much needed.

It must have been more than the second that she had thought because she woke up with a start when she heard a loud and desperate yell. She looked around quickly and found that it was only her and the doctor left in the truck. Where had the other two-? The next thing she registered was Joan running back with a very panicked look on her face, she didn’t even register what the girl had said but stayed in the truck, mostly in shock. What had happened? Well, whatever it was, it was bad.

She just stared out of the truck in shock until the back closed and it started up again. She looked quickly over at the drivers seat where the doctor sat, eyes concentrated on the road but looking troubled. She wanted to ask what had happened but couldn’t find her words, instead looking down at the ground once again. Her chest ached from the panic and she bit her lip softly. Everything just kept going from bad to worse and she couldn’t help but think that it was because of her. Was she just unlucky or something?

The truck stopped once again and Joan ran over to the doctor. Her eyes widened when she heard her and she ran over to the window connecting the back of the truck to the front. “Cut it off? Cut what off?” She was still very confused but it seemed like her questions wouldn’t be answered until she saw Josef. A hand went over her mouth in shock and she just stared at him. He was bitten, just like Jake had been. “Oh god.” She mumbled, feeling like she was going to throw up. “No…this can’t…” She continued into her hand.

When the doctor spoke to her and Joan she nodded weakly before turning to the girl. She wanted to say something reassuring but instead said nothing and just walked with her to the bathroom. She waited for Joan to finish as well before they both walked back to the truck. Chloe immediately went and sat in the back of the truck, simply looking solemn. Could he really survive? Was it possible for someone to recover from a bite?

When the doctor spoke to them once again, Chloe looked back over at Joan and finally spoke to her. “I can help the doctor, unless you want to.” Joan was the closest person to Josef, so she wanted to keep thing open to her. She wasn’t sure if the girl would be able to handle everything that was to come, but then again she seemed like she was a strong more hands on kind of person so she couldn’t say for sure what the girl would choose. Whatever she chose, Chloe would make no objections.

They went back to wash their hands. She stayed silent as she washed her hands thoroughly, perhaps a bit too thoroughly as with her drifting mind she forgot how long she had been scrubbing. When she came back she quickly pulled her hands back and made sure they were safely dry before she made her way back with Joan. “Are you okay?” She finally asked. She was silent for a moment before she shook her head. “I’m sorry that was a stupid question to ask.” She said before looking back at the ground. After making sure the other car was locked up tight, they went to the truck and shut it so that they wouldn’t be disturbed while they were trying to do their work.

Whatever task she was given she worked hard at it. Seeing another person die was the last thing she wanted to happen and although she usually only did average on most anything else, she felt compelled to work extra hard this time around, not just for Josef, but for Joan too.