Liam's first instinct was to push Manila away, but her kiss was relentless, her hands already working at her clothes. Every time he tried to pull back, she pressed him harder against the wall, her body flush with his. He understood that rejecting her now would only wound her further.
Manila was no longer a stranger. Her courage in helping Christine had shifted Liam's perception of her. Once, he might have dismissed her as just another survivor with a past she didn't talk about. Now, she was something else entirely.
So he didn't resist. He hadn't planned on getting involved—attachments were dangerous in this world. But over the past day, their lives had tangled in ways he hadn't expected. Maybe it was inevitable.
"It's not my fault," Liam told himself, though he knew better. He could have stopped this, but he didn't. He let his body relax, his hands finding her shoulders, returning her kiss, tasting the chocolate on her lips.
"Wait," Manila whispered, pulling back just enough to unhook her bra and toss it aside. She pressed against him again, guiding his hand to her chest, her breath warm against his mouth.
In the cramped, dimly lit bathroom, they slid to the damp floor, their movements urgent, the air filled with soft gasps.
"Love me," she murmured, her eyes half-closed as she shed the last of their clothes.
"Wait, no condom—" Liam began.
"I'm clean," she said firmly.
He wanted to explain that wasn't the point, that pregnancy was the real concern. But she didn't give him the chance. She positioned herself and sat onto him, embraced part of him inside her body.
A muffled moan escaped her lips.
Time blurred. Later, Manila leaned over him, pulling him upright before collapsing back, her head hitting the door with a soft thud. She shifted on the wet floor, her body glistening with sweat.
"You're amazing," she whispered, her hair tousled, her skin flushed.
Liam said nothing, focusing on her, his body still trembling.
Some things, once started, are hard to stop.
Thirty minutes passed. Liam leaned against the mirror, catching his breath. Manila rose, covering her mouth as she moved to the sink. Manila, still naked with blush on her face, turned on the tap and rinsed her mouth, spitting out something before wiping her lips. She looked at Liam, who met her gaze with a weary smile. She smiled back, genuinely.
In the living room, the atmosphere was tense. The bathroom's thin walls had done little to muffle their sounds. Mike and Laura sat quietly, their expressions unreadable. Jason lay on the couch, his face a mix of confusion and contemplation. Christine sat in the corner, a cigarette dangling from her lips, staring at the bathroom door.
When the door finally opened, Jason sat up abruptly. Christine quickly stubbed out her cigarette with her foot.
Liam stepped out, wearing only his shorts. He glanced around the room, then walked over to a pile of clothes, selecting garments for both himself and Manila. He returned to the bathroom without a word.
A few minutes later, they emerged, fully dressed. Manila had tied her hair back into a ponytail, the ribbon resting on her shoulder. She seemed unfazed by the stares, accustomed to judgment.
Liam wore a new outfit, except for his worn leather jacket. He was indifferent to the attention as well, his expression neutral.
"Alright, we need to talk," Liam said, pulling a chair to the coffee table. He gestured for Christine to join him. She complied, dragging a chair to the opposite side.
Manila stood behind Liam, leaning over the chair's back. Jason sat on the couch to Liam's left, Mike and Laura to his right. Christine faced him directly.
"What's the plan?" Liam asked, scanning the group. "How do we survive this?"
"Take it one day at a time," Jason replied with a shrug. "Not much hope left anyway."
Liam looked at the others. Mike met his gaze. "What's your plan?"
"Leave this place. Find somewhere less populated. Survive," Liam said, his hands clasped together. "I think we should work together, leave New York, head to the countryside. Thoughts?"
"I'm in," Mike said immediately. Strength in numbers, after all.
Laura nodded in agreement. Liam turned to Christine, but Laura spoke up first. "Christine and Jason are with us."
"So, we're all agreed?" Liam asked, reaching back to touch Manila's hair, signaling her inclusion.
Everyone nodded.
"Good," Liam said. "Let's discuss our skills and backgrounds. We need to know what each of us brings to the table."
He had considered this even before dealing with Andrew. The area was swarming with the infected, escaping alone was nearly impossible. Collaborating increased their chances, especially with Mike's driving skills. Liam had witnessed Mike's calm under pressure—he was invaluable.
"Laura, you first," Liam said.
"I worked at a social welfare center. I enjoy cooking," she said, then hesitated, glancing at Mike and Liam.
"Mike?" Liam prompted.
"Bus driver. I used to race in my youth but gave it up when I met Laura," Mike replied.
Liam nodded, impressed.
"Oh, and we met at a shooting club in California," Mike added. "Laura was quite the marksman."
Laura smiled, recalling the memory. "I was 26, into shooting for a couple of years before we married."
Liam smiled. "That's great."
He turned to Christine. "What about you?"
"I'm a high school student," she said, trailing off.
"That's fine," Liam said.
"I was last year's prom queen," she added quietly.
Liam gave her a reassuring nod, then looked at Jason. "And you?"
"I dance," Jason said simply.
Liam raised an eyebrow, skeptical. But then Jason leapt over the couch's back with a flawless backflip, landing gracefully. He began to dance, his body moving fluidly.
Liam focused on the backflip. Jason was agile, his movements precise. In this world, agility could mean survival.
"Alright, that's impressive," Liam said, signaling Jason to stop.
Jason returned to his seat, slightly embarrassed.
"Now, let's plan our next move," Liam began.
"What about you?" Mike interrupted. "What's your background?"
"I…" Liam hesitated