5. Lena
5
LENA
I t must’ve been around 5 a.m., the quietest and coldest part of the morning. Lena could feel the weight of time pressing on her shoulders. They needed to move, and soon. If they didn’t reach the mountain path before midday, the journey would become a lot more dangerous. Once they got to the rough terrain, they’d have to leave the car behind, and the idea of hiking through unfamiliar paths in the dark didn’t sit well with her.
The night before was still replaying in Lena’s head, like a scene she couldn’t shake. Fleur had shown her a side she hadn’t expected, a side that was vulnerable yet guarded, intelligent but also deeply human. Sexy and addictive. It made Lena curious, more curious than she was comfortable admitting. She liked this new layer she had glimpsed. Beneath Fleur’s cool, confident exterior, there was something raw, something quietly simmering beneath the surface. It made Lena feel... something. But despite how much she liked seeing Fleur in this new light, it also left her with more questions than answers. She also needed to protect her heart and feelings.
Why were so many people so desperate to get to Fleur? The way they talked about her, as if she was some key to power or control in this chaotic world, Lena still couldn’t make sense of. There was something missing, a piece of the puzzle that Fleur hadn’t shared, and Lena could feel it. But pushing for more answers felt wrong.
She didn’t want to pester Fleur, especially after last night when they had finally connected on a more personal level. The weight of Fleur’s past still hung between them, unspoken and heavy. Lena knew whatever it was that made Fleur such a target had to be dangerous, something that could shift the balance of power in ways she couldn’t fully understand. The way Fleur had avoided certain details in their conversations made it clear that she was carrying knowledge too risky to share, at least not yet.
Lena wanted to believe that Fleur had told her as much as she could, but a part of her also couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was more, something vital Fleur was holding back. It wasn’t just her curiosity, it was an instinct, the kind of gut feeling she’d relied on to keep her alive all these years. She knew Fleur wasn’t being dishonest, but Lena also knew that sometimes, protecting the truth was a form of survival.
But how long could that wall stand between them? Lena glanced at Fleur, who was quietly preparing for the hike, her face calm but her eyes betraying a hint of the storm that likely raged beneath her composed exterior. She wondered if, when the time came, Fleur would trust her enough to share the full story, to let her in completely.
Lena wandered into the kitchen, grabbing whatever food she could find, a few cans, and stuffing them into her pack. Her mind was already calculating the distance ahead, the potential hazards. Then she moved to wake Fleur.
“Time to?—”
But Fleur was already awake, standing by the door, dressed and ready to go.
“Did you sleep at all?” Lena asked, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes.
“I slept a bit,” Fleur shrugged, her voice nonchalant. “I’ll be fine.”
Lena eyed her for a second, unconvinced but choosing not to press the issue. “Okay. We need to get going. Today we drive to where we can but then leave the car behind and start hiking.”
“Yup. Got it,” Fleur said, her tone light, but Lena could hear the weariness creeping into her words.
“I’ll meet you in the car.”
By 5:30 a.m., they were on the road. The tension in the car was subtle, but the day ahead kept their minds busy. The sun began to rise higher, casting long shadows over the landscape as they drove. Within half an hour, the soft hum of the tires against the road and the gentle sway of the vehicle lulled Fleur to sleep. The occasional zombie lurked along the roadside. They were too slow to cause a threat. Too weak and too decayed.
Fleur’s head leaned against the window, and for the first time in a while, she looked peaceful.
Lena kept her eyes on the road, careful not to disturb Fleur. She needed the rest. The hike ahead would be brutal, and every bit of sleep would help. Lena’s thoughts drifted, lingering on the journey that lay ahead. The mountain pass was notoriously treacherous, with its jagged edges, hidden pitfalls, and the constant threat of the infected lurking in the deeper parts of the wilderness.
As the paved road gave way to dirt and gravel, Lena felt the car jolt with each bump. She winced every time the tires hit a pothole, but Fleur slept through it all, her exhaustion deeper than Lena had realized. The car finally came to a stop as the road disappeared entirely, swallowed by the looming forest ahead.
Lena cleared her throat, her voice gentle as she reached over and shook Fleur’s shoulder. “We’re here.”
Fleur stirred, blinking as she stretched. “Already? I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep.” She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
“You needed it,” Lena said, opening her door. The air outside was cool, crisp, and carried the scent of pine and damp earth. “But we’ve got to be quiet from here on. This mountain range isn’t just tough. It’s dangerous. You can fight, can’t you? Like really fight?”
“Okay, captain,” Fleur teased, her voice still groggy but playful. “I’ll be as silent as a mouse. And yes, I can fight pretty well. You haven’t seen my best ability just yet!”
Lena rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. Despite the tension of the mission, Fleur’s lightheartedness had a way of softening the edges of her own seriousness. And the danger of their upcoming hike.
They stepped out of the car, and the forest loomed around them, thick with shadows and the rustling sounds of life hidden beneath the canopy. Lena’s muscles tensed, her instincts on high alert. She adjusted her pack and glanced over at Fleur, who was already scanning the area, her expression shifting from playful to focused. Lena took out her map, scanned it and looked up.
“This way,” Lena said, leading the way up the path. Each step felt heavier now, the weight of the journey pressing down on them. The trail was narrow and winding, rocks jutting out in uneven patterns that made the hike more challenging.
As they moved deeper into the wilderness, the light banter between them faded, replaced by the quiet sound of their footsteps and the occasional distant cry of a bird. They continued walking, stepping over logs, hopping over creeks, and carefully watching for anything suspicious when they reached a wall. Lena took out her map again.
“It looks like if we want to get around this wall, we’ll have to take a one-hour detour according to the map,” Lena said, her finger tracing the route.
“A detour? Why don’t we just climb it?” Fleur asked, glancing at the imposing structure in front of them.
“Do you have any experience climbing?”
Fleur shrugged. “I’ve done some climbing in a gym before.”
Lena raised an eyebrow. “I think climbing indoors with a soft cushy mat to fall on is going to be a bit different from climbing a 20-foot outdoor wall. They can be pretty dangerous.”
“We need to save time and energy. I think it will be best,” Fleur insisted.
“No. I think it’ll be best if we just go around,” Lena countered.
Fleur sighed but nodded. “Okay. But I think it’ll be a big waste of time.”
“It’s better safe than sorry.”
“You’re right. Okay, we’ll go around.”
They continued walking, weaving through the dense forest, when suddenly Fleur’s hand shot out, grasping Lena’s arm. Her eyes were wide, her voice low as she whispered, “We’re being followed.”
Lena stiffened, her gaze darting around. How could she have missed it? She had always been sharp in sensing danger, but Fleur had caught it first. Her pulse quickened as the sound of rustling leaves reached her ears, followed by a low growl.
Out of the bushes emerged a wild boar, its tusks sharp and glistening, the animal snorting angrily as it eyed the two women. It was much larger up close, muscles rippling under its fur as it pawed at the ground, preparing to charge.
“Shit,” Lena muttered, her hand instinctively reaching for her weapon.
But before she could act, Fleur tightened her grip on Lena’s arm, stopping her. “No. Don’t. You’ll just agitate it more. Let me handle this,” Fleur said, her voice steady despite the looming threat.
Lena looked at her incredulously. “Handle it? That thing could gore us!”
“I know,” Fleur responded, her eyes never leaving the boar. “Just trust me.”
The boar snorted again, lowering its head. Fleur moved slowly, raising her arms to make herself appear larger, her heart pounding but her mind calm. She grabbed a handful of dirt and leaves from the ground, tossing it toward the boar’s face. The animal hesitated, blinking as the debris hit its sensitive snout.
She quickly moved, picking up a long branch from the ground and waving it in front of her. The boar, confused and momentarily blinded, backed up a few steps, unsure of what was happening.
“Back away slowly,” Fleur instructed, her voice firm. Lena followed her lead, moving one step at a time as Fleur kept the boar at bay with the branch, waving it to create distance. She used the terrain to her advantage, guiding the animal toward a steep incline, knowing the boar would have difficulty maneuvering the slope.
The boar snorted angrily again but found itself unable to charge as Fleur led it further away, closer to the incline. The moment it realized it was near unstable ground, the animal hesitated, eventually retreating back into the thick brush with a final snort of frustration.
As soon as it was out of sight, Lena let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
“You… you actually did it,” Lena said, still in shock.
Fleur turned to her, breathing heavily but with a small, triumphant smile. “It’s all about outsmarting them. They’re not as smart as they are dangerous.”
Lena blinked, looking at her with newfound admiration. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Fleur shrugged, trying to downplay her bravery, though her heart was still racing. “I’ve learned to deal with different kinds of threats. Not every battle needs to be fought with fists or weapons.”
Lena couldn’t help but grin. “I guess I have to admit, that was impressive. I was ready to shoot it.”
“And then we’d have to deal with an angry, injured animal. Not a great idea. Plus, you need to save your bullets.”
Lena nodded, her expression serious now. “Thanks. You probably saved us a lot of trouble.”
Fleur met her gaze, her eyes softening as she saw the appreciation in Lena’s eyes. “We’re a team, right?”
Lena smiled, feeling the bond between them deepen. “Yeah. We are.”
They continued walking, the tension from the encounter slowly fading, though Lena couldn’t help but glance over at Fleur with a mix of awe and respect. There was more to her than met the eye, and Lena found herself wanting to discover every layer.
Hours passed, and it was smooth sailing for the most part. The occasional infected rotter to slay. The sun was now sinking low on the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow through the trees. Both Fleur and Lena were feeling the toll of the day’s events, their muscles aching and fatigue setting in after everything they had endured.
“Let’s find a spot to set up camp,” Lena said, her voice tired but steady.
“Sounds great. I need to sit down, and I’m starving,” Fleur replied, rubbing the back of her neck, her stomach growling in agreement. Her mind wandered over the supplies shoved deep down in her rucksack.
They found a secluded area that seemed safe enough, away from the main path and tucked behind a cluster of thick trees. It was quiet, too quiet almost, but they didn’t have many options. As they set up the tent, they avoided lighting a fire. There was no telling who or what might notice the smoke. They didn’t want to attract any dead, or humans either.
Lena grabbed her can trap out of her main rucksack. It consisted of a piece of rope with cans attached which looped around their camp area, an ideal method to alert them of any intruders.
“Today... wow. You really amazed me. I was worried that you’d slow me down, but you saved us out there,” Lena admitted. She wasn’t used to giving compliments so freely, but it felt deserved.
Fleur smiled, a light blush coloring her cheeks. “Well, I did take plenty of biology courses. And although my focus is humans, animals have always piqued my interest.”
“Yeah, well, aren’t we lucky you had that knowledge. I’d be pretty pissed if a boar killed me after years of surviving in this shit show, ” Lena said, giving a small smile.
“It’s not really about luck, though,” Fleur countered, her voice more thoughtful. “It’s about knowing what you’re dealing with. You have knowledge when it comes to surviving and leading people. I have knowledge when it comes to animals and the undead. It’s just applying it when the time comes. Simple!”
“I guess we make a great pair, then,” Lena said, a hint of humor in her voice.
Lena couldn’t help but replay the kiss they had shared the night before, the way it made her feel like the ground had shifted beneath her. The way she yearned for more.
The memory of Fleur’s lips against hers, soft yet commanding, lingered like a fire in her chest. But it wasn’t just the kiss. There was something about the way Fleur had handled the boar, the calm confidence in her movements, the way she had outsmarted the beast with such precision. It was as if Fleur had tapped into some untapped well of strength that Lena hadn’t expected, and it left her completely captivated.
Fleur inched closer to Lena, her breath warm against Lena’s skin. Every inch of space between them disappeared, and Lena’s pulse quickened. Her attraction for Fleur overpowered any last sliver of caution she had, the pull between them like a force of nature. Lena’s body felt like it was on fire despite the evening chill settling in around them.
“Is this okay?” Fleur whispered, her lips hovering just above Lena’s.
Lena’s throat tightened, her voice barely escaping her lips. “It’s great,” she breathed, her voice cracking with anticipation. She couldn’t hold it back.
Fleur pushed her down gently, her mouth pressing against Lena’s with a hunger that sent waves of heat through her. Lena’s arms instinctively wrapped around Fleur, pulling her closer, their bodies flush against each other. Fleur’s thigh slipped between Lena’s legs, and Lena moaned softly at the friction. Their movements were synchronized, natural. Both of them grinding against each other as the desire took over.
Before they could even think, they were ripping each other’s clothes off, fingers fumbling and hands exploring every inch of bare skin they could reach. The feel of Fleur’s body against hers was electrifying. Lena’s breath hitched when Fleur bit her lower lip, sending a thrill through her, and then began kissing and biting her way down Lena’s neck and chest. The cool evening air seemed to disappear in the heat they created.
Lena arched her back, desperate for more, her mind swimming in a haze of want. Fleur’s mouth was everywhere, tasting, licking, and teasing, as if she wanted to savor every moment. Lena’s hands gripped Fleur’s back, her nails digging in slightly as Fleur continued her trail down Lena’s body.
Fleur kissed Lena’s breasts, gently biting her nipples while her hands ran up and down her body, making her way to the top of her waist. Her lips hovered just above where Lena needed them the most, teasing her with soft kisses. Lena couldn’t take it anymore; she was trembling, her need for Fleur so intense it was overwhelming. “I...” Lena gasped, her body aching for Fleur’s touch, her voice a quiet plea.
Fleur didn’t hesitate, her mouth finally meeting Lena’s throbbing clitoris, her tongue moving with slow, deliberate strokes. Lena’s head fell back, eyes fluttering shut as her breath came in shallow gasps. Every flick of Fleur’s tongue sent a wave of pleasure through her body, and Lena’s hips moved instinctively, seeking more. She was lost in the moment, her body completely surrendered to Fleur’s touch. Nothing else existed, just the heat between them, the friction, the sheer electricity of it all.
As Fleur’s fingers slowly pushed deep inside of her, Lena’s world blurred, every sensation amplified. She bit her lip to stifle her moans, her body trembling with each pulse of pleasure, each desperate thrust. The fucking got harder, faster, deeper. But she couldn’t be too loud. She couldn’t attract attention. She could only move her body in time with the motion of each mind-bending thrust.
Just as Lena felt the intense climatic release building within her, she hoisted Fleur up until their faces were inches apart. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, the world around them faded away. She captured Fleur’s lips in a passionate, desperate kiss.
With a surge of energy, Lena shifted their positions, bringing Fleur higher and higher till her thighs were cradling Lena’s face. She held Fleur’s hips firmly, guiding her movements as they found a rhythm together, bodies intertwining. Lena relished the way Fleur felt against her, the softness of her skin igniting a fire within. Fleur leaned into Lena, pressing closer. They were lost in each other, the outside world forgotten.
As the kiss deepened, Fleur’s body responded instinctively, pushing against Lena with a growing urgency. Lena’s hands explored the contours of Fleur’s back, pulling her in tighter. Lena liked the way Fleur tasted. She liked the feeling of Fleur riding her face. Fleur couldn’t control how much weight she was putting on Lena any longer. She was beginning to suffocate her, but Lena didn’t want to stop until she felt Fleur’s body shake. Lena’s left hand shifted from Fleur’s hips and her fingers traced and snaked their way down between Fleur’s legs. She teased her, barely putting them inside her.
“I want you to beg for it,” Lena said breathlessly.
“Please… I want you to fuck me. Fuck me so hard,” Fleur said in between moans. There was a primal quality to Fleur's voice that sent shivers down Lena's spine, awakening a wild, instinctual desire within her. Each word dripped with an enticing allure. Their restraints had come undone.
Lena thrust her fingers inside. While she drove her fingers in and out, she moved her right hand down her own body. She couldn’t help it. She was wet from each sound and movement Fleur made.
“I’m… going to cum,” Fleur uttered breathlessly.
With a final, fervent thrust, Lena felt Fleur’s body tighten around her, the rush of pleasure crashing over them like a powerful, delicious, crisp wave.
They surrendered to the moment, lost in the ecstasy that enveloped them, their bodies trembling in perfect sync. As they reached ecstasy together, a blissful silence filled the air, the echoes of their shared release lingering like a sweet melody in the stillness.
They both looked up at the tent roof, dripping from condensation. Lena slowly unzipped the tent, shuffling her head out to look up at the sky. “Come join me,” she said, making space for Fleur under her arm.
Each twinkling light felt like a whisper of reassurance, a reminder that beauty still existed, even in this broken world. As the exhaustion settled over them like a heavy blanket, they felt their bodies relax, surrendering to the pull of sleep.