Moth peered into the room before walking over to Lane. "I need to check your wounds," Lane obediently lifted his shirt, having done this several times already, he stared at Moth as he inspected his wounds, cleaning them down and applying disinfectant. His leg had mostly healed and only a fresh scar was left, his chest was in a similar state. Moth was as soft as always while treating him, helping him to sit up and wipe down his arms and face. "Your wounds are healed enough to leave. You should be able to go… when you are ready but you need to keep doing exercises for your leg so it doesn't deteriorate and use your cane if you are walking long distances." He commented, his tone neutral but he was averting his gaze to hide his disappointed expression. Lane frowned, slightly upset by the news before he caught himself. 'Why would I be upset?'
"So, where will you go?" Moth asked, his tone deflated. Lane sighed, scratching his head. "Not sure. I'm not going back to my settlement... they left me behind. So, I'll probably look for another place." Moth nodded and feigned a smile. "That's good. Humans should stick together." An uncomfortable silence filled the room with the only noise coming from the crackling fire nearby. "What about you?" Moth's eyes became sadder at the question and he let out a sigh. "I'll continue as I have, living in the forest and being protected by Sally." Lane smiled slightly at his disheartened response, it seemed that the humanoid had grown to enjoy his company.
"Sounds like you will be bored." Moth shook his head furiously, fiercely denying it. "No, I'm happy. I'm truly lucky that I get to live such a peaceful life." Lane reached out a hand, ruffling his fluffy hair. "That doesn't mean you aren't allowed to want more." Moth looked up at him, wide eyed at his words. He opened his mouth to speak again. "Moth!" Moth whirled his head around to see Cricket by the door, glaring at him and tapping his foot impatiently. "I told you to leave him alone." Moth glanced away from his glare as his antenna drooped slightly. "I was just checking on his wounds."
Cricket moved his gaze to Lane who met his glare with the same amount of animosity. "Is he healed yet?" Moth went to speak but stopped himself because he didn't want Cricket to know the answer. "Moth?!"
"Yes! He can leave. That's what you actually want to know right? You don't care if he is healed." Moth snapped, a pout forming on his face. Cricket seemed surprised by his sudden outburst but regained his composure. "Of course that is what I care about. He is a liability." Moth turned his head away and sighed in annoyance. Cricket's jaw tightened as he stared at Moth before he turned to Lane. "We'll be gone for a few hours. Moth prepared some supplies, I expect you to be gone when we come back. Sally won't attack you, but when you leave our territory you are on your own." Moth was upset by his resolve but didn't say more against him but he visually showed his displeasure through his dropped head and shoulders.
Lane glances at Moth who was trying not to meet his eyes before nodding, "I understand. Thank you both for looking after me." Cricket rolls his eyes and walks out of the room, telling Moth to hurry up before slamming the door shut on his way out. "So, I guess this is it." Moth says, a small smile on his face. "It wasn't that bad, human but I do miss my bed." Lane scoffed. "Same to you, Moth. Please look after yourself." He said, standing up and moving over to him. "You need to look after yourself too. Take it easy for a while. Your ribs are bruised so you shouldn't strain them too much." Lane nodded, looking down at the man who was only about his chest height. "Do you think we'll ever meet again? I'd like to repay you one day."
Moth smiled at him with his usual pretty smile. "You don't have to repay me and don't do something stupid like coming back here looking for me. I doubt Sally would let you off easy for a second time." He says with a light chuckle. Lane hums in agreement, staring down at him intently. Couldn't he just come with me? I'd like to keep him with me and make sure he's safe.
"Moth. Let's go." Cricket calls, he had a cloak in his hand which he tossed to Moth as he came towards him. Moth grabbed something from a compartment nearby before moving over to Lane who had followed him into the living area. Moth pushed a bag and a dark piece of clothing into Lane's hands that felt silky and warm in his grip. "Here, I made it to keep you warm. It's made from my thread so it is studier than most fabrics." Lane smiled a little feeling the fabric in his hand before he wrapped the long black cloak around himself. It smelled comfortably of peppermint, similar to the smell coming out of the person who made it. "Thank you." He smiled slightly to himself as he fitted the cloak around his shoulders making sure it sat right.
Cricket opened the door to the outside, the cold air blowing in. "Moth." He chided. Moth smiled at Lane a final time before darting out into the snow, pulling a hood over his head and tilting his head towards the sun with a warm smile. Lane stood and watched, mesmerized as Moth smiled and waved to him before walking away with Cricket. Lane stared at them until they disappeared into the white of the snow before he turned in the other direction and started walking.
Lane reached the edge of the thick forest into a clearing with a blanket of fresh snow covering the ground. The sun started to set as Lane climbed up a tall tree nearby, pulling his cloak around himself as a blanket as he set up to spend the night there. As he settled in his eyes drifted down to the canvas bag that was fastened shut with a rope. I wonder what he gave me. He loosens the rope that held the bag shut and peered in. The bag contained bread and dried meat, a fabric water canister, a knife, specifically the knife he used to cut up the rabbits which brought a slight smile to his face, and a thin weaved hammock stuffed inside. He smiled to himself as he pulled the hammock out while also grabbing a piece of bread which he stuffed into his mouth. He tied the net hammock to two branches and nestled inside for the night. He put his face into the cloak, taking in the soft smell as he let himself fall asleep.
A loud scream of a walker woke him up, almost causing him to fall out of his hammock, he used to be vigilant but grew complacent after spending a few safe months with Moth. He steadied himself and peered down at the Walker looking up at him from the base of the tree. It was clawing at the tree trunk, trying to get up to him. The metallic smell of blood filled the air as he saw the walker's dirtied mouth which was dripping a trail of blood that lead to a limb body nearby, laying motionless as its blood seeped into the snow. Lane sighed as he looked down at the walker, an annoyed look on his face. He packed up his belongings and pulled out the knife he was given, moving down the tree onto a branch that was hovering just above the walker as it tried to claw at him. 'This one is far weaker than the ones I've killed before, a category 11? Even in my state I could kill it.' He waited for the right moment as the creature screamed at him and tried to reach up to grab him. The Walker jumped up and Lane saw his chance he moved down to a lower branch as the creature moved upwards and stabbed the knife through its throat, before pulling it out. Thick black blood to splattered everywhere. He gripped the knife in one hand as he came at it again, jumping down on top of it and shunting the knife straight into the creature's skull, pushing it down to the ground. Lane kept his feet on top of it, pining its arms down as it writhed and screamed beneath him before it slowly quietened and stopped writhing, finally dead. He pulled the knife out, wiping it clean in the snow before moving over to the body resting a few feet away from him. He checked the pulse, making sure the figure was dead before rummaging through his pockets, collecting a few coins and food scraps before his eyes moved over to the weapon laying nearby, a large axe. He picked it up, inspecting the blade that seemed sharp enough to use. It wasn't his main choice of weapon but it would do. He tired a rope around the to secure it to his back before moving on. He didn't want to be around corpses that might attract the attention of walkers.
It had only been a day but his mind drifted back to Moth. He thought about the rumors about humanoids, humans thought of them as sneaky and dangerous creatures that would turn and bite them at any moment. He hadn't met a humanoid before Moth, he was a delicate creature that completely subverted his expectations. He wanted to see him again. The thought of seeing him again made his face flush and his heart throb. 'What is wrong with me? My heart has started to hurt ever since I left. Maybe I should go back and ask to stay for longer just until this feeling goes away.' He stops walking, his eyes narrowing. 'Is it… love? No, he's a humanoid and a guy.' He tried to convince himself but he couldn't deny the blush on his cheeks.