With the dance music blaring, we watched as four vehicles drove up the dirt road and pulled off into the overgrown field.

Apparently, Mark was still happy-go-lucky because he jumped out of the vehicle while it was still in drive. He nearly fell flat on his face as he ran to us.

"Eli! I can't say how good it is to see you, Dude. We've been driving forever, and people are such idiots. Plus, this crew." Mark jutted a thumb over his shoulder, gesturing toward the other cars.

I couldn't take my eye off Mark's car as it rolled forward until it hit a tree with a crunch.

Eli and I didn't move to help as three people emerged from Mark's car. They were all laughing hysterically. It was Jessica and the two other guys from last night.

"Lilly?" Jessica raced my way. Her eyes were almost entirely black now.

My hand tightened around the gun in my pocket.

Eli stiffened by my side, but I stepped forward. I had to be strong and face this head-on. I knew what was destined to happen, and I would shoot her if I had to.

The rest of the drivers pulled to a stop and actually put their cars in park. Did that mean they were okay?

I knew the four in front of us would be dead soon.

"Lilly, I'm so sorry. Do you hate me?" Jessica's expression would've been full of regret if her eyes weren't black as night. It was scary.

A fake smile spread across my lips. "No, Jess, I could never hate you. I had a great time."

Jessica's eyelids closed as she licked her lips. "I'm so glad. Do you guys have any food? I'm starved, and something smells fantastic out here."

Mark and his two friends nodded in agreement.

"We have drinks, but since we don't want anyone drinking and driving, we need to mark you with spray paint, so we don't let you leave until you're sober," I grinned. "You know, like a club."

Mark's brow narrowed. "Why?"

Eli put an arm around my shoulder, tugging me into him. "My property, my rules. Got a fucking problem with that?"

Mark's hands flew up in defense. "No, man. We're good, but I really want something to eat. Jess wasn't joking. We're all hungry as hell."

Eli's squeezed my shoulder. "This isn't a restaurant. You should've brought food with you. We have drinks. Take it or leave it."

Mark laughed. "I hear you. It just smells good out here. I guess we'll take the drinks."

Eli and I made our way over to the cooler as I pulled out my spray paint.

Mark stuck out his hand to be sprayed.

"No, Bro. I know you'll just try to wash it off. Turn around and we'll spray your back. I can't have you driving out of here and killing some innocent family." Eli didn't smile or make any attempt to be friendly like I had. He meant business.

Mark laughed and spun around. "Do your worst."

Jessica and the other two guys followed suit. We sprayed large orange Xs on their backs. It would've been funny in any other situation, but this was no laughing matter. These four were about to meet their maker.

I handed out beer as the rest of the partiers made their way over to us.

Jessica and Mark's foursome started dancing like idiots and they were way too close to the fire.

Eli nudged me. "Don't let them fool you. Any of them could attack at any minute. They're starving for us."

A cold shiver ran over me. Eli was right, and the thought was terrifying.

Twelve more people walked toward us laughing and having a good time. I didn't give them much attention as I glanced into the trees, searching for Nico, but he was out of sight.

I had a hard time looking anyone in the face. Remaining detached was important. I didn't want to know any of these people unless they had a chance, and I knew most of them were screwed.

Noticing Lizzy's blond hair in the back of the group, I tried not to say anything as she watched Eli spray paint.

Turning to hand out two more beers, I almost dropped them when I realized my ex-boyfriend was next in line to be marked.

Oh my God. You have got to be frigging kidding me. "Todd?"

Todd's dark blue eyes were completely normal as he took me in. His brow furrowed at the realization that his ex-girlfriend was standing in front of him.

"Lilly? Is that you?" Todd was acting like he didn't know who I was.

I didn't answer him as I blindly grabbed for my boyfriend. "Eli?"

Eli gripped my hand and turned, giving Todd a once over before his eyebrows crashed down.

Todd's eyes widened as he realized what kind of shit storm he'd just walked into. "Oh. Hey, man. So, you're Eli, huh? This is your place? It's nice. Thanks for letting us hole up."

Eli's fingers laced with mine as he glared at Todd.

Todd glanced down at our linked hands. "You guys are together?"

"Yep," I said.

Todd's eyes didn't leave mine as he waited for an explanation.

Nope. Not this time, asshole. You drugged me and ruined my life in high school. I don't owe you a damn thing.

When I didn't answer, Eli squared his shoulders and clenched his jaw. "Get the fuck off my property."

Todd took a step back, running a hand over his shaggy blond hair. "I have nowhere to go. I don't know what Lilly told you about me, but I'm not a bad guy. I won't cause any trouble."

I scoffed. What I told Eli? This prick had some nerve.

Eli's fingers tightened around mine. "Lilly never told me anything about you. I know you and what you did to her that night, fuckface. You're not welcome here."

If Todd left, we'd be doing him a favor. I hoped he would just leave. He deserved a big heaping spoonful of karma, but I didn't wish death upon him.

Todd tried to figure out what he should do next as he glanced at the party crowd.

A thin brunette came up beside Todd. Her eyes were just as black as Jessica's. "Can you get me a beer, Babe?"

Eli barely looked at the girl. "We only give out drinks if you agree to be marked."

The brunette laughed as her eyes raked over Eli. "I'll do anything you say."

Was it okay to gag at a time like this? Because what the hell? She was obviously with Todd, at least for now, and she was making a move on my boyfriend.

"Anything?" I taunted.

Eli jerked his head in my direction.

The brunette didn't hear me as she continued to check out Eli. She licked her bottom lip and bit down.

Todd's eyebrows knitted. "What the fuck are you doing, Tyra?"

Tyra came back to life as she glanced at Todd. "What? He's hot as hell. I'll do anything he wants."

Hype was a frigging truth serum.

Todd let out an angry breath and walked away, leaning on Mark's car.

"Never gonna happen." Eli shook his head at Tyra. "Go away."

Frowning, Tyra ripped her eyes away from Eli as she started toward Todd.

"Hey, what about that beer?" I couldn't let Tyra walk away without being marked.

Tyra's black eyes found me and nodded.

After Tyra had her beer, Eli tugged me close to whisper in my ear. "She looks a lot like you."

I glanced over at Todd, and he was staring right at me. What a freak.

Most of the soon-to-be-killers were dancing or acting like complete morons. It was apparent that they'd never discussed a plan to survive the end of the world. They were here to party and that was it.

Over the next hour, we marked almost everyone on Hype as they destroyed the field. The numbers climbed to thirteen out of sixteen, leaving Lizzy, Todd, and some girl talking to Lizzy.

"I don't know if Todd is on anything." I closed the cooler.

Eli glanced over at Todd who was noticeably pouting on a blanket as his girlfriend danced with another guy.

"I don't think he's on anything." Eli shot me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry he's here, Lil."

I shrugged. "We can't control anything in this situation. He knows about the virus. No one in their right mind will just leave your property now."

Eli sighed. "We need to talk to Lizzy and her friend. I don't know the other girl, but we need to check them."

I definitely wasn't looking forward to this encounter. "Okay."

With Eli's hand wrapped around mine, we made our way over to Lizzy and her friend.

When Lizzy looked at Eli, and I saw exactly what I expected. Black eyes.

"Eli, I missed you!" Lizzy jumped on Eli and wrapped herself around him, burying her face in his neck.

I grabbed a huge handful of her hair and yanked her head back as hard as I could. Lizzy lost her balance and plummeted to the dirt. If she just bit him, I would beat her fucking face to a pulp.

Eli chuckled as he smiled at me with pride. Relief rushed over me. That was close.

"What the hell, you bony bitch! You could've killed me." Lizzy screamed as she scrambled to her feet.

"I wish she would. You totally deserved that." The black-haired girl stood over Lizzy with an irritated look on her face. Her eyes were dark brown just like mine, but her body was full of curvy perfection.

I stepped toward Lizzy, trying not to punch her. "Don't you ever touch Eli again or I'll beat your ass, you crazy stalking whore!"

Lizzy flinched back as she tried to get Eli's attention. She thought Eli was going to help her. What a stupid girl.

I let out a hard breath. We needed to finish this.

"You know what? I think you need a beer, Lizzy. There are some single guys over there," I pointed. "I'm sure they'd be down."

Eli chuckled.

Lizzy glanced warily toward the group dancing near the fire. "You think?"

"That football player has been checking you out for hours." Her black-haired friend chimed in. I liked this girl.

Once Lizzy was dancing with the Hype group, I let out a relieved breath. They were all marked.

Eli went rigid as he called Nico. "It's done. Why? Alright, Bro. Ten minutes."

I waited patiently as Eli put his phone away.

"He's going through some shit. He needs just a minute." Eli rubbed a hand over his chin.

I nodded and looked toward the fire. I think we all needed a minute. I knew these fun-loving people would become rabid screeching beasts, but at this point, the notion was confusing as hell. They were all so young and full of life.

Jessica walked over to us, pulling the black-haired girl along beside her. "Lilly, this is Jasmine. When I lost you, I went to the dorms, and Jasmine was sitting outside all alone. She was crying. I had to bring her. She looked so sad. And she smells good just like you."

Jasmine's face scrunched as she elbowed Jessica.

Jessica smiled. "No worries. This is my best friend, Lil. I love her, and now you will too."

"Jess, get your sexy ass over here," Mark yelled.

"Coming." Jessica ran off without looking back.

I glanced at Jasmine. "So, you're not Lizzy's friend?"

Jasmine crossed her arms, refusing to make eye contact. "No. Lizzy's a bitch. My mom dropped me off at school early because she and her new boy toy went to Vegas to get married, or some shit like that. I was pissed, but since I found out about the virus, I'm really worried. I probably won't ever see my mom again."

My heart hurt for her. "I'm Lilly, and this is—"

"Eli. I know." Jasmine looked between us and shook her head. "Sorry, it's just that I had to ride with Lizzy and she wouldn't shut up about him. That girl is seriously psycho. I'm surprised you didn't beat her ass just now. Lord knows she deserved it."

Eli laughed as he pulled me into him, kissing my cheek. With all that was happening Eli's touch still seared me to the bone.

"You two are really cute together," Jasmine said as she sat on a blanket next to me.

Heat rushed over me as I turned into Eli's chest. His arms wrapped around me, tugging me in for a gentle hug. Pressing my cheek to Eli's chest, I shut my eyes, bathing in his warmth.

When I opened my eyes, Todd was glaring at us. Asshole.

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