Y/N was stressed, and Alicia could tell. They were only a day away from San Diego, and the older girl was moving a mile a minute. She hadn't stopped pacing back and forth since they both went down to their room, and it was honestly starting to stress Alicia out as well.

"Y/N, will you please relax?" Alicia asked from her spot on the bed.

Y/N scoffed as she said this, running a hand through her hair. She did stop pacing, but only to lean her head against the closed door to their room. "Relax? How am I supposed to fucking relax? I'm either about to turn on one of the only people that's ever been there for me, possibly get everyone killed, or wind up stranded in San Diego with all of you."

Alicia sighed, moving to stand up and walk over to Y/N. Alicia could see how tense her shoulders were, and she knew the girl was fighting with herself in her head.

"Please, Y/N?" Alicia asked again while placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Just calm down, babe. We can figure this out."

At Alicia's words Y/N's shoulders slowly relaxed. She sighed out gently, closing her eyes for a moment before turning to look toward Alicia.

"Tomorrow morning we're docking at San Diego," Y/N said quietly. "I don't know what to do, Alicia."

"What if I told you that you don't have to worry about it?" Alicia questioned the slightly older girl. Y/N tilted her head slightly in confusion, so she continued. "Everyone on this boat knows now...whatever happens won't be on you."

Y/N nodded slowly. "Your mom talked to Strand, didn't she?"

Alicia nodded back in confirmation while placing a hand on Y/N's cheek, rubbing her thumb comfortingly along the girl's face as she did so.

"Tomorrow morning Nick is going to to retrieve the money from someone in San Diego. Then we're all going to go into Mexico tomorrow. Whatever happens won't be because of you," Alicia explained as Y/N wrapped her arms around Alicia's waist.

The two stood there in silence for awhile, just staring at each other with their eyes full of love. Eventually Y/N broke the silence, but Alicia wasn't happy with what she said.

"If Nick is going then I'm going," She said while staring into Alicia's eyes.

Alicia frowned. "Y/N, you can't g-"

Her sentence was cut off when Y/N leaned in, connecting their lips in a soft kiss. Alicia returned the kiss, though she was slightly offended Y/N had cut her off.

"Just trust me. I can't let anything happen to him, just like I can't let anything happen to you. I'm going to be fine," Y/N said once they pulled away.

Alicia shook her head quickly. "Your shoulder finally healed, you can't jus-"

"Yes, I can babe. I'm going to be alright. I just want to make sure Nick is as well," Y/N cut her off once again.

"If you cut me off one more time..." Alicia stated, though there was a sense of humor in her tone.

Y/N laughed gently at this, pulling Alicia into a hug. Alicia wrapped her arms around the older girl's shoulders while Y/N wrapped then around the younger girl's waist. They felt relaxed in one another's embrace, and Alicia realized she'd never felt as much peace as she did when she was being held by Y/N's embrace.

The next day came quicker than both girls would have liked. They'd spent the entire night kissing, talking about the future, and simply enjoying each other's company. They didn't sleep long, but neither girl complained as they woke up the next day. They were just thankful they'd spent another night together.

"Good morning," Y/N said with a smile, leaning down to kiss Alicia's forehead.

Alicia groaned slightly, shifting her position to face Y/N fully before responding. "Good morning."

"I have to go now..." Y/N said softly, causing Alicia to shake her head sadly.

"Do you really have to?"

Y/N nodded. "You know I'll be back, and soon we'll be in Mexico where we're safe."

Alicia nodded in understanding. "You have your gun, right?"

"It's in the chest over there, I'll be sure to grab it," Y/N confirmed while gesturing toward the chest with her head.

Alicia sighed sadly, placing a hand onto the older girl's waist to keep her in bed a moment longer. "Promise me you'll be back?"

"I promise."

Y/N met Nick on the back of the boat only a few minutes later. She'd changed into a pair of jeans and a flannel, with her gun tucked into the back of the jean's waistband.

"Strand told you where to go?" Y/N asked as they placed the dinghy into the water.

Nick nodded while helping her drag it into the water. "It's not too far from shore," He said while hopping in.

Y/N walked over to where the rope was tied, and after untying it she hopped into the dinghy as well. Soon she was driving toward shore, the only sound filling the morning air being the sound of the small motor. She could see a few walkers in the distance, but Nick insisted he knew a way to keep them away.

When they got to shore Y/N was disgusted by his plan, but went along with it anyway. The two 20 year olds killed a walker that was floating in the water, and Nick then instructed her to rub its blood all over herself. Eventually both of their faces were covered in blood, along with most of their shirts and pants.

"I liked these pants, Clark," Y/N said with an annoyed tone once the two were done.

Nick laughed at her words. "You'll get over it, Y/L/N," He said while adding the finishing touch of blood to his shirt. "Now let's get the money and get out of here."

They walked up the shore of the beach quietly, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. By covering themselves in blood the walkers would leave them alone, but only if they didn't speak to one another when one was close. If they did then they'd make it pretty obvious they weren't dead. After only a few minutes they were walking through a small beach neighborhood, and soon realized there was no sign of practically anything still alive.

"It's like a ghost town..." Nick said quietly as they walked into an open garage, causing Y/N to nod in agreement.

They looked through the garage, wondering if there was anything of use inside. The only think they came across was boogie boards and beach balls, so they quickly left the garage empty handed. They continued walking along the streets in search of a man named Luis, who apparently had the money they needed.

After nearly 30 minutes of aimlessly walking through the small neighborhood they heard the sound of a car engine approaching.

Nick pointed toward its direction. "That's him," Nick said while walking over toward the black car that was beginning to slow down.

Y/N followed him. As they got closer to the vehicle Luis jumped out, pointing a gun straight at the two as he did so.

"Whoa!" Y/N exclaimed as both her and Nick threw their hands up in surrender. "Victor Strand sent us!"

Luis looked the two up and down, and slowly lowered his weapon when he realized they seemed harmless. "Why do you look like that?" He asked, his voice full of obvious disgust.

"Keeps the dead away," Nick shrugged like it was obvious, causing Y/N to smile slightly.

Luis didn't look impressed, but simply shook his head before moving to open the back door of his car. He then pulled out a large duffel bag, which Y/N assumed held the money.

"I've got enough for 9," He said while throwing the bag around his shoulders, causing both the 20 year old's eyes to widen.

"Strand said it was enough for two last time we spoke," Y/N said, her tone laced with confusion.

Luis nodded. "I know, but he radioed me saying he needed more, so I provided."

Nick then cut in. "Well with you we need enough for 10."

Luis nodded once more. "I know," He then said something that caused Y/N's heard to drop to her stomach. "One of you is staying behind."

Nick grew upset at his words, but Y/N couldn't bring herself to speak up. Her mouth had gone dry.

"What the fuck?" Nick exclaimed. "Why don't you stay, asshole?"

This caused Luis to pull his gun out again, making both the younger people back up quickly. "I got this money, you really think I'll be the one staying behind? I'm only letting one of you back on that boat."

Y/N realized he wasn't even going to attempt to take more than 9 across the border. In that moment she made up her mind on what she was going to do, even if it broke her own heart in the process.

Nick threw his hands up once again. "Okay, okay. Can we at least go and talk about this in private for a minute?"

"I'll stay," Y/N then cut in, causing Nick's head to whip in her direction.

"Are you insane?" He asked. "You can't sta-"

"I promised Alicia to keep you safe!" Y/N cut him off, her voice hoarse as she did so. She could feel herself growing upset, but tried to contain her emotions. "And I promised to keep her safe. The safest option is having enough money for everyone on board, or someone will die!"

Nick shook his head in denial. "No, you're going to die if you stay on this coast."

"Luis," Y/N said, turning her head toward the older man. "Can you at least tell me where you're going?"

He nodded. "Rosarito," He said while lowering his gun "There is a safe house there. If you are to make it, I can ensure you you'll be allowed inside."

"How exactly will she make it?" Nick questioned. He was obviously angry, but Y/N expected it.

Luis then tosses the keys to his car toward her, which she successfully caught with one hand. She looked down at them, realizing she truly wasn't going back to The Abigail. All she could think about what the promise she made to Alicia. The one where she promised she'd come back. Then she remembered her promise to always keep the younger girl safe, and gently bit her lip, knowing that one was more important. If she didn't go back, they'd safely make it to Mexico. All Y/N had to do was make it there as well, though she wasn't entirely sure how to make that happen. Strand said the land borders were heavily locked down, but all she could do was have faith.

"Y/N," Nick said while walking over toward her. "Alicia is going to kill me if I comeback without you."

Y/N scoffed. "Your mom and sister will kill me if I went back without you," She could feel herself tearing up but held them back. "Come here," She then opened up her arms, pulling Nick into a tight hug that he quickly returned.

"It doesn't have to end like this," Nick said quietly as his chin rested on her shoulder.

"This isn't the end," Y/N insisted. "I will see you all again. I have faith, Nick."

"Do you even know how to get there?" Nick asked skeptically as the two remained in a hug.

Y/N could feel Luis' eyes burning into the side of her head but ignored him, responding to Nick instead. "I'll figure it out, dude. We both know I have a better sense of direction than you."

Nick sighed, pulling away as he did so. When he did Y/N noticed a lone tear fall down his face, causing her chest to tighten. "You're my best friend, Y/N. I'm holding you to that."

"I love you, man," Y/N said while resting a hand on his shoulder. "Tell Alicia I'm sorry. Tell everyone that I am so sorry but I promise I'll see them again."

"I really don't know what to say..." Nick said sadly.

Y/N nodded, removing her hand and taking a step back. Luis cleared his throat from beside them, causing them both to roll their eyes. "You better get going," Y/N said while stepping further back.

Nick nodded, but didn't say anything. He didn't have to say anything. Y/N knew how he felt, just like Nick knew how she felt. She'd always been selfless, he'd just never seen this coming. Without exchanging another word Nick walked over to Luis, and the two exchanged a few words before beginning to walk away.

As they walked past Y/N Luis grabbed her attention. "Follow the coast. That'll lead you into Rosarito. From there just follow the trail of bodies...you will find us."

"Thank you," Y/N nodded. Luis gave her a tight lipped smile before continuing to walk away. Once they'd made it down the street Y/N called out toward Nick. "NICK!" This caused him to turn and face her, a questioning look on his face. "TELL ALICIA I LOVE HER!"

Nick smiled sadly, but Y/N could still see it even from the distance they were apart. "IT'LL BE THE FIRST THING I SAY!"

And with that Nick and Luis walked out of sight, leaving Y/N alone in the streets of San Diego. Once she heard the engine of the dinghy start up it set in that she was truly doing this. No one was coming back to save her. It was time she saved herself. She was determined to end up where they were. She knew it'd be difficult, but she also knew that she could make it if she truly put her mind to it.

Eventually she heard the engine cut off, and when she looked out into the water she could faintly make out The Abigail through the early morning fog.

Y/N sighed sadly while turning to open the car door. As she did so she could have sworn she heard a familiar voice scream out her name, but she closed her eyes tightly before opening them, forcing herself to get into the car and not look back.

Y/N sat in the car as she felt the tears finally escape. They burned her cheeks as they trailed down her face, but she tried to ignore them while starting the engine. She praised whatever higher power was out there when she noticed the fuel tank was nearly full before beginning to drive down the street full of dead bodies.

She was truly alone.