A/N: Holee Shieeet. I didn't expect to crack out ZF this quickly! But I did, so that's a good thing. I have a lot of news to share with you. So lets get crackin!
1.) I will be posting ZF on deviant art also. Look at my profile for the link.
2.) No user submitted OC's will be accepted here. Please consult my forum.
3.) No user submitted Characters were added in this chapter. I introduced my two OC's, Desi and Jakob, but that's all.
4.) if you haven't Noticed, ZF has changed to an "M" rating. There will be lemons, swearing, gore and Y'Alls.
(derp)
Her eyes whipped around fast, making sure her surrounding were clear. She didn't quite appreciate getting sneaked up on a leaper or a jumper. She held her puny Desert Eagle out, the butt of the pistol smoking slightly. Snow had began to cover the deserted streets of Geneva, New York. She had one mission to complete before death, and that was to find her brother. They were never close, he hopped town to town without so much as a goodbye. But she had something important to him.
The necklace was from his ex-wife, something he refused to even look at. But gold and silver were going to be valuable once the military gets rid of the remaining infected. The winter was going to pretty much eradicate the infectivity of the Green Flu. It was also going to kill most of the remaining survivors.
Bodies were covered with snow, large white bumps in the carpet showing her where not to step. Her emerald green eyes flicked up to the rooftops, where she swore she saw movement. A shadow still lurked, the body feminine and bundled up. It was probably a common or a smart survivor. She didn't want to come across either. The last remaining people in Geneva were very much different.
A community had broken out of the rubble that called themselves the "Geneva Genesis'" They were pretty much a group of religious freaks that got lucky barricading a whole section of the town off. She had heard whispers that they barricaded the blocks off with the corpses of the dead. Both infected and not. It was very much a survival of the fittest there, where no women, children or elderly was allowed. She was lucky to get out with her life.
Her name was Dessiree Jacobson, but she preferred Desi. Her older brother had given it to her. Her and her brother were close when he lived with the family. They looked like twins, other than the fact Desi had bleach blonde hair. Desi felt a thick wind come up behind her, and she sidestepped as a huge one armed geek charged. She whipped out a dainty looking kitchen knife, lobbing it into the skull of the charger passed, stopping dead cold.
After all, her brother had taught her how to throw knifes pretty well. But what he really told her was how to con and gamble. Desi had worked at a ratty strip joint, seducing men and then stealing large sums of cash from them. She would sometimes go gamble with her brother, but it got boring winning so easily. She liked the girls she worked with, expecially the girl named Scarlett Purrin. Desi knew she was alive, since she had gone to the gun range a few times with Scar.
She kept on walking, her worn leather mid upper thigh boots crunching on the fluffy snow. She kept a black hood up, her messy blonde hair falling out in wavy curls. She peeked over the corner of a flipped car, to see four geeks gnawing on a still alive doe. One clip later, the streets were clear. She kept a constant trot as she checked the bare apartments for supplies, not surprised when she found them stripped of necessities. The Geneva Genesis' was really getting on her nerves.
All she wanted was to find her brother.
Date: December 8th, 2012
Thick snow fell lazily, the flakes condensing on the ground. Nobody was outside, the bitter cold warning of the blizzard incoming. They slept inside, the trio trying to stay as warm as possible. They had a crackling fire in the hearth of their living room, blankets and sleeping bags adorning the ground, along with throw pillows and three sleeping bodies.
The eldest girl had unconsciously began to cry, tears slowly rolling down her frail face. Even though she was rapidly gaining weight from her pregnancy, she was still bone thin and extremely frail, both physically and mentally. She was worn out from all the stress her body had gone through in the three months of the infection. But mainly, she had plummeted into a deep depression. It was because of him. She missed his touch, his warm smile and witty remarks. How dare they take him away from her?
The other, adolescent child shuffled in her sleep, letting out a deep breath. She had many things on her mind, but the main reason for her sadness was of her adoptive mother. She hated to see the beautiful girl cry until she vomited, or see her wrists razed to ragged skin. The fiery redhead knew that her mother was not okay; that he really meant something to her. It made her think of all the men that meant so much to her. But only one really stood out to her. Glasses, a wispy voice like the wind on an autumn day, and a face like heaven itself.
The third person of the group was dead silent. He didn't move or make noises in his sleep. He was trained not to. The enemy could hear your breaths and every shuffle. Being in the Army for six years had made him cold, raw in strength and powerful. But he lacked in emotion, and couldn't see why the eldest girl was so upset. But he had to protect them, he was assigned to be her mate after all. His body was mere inches from the pregnant woman, heat from her shuddering body hitting him.
A cat mewled from the loft upstairs, watching the sleeping humans with wide emerald eyes. He could see so much better in the night, when the light didn't shine so intensely. He missed his owner, with the chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. He missed the man with the green eyes and a bitter laugh. But he didn't miss the short haired dirty blonde, no. She had kicked him, and he didn't take abuse so lightly. Sure, the cat had been beat up by the infected, but the girl actually had a brain. She knew what she was doing. He jumped down the stairs, meowing once again. The embers of the fire crackled, and the car watched as the final burning wood slowly flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
The cat hoped he wouldn't ever have to see those vile creatures again.
She woke up with a memory of a nightmare. Nightmares were common, especially the ones that made her wake up screaming. The ones of Charger's crushing her lungs, Witch's shredding their nails across bare skin, Spitter's howling in victory as skin as skin was melted from her goo. Scarlett sighed, rubbing her head. She could feel her heartbeat in her skull, a throbbing and dull pain radiating throughout her whole body. That's what she got for being almost five months pregnant.
"Good morning." She heard.
Scarlett jumped, remembering the male figure that was assigned to her. Zone Five was trying to repopulate, the need for immune people rising as more and more people died of hypothermia. The winter was bitter and unforgiving in the ruins of Durango, Colorado. The soldiers still had to work, though. Jakob was not an exception. He had taken up a job in the army, today being his last day in Zone Five. Then, he'd have to travel to Zone Two, Four and Six to distribute supplies and go out on rescue missions.
"Hi." She whispered, her eyes flickering to the sleeping Phoenix.
"I'm going to miss you both." Jakob said awkwardly from the kitchen. He had a steaming pot of coffee in his strong hands.
Jakob was just as bad, or even worse, when it came to showing his feelings. He was a hardened military jock, with a thick skin and a temper. Scarlett had found a bond between them when she realized how rock hard he was. He didn't show an ounce of fear or remorse as he told her his life story. He had to kill his girlfriend, watch his daughter die, and suffer alone through the apocalypse. It made her story look like a feather pillow.
"Thanks for the coffee, Jake." Scarlett changed the subject, cracking her back.
"No problem. It's pretty strong, though. Isn't caffeine bad for the baby?"
Scarlett frowned slightly, rubbing her bulging stomach. It was as hot as a furnace, and she could feel the steady movement of her little boy or girl inside. Nick had insisted it would be a girl, but Scar had a premonition that he was going to be a little Nicholas Jr. Thick, jet black hair. Emerald green eyes, skinny yet plump red lips that had a dimple on its left cheek. She shook her head, mentally slapping his face out of her memories. She couldn't think of Nick right now.
"Yeah, it probably is. I'll go get your bags." Scarlett got to her sock-clad feet.
"You don't have to do that." Jake sighed.
"No, I don't. But I am anyways." Scarlett agreed, smiling wickedly.
Scarlett liked their apartment. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a loft upstairs that was once an office. The apartment was very modern, with slate tiled floors and white fluffy duvets on all the beds. There was even a theatre room with a PS3 and Xbox. Something told her a teenage boy lived here. She could see Ellis and Nathan playing Call Of Duty, beers and Doritos littering the floors. She missed everyone so damn much. She padded up the cool stairs, pausing at Jakob's door. They never slept in the beds, as the house was only forty degrees tops, upstairs. The days usually consisted of them huddling up together and reading. Anything to get the memories out of their heads.
She turned the cold knob to the door, finding a grey suitcase laid neatly on the stripped bed. Scarlett picked the light bag up, something falling out. It flitted to the ground and landed face first, a picture of Jakob's family. He was thirty two, after all. She kneeled down, picking up the picture. Jakob had his arm wrapped around his girlfriend, a wide smile on both of their faces. She cradled her stomach, a small yet definite bump. They were at a beach, a harbor behind them. She didn't even have a photograph to remember her fiancée.
She put the picture back inside his suitcase, rolling it down to the first floor. Phoenix had since woken up, her fiery hair sticking up in every direction. She stretched delicately, Flame sitting on her lap. The cat had taken a liking to the teenage girl, following her around everywhere. Phoenix even brought him into the forests when she went out to kill game. Phoenix loved sneaking out of the borders of Zone Five.
Even though it was illegal and most likely punishable by a bullet to the head, Scarlett let her adoptive child do it. It was the only way for them to keep food on the table. Sure, the market had food during the spring and summer, but the winter chill had killed anything growing, and Zone Five was low on supplies. A food truck was supposed to come in any day. Scarlett handed the suitcase to Jake, a deep frown etched onto the Army Vet's face. He reminded Scar of her father. A warm heart, yet a cold hard shell on the outside. Only a few people could crack it.
"I'll miss you." Scarlett whispered.
It wasn't a lie. Jakob had turned out to be the shoulder to cry on. He too had nightmares, even though he didn't show it. Scarlett would wake up in the wee hours of the night, and she swore she could hear his sobs. In early October, when it wasn't so cold out, she would slip out of her bed and sleep with him. It wasn't sexual, it wasn't romantic. It was just for comfort. She felt his arms wrap awkwardly around her waist, pulling her into him. He smelled like cigarettes and coffee.
"I'll miss you too, Scar. When I get into two, I'll talk to Nicholas for you."
"Thank you. Make sure you write us."
Writing letters was the only permitted communication throughout the Zone's. It was expensive to do it through the government, so that's why there were messengers. Usually people in the military that would collect letters to loved ones and deliver them for free. Jakob had a stack of twenty letters to deliver. Two of them were Scar's. One was for Nick, the other for Ellis. Phoenix had written a letter to Nathan, even though she swore they were just friends.
"Of course, baby girl."
He left without another glance, shutting the door behind him. Scarlett was in such a disheveled heap, she couldn't really comprehend the fact she had just lost another person so close to her. Phoenix had eased her to the couch, wrapping a blanket around her frame. She had little meat on her body, fat which could of kept her warm.
"Do you want some breakfast? I can make us some eggs over the fire." Phoenix asked.
"Eggs sound good. Thank you, 'Nix."
Scar watched will dull eyes as Phoneix cooked over the hearth. Not having electricity was hard, but Scar was used to it by now. They had an endless supply of matches, tinder, lighters and even a pack of cigaretts. Logs could be either chopped down or bought at the Market for five dollars a bundle. Phoenix loved going to the market and selling her game illegally. The vendors happily took the meat off her hands, usually giving her a free hot cocoa or even a trinket.
"How's school going, hon?" Scar asked, watching her stiffen up.
"It's doing okay, I guess." Phoenix said vaguely. She flipped the eggs delicately.
Scarlett stayed silent, just drinking in the silence. Silence was no longer her enemy. It comforted her, to a certain degree. It hided her feelings and emotions that bubbled like boiling water. She listened to the crackling of the fire, her mind wandering.
She shut the wooden door behind her, a blush creeping up her face. She had never been so nervous to show off her body to another guy. Even years working at a strip club had nothing with her as he pushed her against the wall, kissing her. Every emotion, every feeling was intensified as their lips moved together in harmony. She felt him tugging at the ends of her shirt, ending the kiss to ask for silent approval.
"It's okay." She whispered, pulling the garment of clothing over her head, flinging it away.
She stood shirtless before him, a lacy black bra the only thing hiding her innocence from him. Sure, she had shown men her breasts before, but they were only faces, only dollar bills that paid the rent. This was someone who she was going to be with for a long time. Possibly for the rest of her life.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered, trailing kisses down her neck.
She sighed, watching him with wary eyes as he pulled his blue shirt over his body. It shouldn't even be considered blue, with all the dirt, blood and rips in it. Still, his body was as toned as the first time she had seen him, along with a few new scars. Their lips met once again as they fell onto the bed, warmth enveloping Scar as Nick pulled her into his arms. She new tonight was the night she'd lose her virginity. And she was damn near ecstatic.
The feelings changed as they became impatient. Nick had carelessly ripped her pants off, leaving her in her underwear. Scar had also taken his dress pants off, and they were at the peak of their relationship. Scarlett unclasped the back of her bra, Nick watching her with a wary eye.
"I'm taking advantage of you." Nick whispered, halting her hands.
"Of course you're not! If anything, I'm taking advantage of you!" Scar exclaimed.
"You're killing me." He grumbled.
She felt his hands wrap around her chest, easily flicking her last piece of innocence away. She laid bare breasted in front of him, trying to hide. She felt so open, broken down in front of him. But he was the only one she felt comfortable showing him her body. She felt him sigh, his kisses trailing down her torso and navel. One hand rested on her left breast, kneading it between his fingertips.
"Scarlett."
"Scarlett!" She blinked, Phoenix right in her face.
"Shit, sorry. I was zoning out."
"I asked if you wanted salt on your eggs." Phoenix held the plate out.
"Ugh, gross. Thanks for the offer, though." Scarlett crinkled her nose, taking the plate and fork.
"You were thinking about him, weren't you?" Phoenix whispered in a hushed tone.
"Thinking about who?" Scarlett responded. Maybe playing dumb would get her out of this awkward conversation.
"Nick, you dumbshit!" Phoenix laughed, taking a bite of her eggs.
Scarlett chewed thoughtfully, considering her answer. She could lie, and say she was thinking about her family or one of the others. Maybe she could of been thinking about Coach, or Rochelle. Maybe even Tyler. After all, he did haunt most of her nightmares. Most of them included him raping her, cutting her baby out with his devilish claws, or the most disturbing, killing Nick. She would never let anyone touch her husband, though.
"Yes." She finally sighed innocently.
"You know, I think I might like Nathan." Phoenix pondered, her coal grey eyes flitting up to the ceiling.
"He's nice, for a fifteen year old." Scarlett snorted. She didn't want to sound like a horny, pregnant cougar.
"No, I mean I really like him. He reminds me so much of..." She trailed off, obviously lost in a distant memory.
"Mel?" Scarlett finished the statement delicately.
"Yeah. But he also reminds me of Tyler. Before he turned into a batshit lunatic."
"Ty?" Scar scoffed, "The man who raped you? Who tried to kill all of us?"
"He didn't rape me. Because I asked for it."
"Do you regret it?" Scarlett met the teenagers eyes.
"In someways, no. But in other ways, yes. I just wish I could of saved it for my husband. Like you." Phoenix had tears threatening to flow.
"Hey, don't cry. C'mere." Scarlett outstretched her arms, Phoenix sitting down next to her.
"Tell me a story." Phoenix whispered like a child, sniffling slightly.
"Oh, like what?"
"Tell me what you felt the first time you saw Nick."
Scarlett laughed, rubbing Phoenix's back soothingly. Her hair no longer fell past her shoulders, Scarlett had forced her to cut it back. Then, things couldn't grab her. She wasnt going to lose the one person she had left from the apocalypse.
"Well, it wasn't love at first sight. At least, for me. I was running away from a Witch after I got separated from my teammates. You met Ty, but you didn't meet Jonathan or Quinn. Well, you met the Huntress Quinn, but not the real Quinn. I tripped and fell into Nick. We escaped out of a mall with a stock car, after Jonathan sacrificed himself. Then, we found you."
"So you didn't like him when you first met him?" Phoenix cocked her head.
"Honestly, no. I thought he was an asshole." Scarlett laughed, feeling Phoenix pull out of her embrace.
"I still think he is. I don't know what you see in him." Phoenix jabbed her ribs slightly.
"Well jeez, thanks!" Scarlett sputtered, getting off the couch. She took Phoenix's empty plate, bringing it over to the kitchen and placing them into the sink
Even though they didn't have heat and electricity, they did have water. They did have to conserve it though. Scarlett ran a little bit of Luke warm water, the remnants of eggs cloying the water and going down the drain. Scarlett sighed. It was something she did lately. She would sigh whenever she had an ounce of remorse or sadness. Flame rubbed against her clothing, mewling.
Scarlett wasn't wearing anything out of the ordinary. An indigo knit sweater, tight fitting nylon pants, and fluffy knee high snow boots. Flame was rubbing against Scar's new shoes, getting ginger hair all over the raccoon fur. Scarlett hated the vile creatures with a passion. One had scared the shit out of her when she was taking the trash out back in Oregon. She had brought an airsoft gun with her out since the incident.
"Flame's hungry, 'Nix." Scarlett bent down to scratch the kitten inbetween it's ears.
Phoenix had agreed to care for the cat after Serenity was deemed a carrier. Animals were, to a default, immune to the human born disease. Flame was a nuisance to Scarlett, just another mouth to feed. But Phoenix had a knack for animals, and loved to have them around. She had even snuck an injured bird into the apartment in November. Scarlett had efficiently shot it with a Glock 26 when it landed on her as she was peeing.
"Phoenix?" Scarlett whispered.
"You should probably come see this."
Well, that had me pulling my hair out for almost a month. I rewrote it about thirty thousand times before finally settling for this mess of a chapter. :c
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HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY EPIC BETA DILUTED DOLPHIN.
(October 13)
Please check out the story I'm Beta'ing for, "The Observer" By TinyBabyWoman. It's Tf2, bitaches.
Love and hugs,
Nikki
(herp)