PROLOGUE
Nina woke up. The morning sounds filled with the distant groans of walkers; her eyes slowly focusing, initially full of sunlight and smelling her own unwashed carcass. Reaching down by her side she realised her supply was dwindling. Two days, four days, a week; she was unaware how long she had been there but it was long enough for the seemingly new stock to dry up. With a moan she rose up from her bed, placing her feet on the floor and assembling for the morning prayer.
A silenced semi-automatic pistol. Quiet, quick and thus qualified. Equipped Nina crouched and removed the cover with caution. All was clear. Making her way down the stairs slowly, the pistol always leading the way, she soon realised there were none below. The pistol did not often meet its holster but on the occasion it did, Nina assumed stealth mode at its peak, never leaving one side of her without a glance for any long period of time. It's how she had lasted this long and she was not going to ruin that, especially since becoming a lone ranger.
A cabin in the woods. Cupboard drawers all open, nothing was left. Nothing of value. The noises of walkers grew stronger but all windows and doors downstairs had been boarded up, thus Nina had no idea of numbers. The small amount of light that shone down the stairs from the windows above aided her a little, but her torch, regardless of its lack of power left, had to be used. It was time to face the realities of the outside of the cabin, and for the pistol to be withdrawn from its holster.