The world went to hell real quick. I don't really know what happened, but one things for sure. I will survive. I will survive in this world. This world. It was almost laughable. It was the same as it used to be except that I had to fight for my life with things that had no life left in the rotten shells of bodies. I walked down a small trail in the woods. I can't remember where I am. Some woods in Arkansas. Altho worrying about the names of the woods where I was didn't seem that important to me. Survival was important.
It had to be late fall. The air had started to turn cool and leaves had begun their transformation from green to gold, red and brown. The air smelt of dirt and decaying flora. Even with the cool surrounding temperature I was starting to sweat. The reason being the protective clothing. I wore camouflage cargo pants, black leather jacket spray painted brown and green, with army grade boots. I covered my face in a mixture of leaves mud and black face paint. My hair the length of my shoulders was twisted into a ponytail with leaves and mud combed into each fiber. I carried a katana that I strapped to my back, two kusarigamas that I hung thru the belt loops of my pants, two hunting knifes strapped to my legs, and two small handguns in a holster on the small of my back. I also fashioned gloves with strips of metal imbedded in the leather. My father was a wielder and he showed me how to cut metal at least. Few strips of metal, two leather gloves and needle with thread was all that was needed to turn my fist into steel weapons with the dexterity of normal skin. One good punch and bone would shatter.
After hours of walking I came across a deer camp. Of course I did. I was in the south. Deer camps were everywhere in Arkansas. A single roomed cabin that stood fifteen feet off the ground supported by several beams of wood. Hell it looked as if it was made to withstand walkers.
"Man. I can't believe my luck." I said. I ran up the metal stairs and tried to open the door to only find it locked. Raising my foot to waist height I kicked in the door with one powerful kick. The door remained on the hinges but swung open freely. I stepped in to be meet with the smell of wood and musk. The single roomed cabin was void of life and the non-living. There was a small wood stove in the corner that vented outside. A spool used for industrial wiring was flipped on its side to serve as a table. Several folding lawn chairs were scattered around the room; some were folded laid against the wall others were unfolded and positioned in front of windows.
I turned my head to look towards the cabinets and moved forward to open them inspect the contents inside. A few cans of beans, protein powder, and assorted non perishable foods. I grabbed as much as I could in my arms as I searched for a bag to carry it all in. Suddenly I heard voices outside of the camp.
"Jamie, did you leave the door open." A male voice asked.
"No." responded a female's voice.
"Shit," I said under my breath. "I forgot to check if anyone was actually living here." I barely had anytime to draw my guns as the two busted in thru the open door way.
"Who are you?!" the girl yelled.
"I'm just passing thru!" I relied. "And shut your fucking mouth. Or do you want walkers on our asses."
She seemed to consider this. "Fine. Who are you freak. Not everyone looks like a walking mudman." She sneered. I did not take my eyes or my guns off of them.
"If having proper camouflage makes me a freak then I'm the freakiest freak of them all, but I'm still alive." I said.
"Look," the boy said. "Pointing guns at us isn't going to do you any good. We're not armed just point your pistols down." I licked my lips and slowly let the barrels of my guns fall parallel to my legs.
"Fine. I just want something to eat." I nodded to the can of beans at the table.
"You can't just have food. Especially after you were about to rob us." Jamie said.
"What about a trade?" I asked. I reached into my jacket pocket and brought out an assortment of Tylenol, antiseptic, and painkillers. "This should be enough for a can of beans and a bag of whatever is in that cabinet." Jamie and the boy looked at each other and nodded in unison. I placed the medical supplies on the makeshift table and moved across the room to the cabinet that held the food. I grabbed a bag of salted pretzels, can of pinto beans, and a can opener. I moved across the room pulling a lawn chair to the spool table. I sat down opening the bag of chips with my hands and using the can opener I removed the top.
"I don't suppose you have a spoon." I said.
"No, but you can use your hands." She remarked as a sneer spread across her face. All attitude aside she had a point. But I couldn't with my gloves on. So I tilted the can to my lips and let the contents pour into my mouth. I started a pattern. Tilt, chew, potato chip, tilt. As soon as I had finished I stood up wiped residue off on my pants and started to walk out.
"My name is Randy." The boy spoke. I turned to face him.
"Excuse my french. But I don't give to shits." I replied. I walked out and down the metal steps and began to make my way to the trail when I heard Randy behind me.
"Lets get one thing straight. Even thou I hasn't seen a walker for the past two days doesn't mean their not out there. You can stay with us for the night." Randy offered.
I began to weigh my options. I could spend the night in the woods without shelter and risk being ambushed my walkers and biters. Or I could stay with the first two people I had seen in six months. But what if they tried to kill me? I had weapons and a sword that would be essential for them. I considered this for a moment. If I died tonight I would rather be killed by them rather than being eaten alive.
"Fine. For one night, but if you try anything I will kill you both without hesitation." I said. He nodded and we walked back to the raised cabin.
