Harley gulped down a large lump of air caught in her throat. Whatever those things were, they were after her, and hot on her tail. She shuddered, remembering the smell of decaying flesh when one of the creatures had reached out to her. Finally, she had caught her breath enough to continue forward. A small creek snaked its way through the woods and Harley used it as her landmark. She glanced up and noticed the sun closer to the center of the sky, signaling it was almost midday. The creek swerved through the woods, and Harley continued on her path for hours. The snap of a twig caused her to spin her head around, glancing left and right to find the source of the noise. When she found nothing, she stepped on and followed the creek, checking over her shoulder every few steps. A low gurgle sounded below her and she jumped back, seeing the undead creature that was stuck in the mud alongside the creek. Her feet carried her along quickly in a hurried jog. Glancing over her shoulder, she failed to notice the tree root reaching out to capture her foot. Her toe snagged the root and she toppled over, sliding down the creek bed and into the water. She cursed herself for being so careless and scrambled to her feet, pulling herself up to the solid ground and trudging on, her wet clothes adding unwanted weight to her body. A sigh blew itself out her lips as she pulled herself forward, seeing a small clearing peak through the trees ahead. It looked as though there were a rock quarry and a large body of water past the trees. Her pace quickened and she hurried through the trees. People's voices sounded just beyond the tree line and Harley stopped. If there were people here, they might see her as a threat or worse, one of those things she had been running from. Biting down on her lip in thought, she looked off to her left and saw a hill. If she could make it up the hill and to the road, she would be seen on her approach and wouldn't cause as much alarm. Her teeth released her bottom lip and she made way towards the road at the top of the hill. Once her feet met pavement, she sighed in relief and went on down the road until she came to an opening in the trees.
"Who are you?" A voice barked cautiously.
Harley turned slowly and looked into the eyes of a young Asian boy. He seemed frightened, but not malicious. Harley put up her hands to signal she meant no harm.
"My name is Harley, I..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced back forward.
"Oh my god!" She screamed and took off running down the hill.
"Merle!" She cried as she leapt into the older man's arms, catching him off guard and taking them both to the ground.
"What in God's name?!" Merle shouted, struggling to push himself onto his elbows. His eyes locked onto Harley as she sat up, pushing her bangs out of her face.
"We'll I'll be damned!" He grinned. "If it ain't baby Harley!"
Harley smiled warmly and threw her arms around his neck. The Asian boy had followed Harley after she took off and now stared, dumbfounded, at the sight of someone actually happy to see Merle Dixon.
"Merle, you'll never believe it! Dead people are up and walkin'! They ain't dead no more!" She huffed, climbing off of Merle and helping him stand to his feet.
Merle stared down at her for a few moments before hooking his arm around her shoulder.
"I know, baby girl, they're tryin'a eat the livin'."
Harley stared up at him and searched his eyes for any clue that he was joking. She found none. Her eyes fell to the dirt and her shoulders slumped.
"So that mean Danny ain't really alive then?" She asked softly. Merle squeezed her shoulders.
"Nah, baby girl, he's as dead as the day they laid his ass in the ground."
Somehow, Merle's unorthodox words of assurance comforted Harley. She looked up and noticed a large group of people gathered around the two reunited friends. She shifted awkward under Merle's arm.
"Who the hell is she?" A dark haired man growled. Harley took in his features; dark skin, black hair, and a nose that looked like it had seen its fair share of fights.
"I'm Harley. I grew up in Merle's hometown, uhm, I've been wandering on my own for..." She thought for a moment. She couldn't remember when she hit the road. "A long time," she finally said.
"Are you bit? Scratched?" A think black woman asked.
Harley shook her head, not understanding what that had to do with anything. A tall woman with dark, wavy hair approached Harley and Merle.
"I'm Lori. You can stay with us for now, but you have to help out and earn your keep."
Harley nodded and thanked the woman, catching an icy glare from the dark haired man. She glared back for only a moment before Merle turned her around and wheeled her away.
"You can meet all them later. I need your help," he said under his breath.
The wheels in Harley's head turned. What kind of world was this where Merle Dixon needed help? She shook off the thought and followed him down to the lake she had spotted through the trees. Merle grabbed a fishing pole off the rocks and handed it to Harley.
"You always had more patience for this kinda shit," he huffed. Harley chuckled and took the fishing pole. She baited the hook and cast the line in a flash, taking a seat on the rock.
"Who's the prick that was giving me the death glare?" She asked.
Merle's face scrunched up.
"That's Shane. Used to be a pig, then the world went to shit. Now he ain't nothin' more than a survivor with an attitude."
"I wanna knock him on his ass," Harley huffed.
Merle laughed, glad to have his old friend back, even if she was significantly younger than him.