She ran for as long as her legs allowed, the fear of those things following her was too great to do any less. It wasn't any good, she was making too much noise; her throat was raw making each breath louder than the last. Leaves and twigs crinkled underfoot, they would hear her from a mile off. Just move, you have to keep moving. There's nothing else.
Fuck. Shit. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She was starting to panic, her ears hearing nothing but the drumbeat of her heart and each sharp breath. Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill over. What can I do? No options, no choices, nothing.
Scared and hopeless she stopped everything. Each foot barely moving now, her body crumpled against a tree. Her fingers splayed themselves across the rough bark and for the first time since she left the hotel she smiled, albeit weakly. I can climb.
The 50-foot trees were the only cover in the forest she found herself in; they had no other use for her. She had no idea what kinds there were or if any part of them were edible, all she saw was the choice between the big scary city overflowing with reanimated cannibals or a forest that could hold anything. She chose the unknown.
She made it over half the way up before stopping; the limbs would be too small to support her any higher. Hugging the tree, she took everything in to process. It had been six weeks since the outbreak and two days she'd been on her own. She was in a state she'd never been to before and had no resources. How stupid am I? Not even a weapon? The monsters had managed to overrun her hotel almost month ago; looking back it was a miracle the place had held up for that long. Must've been because there was so much fresh meat outside. She'd only arrived there five weeks prior, back when everyone thought this unknown disease would blow over like the flu. Hardly anyone took it seriously until they saw it happen, but it was already too late by then. The entire city was taken.
No point worrying about it now. Just find your way back to the basics, gatherer girl. Her eyes widened as the words left her thoughts. Hunting or gathering, how was she to get food? She was raised in the city learning numbers and words all her life, not survival skills. Her eyes drifted over towards the birds' nest on a neighboring tree. There was a five-foot gap between the trees. Not worth it, her mind told her while her stomach argued the validity of jumping. Her body was too tired to do anything, for now, food would have to wait. She'd have to raid a store at some point, but for now going back to the city was not an option.
She rummaged through her pockets hoping against all hope there was something to be found. Six sticks of gum, and a coupon to the art museum from the hotel were her rewards. So useful, she shoved half a stick into her mouth anyway and dropped the coupon to the ground below.
Half lidded eyes followed the piece of paper as it twirled in the light breeze, wondering why the world had decided to go to shit as soon as she got hers together. She tried to glare at the coupon as it made the final drop but couldn't hold it up for long. She made the decision to leave home when the world had ended and she couldn't blame anything else. Swallowing her gum and sighing deeply she shut her eyes not opening them as she positioned herself in the branches.
It was the screams that woke her, it sounded like a frightened child. Her whole body ached and it looked like midday, why am I awake? It was some idiotic kid, one who managed to attract those monsters and dragged them over here, to her tree. I always hated children, she thought as she shimmied down the tree. Now she had to distract those freaks to save some stupid kid.
"OVER HERE!" she yelled as she dropped to the ground.
Between the brushes appeared a girl. She glared at the small human. She'd be a teenager in a year or two; does she really deserve this much help? Ignoring the thought, she grabbed on to the girl's arm and yanked the idiot behind her, looking for rocks nearby. The monster came through not five seconds later. Still holding on to the preteen she ran. After five minutes of absolutely nothing but the trees, there was a small camp. A hopeful grin flitted onto her face for a split second as she shoved the girl towards it. I can do this. I can save us.
"Grab me something scary!" she shouted, crazed. Turning around she didn't have to wait long for the creature to run at her. She sent an angry punch at the thing sending it to the ground, immediately it tried getting up again. I can't do this.
"NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME, KIDDO!" she screamed. The girl had stopped in place, holding of all things a walking stick. She kicked at the beast and ran towards the worthless kid snatching away the stick. Her eyes are so scared.
"Turn around and don't watch," she managed, as an afterthought, spinning back towards the monster. It was back on its feet and headed her way, roaring. Not taking the time to prepare herself she swung her stick at the monster's head. It stumbled back and she kept going, each swing striking it down further until it didn't make a move back towards them. The stick fell from her limp hands and she breathed again.
She was about to turn towards the girl before realizing how horrifying she must look. She tore off her bloodied button up, wiped the gore off her body with it and used the thing to cover the bloody pulp that was once a human face. Turning back towards the child she walked up and grabbed onto her hands. Attempting a smile, she introduced herself.
"I know you're scared but you don't have to be with me around," she lied easily. "My name's Nat, and I'm going to protect you."
A/N: I'm really new to writing ff so any help is welcome. I'm not sure where this story is heading so if you have an idea or want certain characters to play a larger role just say so and I'll try to work it in.