Authoress Note: Hi Fanfic people! So, to add to my growing list of stories I start and end up taking month-long breaks from, here's "The Walking Dead" for you! Like I say in all of my other posts: This is purely for FUN and in no way, shape or form do I keep to any updating schedule, therefore posts will be infrequent and sporadic. You've been warned. As much as I love writing, school and work take precedent (sadly) so I can't update as often as I'd like. So, bear with me. Thank you! Obligatory Disclaimer: I own nothing except for Emily, Reggie and Annie.
That is all. Enjoy!
Hunter's Secret
Chapter One
"Shit, shit, shit!"
I ran as fast as I could across my grandfather's yard with my dog Reggie quick at my heels. Over my shoulder was strapped my granddad's repeater rifle and in one hand was my nephew's little league metal bat. Those dead things were everywhere, fastly swarming the premises.
My grandmam's old Honda hatchback sat in the gravel driveway, right where she left it a few days ago, back when she was still...alive. I shook the thought from me, finding no time to grieve properly - not with my own death imminent.
"Come on, Reggie!" I called to the German Shepherd, throwing the driver's side door open, letting him hop in to the passenger seat. I slid in after him, slamming the door before one of them dead assholes could grab me. Aggressively, I manhandled the ignition and put the car in rear drive. I drove backwards out of the driveway, clipping a few dead guys in the process. The car fishtailed onto the road and I headed towards the next safest place I knew of: Atlanta.
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"God damn, son of a piece a crap!" I kicked the front bender of the little blue car, venting my ire. We were trapped on the road, still a long ways away from our destination, which made me all the more mad. Reggie whined at me, making me glance at the dog ruefully.
"I don't have any food, alright! We'll scavenge for something up the road at the quickie mart," I said. I dunno why I continued talking to my dog as if he would speak back. Maybe it was just from being alone for so long. Maybe it was just because I needed to hear a voice, even if it was my own.
I paced around the car, running my hands up and down my face. Reggie followed me with his eyes, his head nodding back and forth with my stride. I pulled my dark brown hair up into a ponytail to alleviate some of the heat building up. Sweat beaded down the back of my neck and my skinnys were feeling hotter with each passing minute in the direct sunlight. My feet burned inside my brown leather boots and I tried my hardest not to panic.
So I was stranded in the middle of the road, no food, no gas and hardly any ammo left to defend myself and Reggie. I looked to the black long-haired beast.
"So, what do we do? Abandon the car? Try our chances at the nearest gas station, siphon some from any cars we happen upon?" I asked, continuing to pace as I watched Reggie. As if making up his mind, Reggie abruptly turned around and started trotting down the street. I groaned and followed him, checking my rifle to see if it was properly loaded and swung it over my shoulder.
The gas station was abandoned, with a big sign out front reading, "OUT OF GAS". I sighed and looked at the chaos around me. Abandoned cars littered the road and people's possessions were thrown about, by looters was my guess. No sign of anyone living. Or dead. I loosened my grip on my bat.
Suddenly, I heard a 'thunk'. Reggie and I tensed and I raised my bat. My senses were on high alert and my ears were straining to hear the sound again. Reggie sniffed the air and his hackles lowered. He wagged his tail and ran off.
"Shit, no Reggie!" I quickly raced after him, weaving between cars and hopping over stray luggage in the road.
Reggie made a beeline for a red minivan parked across the street. He sniffed at the door and barked, wagging his tail wildly.
"Reggie, no! Back up, back up!" I grabbed at his collar and hauled him behind me.
I hesitantly grabbed the door handle and slid it open. I was met with a terrified scream and I jumped in surprise.
"Hey, hey! It's okay, I won't hurt you." I raised my hand up in shock, lowering my bat again. Huddled inside of the van was a young girl no older than six years old. Her wild red hair had been tied back in a messy braid, undoubtedly done by someone else a long time ago. Her big blue eyes looked up at me in horror and she began crying.
"It's okay, hey, don't cry." I put my bat down completely and knelt, trying to show her I meant no harm. "You alright? You hurt?" I asked, glancing her over slightly. She shook her head quickly.
"What's your name?" I asked in a soothing voice.
She sniffed loudly and wiped her nose with her sleeve and said, "Annie."
"Hi, Annie. My name's Emily. Where are your parents?" I asked her, taking her by the hand and leading her out of the van.
Annie shrugged her small shoulders and pointed down the road. "Left. Went that way. They said they'd come right back."
I felt my heart sink. One glance around the road would tell anyone that no one had come or gone in a long while. I smiled weakly. "When was that?" I asked, afraid of the answer.
"Few days ago, maybe a week. Been finding food in the cars and gas store." I hung my head and glanced down, seeing Reggie panting happily.
"Hey, Annie, this is Reggie. Wanna pet him?" I offered kindly.
Annie raised her hand slowly and tentatively stroked his ear. Reggie made a pleased groaning sound and leaned into her hand. She smiled and grew bolder, using both hands to rub his fur.
"Listen, Annie, I don't think you're parents..." I paused, unsure how to say it. I cleared my throat and shifted from a kneeling position to a crouching one. "I don't think they're coming back anytime soon, sweetheart. Why don't you come with me, we'll find you some real food or something. Does that sound okay to you?"
The little girl nodded agreeably and took my waiting hand. I smiled down at her and said, "Right. First thing's first. Find some food, then some spare gas. Sound good?"
"Yup!" she cheered beside me.
From that day forward, it was me, Annie and Reggie living day by day in the post-apocalypse.
Authoress Note: Yes, it's a tad short. Chapter Two should be longer. I'll put up the first two or three chapters and based on responses, I'll put up the next one after. Comments and constructive criticism are always welcomed. But be kind, please. Thank you!