Preface
'Son of a bitch!' Renee puffed out through gritted teeth, 'Damn biters.' Pulling out the arrow shaft from the biters mangled head with a familiar squelch, Renee set to work re-stringing her cross bow.
Looking around at her discarded items which had fallen from the satchel during the struggle with a six foot biter, she scrambled hastily gathering all of her belongings. Shoving water bottles, tins of beans, a bottle of whisky, spare items of clothes back into an already over stuffed bag.
Today's haul had been great, coming across a warehouse, practically full to the brim with everything she could imagine. This would set her up comfortably for the next couple of weeks. There had been signs of activity due to the fact the biters had already been put down when she reached it. Renee had followed the tyre tracks that had led from outside on the main road, as she followed them she stuck to the shelter of the trees. A few straying biters seemed to stumble in the same direction as she travelled in. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her as she followed the same path the biters took.
The sun was beginning to dip low in the west which meant she would have to find shelter soon, or she was dinner for the biters. From the position of the sun it looked like it was at least six in the evening, yet she hadn't fully been sure of the time for at least a month now. The autumn was reaching its peak, and winter was fast approaching once again. The winter months of the last year had proved to be the toughest months of her life. Losing many of the group she once travelled with. It came to a point where she was supporting and defending the weak, and she had never been taught that principle by her brothers. Renee had to make sure she survived. Thus she had become a nomad never settling in one place for more than a couple of days.
The tracks remained strong; whoever was driving the truck had recently passed due to the disturbed leaves. She wasn't sure whether to continue or settle for the night, in a tree and continue at first light. As she scouted the trees around the road, looking for the perfect branch to perch on, a light galloping noise caught her attention. It was coming from behind, where she had travelled from. Edging to the road side a brown stallion galloped over the hill crest with a female rider seated upon it.
Not knowing whether to stop the rider, or let her pass caused anxiety to attack her guts. This was a life or death situation that she hadn't spent any time planning out. Taking a deep breath she urged her left foot, then her right foot, before Renee knew it she was on the road side, and had begun to wave her arms above her head. This was the worst decision she could have made as the horse reared up onto its hind legs, causing the woman who was riding it to curse whilst clinging onto the reigns for dear life.
'Drop your weapons now!' The black woman screamed as she drew her sword from the sheath on her back, tipping its point to her throat.
'P...please, I don't mean you any harm.' The black woman growled pushing the sword further till it nicked her neck causing a trickle of warm blood to run. 'I was following the tyre tracks up the ro...'
'I said, drop your weapons. Drop them now or I will kill you.' Renee unwilling complied, dropping her cross bow, and quiver, the dagger and machete that she carried. This situation made her far too uneasy, and wasn't a position she liked to be put in. 'Now take a step back, away from my horse.'
'I need fucking shelter, I have been on my own for the past two fucking months. I need safety. I have food, and I am a good hunter. I will provide for your camp.' Renee felt ridiculous pleading with this woman, whose stony face did not waver. Watching the tall woman climb from the horse with a sophisticated grace, she towered above Renee glaring.
'Turn around; I am going to tie your hands behind your back, just for precaution.' The black woman shoved her roughly away, using a length of rope to restrain her arms.
'How do I know you are not going t'kill me anyway? How can I trust you?' Her voice was wavering; she didn't like feeling trapped and useless.
'You don't know, but it's a risk you will have to take.' The black woman had set about gathering all her weapons off the floor, shoving them into the sacks at the horse's side. 'Climb up.'
Rustling was coming from behind them; at least a dozen god damn biters were emerging from the trees. Their moans began to startle the horse.
Her mouth fell open, how was she meant to climb up on a horse twice the size of her, and with no hands? Renee scowled back at her capturer, who responded with a growl. Grabbing her by the shoulders she shoved her onto the front of the horse. Not caring if both of her legs had reached over, or whether she was even comfy.
'I'm Renee, Renee Dixon.' The black woman who had just mounted the horse stiffened behind her. 'What is your name?'