This world has gone to hell…and unfortunately, my sisters have gone missing with it. Right now, I know that my parents are okay and are most likely helping as many people as possible, but my sisters were on a trip to Atlanta to see some friends when they were separated. At least that is what my sister told me before we lost contact. So I packed up and headed out to find the both of them. Starting with Atlanta.
My name is Dea Venatu Custos. My family calls me Vena, but I prefer Dea. My sisters are Angelus Parva Custos and Paulo Stella Custos. Angelus is my youngest sister and we call her Angie. She is 12 years old, blond, and a spit fire little girl. Paulo is the middle child and we call her Stella. She is 16, also blond, and the most stubborn and selfish person one could ever meet.
Me. Well I look to be 25 and have been surviving this world on my own since the outbreak started. Everyone says that I look like my mother, but I don't see it. My eyes are a deep purple that scare the living shit out of anyone if I give them the death glare. Recently this heat has started to tan my normally rosy skin. I have had no shower since the outbreak, so my hair is all clotted, disgusting, and no longer its normal color. The car I just jacked broke down. My only hope is for this little house to have something that I can use.
Front yard is littered with junk and scrap metal that appear to have been just thrown about. I drop my bags filled with clothes, food, weapons, etc. on the ground while grabbing my military issued K-bar. The scent of dried blood and decay is in the air. Extreme caution is used as I make my way to the front door. Once there, the smell becomes stronger, but I do not hear the movement of the Dead nor can I smell their scent. The Dead have a special odor that I associate with them. I peer into the window and see the source of the dried blood I had smelled. The couple who lived here had taken it upon themselves to opt out with bullets to their heads. I'm glad they took out their brains or I would have had to deal with two Dead. There was a rustle coming from the back. Instead of sneaking around the side of the house, I jump and grab the roof pulling myself up. The shingles make little noise as I race to see what is in the back.
Damn! I left my compact bow with my pack! If it is the Dead, I have two options: run back and get out of here or take out the ones in the back. As the distance closed between the back, and me I could see two figures. One is taller with a sheriff uniform and the other is petite with black clothing. They don't stumble around like Dead do, but one can never be sure.
"Hey" I call.
"SHIT!" the petite one screams while turning around and firing a couple shots in my direction. She has no skills with a gun because I didn't move and not one bullet came close to me. Five wasted bullets later, the idiot stops.
"Are you done?" I ask. This person has no clue how to defend herself. I can just tell by the way she holds herself and shoots that small gun of hers. "How have you survived this whole thing?" The ground is only a few feet away from the roof and with a simple jump; I am on the ground walking towards the two people.
The one in the sheriff uniform looks to be in his mid-thirties to late 30's, Caucasian, slim, with dark brown wavy hair hidden under a US Cavalry/Sheriff's hat, and facial stubble. He is carrying a few packs and a bunch load of guns.
The little kid is 5'0, black choppy hair that appears long in the front and shortens in the back, brown eyes, with all black Punk/rock fashion, and Caucasian too. She is only carrying one small pack and one small handgun that she clearly cannot handle.
"What….." "Who…." Both the sheriff and I started but stopped before our words become too jumbled. "You go first" I nodded to the sheriff.
"Who are you and why were on the roof?" While he asked his question, I could see two horses staring at us. I turn back to the man.
"My name is Dea. I was obviously on the roof because it is a safer position to be in if one is looking out for enemies. It is the advantage point. Now your turn. What are you two doing here with a shit load of guns and it seems that one of you can't shot to save your life." The punk girl turns sheepish and turns away when my stare catches her eyes. "It has been awhile since I last saw humans. Where are the two of you headed?"
"Atlanta" says the kid before the sheriff could stop her.
"Funny. I'm heading that way as well." The sheriff's interest, but also caution immediately went into over drive.
"We too are headed that way. We are just having a few problems. Our car broke down a few miles back. The house was here and the owners are dead, so we thought we would borrow them, but…."
"The two of you don't know a lot about animals do you?" Both shook their heads. "Then I'll help. My car ran out of fuel a few miles back too. Along with the fact, I am headed the same way as you guys."
"Your help would be much appreciated," said the sheriff. "My name is Rick Grimes. This here is Raven (Ray) Brooks." The kid just glared at me.
I pointed my small gun at her. "If I am going to be riding with you short-stuff then you will learn how to properly shot that gun. I don't want a bullet in my back later just because you cannot aim right. Now let me just grab my bags and then I will show you the right way to wrangle up those horses." Dirt crunched under my feet as I made my way back to the front yard. Luckily, nothing is missing from my bag as I grab it. I could hear hushed voices talking, but I could make what they were saying.
"Rick, why are we going to trust this bitch?! She doesn't seem like a person we can trust. Plus she insulted me with that talk of me not knowing how to shoot or being small!" Short-stuff seems to have a temper on her. I know I'm going to like her once she can better defend herself.
"Raven, I trusted you just as easily. Plus, this will benefit us greatly. This woman can help and you need to learn how to properly shot that handgun. I can't teach you while on horseback. Also, she said she could easily round-up the horses and saddle them. It has been years since I was last on a horse and I doubt you know. We need her."
At that moment, I decided I would reveal myself. "Are you guys done with talking about me cause I would like to go." Both just looked at each other before nodding their heads. "Okay then. Watch my stuff while I get the horses set up." I drop my bags to the ground as I march over to the horses. They backed away before coming forward and sniffing the hand I had outstretched for them to smell. "That's it good boys. I am going to get you out of here." These horses are both quarter horses. One is a dusty brown with white stocking and a white strip down its forehead. The other is the same. Once both got use to my scent, I quickly got them saddled up and ready to go. "Okay, Rick and Short-Stuff, you both get one horse and I will take the other. I have more stuff then you two." I help both onto their horse before quickly jumping on my own.
"Let's go. Easy boy not too fast!" One could easily see that Rick had not been on a horse in a while and Short-stuff has never been on one before with the way she is clutches onto Rick for dear life. I cluck my horse into a trot as Rick's horse follows. Being on this horse brings back such wonderful memories.
"Short-stuff!" She turns a little while still holding on to Rick. "Lessons start now!"
"WHAT THE FUCK! YOU BITCH!"
I merely laugh. These guys are funny.
