Dani had been walking for miles. She had collected enough fruit and berries for ten smoothies, and had blisters and bruises that would probably take weeks to recover. She was down to two bottles of water, three granola bars, and four handfuls of other various fruits and nuts. Dani carried it all in her messenger bag. All her other clothes and items were in the suitcase she'd been dragging, through the woods, for the past 15 miles. Her last "refuge" was as gas station bathroom. Dani stayed one night, "foraged" enough gas station goodies for a week, and left the next morning.
Dani practically lived in the trees from then on. By nightfall she'd be safely strapped in a tree. She'd fall asleep and dream about either the day's actions or the past. Before the outbreak, Dani was a clerk at the local grocery, but during her free time she mastered hand-to-hand combat. She was also a licensed trainer at the shooting range. Not that she knew about the impending apocalypse, it's just something she loves to do. But she does prefer using her hunting knife; quick and quiet.
As she was walking, Dani heard other footsteps. She quickly dropped her suitcase and climbed the nearest tree. She learned to climb the backside of the tree, then to circle behind the backside of the tree to get a view of whom- or whatever was coming. This time it was two guys, one just about bald and the other with messy, brown hair. From where Dani was, they couldn't see her; at least she hoped they couldn't. The pair then noticed her suitcase. Messy Hair motioned for Baldy to come look. The bald guy then proceeded to go through the suitcase.
Dani decided now was a good time to introduce herself. "Didn't yer mama ever tell ya it's rude to go through a lady's things?" he southern accent clearly showing. She held in a smile as the two looked for the voice. Her branch was low enough to the ground, so she jumped down. Messy Hair pointed a crossbow in her face as soon as she was on her feet. Dani threw her hands up and backed away a little. She got a better look of the two up-close. Messy Hair was somewhat attractive; as attractive as it could get with their weapon in your face. Baldy looked familiar, but Dani couldn't put her finger on it…
"Merle Dixon?" the name escaped her lips without thinking. "Is that you?" Dani asked again. A smile began to cross the man's face. "Danielle Moore, what chu doin' out here?" Merle laughed. He opened his arms and Dani gave him a hug. The man with the crossbow looked confused. "Oh, where er my manners? Baby brother this is Danielle. Danielle this is Daryl. She's the only clerk I'd check out my cigs and beer with." "Why?" asked Daryl, not bothering to shake Dani's outstretched hand. Putting his arm around Dani's shoulders, Merle said, "Why, she's been a friend of the Dixon family for years, baby brother! Danielle here is Ellis' little sister. You 'member Ellis, don't cha?
