She could still see the flames glowing in the distance, the swarm of walkers destroying everything they had built at the farm. She was alone. Alone with Legacy, panting at her side like a normal dog. The one thing Rafael had to hold onto forevermore, the one thing she cared more about than anything else.
But everything had finally come down in flames. The group was gone, the farm was just a pile of ashes. Rafael wasn't sure if anyone was alive. She wasn't sure she wanted to know, because knowing who had survived meant finding out who hadn't
In truth, Rafael was pretty surprised Legacy even survived so far into this mess. She wasn't much of a fighter, and at the beginning even attempted to approch the walkers like she did everyone, with a cute glow in her eyes and a fierce desire for hugs and kisses.
Time passed, but Rafael could barely tell the difference between one day and the other. They were both quite changed when spring had finally come. Rafael hadn't spoken a word in some time, even to Legacy, even though she did crack a smile from time to time when her pet was being silly.
And so, spring came, and Rafael was desperate for a new objective.
As she was walking down an old road, her eyes peered in the distance, spotting a rotting car crashed on the side. She locked eye contact with Legacy and pointed to her feet, making her stick around as the young woman advanced rapidly on the trail, looking around her to secure the area. Nothing seemed to move except for the trees in the cool morning breeze, but Rafael didn't put her gard down, approching the car with great caution. The young woman put her hand on the handle and pulled hard the door opened like a canon, letting a rotting corpse with a headwound still apparent through. Legacy came to her, leaning her face against Rafael's waist as she usually did, and Rafael simply smiled, patting her on the head.
« Yeah, I know. Feels good to have a break now and then. »
Legacy wagged her tail, suddenly excited, and Rafael realised it was the first time she talked in at least a few days. Reasons to speak got scarce over time, and even just pronouncing Legacy's name somewhat became a chore, and she thought that maybe it was time to find some people. She sighed again, wondering how she could even form bonds again in a world like this, or even if there was anyone left.
She was lost, alone, and she had no idea where to go, how to get there, and how to find people.
And so, people came to her.
« Hi there. »
Rafael jumped on her feet, as the words echoed in a strange way as she hadn't heard any human voice in weeks. Legacy took a few steps back, growling slightly and somewhat barking until Rafael shooshed her, not wanting to attract walkers. As she got back up, she catched her shovel and put herself in a stance as her eyes met the ones of a tall, dark-skinned man with a calm demeanour. His smile was kind and nothing about him seemed threatening, but Rafael made a point on not being foolish. She kept a serious face, staring and the newcomer while trying to appear as menacing as possible, which wasn't very convincing with her tear-ridden face.
« Go away. »
As she said those words in a clear, severe voice, Legacy decided it was time to meet the newcomer, approching him without hesitation and sitting at his feet while pressing her head against him in a request for at least a pat on the head. Rafael gasped in annoyance, and put her shovel down, while keeping her guard very much up.
« I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. But really… is that shovel the only weapon you have ? »
The man started petting Legacy's head without seamingly noticing, as if it was a habit he had before.
« Of course not. I also have big teeth and anger management issues. »
The man laughed a little, before giving all his attention to Legacy, kneeling down while stroking her on the back with a happy smile on his face.
« Where's your group ? »
Rafael only asked because she suspected him to have people around, ready to jump out at her at any given moment but the newcomer's smile faded in an instant as he got back up, looking at her again.
« Hum… They're dead. Yours ? »
« Oh. Sorry. »
Rafael stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say, and not ready to reveal anything about herself.
« My name is Bob. I've been travelling for a good few days on my own now… Didn't think I'd meet any living person in a while but I spotted you through the trees. Just thought I'd come and say hi. »
Rafael looked at him a little confused, but Bob then drove the attention towards Legacy.
« Not many people stick around with animals in the wilderness. A horse, maybe, but a dog can turn on you whenever hunger comes and stings. »
He smiled again, and Rafael couldn't help but liking that smile. It was kind, but also very sad, in many ways he had the face of a man who couldn't help trying to find good things even in the worst scenarios. Legacy wagged her tail as she came back to sit against Rafael, as if to confirm what Bob suspected. After a few seconds, the young woman finally decided, maybe it was time to give people a chance.
« Rafael. And... »
Her eyes widened as she looked behind Bob : a group of walkers was travelling in their direction, and, casual conversation or not, Rafael was not going to stick around long enough for them to arrive.
« Move ! We've got company ! »
Bob turned around, surprised, but followed Rafael and Legacy as they started walking at a reasonable pace through the woods. There was no point on running but they felt more comfortable if they could add a few miles between them and the living dead. Silence had fallen for awhile, and Rafael made sure to always have Bob within her vision. He didn't seem to mind having her walking slightly behind him, too busy patting Legacy on the head whenever she came by. It was only when they got to a clearing that one of them finally broke the ice.
« Where are you going anyway ? »
Rafael looked at Bob with a expressionless face, like she was tired of hearing that question even though she hadn't heard it at all. It was the equivalent of the good old « what are you going to do after college ? ». She hated it.
« Where are anyone of us going ? »
He smiled.
« That's a bit of a generic answer. »
« That was a bit of a generic question. »
He didn't stop smiling a little, even though Rafael had trouble doing the same.
« I'm not going anywhere, while going somewhere. I feel like I might find home along the way, and I just know I need to keep going. For her. She's a family dog, not the type to survive very long in the wilderness. »
He nodded, aparently agreeing with what she was saying.
« I'm not going anywhere either. Do you mind if I stick around for a little while ? »