(Disclaimer: I do not own the L4D storyline nor do I own any Special Infected mentioned in the story.
Second chapter, introducing the main character and her faithful canine. –w- Enjoy~)
A figure picked their way through the debris and abandoned cars of the streets, glancing around with steady blue eyes, focused, narrowed. It was a young girl, her flaming red locks tied back in a tight ponytail. She let out a soft sigh when she realized it was all clear and moved onto the sidewalk. There was the sound of nails clicking against the pavement. A dog, coat a snow white colour, panting and wagging as he followed her obediently. She smiled down at him and patted his head.
"Looks like it's quiet today Grisha." she gazed around the bloody and ruined streets. "None of them here. But keep an eye out anyway, okay?"
He snorted his response and she smiled again.
"Good boy."
She searched along the shops, peeking in through the smashed windows. Most of the shops were pillaged and torn apart, people grabbing what they could and leaving when the city was invaded. Green Flu, that's what they called it. She scoffed to herself. Flu her ass. A flu didn't raise the dead. A flu didn't wipe out the world and every living being in it's path. Eyes flicking up she spotted one of the many posters littering the wall.
"..Healthy state of mind huh…"
That wouldn't save anyone from this mess. Shaking her head slowly she searched through the wreckage for supplies, whistling softly for Grisha to do the same. He panted and clawed through the smashed shelves, sticking his nose under them to try and find food.
"Anything yet?" she called out
He barked twice. Nothing yet. She frowned and picked up a couple of packages. Chips, not what she'd usually take but it was the end of the world, why not have some munchies? She shoved them in her bag. Then again, she never saw herself being a looter at all, a thief. What police were to stop her? No one could, though she still felt bad abut it from time to time… Call it her moral code still calling to her. She mentally swatted the thoughts from her head. Moral codes were useless in this age, the age of them. The undead.
Suddenly she heard Grisha let out a low whine and gasped, ducking, waving him over to her. He leaped over the wreckage and curled up at her side. Together they waited, watching the front window. The scuff of feet. A gurgled moan. She cursed in her head, chewing her lip as she watched a scraggly figure stumble and lurch down the street, coughing, then doubling over and wretched, blood splattering thickly over the pavement. Her small lunch turned in her stomach. The man had his face clawed open, jaw exposed, the muscles and cheekbones sticking out from his rotting flesh. Grisha whined again and she shushed him. The hunting rifle she carried was out of ammunition, either way shooting could pose a problem, if there were more than just that one she'd have dozen on her in an instant. She saw it happen, people running through the streets firing off rounds like they were in some stupid western, then next thing they knew it that had a whole hoard on them, ripping into their insides. She was only one person, she couldn't deal with that. She looked down to her other weapon instead, a blood caked axe… She'd need something else eventually.
As she weighed out her options he made his way on the street, obviously looking for his next meal. It wouldn't be her. Still, she couldn't leave him wandering, she had to pick up the pace, get on the road… Her eyes darted around for a new weapon. One of the shelves would do to hit him. Though wouldn't be practical to carry. Making sure she made no sound she went further in, then skidded to a halt. A body laid there, another man, eyes closed and the side of his head shot off, old blood staining the wall. She scanned over him. He had a security uniform on, probably trying to defend the shop, meeting his untimely demise at the hands of the frantic crowd.
She crouched next to him. A police baton was in his hand. Strong, solid, durable, meant for beating people back… She reached for it slowly and then glanced up to his face again, her own falling sadly. Rooting through his pockets she pulled out his wallet and opened it up. His money was gone, but that wasn't what she wanted to see. She pulled out his ID instead.
"..Felipp huh…" she murmured, looking over his picture. "Twenty five years old, born in this city, you were an officer after all… looks like someone took your gun…"
She poked in further and pulled out another photo. It was of a young woman, a message on the back.
"'To the most wonderful fiancé, I can't wait for the day I marry you'." She mouthed. "So you were engaged. She's lovely, I wonder if you two ever did tie the knot before all this."
Looking to him again she tucked the picture in the pocket over his heart and put his wallet back in his pocket, taking the baton from his hand and stood.
"I'm sorry this happened to you Felipp. At least you died trying to protect the last piece of good in this world, so rest well. You deserve it."
With that she closed her eyes and turned away from him, gripping the baton tightly and opening them as she watched the zombie disappear from sight.
"..Lets go Grisha."
He barked and lunged with her while she ran, grabbing the infected by the pant leg with a snarl, pulling and causing it to stumble, letting her go in and striking it viciously over the head, expression stone cold…
-
The sun started to set over the buildings, washing them in gold, orange and red. The girl sat on one of the bridges, munching on the chips she found, watching the show of colours sink beyond the distance. She'd cleaned off her baton and handed Grisha some food as well. He wagged politely and kept a sharp eye out for any movement.
"I miss the sunsets at our place Grisha." She sighed. "Do you remember them? They'd light up the trees and hills… The birds would be singing their last songs… And you'd play fetch with dad…"
She laughed softly and then it slowly faded as she spoke the last word.
"..Dad…"
Grisha looked up to her and whimpered, ears lowering.
"Yeah, I miss him to… I hope he's okay…"
Getting up he went on his hind legs and rested his chin on her lap. She smiled a little, though it was broken, petting his head.
"I remember when we first got you. You were the fattest puppy I ever saw. But it was nice, having some company… dad was always gone for work. What do you think boy? Think we stand a chance at finding him?"
His eyes were already drooping lazily. The light was beginning to fade, the stars about to come out. Her smile vanished, her alert demure returning, putting his paws back down gently and hopped back onto the bridge.
"It's getting late, lets find some shelter before it's too dark."
He looked disappointed at the loss of petting but followed her regardless. She made her way to the nearest apartment buildings and moved cautiously, checking for any signs of life, or them. When the coast was clear she inched down the halls, choosing a corner room near the stairs to flee if necessary, snatching the card key at the front desk and unlocked the door. Was a double room, the curtains drawn shut, room dusty but otherwise clean. It was a relief to finally have a bed to sleep on. Tossing her bag to the side she let out an exhale and flopped onto the bed.
"Here you go boy, your own bed too."
He wiggled in excitement and leaped on, turning three times before settling against the pillow with a wag. She smirked.
"Dork."
He ignored her comment, promptly falling asleep. She gave his head a pat before taking a flashlight, checking all the other rooms above her. Locked, abandoned, a hotel wasn't of use to anyone but a place to rest the night. And by the looks of it no one was stay in it. She went back to the room, locking the door and leaned her head against it quietly, closing her eyes. Her mind's eye flashed back, jolting from her seat in the sunroom as screams pierced the usually quiet air, peering out the curtains. Blood chaos, people attacking eachother in the streets, teeth, tearing, clawing flesh, horrified eyes, shrieks for help… Her hands clenched and she went over to the bed, curling up tightly, gripping the sheets around her.
"I'll find you dad… no matter what, zombies or no zombies… I'll find you… promise…"