Chapter 3: Stranger

The warmth of the sun woke me from my light sleep.
Trix was still awake and alert beside me, stretched out the length of my legs. Yawning I made sure I still had everything; dog, bag, life. Only then did I relax back, staring at the blue sky above me. The hollow tree had been more comfortable than what I had been expecting, I almost felt sad to leave it.

It was still relatively early when I forced myself away from my makeshift bed. Dew sat over the few blades of grass, the chill of the night still lingering in the slowly warming air. Trix stretched easily, calm for a change.
Good, that meant no walkers nearby.

Pulling the hood of my jacket down, I searched through my bag for my comb. When I couldn't find it I just huffed, who would care anyway? Besides, it was just an old habit. My fingers brushed over the last bits of bread and I saw Trix prick his ears. Giving him a smile, I tossed them over to him, which he caught mid-air. Drinking a bottle of water, I automatically watched the forest area around us and I tried to find any sort of landmark that could help me figure out where I had run to. All there was to help me was the creek. It looked deep but it didn't mean it could lead me to the coast or through any towns, I didn't have a map to check.

After a few minutes arguing with myself, I decided to head up the slope, maybe it would take me back to the road.
I had no clue where I was heading.
As Trix and I began our steady pace again, I remembered when all this traveling had a purpose.
Atlanta, that was where we had to go, that was where we would be safe.
I scoffed, there was no such place anymore. Maybe for a night, a week but nothing could withstand the unrelenting enemy named death.

I had given up on that a long time ago. Too many people clung to it, clung to the idea of creating a new home more than they could open their eyes and realise what the world honestly had in store for them. I pitied them, yet I envied them at the same time.

A small log cabin came into view, the dark wood seemingly untouched by the wild nature around it. Pulling free my dagger, Trix automatically moved away, scouting around the back as I threw a stone onto the deck, the noise loud enough to draw the walker to the window. It hissed, dead nails scrapping down dusty glass with a screech.
At least it hadn't snuck up on me like last time.

Bracing myself I ripped open the door and sure enough the walker forced its frail body towards me. He could have been an old hunter in his past life but right now all that was left was yellow skin and tattered strips of a plaid shirt. With an easy swing I stabbed the walker, a gurgling noise escaping its mouth before I shoved it away, the body rolling off the deck to rest on the ground.

Flicking the blood off my blade, I carefully took a step inside the musky cabin. It was open planned, nothing could hide from me as I stepped further in. It was the best looking room I had seen for a while. The old lounge looked comfy and a stack of blankets rested by boarded up windows. Trix padded across the wooden floor, his nose sniffing at the different scents.

The day had only just started but to be honest I didn't want to pass this up. Inspecting the rest of the small space proved that it was secure, two doors in case an escape was needed, windows secures and as a bonus there was even oil in a lamp. Trix had already made himself at home, curling up on the lounge and watching me with those big puppy dog eyes.

Gesturing to the door with my head, Trix obeyed and was out before I was. I shut the door behind me, my hand pausing in a moment of prayer before I followed Trix. It would be nice to spend one night in something that resembled a house. I just hoped that no one else thought the same thing, including any walkers.

Taking a deep breath, I ignored the dull ache starting in my thighs, we had a deer to catch. It took me a little while to figure out where exactly I was and where I had been but it was not where I had hoped. Scuffing the dirt with my boot I couldn't hide my frustration. If I really wanted that deer I would have to back track some distance to find the tracks.
So that's what I did.

With the river to my left I made the trek back along the forest, hoping that I would come across some fresh tracks or even an animal itself. It was quiet, only the sound of a scurrying squirrel reached my ears, that and the comforting sound of Trix's movements. There was a time when I hated this, no music, no cars, no life but now it was the best thing. It meant no walkers, it meant I could enjoy the little things, actually heard the true sounds of life around me.

Of course the human part of me longed for some familiarity, a jet engine or a roar of a truck, but that was a while ago now. If I heard it now, I would more than likely panic like a caveman, just like I had with that man.
Knocking the thoughts aside, I focused intently on the patch of snapped twigs, Trix also pricking his ears with keen interest. Something had definitely rested there last night. Pressing my hand to the bed of leave, I felt a brief moment of glee; it was warm, barely.

I pressed my finger to my lips, Trix understanding and crouching low, keeping as quiet as possible as we crept along the track. Every now and then I glanced behind us, making sure there was no walkers ready to spring from behind the numerous trees. If that fear wasn't there, I could enjoy the beauty around me easier.
The thick canopy above blocked most of the sun from the ground, splintered by the trees that were losing their foliage slowly. It made it harder to follow any tracks, moisture destroying it and falling leaves covering it.

Trix was good though, his nose could follow a mouses trail.
Today it seemed to not be so keen.
With a huff I pushed stray hair from my face and looked at the area ahead. Everything seemed so still, as though all this had been left untouched by everything going on. It was a shame that the walkers couldn't be vegetarian. I was about to think it was shame that I also was craving the juicy meat that escaped me when there was movement.

Trix snarled but I snapped my fingers, commanding him to remain close to me. Sure enough the deer leapt from some shrubbery, unaware that we were even there. His ears twitched for a moment, black eyes wide as they search for any threat and I held my breath. Slowly it lowered its head, chewing on some over grown grass.

Releasing the breath, I placed my hand on Trix to keep him still, the deer was close but if he moved, he couldn't out run it enough to catch it. Instead I readied my bow, arm pulling back as I took aim. My trust in my bow and archery skills was high; I could shoot the wings off a fly but for a moment my stomach turned, my fingers trembling as the string cut into my flesh.
Then I realised what was wrong.

Trix was growling, teeth bare as he warned something behind me to come no closer. Fear rippled through me and I dropped my aim, rolling onto my back to the figure standing over me. I hesitated long enough to realise that the person was holding a crossbow, not just a walking corpse.

Trix snapped the air, creeping closer to the man who kept his aim on me. Eyes stared at me, and I held them until they flicked up to the deer that I could hear leaping away, startled by the commotion. I took the chance to rise to my feet, my itchy fingers begging me to let the arrow go.

'What are ya doin'?'
I almost did not understand, instead my mind was trying to figure out an escape. The man edge close, Trix giving a vicious bark. His aim dropped to my companion and I stepped forward, my fear of my own safety vanishing. There was no way I was going to let him kill my friend.
Anxiously the stranger stepped back, slowly lowering his crossbow but his hands remained tense, ready to spring back into action at any moment.
'Relax,' he said, easing his stance. When I refused to move, he let one hand go, the crossbow now slack and aimed at the ground, his other hand empty and raising out before him, acting like I was some sort of wild animal. I was probably worse than an untamed jungle cat.

Cautiously I allowed my arms to relax, my arrow sliding down until it was slack but I would not put it down. My bow may be better suited for long range but it could still do enough damage for me to flee. Without wanting to stare, I tried to take in the strangers' appearance, to study if he was a threat or not. I could see straight away that this man had been through a lot and not just when the world had ended. A dark fringe dangled across his narrow eyes, beneath his leather jacket and vest was a grubby tank top but that didn't matter to me. What did was the large hunting knife on his belt.

'What's your name?'
It barely sounded like a demand, more of a friendly request. My best guess from the sound of his voice was that he actually had limited social skills, that and the fact the accent was clearly that of a red neck.
'I ain't gonna hurt you.' He reassured, edging a foot closer. Purely reaction I flinched, pulling my bow string and I heard Trix growl also. The red neck dropped his hand, as if his patience was wearing thin and I felt my face soften, casting my eyes away from him.
'Have you got a group?'
Shaking my head, I had the sudden thought that I was surrounded, that I would be ambushed and that realisation was enough for the man to see in my face.

'I got a camp not far from 'ere.'
I refused to respond, just watching the area behind the stranger.
'You mute or somethin'?'
For a moment I was going to glare and him, snap something vicious to prove just how unmute I was but a tingle ripped down my spine.

Looking for confirmation, my gaze dropped to Trix who was crouched low, snarling behind me. Now that the pounding in my ears was gone I could hear it to.
Walkers.
With my stomach tightening I clicked from Trix to run before I went to follow. There were too many to stay and fight, there were too many trees they could hide behind.

My feet had barely started running when a walker grabbed my jacket. Its snarl was loud in my ear and I tried to spin from its grip. Rotten teeth snapped inches from my face and I snarled in return as I dropped my bow, holding the walker back and cringing as grey flesh peeled away under my hands as I struggled.
It stilled suddenly, an arrow pierced clearly through its skull. Milky eyes lost focus and I let it drop at my feet, wiping filth from my hands before snapping my head around to the stranger. He lowered his crossbow, stalking closer to rip it out of the corpse. There was no time to thank him, we were becoming completely surrounded.

Scooping up my bow, I took aim at one walker, but then another would step closer. With no clean shot I growled in my throat as I hung it over my back and bring forth my reliable dagger.
Trix was not in my sight but there was nothing to see but the walkers. The forest was alive now with the groaning dead, howling for the flesh they had locked in its sight.
'Come on!'

I had forgotten about the red neck; that part of me surprised that he was still even here, and helping me. Intense eyes were watching me and I felt a chill hit me like lightning; why was he helping me?
Nodding I followed him as we darted between the trees, dodging the snarling fingers.

The stranger paused and I watched as the deer leapt towards us, desperate for an escape but there were just too many. Powerful jaws and sharp hands dug into the deer, dragging it down and tearing it open. Blood covered the grey walkers instantly, the sound of them devouring was something I could never get used to. Anger lit like a spark in my belly, but there was nothing I could do about it now.

A hand touched mine and for an instant I was afraid it was a walker, snatching my hand back quickly before I realised it was warm. The stranger encouraged me down a different way, a small opening in the walkers advance was better than nothing. We ran, the trees seemingly outnumbered by walkers but to our advantage many had locked onto the deer, many stumbling right by us.

One changed course, forcing the stranger to stop. His crossbow swung at his side as he brought up his knife, slamming it into the skull with ease. I kept running, my freedom only a few more paces away. A feeling out guilt made me turn around, to try and see where the stranger was.
Walkers were closing in on him, more than what a single man could handle. A bark reached my ears, a comforting sound and I looked over to Trix, his face tilting to the side in confusion when I didn't go to him.

Looking back to the stranger, I watched as he was bared to the ground, multiple walkers following. My entire being was torn; save my own skin or risk it for a complete stranger that had helped me?
Huffing a breath, I turned a step to Trix but my muscles locked.
Could I really live with myself if I let him die?
Just get rid of a walker or two, I told myself as I ran over to him. Just enough so I could run and hopefully never see him again.

Ripping a walker off from him and kicking another, I watched him as he stared up at me. As I braced myself to leave, his eyes slipped close and arms fell slack. With a growl I stabbed the walkers that were reaching for me and biting at the mans boots.
Was he dead? Did I take too long?
I dropped to my knees, pressing my fingers to his wrist but I couldn't find anything.

With the walkers bodies lying around us and my ear pressed to his chest, I was grateful that the other walkers mistook us for just other corpses. His heart was beating and I let my hands feel down his body. My blood ran a little warmer as I felt the muscle underneath his clothing but cooled that desire as I focussed for any bite marks. I was oddly relieved when there were none, but I could see a pool of blood slowly form on the leafy ground around his head.
Dam.

Quickly scanning the walkers around me, I waited until there was a more manageable number before sitting the man up. He wasn't overly heavy and I managed to put an arm over my shoulders, hauling us both up. I almost lost my balance but sheer will kept us both vertical as I gripped my dagger. The walker moved closer, its jarred movements making it easier for me to plunge my weapon through its head with one hand.

Moving fast I could hear some of them follow me, the red necks dragging feet making more noise than I anticipated. Trix whined as I reached him but nudged my head, my dog racing ahead to make sure that the coast was clear. The man was gradually getting heavier, his head lolling uselessly. Blood trickled onto my shirt but there was no time to wrap it up; the walkers weren't fast but it did not mean I could push my luck.
Then again how did I know I wasn't pushing my luck by helping this man?

I do apologise if he seems a little out of character in the next couple of chapters, I blame it on the head bump haha
Thanks for reading!

Silver Kirin
xXx