Here is chapter 3! I hope you all enjoy! I know its taking a while for R and Julie to re-unite, but it will be soon, I promise!

Julie

I stayed awake in my bed as the early sun peaked its way through my windows. I couldn't seem to get much sleep these past few days, always waking up around 4:00 in the morning. I let out a deep sigh. It was at these solitary times when I would imagine myself in some far off place like Paris or maybe even somewhere made up from my imagination. I would meet Nora there and talk about frivolous things like dressing up for a formal Ball in Vienna. Sometimes Perry would be there, laughing imprudently at us. I liked to envision Perry differently than the last couple of years I was with him before he passed away. It was just the three of us until my imagination got the better of me. R appeared. I don't know why he suddenly crowded my mind, but there he was - smiling. I walked over and pressed myself against him in an embrace.

I shook my head to snap myself out of the vision. "R..." I spoke quietly. I felt something tug my insides, as though I could feel his presence lingering. Again I shook my head. Instead, I had myself remember what I would be doing today: getting introduced to Mitch, thanks to my friend Nora the matchmaker. I rolled my eyes. Maybe this would be good for me?

I had a mind to go back to sleep, but after another couple of hours passed, I gave up. "Urgh!" I sat up, throwing the blankets down towards my feet. The sun poked my skin, as if it were telling me to get up. So I did. I stood at my closet, thinking of what to wear. I looked at a pair of my old denim overalls and grinned perfidiously. I pulled it on over a white t-shirt. I hoped that maybe Mitch would change his mind after he saw me in this. I made my way downstairs towards the kitchen to make myself something to eat. There wasn't much breakfast food except for oatmeal and eggs, but I didn't mind. I took my time eating, just staring at the door. I knew it would fling open any time now and there would be Nora, raging with excitement. I sighed. A part of me wanted to share her enthusiasm, but that wasn't me. Not now. With what happened with Perry and with R, I just couldn't feel any more excited than a child who just lost her lollypop or a scoop of ice cream that sat on it's cone. I was good at pretending though. I always had to be the strong one when it came to anything...

"Julie!"

I looked up and noticed Nora half walking/half trotting towards me. "Good morning Nora," I smiled.

"So are you ready for the big...day." Her voice trailed off as her eyes scanned me. "What are you wearing?"

I almost felt like I was ready to cave in, like my mom had just caught me doing something horrible. "Oh...this old thing?" I murmured, trying not to laugh.

She looked at my outfit again and grimaced. "It looks like you're ready to work in construction!"

"Nora!" I sounded like I was just given an insult when I did in fact agree with her. "You don't think they scream 'sexy'?" This time I couldn't stop myself from laughing. It took a few seconds but Nora finally joined in.

"You're not seriously going to wear those though...are you?" Her laughs subsided into a smirk, halfheartedly thinking that it was a joke.

I shrugged. Then I remembered.

Shrugger.

"Umm..." I tried to think of something quickly as I almost forgot what we were talking about. "Yeah, I think so."

Nora sighed. "Well okay, but don't tell me I didn't warn you!"

I quickly changed the subject. "So when and where are we supposed to meet Mitch?"

"The Orchard. Precisely at eleven o'clock. He's very punctual."

"Great." I lifted my brow and looked at my tattered watch. We still had an hour to spare. To some people it seemed pointless to carry a watch around anymore, but most of us liked to keep parts of our past life still worth while in our present world. Besides, it wasn't a bad idea. Time has always been a very important factor to our life as humans.

Nora forced me into wearing some of her make-up that she had saved, despite my protests. We shared a few laughs though, so in the end it didn't seem all too bad. It reminded me of when I was little and I used to take my mom's lipstick or eyeliner and play dress up. Those precious memories were all I had left of her, so it was pleasant to re-kindle them once in a while.

"Done!" Nora yelled as she pulled her arm away from my face with the mascara in hand.

I looked through the mirror of my vanity and was surprised to see a different person looking back at me. I couldn't recognize myself, and I knew that people in Citi Stadium would gawk at me. People rarely wear this stuff these days. I was sure that I would stick out like a sore thumb.

"Don't you think its a little too...much?" I asked with concern, my cheeks a little red.

Nora shook her head. "No of course not! Besides, we need something to balance out what you are wearing." She scanned my clothes once more.

I scoffed. "Okay fine! Lets get this over with then."

Nora and I sat up and left my bedroom to the front doors of the house. When I pulled them open, the light of the sun peered through, bursting the foyer with life. I quickly shielded my eyes from the brilliant rays before they blinded me. As we walked out, everything splashed into view. There were people in all corners of the streets, talking, with a couple of laughs blurting out now and again. It didn't take very long before we reached the Orchard a few streets down. I did receive a couple of glances here and there, but I didn't get as many as I thought I would. Luckily I had my hand covering my eyeshadow of black and silvers, so it almost blended in with the shadows on my face.

We entered the juice bar and glanced around the tables for Mitch.

"There he is!" Nora whispered as she zigzagged her way towards the table.

I gave out a sigh as I followed close behind. It only took a few seconds to reach the table that Mitch was sitting at.

"Hello Mitch!" Nora's voice bellowed.

Mitch nodded at her with a smile, then looked at me. I gave an awkward smile in return.

"Mitch, this is-" She was cut off.

"We've already met, Nora, I don't think we need to learn each other's names again, but thank you." He stood up and walked over to me and pulled out a chair. "Good to see you, Julie."

I accepted his invitation and sat down. Nora took a seat to my left as Mitch made his way back to his chair. We sat in a perfect triangle around the table.

"So, how are you fine lady's doing this morning?" He spoke, sounding as though he had a hint of sarcasm. His eyes looked at mine.

"As long as we don't have zombies at our heels, than its a fine day," Nora chuckled.

"Yeah," I replied, trying to ignore what Nora had said. "Its not too bad."

Mitch laughed as he took out a cigarette. "I hope you two don't mind?"

"Nope, go right ahead," I waved my hand and smiled. He seemed very polite, almost too much in fact.

He offered one to us, and Nora accepted. I declined.

"Trying to quit," I said.

He flung open the lid of his steel lighter and a flame broke out. I watched the tobacco burn as it reacted to the fire. Then he lit Nora's. He took a deep drag and blew out the smoke. He looked at me again and his eyes softened.

"You look really beautiful, Julie."

Nora butted in quickly. "Even with the overalls?" She teased as smoke escaped her mouth.

My eyes shot at her quickly, but somehow I wanted to smirk.

Mitch smiled, showing his perfectly white teeth. "Don't mind Nora, I think its endearing," he winked, almost like he knew why I chose to wear the outfit.

I sighed, but let out a pretend smile. My plan didn't work.

Suddenly a waitress walked over to our table and spoke kindly to us. "Are you three ready to order?" Her long, brown hair was neatly tied up in a high pony tail.

"The usual for us," Nora smiled as she pointed at herself and I.

"Of course! Grapefruits," the waitress winked and then looked over across the table. "And what about you, Mitch?"

My brow knitted slightly. I could tell the tone of her voice had changed, almost impatiently.

"Uhh, how about a beer?" He laughed.

The waitress frowned. "We don't serve alcohol, you know that."

Mitch shook his head displeased as he took another drag of his cigarette and inhaled deeply. "Its a darn shame. I'll just have an orange juice," the smoke puffed out through his breath as he spoke.

The waitress walked away quickly, as though she tried to avoid any moment of awkwardness.

I wanted to comment on what just happened, but Nora had began a conversation with Mitch as though she hadn't noticed. I kept my eyes on the TV. Football was on, but it was only a tape. The players ran up and down the field while throwing a ball, something that was once exhilarating no longer exists in this new world. A pointless game that was once a very important part of many people's lives.

"I'm surprised no one ever gets bored watching the same games that were recorded years ago."

I looked down to not only notice that Mitch was now speaking to me, but that the drinks had already been placed on the table. I took a sip.

"I guess its a part of the old world that people don't want to forget, something that keeps us sane." I explained.

Mitch frowned as he nodded, as though he thought I made a good point. "Very true. I like the way you think."

"Me too," I joked, but he seemed to like the comment.

We were at the Orchard for a few more hours, and it didn't seem to be as bad as it was when we first arrived. I felt a change in temperature: it was comfortable, and the time just flew by. We was some good conversations and laughs, and Nora tried very hard to make sure of it. At some point he had finally mentioned his distaste for grapefruit juice, so we dared him to take a shot. The waitress came to the table with an actual shot glass filled with light pink liquid inside. Mitch exaggerated, pretending like it was an actual jagerbomb or a shot of vodka. He shut his eyes tight as he gulped it down and finished it with his hand slamming hard against the table.

. . .

It was around four o'clock when we decided to leave. Mitch told me he wanted to see me again, and I confirmed it with a 'yes'. We parted ways with Mitch after exiting the Orchard, and Nora kept close to my side.

"So, what did you think?" Nora asked playfully, putting the silence between us to rest.

I lifted my brow. "Good, he seems nice. Almost too nice," I added. "At first I had a bad vibe from him, but after spending more time together, I think he's an O.K. guy."

"Just O.K.?" Nora asked in surprise as she kicked a rock beneath her feet. "I would think he would have to be more than just 'O.K.' if you want to see him again."

I sighed. I didn't want to be questioned because I was afraid if what I felt would slip out. Yes he seemed cool, but he wasn't...R. I scratched my forehead, and I didn't know if it was because of my thoughts that confused me, or the fact that Nora was waiting for an answer and I was taking too long to give her one.

"I like him," I finally said. I joined Nora's little game and kicked the same rock that rolled in front of us moments ago.

Nora clapped her hands in excitement. "I thought you would!"

"But didn't you notice the way the waitress had acted towards him?" I waited impatiently for a response.

"Yeah...I guess. They obviously have some kind of history."

I tried poking around for more information. "And that doesn't concern you?"

Nora shrugged. "Who knows what its about, maybe she just isn't fond of his personality, or maybe he gives her too much of a hard time."

"Maybe." It didn't sound all too convincing.

We kept quiet the rest of our way to my place. We said our goodbye's and I entered the house. I could tell that Nora wanted to stay and hangout, but I hinted to her that I wanted to be alone. It was darker than when I left, so I quickly lit up the rooms. I then made my way to my bedroom and opened the night table drawer that sat beside my bed. I silently pulled out a photo that was taken from a Polaroid camera. It was a picture I had taken of R when I first found the camera sitting in the vacant house that we spent the night in. His face was in shock from the flash. It was not the best picture of him, but I liked it. My thumb stroked his face carefully, as if I could smudge it off if I pressed too hard.

"Oh R..." I said quietly, almost chuckling to myself. "Why do you have to keep tugging my heart like this?" I paused, and my next few words were more serious. "Why did you have to be a zombie?"

R

I decided to count the days that passed to at least have some understanding to know just how long its been since Julie left me. It was something I nor any other zombie has ever done, at least to my knowledge. Its been two days since I sat in the plane listening to Frank Sinatra all night. Since then, I have stayed in the plane, trying to keep hidden from the Boneys. My hunger raged deeper than before, waking the inner evil that rumbled inside of me. I needed food. It seemed that that was all my life revolved around. My senses have heightened, the skin around my eyes are darker.

Suddenly, without me realizing, without my control, I growled.

No.

I shook my head, angry at myself. I caught movement in the corner of my eye outside the cockpit window. It was M. He was limping slowly towards the plane. A great feeling of relief went over me. For a moment it felt like being alone hiding out in this plane was how I would spend the rest of my days, but seeing M brought me a strange hope. I heard him open the door, so I made my way over.

"Good...see you." My words bursted out of my mouth like water running down a stream. I shut the door behind him as he walked past me towards a row of seats.

M nodded. "You...too. Worried."

I kept quiet for a moment, then attempted my next few words. "Been...hiding. Boneys. Staying...here." Then my next word went through me like a surge, striking the room and destroying everything I've tried to keep silent. "Hungry."

M gave me a quick look and licked his lips. "Rats?"

I shook my head.

He looked at me in surprise, but the look quickly turned into excitement, as though he just got his best friend back. "I will...get food. You...stay."

"No. I'm...coming. Too bored." I was happy to hear my own voice again, even though it had only been a couple of days.

Again M wasn't afraid to hide his excitement as he lifted his arm and stiffly patted my back. It was obvious that he missed this. A part of me did too, but I mainly felt like I had no choice.

"Need more...of us," I continued as I opened my arms wide.

"No...problem," M gave out a crooked smile, almost awkwardly like he was under a lot of pain.

He walked past me without another word, nudging me to follow. We left the plane and staggered down the stairs, only to find a group of zombies standing there, swaying back and forth. There were at least ten of them. A few groans filled the air when they saw us. I glanced at M and noticed that he still had that same smile stitched on his face. It was then that I had realized, somehow, that they had worried for me too.

"City." M said loudly to the group, almost growling.

It was a good idea to travel during the daylight since Boneys perferd to stay indoors until evening, and staying within a group helped keep me safe incase a Boney did decide to show its ugly, perpetual grinning face. We shuffled close together, making our way slowly towards the city. It felt weird doing this once again, but to know that my hunger would soon be satisfied gave me a tinge of contentment.

When we reached the outskirts of the city, I could already smell a strong scent of human flesh lingering. It wasn't hard to figure out that there was only a few of them. I looked around at my group, their eyes and nose's were twitching. I knew we out-numbered the group of people who were not too far from us. Usually I would feel guilt, but its been way too long since I've eaten properly, and so my instincts took over. For all I knew, this would be my only life purpose now. Waiting for Julie would be like waiting for a cocoon to hatch out a beautiful, colorful winged butterfly, only to find out that it had died long ago from insects that pierced through it to reach the pupa. I was that insect ready to be squashed. We shuffled quietly through the streets, following the scent that became too strong to ignore. I could hear muffled voices, only to catch a few words.

"Lets go," An older man said.

I could hear guns clinking together, and I knew they were moving towards us just around the corner of a tall building. It just so happened that our groups intertwined together, and the next thing I heard was yelling and gunshots. It was a full on war. A younger man got too close to me, and without hesitation I grabbed a hold of his arm and spun him around. He tripped and fell to the ground, dropping his gun. I veered around quickly to notice a few zombies take someone else down, gnawing and chewing on his flesh, ripping out his innards. There was only three of them remaining, with only a couple of our own casualties shot down just to die a second time. I felt the man beneath me squirm, trying to stand up. I quickly turned back around and looked at him straight in the eye. He looked at mine. He was crying for his life, but I would take it. I had to. It's what we do, right? It's what we have to do. I took hold of his shoulders and tore out his neck. Usually I would go for the brain first, but I couldn't. I didn't want to see anymore memories. Perry was the last.

I heard the older man yell "Retreat!" to his remaining men. I looked over at him, and he caught my eye. His hair was short and white. He gave me a look of hatred before he turned around and sped off with the two remaining soldiers by his side. I turned back around and noticed other zombies, including M, surrounding me and my meal. We shared it feverishly while more zombies sat and ate the other one.

When we had finished, I stood up and wiped the red off of my hands and onto my pants. I looked around to see blood splattered across the cement. It was everywhere, like a perfect murder scene. M walked up beside me, his face a mess as he smiled with flesh between his teeth. I grimaced. Somehow my guilt began to rise within me, like I had just taken drugs even though I was trying to quit. It's not until the satisfaction comes that you realize what you've done. My hunger was gone, and I felt...morbid, almost disgusted with myself.

The other zombies started to walk back towards the airport, so I followed, not looking back.

bonesbemmettlover: Thanks again! I hope this one fills your appetite ;P

Horsecrazy141: I'm glad you like it so far! And yes, Walking Dead is pretty awesome :D

Abby: Thank you! And don't worry, I plan to finish this story!