Claire and Agent Kunuk carefully walked through the streets of Deerport. Their new destination, the hospital, was just a few blocks from the police department. The two had come across maybe one or two zombies along the way, and one crimsonhead. Claire was grateful that the city hadn't been more populated, because her ammo and medical supplies were very limited.
"I'm glad that David and I managed to kill that giant, green freak," Claire spoke up. "This whole thing has been stressful enough without that thing chasing us. Maybe now we'll have a shot at actually getting out of here."
Agent Kunuk nodded, but said nothing. The absent night life and silence was starting to get to Claire, so she decided to talk some more.
"So, are you from around here?"
"Not here, but I am from the northern part of the state."
"Any relatives?"
"Three sisters, my parents and a nephew. What about you?"
Claire let out a sigh as they turned a corner.
"Just my brother. Our parents died when I was eighteen."
Agent Kunuk frowned.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized.
"It-It's fine."
Although it had been a long time since their deaths, Claire still hated to think about it.
It all happened seventeen years ago. Claire had come home from school mid-November to find that her parents weren't home. A note on the table stated that they'd gone to the store, so her worries were quickly put to rest. As the hours went by and the sky blackened Claire began to grow concerned, and a nagging feeling in her gut told her that something was wrong. She tried her hardest to shake the feeling, reassuring herself that they were just running late.
A knock at the door raised her spirits, and she quickly answered it. She'd expected to see her parents, but instead came face to face with a police officer. At first she thought that maybe the police had some questions, but when the officer mentioned her parents she quickly realized the truth.
The news had broken her heart. She missed several days of school and it took all of her strength to attend the funeral. Chris had reacted better than Claire, at first. Not long afterwards he started to drink more and his attitude worsened, which led to his removal from the air force. Had it not been for Barry, Claire wasn't sure if her brother would have ever gotten his life back together. Now Claire hoped that she hadn't lost him too. If she did, she wasn't sure if she could go on.
"Hey, are you alright?" asked Agent Kunuk.
Claire snapped her head up, realizing that he must have been trying to talk to her.
"Oh, sorry, I got lost in my thoughts," she apologized.
"Oh, well I was saying that the hospital it right ahead."
She shifted her eyes to where he was pointing. Straight ahead of them was a one-story building that looked more like a school than a hospital. She hoped that the facility had some kind of safe haven for the survivors.
"Well, let's get these notes over there," she said.
As the two stepped forward a beeping sound pierced the air. Claire looked down and realized that her radio was picking up a signal. She picked it up and answered it.
"David?" she asked.
"So, I see you're still alive," said a feminine voice.
Claire's heart began to pace. It was the same woman from before. There was an absence of concern in her voice though. If Claire wasn't mistaken, it sounded like the woman was taunting her.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Claire challenged.
"Well, I just assumed my little experiment would have finished you off."
A rush of hot rage swept through Claire's body.
"So you're the one who dropped it off!"
"What!?" asked Agent Kunuk.
The woman chuckled, which infuriated Claire even more. Agent Kunuk growled and grabbed the radio.
"You're responsible for this outbreak, aren't you!?"
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the show."
Claire was unable to contain herself any longer, so she snatched the radio back.
"Do you have any idea how many people have died because of you!?" she yelled.
"Hm, not exactly. I'm going to be honest though; I've had a change of heart. I will personally help you escape the city."
Claire narrowed her brows. She had no reason to trust this person, and she didn't like her tone one bit.
"What's the catch?" she asked.
"No catch. I just want us to meet, face to face. Once we do, then you will die."
Claire started yelling into the radio again, but after getting no response she realized that the woman had dropped the signal. She looked up at Agent Kunuk and the two exchanged enraged stares.
"We have to find her!" stated Kunuk.
"I agree, but first we have to get these notes-"
"And give this woman a chance to escape? We need to get going now!"
"Look," Claire said sternly, "I want to catch her as much as you do, but she's not going anywhere and we need to get these notes to the surviving doctors while we still can."
The agent clenched his jaw. For a moment Claire wondered if she would have to continue to persuade him. After about a minute he let out a huff.
"Alright, fine. Hopefully we can find more ammo along the way so we can apprehend her."
With that he turned away, heading for the hospital. Claire wasn't sure what the agent planned on doing when they met the woman, but she hoped that he wouldn't do anything rash. They needed to find more about her and what she had planned.
A/N: This might be the shortest chapter yet, but it's full of key plot points, so I hope that balances it out. Feel free to leave a review, and have a Happy Halloween!
