AN: Another filler chapter of sorts. I know where I'm taking the story, I just have to write the events that take me there out... Oi...

Enjoy my crap writing.

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I blinked, then blinked again. I was almost tempted to rub my eyes just to make sure I was really seeing this. Maybe I had died in my sleep and this was Hell and I would be having fucked up hallucinations for all eterinty...

But that seemed too easy.

The thing that bugged me the most was that he wasn't moving... There, before me, was a Hunter. Just... sitting there on his haunches watching me. This particular Hunter wore a black hoodie and a pair of plain faded blue jeans with dark grey sneakers. The dirty duck tape around his limbs told me that he had once been a parkour guy as well. But...

I blinked again. Wasn't he going to attack? I was easy prey at this point-

Quick as lightning, I was pushed back as Moses stood between me and the Hunter. He half crouched as he stared down at the intruder, snarling at him.

The hunter snorted, but that was it. He still didn't move as he continued to watch Moses. A moment later he leaned to the side and peered around Moses body to look at me again. Now with the saftey of Moses between me and it I got brave enough to lean as well and stare right back.

What was with this Hunter anyway? Was I not good enough to be his prey? I glared slightly and my eyes shifted to the purse around his sholder...

It looked like it had seen better days. It was covered in dried blood, dirt, and God knows what else. The color of the thing told me that it had probably once had writing or some kind of design at some point. The fact that it was made of durble material was probably the only reason it was still in one peice.

Wonder what's in it... I looked back at the hunters shrouded face again. A moment later it rose off its butt and turned, leaving me and Moses to our confusion as he walked away from the restroom area.

In a split decision I pushed Moses arm out of my way and rushed to follow the hunter. I didn't get very far before a scarred hand closed around my arm, pulling me to a halt. I turned to see Moses eye wide in an experession of shock.

Really, I didn't blame him. I was about to go chasing after a hunter after all. But something was off, and if I was right [which I rarely am] then this could get interesting.

I yanked my arm away from him and turned to follow the hunter again. When I caught back up to him I stayed a good 5 yards behind him. Not that it would really help me if he decided to turn on me.

We walked through some random isles, him on his fours. At one point he turned an saw me following him; not that I was being quiet about it or anything. He snorted once, like he was slightly miffed that I was following him at all but just turned and continued on his course. A while later he turned a corner and once I peeked around and felt my brain go "huh?"

There lay the hunter, all curled up on a big pile of blankes and quilts and various stuffed animals. They all looked increadibly soft and comfortable and... I looked at the hunter again. He was just laying there, possibly watching me but it was really hard to tell with the hood in the way and all.

What really drew my attention was the mattress next to the hunters pile. Nothing fancy, just had a sheet to cover the matress and a large blanket and pillow on top. The hunter was laying pretty close to it but not quite touching it. The isle next to the bed was covered in... Well, human things... A hairbrush, deodrent, toothbrush and tooth paste, a few hair clips, various bottles of water; some filled others not. The section below it had a bunch of pencils, pencil shaings, erasers, and a couple sharpies. There were a few crumpled papers scattered near the head of the bed. The section at the bottom had 20 or so books, some thick, others not.

I blinked, feeling as though my mind had melted. By this time I wasn't really scared of the hunter anymore. I just needed answers.

With my arms tucked close to me I walked over the the shelf, all the while my eyes on the hunter. It was hard to tell but I bet he was watching me pretty closly. Still watching the hunter I reached over and picked up the hair brush. He stiffened but it hardly looked like he was going to pounce me from that postion. Taking a quick glance I saw that the hair in the brush was about my hair lenght and a dishwater blond.

Glancing back to the hunter I couldn't see any hair poking out from around the hood... I layed the brush back down and, watching the hunter very closly, I lowered to be able to reach the bottom shelf. I picked up a random book and looked at the cover. It was a manga... I could have laughed. I loved these books... Though I couldn't reconize the title I couldn't help myself by flipping to a random page. If I had to guess the book was something about angles. The girl on the page I was looking at had big, lovely wings. Whoever was here had good tastes in books.

I looked back up the hunter. He was sitting on his haunches again, watching me with a slight tilt to his head.

But... who was here? Surely the person and the hunter wern't... staying together... Right? I tilted my head at the hunter as well and closed the book, putting it back.

I got on my knees and looked the hunter square in the eyes, well, where I thought his eyes were anyway. His head straightened but he still didn't make a move to attack me.

That was it. He had to be... be like Moses. I glanced at the purse again. He was probably traveling with someone too. Maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought I was...

Gathering some more courage I cleared my throat lightly and said softly, "Hello."

The hunters head jerked back slightly, probably shocked that was actually talking to him and not shooting. A moment later he recovered and looked away, but before I could really do anything else, he reached a hand up with only slightly curled claws he waved in my direction.

I couldn't help the airy laugh that ecaped my lips at that. I was right! I kept going. "So are you going to eat me?"

He shook his head vigirously no.

I beamed. "So you're like Moses." I said happily. His head swivled back to me. "You're traveling with someone arn't you?"

The hunter sat silent and completly still and my smile slowly fadded away. Then the hunter turned his back to me, head lowered, then slowly shook his head no again.

It didn't take a genious to put 2 and 2 together. I stood up but didn't dare try to go and comfort him. "Did... Did something happen to them?"

He was quiet for a moment then he growled softly. From the corner of my eye I saw Moses walking up to me, his head turned toward the hunter with a not so pleased look. I looked back to the hunter, he still wasn't facing us. I decided to change the subject. "So, you're staying here arn't you?"

The hunter remained silent but then he nodded. I looked away to try and gather my thoughts when an odd growling/hissing sound came from the hunter. My head jerked back to see him still just hunched with his back to me. I glanced at Moses and saw that he was staring at the hunter with clear shock. Wasn't he going to get all territorial with me? Hadn't the hunter just growled at me? ...Hadn't he?

I looked back to the hunter and swallowed to try and calm my nerves. In a shaky voice I asked, "Uh... What was that?"

The hooded infected half turned his head to me, then his full body, then he repeated himself. "Rrreeyyyyyeessssssss..." It started as a kind of growl and a snarl, forming to a "y" sound and from there a hiss like noise.

I couldn't believe what I had heard. Yes... He had said yes. A zombie had just spoken to me. My knees felt a bit weak and my hand rested on the shelf beside be just in case. No wonder Moses was so supprised. "You..." I could barely get the words out. "You can... talk..." At that the hunter faced away. I continued to stare at him. A talking Hunter...

By this time I decided that I didn't have anything to really worry about with him. He had been with someone, that much was obvious. But who? And had this person had something to do with the fact that the hunter could talk? I glanced at the purse around his body. I was willing to bet I could find out more if I knew what was inside.

Feeling brave I took a step toward the hunter, putting me about a yard away from him. All he did was watch me with his same relaxed expression. "Could I see the purse?" I held my hand toward him, palm up.

As soon as the word "purse" left my lips the hunter reared back, lowering to a crouching postion, and snarled at me showing pink-ish stained teeth.

Instinct had me pulling my hand back in fear. A moment later, Moses was at my side with his arm in front of me as a form of protection as he snarled right back at the hunter. The hunter in turn turned his anger on him and they were locked in a growling contest.

I decided I needed to intervein or things might turn ugly. "Wait! Wait!" I pushed Moses arm away from me and I got between them, pushing Moses back. Moses took a step back at my touch but his gaze remained glued on the hunter and he continued to snarl, as did the hunter. "Moses, stop it!" I scolded. He continued to ignore me and in desperation I grabbed the sides of his face and forced him to look at me. When his single eye met my pair his snarl faded away, as did the noises from behind me, and he stared at me.

With that done I felt my cheeks flush with the look he was giving me and I pulled my hands away, turning back to the hunter in the process. He had backed away from me and now rested with his head pointed down. If he were a cat I could imagine his ears being pressed back aganist his skull. I let out a breath but smiled lightly all the same. "Pretty protective of it huh?"

After a slight pause he nodded shortly. I laughed in good humor. "Alright, I can take a hint. I won't ask again..." Honestly, I just can't help myself sometimes. "You sure I can't just look? I won't break anything, promise."

The hunter pressed himself further away from me, letting out a low whimper. At least he didn't snarl at me.. I lowered to his level and looked at him; it took a while but he eventually returned my gaze. It wasn't the best of lighting but if I looked hard enough I could just see a faint shine from under the hood. Did this hunter have eyes? I clenched my hand in a fist to stop myself from reaching up to pull the hood back. I wasn't that stupid after all...

I tried to soften my voice, as if I were trying to reason with a child. "May I ,please, see the purse? I'll be very careful with it and I'll give it right back when I'm done."

The hunter looked away again. I could just see the internal arguement it was having on his face. Then inspiration hit me. I smilied pleasently and stood back up. "How bout this: I make us some..." What time of day was it? Hell if I knew... "Food, and while you eat I can look at the purse?"

From the looks of it that was a promising offer indeed. The hunter looked away again, and with a bit more thinking he looked back up to me. He nodded then lowered his head slightly. "Kk- k- kk-" he shifted slightly and tried again. "K- k- kkhhhhaaahh"

It was long drawn out and he struggled with it obviously but he could communicate. Even at this point it shocked me to no end. If I didn't get answers soon my head might explode.

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AN: I was listening to "A Mysterious Painting" while writing most of this chapter. It's from the OST from Kiki's Delivery Service. The most beautiful song I've ever heard. I totally recomend it.

Anyway, sorry for being so short afte such a long time. Real life sucks right now.