It's been a few days of me just watching the group of people. They're quite interesting. And annoying.

The only people I believe I could get along with here are the crossbow guy who I discovered to be Daryl, and the impressively smart dude Glenn. Everybody else either seemed too kind and gentle that I think I might just cringe away from them for how foreign that is to me (Glenn is actually in the group, but he's smart and funny so it's alright), or have some sort of unsorted drama between somebody else that they really shouldn't be having if they wanna survive in our worlds situation.

Like that one old guy who's an abusive fuck towards his family. He beats his wife at night, which I found out after hearing some of the women talking, and sometimes even hits his daughter. I've even seen the man hit his wife Carol once in person, he just dragged her away by the arm and started beating her where the others couldn't see. I wanted to come in and protect the meek yet kind woman, but I know situations like these and their victims. Although her husband does all these terrible things to her, she still loves him for whatever reason.

I suppose I might be able to sympathize with her there, since the same happened with my mother. She abandoned me when I was 5, and although I hated her for it, I still somewhat loved her deep inside. I hated myself for that. And I bet she feels the same way whenever she looks at her daughter who's probably hurting so much because of her messed-up family.

Then there's the situation with Shane and Lori. They have some sort of secret relationship going on, and all I have to say is that I wish I never found out the way I did. I found out the story with Lori, and why she knows Shawn so well, by once again the women gossiping. Turns out her husband who's Shane's best friend (and that made me wince, because really?) got shot and went into a coma. He was then to be confirmed dead by Shane once people started getting shot in the hospital. Now, these two are together, and all I gotta say is that I feel bad for her late husband who is probably rioting in the afterlife. I also feel sorry for the son, because are you really moving on after 2 months? The kid would probably hate the idea of supposedly 'replacing' his dad.

Kids are like that. And although I technically am one myself, I like to think I'm a special case. Cause' I ain't idiots like the others.

Finally, there are the brothers. Daryl Dixon and his older brother, Merle Dixon. I don't like Merle. He's racist and treats women like objects. Daryl is just the (mostly) quiet figure next to him. Always in the older man's shadow. He talks sometimes, but it's brief and usually to cuss somebody out.

One thing I'm 100% sure about the two though, is that they care about each other. A lot. I can guess that like me, they didn't grow up in the best environments. I don't like Merle at all but I can understand why he is the way he is. Same for Daryl.

Glenn went out with some others to gather some supplies in the city, and I think they're royally screwed. Chances are that at least one person is not gonna make it. I just hope it's not Andrea because her sister will cry. Loudly at that.

I decided I should head back now since there probably won't be many interesting things going on.

'Nothing interesting at all' I said to myself. Pff- well the world said fuck that.

'Okay, what the fuck'

I stayed back at the HQ for 3 days, because I got the great idea to create a bunch of target place wood thingie-majingies to train with. I just copied what they looked like from the comic books I read from the library. I stored the books I like inside one of the empty rooms I never bother to use in the mansion. I decided to clear out all the rooms, most of them just holding a bed and blankets. Other rooms were used for other things, one like I said was used as a much smaller version of a library, another was used to keep all the clothes and extra hygiene products.

When I got the idea to come back and check how the people on the hill were doing, I was honestly surprised at everything that went down while watching them for only a day.

I arrived in the morning, and noticed that everybody seemed tense. It stayed like that for a few hours until we started to hear loud beeping noises coming up the hill. I winced at how loud it was, knowing that it would definitely be attracting a hoard of zombies from somehwere.

I stayed in the shadows of the forest, watching from afar as the new man who just so happens to be the 'dead' husband of Lori, and supposedly best friend of Shawn came out of the van. 'Welp, this won't be good'

Then it turns out that Merle was left behind. Or well, the man, T. Dog, dropped the key in a well and panicked. I don't really blame either of the men unlike Daryl who showed just how much he blamed them all by trying to start a fight and kill the dark-skinned man. I mean, if what they said was correct and Merle was being an asshole, trying to attract zombies to them, then it was no wonder the cop cuffed him. People like that usually came at the cost of lives, innocent lives.

They then decided they wanted to go back and save Merle. Which I thought was stupid because not only were they leaving to willingly go into the city, run by the dead, they're also taking most of their manpower right after the fiasco Glenn just made with his new car. I could just leave and let them handle it, I mean, maybe they'll learn something after losing a few people. Who knows, maybe that abusive sad excuse of a father might die, because I definitely ain't saving him. Although I'm not a fan of cops, I took a liking to Shane when I watched from afar as he beat the shit out of that man.

Cool.

And there's the dude who started going a bit crazy, digging up the ground even while in this heat for some reason. I don't think he has much will to live anymore.

But I kind of feel guilty now for thinking of leaving them when I know for a fact that some of them would die even with the police-man here. 'Ugh, I'll stay for a while I guess... only because I took a liking to some of them and I can't let the children die without feeling like shit. Some of them are younger than me'

So I stayed. It was kind of awkward because I could practically feel the tension between the police-man and Lori. I heard their argument before, and I don't really get Lori for blaming Shawn so much. I've heard what was going on in a lot of hospitals, I don't blame him for thinking about what he did. We can't save everyone. I just know that this hidden drama is going to cause problems in the group, and possibly get people killed. So they really need to get their shit together because they have more important things to worry about.

Things were going alright (other than the tension of course) it was getting darker and darker. I'm getting kind of worried for myself now. I've never been this far from my HQ while it was this dark. I can't afford to go back anytime now anyways.

All of a sudden I started hearing groans, and I knew that they'd arrived. I looked back at the group happily talking and then my eyes darted to the lady, Amy I believe, starting to stand up.

I start quietly walking around to look at the other tents and see how they're doing. Didn't take long to find that one was unzipped and had a body lying limp on the ground. 'Take that you abusive fuck' I sneered at the now dead man before making my way back to where Amy went.

I made it just in time to find that she was screaming with a zombie next to her, trying to grab ahold of her arm. I bring out my bow and arrow fast, aiming, and then let go. It hit right in the head, successfully killing it.

The woman gasps in surprise before shoving the zombie away from her and falling to the ground, in what I assume to be shock. Andrea comes runing forward towards her, scared for her little sister, and sighs in relief once she sees that she's okay. But then she becomes confused as to what killed it, looking back at the zombie. Before she could react to the arrow in it's head, the rest of the group started calling for them to come back and watch out for more zombies. I watched from my place in the bushes again as they started killing more zombies. The kids were safe as far as I can see, the adults were also alright. Except once my eyes catch one of them getting bitten on the arm, I believe he's the crazy dude. Well, can't save them all.

Just in time, the others arrive back. Without Merle. But they got the guns so eh, guess the way back wasn't really useless.

Everybody is trying to calm down from the jumpscare they were just given, while others are mourning some of the deaths tonight. I'm just waiting for until they start questioning who saved Amy.

"Guys, I think we have something else to worry about" Andrea finally says while next to a still shaken Amy.

"What is it?" shane walks up to her, eyes narrowed and you could tell he was in a bad mood. I mean, everybody was but he seems to be in a bad mood for another reason. Andrea pointed towards the zombie that tried to attack her little sister with a grim face.

"Amy was about to be bitten... but she was saved, I don't know by who, but somebody shot an arrow at its head. I know it's not Daryl since he was gone with the others but that means one thing" she looks up at everybody.

"We're not alone"

Everybody is immediately on guard, the kids being protectively blocked by their parents. I decided then that I should probably reveal myself, I've been meaning to talk to them for a while now. And since 2 of the men that I found annoying were gone, it'll be much easier to do this.

Walking out of the bushes, my mask still in place and my bow strapped to my back, I come out with my hands up in surrender. Everybody's eyes dart to my figure, some holding up their guns or in Daryl's case, bow and arrow. They warilly look at me, their eyes lingering on my mask. I can tell they're unsettled by it, which is kinda what I was going for.

"Sup" I say awkwardly, which surprises them. My voice isn't exactly deep, but it's also not high. It's more in the middle but leaning towards a more feminine note, although I try to deepen my voice a bit to make myself seem more like a boy.

Shane once again steps forward with his gun pointed at me, "Who are you and what do you want?" he went straight to the point, looking very intimidating because of his height and much buffer stature. Before he could get another word out, Andrea steps forward and blocks the other mans view of me.

"Y-you saved my little sister, right?" Shane moved to interrupt her but she glared at him so he backed down with an angry huff. I nodded, cocking my head to the side wondering where she's going with this.

She stepped closer, making everybody else much more tense and worried for her "Thank you" she says softly to me "thank you so much" she smiles at me and I blush. I haven't been genuinely thanked in a long time. Especially not by an adult. All of a sudden I'm glad I have a mask on.

Clearing my throat, I reply with my hands on my hips, not noticing the way the others at the back tense at the movement "W-well, I mean, it was nothing. I'll answer your questions so you can lower your gun and stuff, I'm no threat anyways since you all outnumber me." They lower their guns but still keep it in hand. Rick speaks up "Hey guys, let's just sit down and speak like civilized adults. Carol and Jacqui should take the kids to the RV, right?" they nodded and then people started shuffling around. Amy decided to also accompany them back, not feeling up to talking right now.

I followed as Andrea led me to a seat. Everybody else was either seated or standing, which was just Daryl and Shawn. The air is tense, and nobody made a move to talk so I decided to take the lead. "Well... if you guys have to know I've been sorta watching your group for a while now" this causes many of them to narrow their eyes at me. "Oh come on, he saved my sisters life! Give the guy a break and let him finish talking" I felt kind of touched that she was defending me, and didn't really mind the fact that she misgendered me. It's safer to be mistaken as a male than a female.

Sighing, Rick smiled "You're right, continue what you were saying uhm..." "Vi, just call me Vi" "Okay, Vi"

"So, I followed one of your men back to your group because I found the fact that he also used bows interesting." daryl glared at me, knowing that I was talking about him "I've just been observing you all for a few days, almost a week now, and usually I only stayed to watch you all for a few hours but..."

"But what?" Jim asked, who has been sweating a lot since I've arrived. 'The virus must be kicking in.' I mused.

"Well, I just so happened to hear a loud beeping noise coming up the hill, and since you guys were so close to the city I knew that it would attract zombies" Glenn tensed and Shane aimed a glare at the man. "But of course, I would have just continued my way back home but then I heard that some of you were planning on going back down to the city, while also taking a majority of your groups only man power" Rick had a grim face along with the others.

"So I thought that I should just stay the night to help you guys with the zombies that are bound to arrive." A majority of them seemed thankful.

"Why though? You could have risked your own life" Shane spoke up again, still wary of me.

"You guys have kids" I said while rolling my eyes. I forgot they could see the action and blushed a little in embarrassment. Andrea and Lori seem amused. "I'm not cruel enough to just let them die, plus I doubt I would have died. I've been surviving just perfect by myself you know. A hoard of zombies have nothing on me" and without realizing it I was sitting straighter with a proud stance.

"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking Vi, how old are you?" I looked at the woman, Lori, in confusion. Why would that matter. I paused thinking how I should answer. Should I lie or not?

"I'm 19"

Lori hummed, eyes looking me up and down. I made sure not show my discomfort.

"You know... you can probably stay with us if you want?" I blinked at her husband, Rick.

"Rick-" Shane said but was cut off by a look he was given. Shane seemed reluctant to agree but he nodded anyways, less wary of me than when we first met. I cocked my head at the man.

"No, I'm good. Although, I have to ask, what do you guys plan on doing after this." Rick seemed disappointed at the rejection but then soon wore a pondering look along with the others. "We can't stay here, that's for sure" T. Dog spoke up for the first time. "Yeah, but where else would we go? There's no where really safe" Glenn replied with a guilty look on his face, still not over the fact that they're in this situation mostly because of him. I'll probably tell him that the zombies were bound to come up here sooner or later, he just speedened it up.

"Actually before you guys go planning, I think there's another matter you guys should all settle first" I say while pointedley looking at the sweating man, looking worse for wear than any of them. "Jim? What's wrong?" Shane asked worriedly, walking towards the man who started to shuffle back.

I decided to just get this over with and spill the beans, "He got bit"

Everybody's eyes widened, looking at Jim with widened eyes. "Jim?" Lori said "Is it true?"

"I- I... ha, guys-" he stumbled on his words as Shane started to come closer towards him. "On his left arm" I said, and I continued to watch as everybody panicked after Shane reveals the wound. Daryl tried to kill the man but gets intercepted by both Rick and Shawn. I stand back and watch them argue, with Andrea by my side. I nod towards her and she smiles back at me.

They end up deciding to head to the CDC. Rick asks me one more time if I really don't want to come with them, which I once again reject him.

"I like where I stay" I smile behind my mask up at the kind man. He's really caring, Carl is lucky to have him as a father. My father never bothered to even be there for me when I was younger, disappeared off to who knows where. Probably dead in a ditch.

Everybody was gathered, planning on leaving in the morning after packing everything up. I watch from the sidelines, getting curious looks from the kids. The adults are still unsettled by my mask but they were much more tolerable with my presence since I saved one of theirs. I didn't mind the attention.

I disappeared into the woods to sleep up a tree while everybody was getting ready to go to bed. I was a light sleeper so I knew that I would wake up if any walkers were nearby.

In the morning everybody was piling they're way into the cars. I walk up to the adults talking, and hand them a walkie-talkie that should work no matter the distance. It was one of the new and expensive ones in the store, I took them all back to my base as well. I luckily kept 2 on me just in case.

"If you need help, whether it's an injury, food, or just shelter, use this. I'll find you" Rick nods and pockets the object while Shane stares at me with a look I can't decipher. Glenn seems grateful and offers me a thanks.

"Are you really planning on leaving on your own?" Rick asks as he grabs my shoulder. I tense at the touch but shrug it off and just nods. "I'll be fine old man, I'm not weak" I mutter and then make my way towards the woods.

I hear some of the adults chuckle behind me while Rick lets out an undignified squack "O-old man? I'm not that old..."

I smile behind my mask again and start to increase my speed while heading back to my HQ. 'I really hope these people don't die.'

The next day I was looting the police station in my town. I'm planning on going over to the other town nearby to go loot their police station as well. I had the genius idea last night to see if they have any guns left over there. And it just so happens that they do, a lot of them. I was so happy, I now have dozens of guns. I don't really use them since they're so loud, but you never really know when you need yourself some guns.

I keep them down in the security room, opposite of the cameras. They're held in a large rectangular closet against the wall. It looks super cool whenever I open it, it reminds me of a scene from one comic book I've read a while ago.

I don't usually go into the other towns, but after the fiasco the day before I've gotten more confident e in myself. So I plan on going further and further, just so I could loot more since my town holds nothing more of importance. I've also especially enjoyed going to convenience stores for the food. I can eat all the junk food I want, all the sweets I want.

I never had that kind of luxury before. So in my kitchen, my fridge (which luckily works) and cupboards are filled to the brim with snacks and frozen foods. Plus a lot of drinks.

The caregivers at the orphanage also had a room where they kept all their alcohol. They made sure that no kids went in, and adults were very protective of their rum. But now they're gone and the room is abandoned, so I did the thing that most people would definitely do and took'em all. Now I use one of the empty rooms in house 1 as an alcohol-only room. I remember hearing at the bar I worked that they couldn't expire and that the older they are the better. So I can start drinking it once I'm older.

I've been reading a lot of books on health and medicine in case I go down with some sort of sickness. In one of the books, it says that alcohol isn't healthy for kids to drink, there would be repercussions to how they grow and they become more prone to diseases. So I'm not going to risk that.

I've also gotten into the habit of calling my houses, houses 1, 2, and 3. House 1 is the house on the left, house 2 is the middle one, and house 3 is the one on the right. Simple.

I also plan on getting a pet dog or cat. I feel that dogs might be too loud so a cat might be better. That sucks for me since I'm more of a dog person, but oh well, I have to do what I have to do to survive. My garden has been going well too, I've gotten books based on gardening and have been taking some stuff form the greenhouse in my town. They don't look like much now but they will in a couple of months.

It was during the third day after what happened on the hill when my walkie-talkie started to make static sounds.

"-v-vi-Vi! Vi! Do you copy!?" My eyes widen and I bring out my walkie talkie from where it sat on my hip. "Yes, I copy" I reply, voice steady.

"H-hey, look, we need help! Things went down hill real fast and one of ours are injured a bit. Is your offer still up?" He sounded hopeful. I felt pity for the man.

"Yeah, where are you all? I'll come get you"

"Thing is, we just left the CDC, so we might be able to come back tomorrow morning. Depends." I nodded to myself 'yeah that'll work'

"Alright, meet me at xxxxx xxxx xxxxx and I'll come lead you guys where you can stay and rest. Don't worry, I'll help you guys out"

"T-thank you... thank you so much Vi, you don't realize how much this means to me- to us" I smile a bit to myself "yeah, well don't worry about it. Get some rest old man, we have a long day ahead of us"

He says his goodbyes and we hang up. I sigh and start setting up the rooms. I think they'll be able to fit in two houses, so house 1 and 2. I sleep in house 2 but I won't mind the company. It would be rude to have my guests sleeping in the smaller houses while I sleep alone in a mansion.

House 1 has 4 bedrooms, same for house 3. But house 3 won't be needed so I don't have to worry about that one. House 2 has the most rooms. It has 6 rooms but two are occupied. The occupied ones are mine on the second floor and the mini library, on the first floor. The room where I keep all the clothes and hygiene products are in house 3, so I'll grab that and bring it to house 2, in the living room. I'll get them all settled in there to talk about how things will be like moving forward. House 1 has only 3 rooms unoccupied, one of them having the alcohol in it. I'll make sure to lock that room and the security room so that nobody wonders in.

And last but not least, food. I can cook. Very well just so you know. I doubt they had any flavorful meals since this whole thing started, so I'll make sure that there's enough for people to have seconds, thirds and maybe even fourths.

Is it weird that I'm putting so much thought into all of this? It's just been so long since I've had company in my home. Even before the apocalypse, I never welcomed people into my treehouse. But now, here I am, letting these people I barely know (well, actually I might know more about them than I should) into my home.

I'm probably just lonely. Yeah. I read a book on psychology and stuff. Turns out I have PTSD, which is some sort of disorder to do with the brain, happens when you go through something traumatic. I bet anybody who's alive right now has that. I had that before this whole thing started though, which isn't really uncommon in the orphanage. That place sucks.

But anyways, I best start going out to look for more clothes. I don't think some of these clothes will fit some of them. And I don't know how long they plan on staying, so I might as well be overprepared than underprepared.

It's going to be dark in a few hours so I have time.

I just hope they survive to see tomorrow because I really don't want all this work to have been for nothing.