"Raise the gates! Runner Five, ready... and go!"

I sprint outside the gates as the loud beeping noise I've still yet to have gotten used to slows down to a stop.

"Thanks, Sam. I'll take it from here," Says the man running beside me. Runner Seven-I've met him once before, when I first arrived in Abel just a few days ago, but I haven't talked to him since. He believes he should show me around the base first before I venture off into No Man's Land, and seeing how I still am new to Abel I can't really refuse.

"No problem, Evan," Sam replies through the headset. "I'll keep the coms link operational in case of trouble." There's a slight pause before he continues, addressing me this time.

"Runner Five, Seven here is our Head of Runners."

"That's an unofficial title, Sam," Evan interjects, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"Oh, unofficially," He says, correcting himself, and I shake my head slightly and give a barely noticeable smile.

"That's what I get for surviving longer than most of the others," Evan states with a light chuckle. "I'll be taking you on a quick tour around the perimeter of the base today, and show you the main routes to the city. Should be a quick, easy run."

I nod at his explanation before hearing Sam speak up. "You know what happens when you say that."

Evan shrugs in reply, although I'm not sure there's any cameras around for Sam to see it.

"Whatever happens we'll handle it. We always handle it."

His confident tone would be reassuring, but I've learned never to be too confident while out on a run. It could easily cost you your life, but Evan doesn't look like the type to be cocky, and seeing how he's lived long enough to become the unofficial 'Head of Runners' gives me a small bit of assurance. I know Abel isn't like Mullins, but even I know to get a position that lets you tell others what to do is a big responsibility and I doubt it would be given to just anyone.

The more I study Runner Seven, the more I can see why he's Head of Runners. He's just got that leader look to him. He's a lot taller than I am-a foot more at least-which makes it hard for me to keep up with his pace. He runs with a purpose too; It's written all on his face. The look-stony eyes filled with determination and pursed lips with his nose slightly crinkled-makes him less handsome than I'd think he'd be if he was smiling, but seeing is how these past few days are the most I've smiled in years, I don't have much room to talk.

I study his face for a few moments, seeing his dark hair and tan skin that's been out in the sun many more times than mine has, and with a nod I determine that he most definitely does look like a leader.

I look at the scenery around me as we keep running. I try my hardest to memorize the things around me, since I need to memorize this place before I go out into any unknown territory. That definitely wouldn't be smart. It's also a force of having to learn as much about your surroundings as quickly as possible, so you'll know where to hide or find shelter if needed.

"We're sad to lose the old Runner Five, but that's the reality of life on the ground," Evan speaks up, startling me a bit, although he doesn't seem to notice as he continues on. "We've spoke to Mullins-the base you came from-and they're not willing to send a helo until we know who fired that rocket launcher at you."

I groan internally and resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Great. Just what I needed to hear... Guess I won't have to worry about the people of Abel half-assing sign language. I don't even try to correct my cursing mind this time.

"So, this is your new home," He says, interrupting my thoughts. "You're the new Runner Five. Congratulations."

Well, he sure sounds enthusiastic.

"They've told you nothing about us, I suppose. That seems to be the way up at Mullins' base: send people in; Take them out; Don't talk about where you're going; Don't let anyone get attached. It's not the way I'd run it and it's not how the Major runs it here in Abel township."

I shrug in reply. I understand what he's saying is true, but Mullins isn't even close as the AMTB is at being detached, or being taught to be detached. That's how that place always was, especially if you were...

"We care about our people here and as long as you work hard we'll take care of you," Evan pauses his speech for a moment. "So you see we're circling clockwise around the base. The bunker to your right is half the reason any of us are here."

I look over to said bunker as we continue jogging. I cock my head to the side and continue studying it while waiting for him to continue.

"Take a look at that; Low slit windows built into the ground. We use it as a part of the armory now but at the start of the outbreak some of us spent three weeks sheltering in there whilst the world went mad around us."

I grimace at the thought of that and unwillingly remember my first three weeks of the apocalypse.

Lord, that seems like an eternity ago.

I can see twelve-year-old me running from building to building when no zoms were looking our way, trying to find enough food for the three of us. Me, Wes, and her. I can't even think her name without feeling my throat tighten and my heart rate pick up. That was before we were found and put into training.

"Thank God for survivalists building our stocked fallout shelters," Evan continues, gaining my attention once more, "and for the owner of this place. She still lives here with us. The other half of the reason we're here is that building in the center of the compound."

My eyes trail to the area he's pointing at, peering over the multiple buildings to see the best looking building in the entire township.

"That old farmhouse: thick stone walls; good, high vantage point, particularly as we're on a hill." Evan turns his gaze back to me. "You can see why any of us who knew anything about tactics came here.

"With just five rifles we fought off three hundred of the walking dead in our first week here. We're under the command of Major DeSanta. She lost most of her squad but managed to keep us all going. That's how we earned our place."

His eyes narrow as he looks at something in the distance, and I turn my head to the side to see what he might be trying to see himself. The open field seems almost endless but then just as the thought cross my mind I see the trees of the woods, and from my right there is small pecks of something. Buildings maybe?

"Hmm... what's that over there? Can you see it, caught in the trees down the hill?" I squint in attempt to see what he's talking about. "Something white, and flustering-just passed that zombie lurching towards the pines."

I nod when I finally see it.

"Might be nothing, might be

something," He hums. "A good target for a quick run anyway. Don't worry, if that zom gets too close our sniper on the roof will be covering you. Go."

Being used to taking orders like this, I start making my way towards the tree and whatever is caught in it. By hearing the tone of Evan's voice, he seems used to giving orders.

Maybe this is why he's stayed alive so long. I muse to myself. He sends others to do the actual work. But I know to be Head of Runners, even unofficial, you'd have to be good at your job of running... I hope.

"Ugh, I think I see what it is," Evan states through the headset. "Mullins said you'd been at the base almost since the outbreak started."

I raise a brow at that. That's not exactly true, but I'm guessing they couldn't tell how they really got me working with them. Heck, I don't even think most of the people at Mullins know how they got me to work with them. What they did... what the AMTB did to me before I was sent. I shake the thought from my head.

"It's a government drop," He states as I turn my my gaze back to the tree I'm gradually getting closer to. "Do you see that part hanging down-the green tab?"

I nod.

"Pull it and it should come straight through the trees."

A satisfied smile graces my lips as the package gets closer into my sight, and I feel a wave of confidence in thinking how easy this is, until I hear a small growl from behind me. I keep up my quick pace up and don't bother looking back.

"Ah, we've got company. Our position between two large cities does mean we get a steady stream of the wandering dead. You should be able to do it," His voice has a hint of encouragement in it. "Just put on a burst of speed now, and you'll get the government drop and outpace the zombie. Don't wait. Run."

I obey, picking speed as the growls turn into more of a snarl. I jump up to pull down the green tab that was just barely out of my reach. My fingers wrap around the tab, and as expected, the government package falls right out from the trees and into my open arms, but I don't bother stopping or even slowing.

Instead I keep up my pace as I make a wide turn and head back to Runner Seven, grinning when the zombie's moans grow more and more silent.

"That's good," I hear Runner Seven praise through my headset. "I can see you'll be a valuable asset to us here at Abel township."

I suppress a cocky grin that tries to make its way on my face, but still I do not resent the feeling pride that dwells in my chest. It's different getting praise for being a runner. It never really happened at the AMTB or at Mullins, but it might be because I'm new.

Yeah, that's probably it.

"We don't have bullets to waste on zombies, not unless we have to, and we certainly can't waste them firing wide. So we rely on Runners. You'll be well rewarded if you do a good job."

Those last few lines feel more mechanical and rehearsed than praised, but I shrug it off. The tone is something I'm used to. It was used by most of the people above me when speaking to me and other runners. For someone so important, we runners weren't exactly thought as so.

Evan pauses as I get back in place running beside him, slowing down my pace. With him being so tall one of his steps is about three of mine. I look at him for a moment and he simply looks back, as if he just forgot what he wanted to say.

Or maybe he wants me to say something... does he even know sign language?

I am about to sign something before he turns his gaze ahead and speaks once more, face completely neutral. "Run along the main road with me for a while. I've got something to show you."

I nod, and we both fall into a silence as we run. That's what it is-a silence. Not an awkward one, or a tense one, and definitely not a comfortable one... but it's there, and I'm unsure how to feel about it.

Abel isn't as bad of place as I'd originally thought, defense wise I mean. I never thought ill-will on the people here. Of course some them being so kind and welcoming is a bit unusual for me, but I don't dislike any of them... except Sarah.

In my defense, I reason with myself, She did threaten to shoot me. Not outright, but it was still implied.

"Here we can get the best view of the land," Evan states, pulling me from my thoughts. "There are the major cities. We'll probably send you in there looking for supplies, but never try to spend the night there. Crawling with the undead."

His words are fast, clipped, as I've noticed they've been almost this entire time. It's different from when I first met him, but his more business like manner of speaking reminds me of how it was at Mullins, and more specifically the AMTB. It's normal, and almost comforting, in a weird, probably not healthy way.

"And see that castle on the hill? That's New Canton. They're the biggest settlement of living humans within a hundred miles we think."

I grimace at the memory of my first and only encounter with the settlement so far, and Evan takes notice as a look of what almost appears to be disgust makes its way on his face.

"For the most part we don't talk to them, they don't talk to us and that's the way we all like it."

Well, that's a relief.

"And see over there?" He continues pointing off to another area. "The burned barns to the west? That used to be a little settlement, called themselves Skoobs."

I raise an eyebrow at the silly name.

How odd. Who would think to name their settlement-

"Mostly teenagers."

Should've seen that coming. I mentally smack myself by not thinking that. I am a teenager after all.

"They were about the size of Abel Township. We... don't know what happened to them," He says with some hesitation, but whatever nervousness he has is gone as he explains further. "One day they were doing fine-swapping DVDs with our runners, keeping chickens, growing their own marijuana-next day, burned out shell."

He lets out a breath and clicks his tongue distastefully. "Probably a zombie attack caused a fire somehow..." His voice trails off as his trail down towards me, and I look at him expectantly for either instructions or another story.

His eyes flicker into mine for a brief moment before snapping back to what's in front of him. "Right, another practice run."

I hear groans coming from behinds us and look back to see about three zombies about fifteen seconds behind us.

"Let's out pace these zoms and head back to Abel." I give a curt nod at his instructions and push myself to go faster. The zombies seem to be nothing more than shamblers, so if only takes a few minutes to get in the clear and completely lose them.

But even so, I'm beginning to feel tired, and with the fact I have a mission to do in the morning, I'd like to get to my semi-nice bed. Especially since a child's life is on the line.

I think about children as if I am an adult. My thoughts echo bitterly.

"You know, some people in Abel

Township were worried about taking you in, Runner Five."

I look up at Evan and give him a raised brow.

I wonder who he could be talking about? My thoughts drip with sarcasm as a certain fellow runner pops into my head.

"That rocket launcher attack spooked us all, of course," He says quickly, almost as if trying to justify his words. I didn't mind really. I mean, I wouldn't exactly trust me either, if I were in their situation. A kid-looking teenager that's surprisingly a runner survives a rocket launcher attack that blew up the helicopter she was supposedly on? Of course people would be suspicious, but suspicious to the point of threatening to shoot me with no proof is a bit low if you ask me-even for being in the zombie apocalypse.

"We weren't aware that anyone in this sector had that kind of capability, and Mullins hasn't always been straight with us." He sends me a pointed look, and I shrug.

Well, he's not wrong, but I'm pretty sure the people at Mullins aren't even straight with each other. In fact, I know they're not.

"Funny thing, Runner Five... Just before Skoobs settlement was destroyed they'd had a man sent from Mullins base. Arrived on a helo just like you, but without half the supplies they'd been expecting. Strange." He pauses for a moment before sparing a glance at me, to which I reply with a raised brow. If he's expected me to say something then-

"Right. More zoms approaching from the east. Let's head back into Abel. You've done well today. We'll have use for you soon."

I cringe at his words as we continue our run back to Abel. His voice held no praise whatsoever, and even those few moments ago when I got that government drop his voice had a hint of it. I don't know what he was expecting me to say, about Skoobs or the trust of those of the township, but I came here with a job, and now apparently a mystery to solve as well. That being said, I'm not trusting anyone easily, and there's no way on God's green Earth am I going to spill my secrets on the second encounter.

I sign two words after adjusting the package on my back, but Runner Seven doesn't seem to notice.

'Sorry, Evan.'

A/N: Here's another chapter, you guys. Really hope you like it! I'm hoping to get more regular with writing this, but you never really know because life is life. But at this moment I'm more than motivated to write so I should have some more chapters coming soon