~3rd person POV - Columbus~
"So… who wants to play 20 questions?" Columbus asked. The tension between Dayton and Tallahassee was so thick, his gun wouldn't even cut through it. Silence was his answer until: "Sure, Columbus. I won't ignore you." Dayton sniped. Columbus rolled his eyes. "Ok, what's your favourite colour?" Columbus began. Dayton snorted. "That's a weak question," She said. Columbus felt his cheeks burn a little. "But it's teal," She finished in a much gentler tone than her first sentence. Columbus caught Tallahassee frown at her through the rear-view-mirror. "Teal… Ain't that the colour for sexual abuse?" He asked. Columbus watched Dayton's face in the mirror. Her face remained the same as ever, not changing slightly. "Yep," was all she gave as an answer.
Sensing not to pursue the topic any further, Tallahassee asked the next question. "Naughtiest thing you've ever done?" He asked with a chuckle. Columbus answered first: "Uh… I didn't study for my GCSE's… I spend the evenings with a girl?" Tallahassee snorted. "That's sad, Ohio. How 'bout you, Ohio Jr?" He asked, turning the question to Dayton. She pursed her lips, then exhaled slightly. "I don't know really. Uh… last year, I stole my dad's Tesla to impress a guy and crashed it…" Tallahassee whistled while Columbus turned to her, wide eyed. "Your dad owned a Tesla? They were only released last year!" He exclaimed. "Yeah, my dad was a lawyer…" Was the only answer she gave.
"My turn," Dayton spoke. "Where did ya'll go to college and what did you do?" She asked. "Amberton in Garland," Columbus answered. "On the condition if he paid for it, my old man got to choose what I did. He made me do Managerial Science… I wanted to do game design," Columbus continued. Dayton tutted. "That sucks. How 'bout you, Florida?" She asked. Tallahassee turned his head to briefly look at Columbus then turned to Dayton. He shrugged. "Didn't go." He answered. Columbus could tell by his tone that he didn't want to talk about it, so he turned his eyes to Dayton and shook his head gently. She seemed to get the picture. "Uh, how about you? Where'd you go?" Columbus asked. Dayton looked away. "I don't wanna sound like a snob," She said. For the first time in his (granted, not very long) time of knowing her, Dayton sounded shy. Tallahassee snorted. "It's not like you got into Harvard or Yale or somethin' like that, is it?"
Dayton hummed in a way that said "well…"
Columbus turned to Tallahassee, wide eyed. Then he turned to face her. "You got into Harvard?" He asked. Dayton finally looked at him. "Yeah… to study medicine. I was training to become a surgeon." Tallahassee whistled. "Ladies and gents, we've got ourselves a smarty pants!" Dayton smiled slightly.
~3rd person POV - Dayton ~
"I'm sorry, you wanna do what now?" Dayton asked the Floridian. "I want a goddam Twinkie." He replied, getting out of the car. She shared a look with the other Ohioan. They both got out of the car and followed the other man. Dayton leant over to Columbus and whispered: "What's a Twinkie?" Columbus looked down at her, confusion in his eyes. For a moment, Dayton felt a little bit stupid. "It's nothing, it's just a mini-cake-bar thing." Dayton nodded slowly.
They walked up to the older man who was intently glaring down at a truck which had either been knocked off of the road, or somehow the driver had driven it off. Both were equal options. Dayton put her hands on her hips and watched the truck like Tallahassee was doing. The older man turned to her with a frown on his face. "What the hell are you doin'?" He asked. Dayton looked at him, confused. "What do you mean? I'm looking at the truck," She replied. Tallahassee rolled his eyes. "Have you got yer gun?" He asked. Dayton frowned and pulled it out of her jean pocket. "Always. Why?" Tallahassee didn't say anything, but began to head down the steep hill.
Dayton suddenly remembered Columbus was stood behind her. She turned around and couldn't help the snort that left her mouth. Columbus stopped his lunging and looked up at her. "What are you looking at?" He asked. Dayton shook her head with a smile. "Nothing. You coming?" She asked. Columbus shook his head slightly and followed her down the steep ledge.
"You ready?" Tallahassee asked. Dayton clicked the safety off of her gun and aimed it at the door. She could hear Columbus do the same. Tallahassee looked into their eyes and then punched the back of the (now identified) Hostess truck. Nothing made any noise, so Tallahassee opened the door. Dayton aimed her gun into the van, ready to shoot anything that may (or may not) come out.
All that came (more like poured) out of the van were little circular pastries. "Sno Balls?" Tallahassee asked. (It was the kind of tone that sounded like a question, but wasn't actually a question. You know the tone?)
"Sno Balls!?" Tallahassee yelled, kicking the treats around. "Fuckin' Sno Balls? Where's the fuckin' TWINKIES!?" He continued to yell, stomping all of the (still edible) treats. "Hey, chill the fuck out man! This is still food!" Dayton yelled, shoving the man's shoulder. "I like them," Columbus chirped up from behind them. Dayton turned around and saw the Ohioan's mouth stuffed with maybe 2 Sno Balls. She laughed. "I don't like coconut: not the taste, the consistency," Tallahassee stated as he picked a few of the pastries up and squashed them. "This hunt for Twinkies ain't over yet, little girl," He snapped, turning to Dayton. Dayton raised her eyebrows: "Call me little girl again, and I'll make you scream like a little fucking girl," She snapped back. She caught Columbus raising his eyebrows and shaking his head.
A part of her wanted to snap at him, just like she did some of the assholes at Harvard (some of them needed taking their heads out of their asses)… But she paused. Columbus wasn't actually doing anything wrong, he was just exasperated with hers and Florida's content bickering. She was sick of the bickering. So, Dayton decided to take the high road.
She exhaled heavily through her nose. She then turned to Columbus with her hands on her hips. She shrugged. "We may as well stock up on these. They're only gonna rot down here," She nonchalantly spoke as she bent down to pick up an arm full. Columbus shouldered his gun as he bent down to grab a handful. "Why're you getting so many?" He asked. Dayton smirked. "It'll piss Florida off." She simply said. Columbus rolled his eyes, and somehow, Dayton could tell he meant it playfully.
They began the trek back up the steep ledge when she felt her stomach cramp tightly. Oh fuck… it can't be her period starting… not now!
Dayton was about to ask if they could stop at a garage or something, when Columbus chirped up with: "If you don't mind, I uh… need to drop the Browns at the Super Bowl," Dayton snorted at the terminology. Columbus turned to her, offended. "What?" He asked. Dayton shook her head. "Nothing, just the way you said it," She giggled out. Columbus glared. "Would you have rather I said "I need to shit?" Huh?" Dayton couldn't help the smile across her face. "No," She replied, bumping her shoulder with his.
They went to the nearest garage they could find. Luckily, it had a small shop attached, which (thank fuck!) had tampons and pads. Dayton went to get the tampons out when she realised that the machine needed a dollar coin. She kicked it, angrily. "FUCK!" She yelled. Her attention drew Tallahassee in. "What the fuck are yer yellin' at?" He asked, strolling in. She sighed heavily. "Nothing," She said. Tallahassee sauntered over and looked at the machine she was battling with. "Use yer gun to blow it up at the hinges, that'll get em out. Plus, there will be money in there," Then he walked out again. Dayton shot the bolts with her gun and the machines front fell open, dropping loads of tampons and pads of different sizes and strengths on the floor. She went behind the cash area and grabbed a plastic bag. She stuffed all of the tampons and pads in, some chocolate bars, a few packets of crisps and some bullets. She had a quick look around to try and find a new pair of knickers, but didn't see any. Hopefully the damage wouldn't be too bad.
Dayton walked into the ladies bathroom and (thank god) the damage wasn't too bad. She'd need new knickers for sure, but it wasn't too bloody. She cleaned herself up, washed her hands and went out to meet Tallahassee. He raised an eyebrow. "You all sorted?" He asked. Dayton frowned. "Yeah… why're you being so nice to me all of a sudden?" She asked. (You know that tone where it sounds like someone is accusing you of something, but their words say otherwise? That tone) Tallahassee just stared at her. "Contrary to what you may believe, I am quite the feminist." He stated. Dayton raised her eyebrows. "What?" She asked. Tallahassee waved his hand dismissively. "I know you ladies can't help what happens every month… I ain't gonna stand by while there supplies for the taking that you ain't taking."
Dayton cracked a smile. She then gently punched the older man's arm. "You ain't such an asshat, ya know that?" She said, trying to be sincere. Tallahassee grinned. "Don't get me wrong, I still don't like you, but you ain't bad," She finished. Tallahassee smiled genuinely. Then broke the moment with: "Is Ohio still shitting?"
When they eventually got back onto the road again, they began talking about stupid little things. Like what would life be like if the virus didn't exist. "I'd still be playin' with ma puppy, Buck. Training him and shit. How bout you, Ohio?" Was Tallahassee's answer. "Oh! Uh… I don't know. Probably still hiding in my dorm in Garland. Maybe have a girlfriend?" Columbus answered. He then turned to Dayton. "How about you?" He asked. Dayton shrugged. "Probably on the verge of a breakdown from the workload… surgical studies are hard man." Dayton wasn't sure how, but the conversation shifted to sex. "Wait, the last time I laid some pipe?" Columbus asked, confused. Dayton shared a look with him through the rear-view-mirror. "Ya know… went 20 toes? Put Percy in the playpen?" Tallahassee was getting awkward, Dayton could tell. "Wallpapered the closet? Passed the gravy?" He continued. Dayton snorted. Tallahassee turned to glare at her. "Went heels to Jesus?" He continued. Columbus suddenly "aaah"ed. "Oh, made love?" Dayton snorted again. Tallahassee made a "kinda of" sort of mumble sound. "Sex," he continued. "Uh… in the back of an abandoned Fedex truck. Yep," Columbus said. Dayton rose an eyebrow. He sounded quite proud of that achievement. "Yeah, she was headed East, and I West, and we took shelter in the truck for the night." He finished. "Hoo, you dirty dog!" Tallahassee exclaimed, grinning brightly. "How bout you, Ohio Jr?" He asked. Dayton exhaled through her nose. "On his motorbike at a drive-in movie," She said. 100% truth. Columbus turned around in his seat and faced her with wide eyes. "Wait, really?" Dayton nodded. "100% truth." Tallahassee laughed. He said: "Damn!" at the same time Columbus chirped up with: "How was it?" The car was silent for a few awkward minutes. "You don't need to answer if you don't want to," Columbus rushed out. "Nah, it's fine. Uh… it was a bit uncomfy, but ok I guess." She answered. Then Dayton thought. A sly smirk formed on her face. "However, I had a better time in the bath and hotter." She finished. She saw Columbus' Adams apple bob up and down nervously. "You uh… did it in a hottub?" Dayton's smirk grew. "Yeah. And it was amazing. If either of you two find a girl, make it your mission to find a hottub. Believe me, you won't regret it." She finished. Tallahassee coughed awkwardly and Columbus was bright red.
Mission accomplished.
~3rd person POV - Columbus~
As they pulled up to an old grocery shop, Tallahassee chuckled quietly. "What?" Columbus asked. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. Columbus turned around and saw Dayton fast asleep. She looked peaceful while she slept, and quite attractive. Columbus wanted to reach over and tuck her hair over her ear. She had long enough hair for it. Her head was against the window, with her mouth slightly open. Columbus didn't realise he was staring at her until Tallahassee piped up with: "Jesus, spitfuck. Stop with the eye sex and wake her up already!" Columbus turned to glare at the older man, who just chuckled and got out of the car.
Columbus unplugged his belt and twisted in his seat. He gently shook her shoulder. "Hey, Dayton? Wake up," She didn't stir. He shook her again, a bit more forcefully this time. She still didn't wake up. For a second, he thought that she'd died in her sleep. Her put his fingers to her neck and felt a relief he didn't know sitting on him lift. He decided to leave her alone: she clearly needed the rest. In the few days they'd been alone together, he'd not actually seen her sleep.
Columbus got out of the car and shut the doors gently. "Where's Ohio Jr?" Tallahassee asked, opening the trunk. "She's sleeping," He answered. Tallahassee frowned and picked up a gun. "Leave her. Let her sleep." Columbus said, putting a hand on the gun. Tallahassee slowly looked up at him to glare. He snatched the gun away. "I wasn't gonna wake her up. I was getting my shit for the grocery shop." Columbus frowned at the collection of weapons and garden tools in the man's trunk. Tallahassee pulled out a pickaxe, and for the first time in a few weeks, Columbus feared for his life. Then Tallahassee picked up a set of shears. "Fuckin' hell, man." He said.
They walked into the store, the former intent on finding a box of Twinkies. Tallahassee began playing a tune on his banjo (since when did he have that!?) to attract any undead creatures in the store.
As soon as they walked down an isle of (what looked like) cleaning products, a zombie ran towards them. Columbus didn't need to shoot it, Tallahassee made it very clear that he wanted to be the one to kill all the zombies, unless it was absolutely necessary. "You got a purty mouth!" He yelled as he smashed the fat zombie with his banjo. Columbus slowly and cautiously walked over as the Floridian beat the shit out of the (long dead) zombie.
The sounds of his battering brought the attention of another zombie. But this time, it crept up behind Columbus. He screamed and ran towards Tallahassee yelling: "Don't swing! Don't swing! Don't swing!" Then he slid on his knees past the man: "Swing!" He yelled. The sound of the banjo hitting, yet another, zombie was quite grotesque. "Ah… that was refreshing." Tallahassee said as he dropped the bloody banjo. Columbus could distinctly hear the sounds of another (for fucks sake) zombie approaching. Tallahassee put an arm in front of him. "Whoa," he said. Columbus' eyes widened as he watched the (even fatter and taller) zombie slowly walk towards them. Without taking his eyes off of the new threat, he offered his double-barreled gun to Tallahassee… who pushed it away in favour of his garden sheers. "Don't worry big guy… just gonna take a few inches off of the top," Tallahassee yelled as he charged the zombie.
Columbus looked away, but the strangled cut off sound of the zombies final groan was enough of a picture. Tallahassee tossed the blooded garden sheers away and looked at the Ohioan. "How was that for a zombie kill?!" The man asked excitedly. Columbus raised his eyebrows and dropped them again. Then suddenly: a girl ran out of the stock room.
And by god, she was beautiful. Her eyes were such a dazzling green, they almost looked emerald. "Come quick," She sounded distressed. He exchanged a look with Tallahassee and followed her. Tallahassee continued into the stock room, but Columbus paused. "I'll catch up,"
"Nice going, genius." Tallahassee snapped. "You're the one who gave her the gun," Columbus pouted. They walked on for a little while before Columbus suddenly remembered something. "Holy fuck…" He whispered. Tallahassee stopped and turned around, looking very pissed off. "What on gods green earth is wrong now?!" He yelled, dropping his bags. Columbus' eyes widened. "Dayton was still in the car," He whispered. "SHIT FUCK!" Tallahassee yelled loudly. "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!" He continued to yell.
Columbus felt immeasurable guilt. Tallahassee eventually stopped his bitch fit. "Uh, ok. We're uh… about a half-miles walk away from the nearest town. We'll go there and steal a car. They headed towards California way, we can still catch up with them." He planned out. Columbus inhaled through his teeth. "Fuck. If the zombies don't get us before we get to Dayton, she'll skin us both alive."