Running
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY, or any products or songs mentioned.
Chapter 3: Moving
It was seven in the morning when Neo finally woke up again after passing out hours earlier. She was suffering with a massive headache again, but this time their was an unnatural prickly sensation of needles gabbing at the inside of her brain. The little lady pushed pass the uncomfortable feelings. Realizing her thoughts were relatively fuzzy from the previous day. She was tired and fatigued, not able to move a muscle now that she was awake.
Neo however noticed there was someone laying next to her. She became a little panicked with the weight and warmth of muscular arms wrapped around her thin torso under the heavy sheets and comforter. Gasping the little lady heard a load snore making her jump slightly in fear. Neo's heterochromia eyes snapped open as she forced herself to turned over to get a better view of who was latched onto her. It was Russell to Neo's astonishment who was sleeping soundly pulling Neo into his flat chest like a teddy bear, at the slightest movements the little lady was making. Neo blushed lightly, this was the first time she ever slept next to the opposite sex.
Much as it pained her, Neo decided to stay in place because she was comfortable even if it was in a strangers arms. The little lady had no clue if she would ever feel comfortable or safe again. Remembering that everything that happened wasn't a nightmare but fresh reality and decided to take advantage of the moment while it lasted. Once Russell woke up she planned on giving him the heaviest backlashing of his young life. The little lady didn't even like him that way to begin with, he seemed to young and awkward for her taste ,the first meeting when he dropped off the mail. Neo concluded that Russell was probably barely fending for himself being a freshman at Beacon University before the mess of the outbreak took place.
Now that she thought long and hard about the day pervious for a few moments she remembered Russell all bloodied and helpless standing against the wall pale as a ghost. He didn't even move or try to save himself when the zombie that was once his roommate tried to eat him. Neo had to step in and kill it her self. But the little lady questioned the way Russell hesitated when he threw the knife almost hitting her head a few minutes before that. Yes she was the cause of killing Cardin in the first place but he almost forced himself on her and in the end he lost his sorry seniority jock life in an instant and Neo had no remorse for killing him.
It did panic Neo senseless when that black gunky saliva came pouring out of her mouth like a waterfall moments before she bit Cardin. The little lady had no idea where that came from but it hurt when it came our of her mouth and burnt her lips. That ability was not normal, it turned Cardin into a zombie quickly when she bit down on his nasty hands. Whatever it was could be very dangerous. The little lady had to be careful not to take any chances trusting anyone about the issue except for Russell who already knew first hand, that was enough to make her paranoid.
Glaring down at Russell, Neo heard him mumbling her name countless times moaning lightly and letting her go, curling in on himself helplessly with the blankets like a large green cocoon around his sleeping form. Rolling her eyes and chuckling Neo got up quietly grabbing the first aid kit on the dresser, she went into the bathroom to relieve herself and take a fast shower. Once she was finished Neo marched into the messy kitchen to make some breakfast for Russell before he woke up.
As Neo was cooking French toast and eggs, she thought long and hard about the pervious conversation she had with Russell before the attack. Neo's side of the argument was absolutely right. They honestly couldn't stay in Russell's apartment any longer, it wouldn't be safe for long. The food rations would lessen within a short period of time and the medical supplies were done for because of her shoulder and wrist injuries, sooner or later she would need more. The zombie population would keep expanding the longer they stayed in the apartment complex. If they left to late the chances of survival and not getting eaten would be slim to none. The undead were everywhere, there was no way around having to kill some of em off. They were running out of time and needed to think of a plan and fast, she knew it would be tough to convince Russell. But if worse came to worse and reason didn't in her favor, she would leave the young man stranded and go her own way.
Finished up the last sunny side up egg on the greasy pan, the little lady made some coffee in the coffee pot and set up the table with the food. Once she was done the bedroom door swung open and Russell walked out sleepily stretching his limbs making a crackle noise that must have been his back in protest of waking up.
"Morning kid. Sleep well?" Neo asked nonchalantly pouring herself a big heaping cup of the steaming dark liquid and taking a large gulp of it.
"My name is Russell and I'm not a kid. I'm an adult. And good morning to you too." Russell mumbled poutingly looking annoyed at Neo because of the name she called him.
"Then how old are you "Russell"? If you say eighteen, nineteen then you're still considered a kid in my books." The little lady giggled slightly trying not to spit out the coffee she just drank. knowing automatically what his answer would be.
Feeling beyond stupid Russell slammed his head into the table.'shit she's good. How the fuck did she know my age?' He thought to himself panicked before speaking in an irritated sleepy voice. "So what if I'm eighteen? I graduated high school last year. I moved out, got a job at a gym to teach wrestling and on top of all that I'm going to the university. I'm a responsible adult so don't call me kid." Russell complained glaring at Neo who was still smirking at him in genuinely sly amusement.
"Ok fine whatever your an adult. Seeing you get so worked up was almost adorable I will admit. But I'll still call you kid because I'm seven years you're senior." Neo chuckled while eating her French toast with a sass.
"Wait a minute you're twenty four? I honestly thought you were younger then that Neo." Russell said almost chocking on his food. He was completely astonished turning red in the face.
Neo busted up laughing at Russell's clueless remark finding it funny but insulting at the same time. Everyone always judged the little lady by the hight and youthful looks of a sixteen year old. It was quite annoying and it was probably the case of her singleness in her opinion. It was always the annoying high school students that would hit on Neo until they found out she was an adult then they would back off and leave her alone. "Yes. It's quite funny actually. The day before yesterday was my twenty fourth birthday. Just know I'm not a damn cougar."
"Oh wow. Well I didn't say you were. And Um happy late birthday. Sorry if I ruined it by tying you up and not being hospitable." Russell said sincerely feeling bad.
"No no it's fine kid. That day was already bad enough to begin with. It's not your fault I got bit by a fucking zombie. I'm just lucky you saved my skins. If it makes you sleep better at night you were the first to say happy birthday to me."Neo said rolling her eyes trying not to give too much gratitude.
"Really? I feel special being the first one to say it. And thank Neo for saving me from Cardin, if it wasn't for you I would have been an extra zombie for you to kill off." Russell admitted while he resumed drinking his cup of coffee.
"Yeah well just stay alive so I won't have too. Got it kid?"
"Yeah got it." Russell said kinda sad that she didn't thank him for saving her two days ago.
The two ate in silence for a little bit until they finished. Before Russell could get up, Neo brought up the topic she was dreading to talking about." I don't know a better way to say this but we need to leave this apartment."
"Why? Where safe here. No zombies have come in from the outside so far and we still have food. We could always get some from the other units." Russell said looking at Neo.
"No you don't understand. It really isn't a good idea to stay here. I'm not just talking about the apartment complex, I'm talking about Atlas."
"Ok but answer this. What will happen once we leave the apartments? The streets are completely infested with the dead. There's a large chance that would be zombie food served on a platter." Russell tried to kill Neo's plans but she wasn't going to have it.
"Ok kid listen to me. If we don't leave the complex within a few days were as good as dead. We need to take the risk and go find an area that's not heavily populated like hear for instance. Don't get me wrong we would still have to watch our backs but not as bad. The woods or the desert would be ideal places to go." Neo said letting the words sink in.
"Well I don't know... You really think leaving is the best choice? Whatever you do I'm all in. Maybe while we're out we can find other survivors like us." Russell suggested sounding hopefully at the thought of more people.
"Who knows if we will. There's always the possibility. You have any suggestions on where we should go? You have any friends that live in the middle of nowhere? Any small areas you can think of that you once visited as a child?" Neo asked.
"Well... I have a friend named Armin. He lives in the Trost distinct in the mountains. It's about a one weeks journey on foot is my estimation, if not we could go to Vale. It's a small town east from here." Russell suggested trying his hardest to think of other good hiding locations.
"Ok Trost will work. Now that we got this all set in stone I need to go up to my apartment to retrieve Zona. I'll be staying there for the night. You coming are staying? I'm leaving in the next few minutes." Neo waved Russell off pulling a large kitchen knife from the knife block, she honestly wasn't expecting him to say anything at the moment.
"Are you fucking crazy Neo? It's suicide going up there by yourself. I'm not going to let you go." Russell barked.
"I'm still going to go I don't care what you say. You can't stop me. My baby Zona needs me and I'm tired of wearing your pajamas."
"Ugh you are one crazy suicidal bitch. Fine I'll go with you just let me pack my shit." Russell huffed petrified at having to face the walking dead once again just because Neo wanted her stupid cat and precious clothing.
"Yeah don't wear it out. Hurry up because we don't have all day. And if I were you I'd find something to use as a weapon. We're burning daylight here." Neo said sitting comfortably on the couch in the living room playing with the large kitchen knife in her small hands. The little lady acted bored, throwing the large kitchen utensil and it ended up stuck in the wall near the flat screen tv.
" Neo!? What the hell was that for? Now I'm going to have to pay for the damages you just created... I'm just glad you didn't hit the tv." Russell said in annoyance walking into his room.
"Well it's not going to matter anymore kid. It's the zombie apocalypse for fucks sake. Anything we destroy is just going to look like a small dint in the bigger picture."Neo laughed yelling out to Russell while she was pulling the knife out of the wall. It left a big slit behind.
Russell ignored her loud obnoxious comment fishing out his large Emerald green school backpack from the messy walk in closet. He picked out two pairs of jeans, two tee shirts, three underwear, three pairs of socks and a hoodie. He changed out of his pajamas into regular clothes and threw a Colombia jacket on knowing it would get cold where they were headed. Before he left the room he remembered he needed weapons of his own and grabbed the packs of silver sport throwing knives hidden in a box in the nightstand.
Walking out of the bedroom Russell went back into the living room to find Neo was still chilling on the couch with her feet now on the coffee table, she had found the machete Russell was talking about making a bet on it the day before. It was in her small hands awkwardly, while she was carving random designs into a blue accent pillow.
"Ughhh. Neo keep your destructive behavior to yourself and try not to ruin the rest of my apartment. I'm planning on coming back once this apocalypse is over. And where did you find it anyways? I've been looking for the thing...For weeks actually. " Russell hissed pocketing a pack of throwing knives in a brown leather case.
"Wow you really are a kid Russell. You know that? This building won't be here once the military blows it up. And I found your little toy in the food pantry. Your roommate was a fat greasy pig ,going so low to hide it with food? Come on now common sense." Neo laughed getting up from the comfortable couch with the weapon in hand.
Russell prepared a knife set ready to pull one out if necessary. looking over at Neo he glared."ha ha very funny. Just keep rubbing it that you killed my roommate why don't you?"
"If anything I did you a favor. That jack ass seems like he didn't give a shit about your wellbeing but himself. I overheard heard what he said I'm not stupid. He wanted to use me as a bargaining deal with the government."Neo barked angrily.
Russell had enough fighting and just wanted to leave already. "I'm sorry to cut this argument short, we could finish it at your apartment when we have more time. It's already three, we need to get a move on it before it starts getting dark."
"Fine that can be arranged. who's leading the way out? Me or you?"
Neo asked impatiently looking the silver machete with interest.
"Ladies first I guess." Russell said looking scared once they were both at the front door.
"Ok scaredy cat. I'll be the pants of this "expedition". I'm going to open this door on a count of three. You're stupid ass better fallow my lead unless you want to die. Got it?"
"Yes mother dearest. I got it now hurry up and get this over with." Russell hissed sweating in nervousness and latching onto the backpack strap tightly while his other had gripped a throwing knife in the holder.
Neo unlocked the door lightly. It made loud clicking noises to the survivors dismay. They both heard soft groans and unnatural gargling sounds coming near the door." Shit... Well better now then never. One...two... Three!"
Neo swung the front door open as five zombies came flooding in. Some were limping while others were walking with speed. Neo pushed passed them cutting heads off of two of them. While one tried grabbing at Russell, he remembered he had weapons and threw a knife into the zombies forehead killing it instantly with minimal blood splatters, another tried grabbing his jacket and he repeated the process. The two made a break for it taking off running in the half empty hallway. Random Zombies started to fallow behind them coming from all angles including apartment units.
They ran up two fleets of staircases with the luck of no zombies until they reached Neo's floor. There was about twenty of them hoarded around a freshly dead carcass of a nurse. They were eating and ripping off the bloody flesh with lifelessly faces and tattered filthy clothing soaked in blood and organs to Russell's fear.
What made the situation worse was That the zombies were all near Neo's open apartment door and zombies were on their tails from the staircase that were already hot in pro suit of the walking fresh meals. Neo nodded at Russell for reassurance as they dashed passed the feeding cluster. But it was too late once one saw them a few more did and they chased the odd pair into Neo's apartment. They fought with closing the front door for about an hour as zombies desperately tried to wiggle there ways in. After a while they were able to successfully close the door, in the process a zombie arm was cut in half because of it.
Catching her breath Neo looked over as Russell smiling cheekily. "Well now that we made it in. it's time to check the apartment for any unwanted guests and I need to feed Zona." The little lady stated nonchalantly acting like nothing happened.
Russell looked over at Neo with a horrified expression on his sickly face."um Neo where's the bathroom?" He asked feeling like he was ready to vomit and piss in his pants after seeing zombies eating someone the way they did.
"It's the same layout as your apartment dummy." Neo said finding her cat on the kitchen counter and picking her up cuddling the black fluff ball.