Dawn looked back at the couple and studied them carefully to make sure that they were safe to be around.
The man was a fairly tall black man with a thin mustache. He had a structured jaw and his cheekbones were prominent. His eyes were dark brown and calm, and he didn't appear to be shaken at all by the situation. He was wearing a black shirt and torn faded blue jeans.
The woman with him had a thick German accent, and light auburn hair. She looked to be very pregnant and she constantly cradled her stomach as if to reassure the baby inside her that everything was going to be okay. She had a fairly oval face, and somehow her makeup seemed to stay in place throughout the madness.
"So… What're you two's names?" Dawn asked, trying hard not to let her fear show.
"I'm Andre, and this is Luda, and you?" The man said softly and caressed the woman's cheek.
"I'm Dawn."
"Ah, the baby… Baby is kicking…" Luda rubbed her stomach and smiled, and Andre smiled back heavily.
"So when's she due?" Dawn questioned.
"Any day now… Where are we goin'?" Andre replied and changed the subject quickly.
"The mall… I think it's the best option right now. It should have backup emergency lights and food." Dawn explained, and Andre nodded in agreement.
The car halted to a stop slowly, and Andre and Luda looked up confused. Their confusion was soon answered; the road was paved with crushed buildings and was impossible to drive through. Dawn cussed under her breath, 'How the hell are we going to get there now?' She sighed.
"There." Andre leaned up to the front seat and pointed, "Go that way. It'll take longer, but it still can get us there." He said and motioned towards a road to the left.
"You're sure about this?" Dawn asked and began driving already knowing his answer.
"Yeah, I'm sure." He leaned back and Luda lay down on his lap.
After driving for about thirty minutes, Andre leaning up every ten or so to tell Dawn to turn this way and that way, and burying a few recent memories, they finally arrived at the mall.
Andre helped Luda out of the vehicle and Dawn grunted at the pain in her throbbing muscles.
Luda screamed, and Dawn gasped as a stiff cold gun was placed to the back of her head. "She one of them?" A deep hoarse voice came from behind the trigger.
"No, man, put the gun down." Andre replied and motioned his hands in a downward motion.
"She is not bad!" Luda cried.
"Say somethin', who are you?" The voice said once again.
"I'm Dawn…" Dawn said as she forced her lips to move.
The pressure of the pistol disappeared and the click of it being put into a holster sounded. "You're headed to the mall as well?" A higher pitched man's voice asked.
Dawn turned around to see a very tall muscular ebony skinned man in uniform glaring at her. He had a bandana over his head and a rugged thick black mustache. His glare was cold and angry, yet somehow gave Dawn the feeling he was trustworthy.
The other man with him was shorter and skinnier with messy dark blonde hair. He looked like he was in great need of a shaver and a new pair of clothes, and his eyes were ruefully light blue. He had a disposition about him that made him look uneasy and frightened even though his voice was calm.
"Yeah." Andre replied.
"Good. We are too. I'm Michael, and this is… Uhm… Sorry, I didn't catch your name." Michael looked at the other man uncomfortably.
"Kenneth." He said sorely and began walking towards the mall.
"…And apparently he's Kenneth." Michael rubbed the back of his neck and followed Kenneth.
"You think we can trust 'em?" Andre asked nervously and placed his hand on the small of Luda's back.
"Yeah, I think they're fine." Dawn nodded and followed shortly behind Michael.
Kenneth pulled a shotgun off of his back and blew a hole in the lock on the mall's backdoor. He swiftly raised an ankle and kicked the door in, and just as he did Luda screamed in a nauseatingly high voice.
Everyone turned their heads to see Andre and wrestling a large bloody creature trying to maul Luda's arm. Kenneth raised the shotgun and shot the monster several times in the shoulder and Luda collapsed into Andre's arms.
"You okay, baby?" Andre asked desperately, and Luda nodded and sobbed.
"Oh no…" Michael said softly as a large mob of them came roaring at the group.
Kenneth forcefully shoved everyone into the building and slammed the door locked behind them. The creatures banged and howled through the door.
"That isn't gonna hold for long." Andre said bluntly and rushed Luda and himself down the hallway.
"Where are we?" Dawn turned to Michael and Kenneth hoping they would have the answer.
"Garage floor." Michael said and began walking in the same direction as Andre and Luda.
"I suggest we go to the elevator… Assuming it's still runnin'." Kenneth said as Dawn caught up with his pace.
"It should be." Dawn replied and adjusted her hair.
"Sorry if this is inappropriate, but why aren't you wearing pants?" Michael called back to Dawn.
"No time." Dawn replied and tried to pull her shirt over her panties.