AN: I wanted to thank anyone who put this on an alert or favorite or reviewed. It seriously made my day :)
Disclaimer: The 'lobotomizer' is not mine. It is from World War Z. I just really wish I had one ;)
"Who are you?" I asked. My voice was shaky from not being used in so long. I didn't lower my gun. Just because they were alive didn't mean they weren't bitten. Or that they could be trusted.
"My name is Edward Masen. This is Alice. I found her a few months ago. Who are you?" he moved slow, obviously noting that I still had my gun out. He sat Alice down and, at a nod from me, wrapped her in a blanket.
"Bella Swan." How odd it was to be talking again. "Have you met any other survivors?" I asked.
Edward shook his head and winced as we heard the moans just outside. "Alice was the first person I'd seen in close to two years. You?"
I glanced at Alice. She was watching us carefully, but looked scared. I figured sooner or later Edward and I would have to have a talk about our stories. But that would have to wait until she couldn't hear. "You two are the first in...a long time." I took a deep breath. "Are you wounded?" Please say no. I silently begged. If they were, I'd have to kill them, and I wanted someone to talk to.
"No. You can check us if you'd like."
I tucked my gun away. I crouched in front of Alice. "You can sleep on the cot." I told her with a smile.
She smiled back. As soon as she was tucked in, she fell asleep, even through the sounds from outside. I turned to Edward. "Shirt." was all I said.
He pulled it off, and I held the candle up to check him for any bites. There were none. Although, on a side note, he was very good looking. He had a lean body, and was slightly too skinny from poor nutrition over time, but he was still well muscled without being bulky. I nodded and stepped back.
"Done so soon?" he asked.
I grinned. "If you had a bite, you wouldn't ask." my grin faded as I remembered all the people who denied being infected, only to be found out by the dogs. "You should sleep." I nodded towards the cot. "I'll stay up to make sure they don't get in."
He nodded, looking like he hadn't had a decent sleep since all this began. Which could be true as far as I knew. "Wake me up in a while and I can watch."
I nodded, though I knew, and he probably did as well, that I wouldn't. I couldn't sleep with them just outside, and I couldn't sleep with two strangers around. I would be lucky to doze.
I heard a creak and stood quickly, pulling my gun out. Needless to say, I was a bit embarrassed when I saw it was just Edward sitting up. And the light from the small vents at the top of the shelter suggested it was now early morning. It had been evening when Edward and Alice arrived. I guess I did sleep.
"Sorry." I said, placing the gun on a nearby shelf. The zombies had been around for about an hour after Edward fell asleep. I continued to stay awake, listening for any noise, but I still managed to doze off.
I looked over the cans, looking for something that could be counted as 'breakfast'. I gave up and grabbed some canned peaches. I opened it, and handed it to Edward, who had just woken Alice. She seemed very happy at the idea of eating fruit, and drank all the juice when Edward told her to. I handed Edward another can for him, and opened some fruit of my own.
"There's a stream about ten minutes away. The current is gentle, and it's zombie free." I said. "I have some washing to do today." I gestured at a small pile of clothes.
Edward smiled. "We'll tag along. It's been a while since I could clean up, and I don't know when Alice last bathed either. You wouldn't happen to have a knife or a razor blade around here, would you?" he asked, rubbing his beard. Guess he didn't like it.
I handed him a knife. "Do you have any weapons?"
Edward smiled widely. "Yeah. It's outside."
A short while later, I had my things in a pack, and my gun in it's usual spot in my pants. Edward opened the door and stepped out. Alice and I followed. I froze when I saw what Edward picked up.
"What is that?" I finally asked. It looked like a shovel...with the edges looking like a battle-ax blade.
"This is a lobotomizer." Edward said, speaking almost reverently of his weapon. When I didn't say anything, he sighed. "I guess you weren't in any cities when they started production." He and Alice fell into step behind me, moving just as quiet as I did. "The army came up with the idea. They work pretty well. More reliable than guns." He said pointedly.
"Only if you want to get bitten." I retorted. "I can brain a zombie at max range." We were silent the rest of the way. When we arrived, I had to grab Alice to keep her from running into the water. "Wait a second!" I hissed.
She looked shocked for a second, then realization dawned. "Sorry." she whispered.
"It's okay." I said as I stepped toward the stream. The water was clear and shallow. No zombies. "It's clear." I said.
Alice and Edward both bathed as I stood with my gun drawn. When they finished (Edward now as beardless as he could be without cutting himself) I handed Edward the gun so I could wash my clothes and myself. In practically no time, we were heading back. I wondered if Edward knew how long it had been since everything started.