"Walker!" Someone shouted and I readied my weapon, a firearm and launched a bullet straight into the beast's head. Down it fell just a few feet in front of the wall. "Nice one Bella!" Liz stated as she gave me a pat on the back. About a year ago if I held a gun in my hands I think everyone would be running for the hills. I could not be trusted with any form of weaponry without causing major damage. Hell, back then I couldn't even hold a badminton racket up without whacking someone. Poor Mike. Now however I had experience and in some ways I was like a whole new Bella.

I reloaded the weapon and scanned the area for potential threats. It was late at night so it was difficult to see through the darkness. The Cullens were directly in front of the Rez and hiding in nearby trees using their enhanced vision to see through the thick layer of black while us eight humans were ready to attack with bullets when given the word.

Things were going pretty slow, not much of anything. It was probably three in the morning by now. Only a few stray walkers here and there would show up. "To the left. Bella it's all yours" I heard Alice shout from a nearby pine tree. "Got it!" I yelled back as I aimed and pulled the trigger. A hiss could be heard but it wasn't from the walker. It was Edward, he absolutely hated the idea of me patrolling and had a huge argument with Sam about it when he thought I wasn't around. Little did he know I had been hiding behind one of the buildings and could hear every word spoken.

He was getting extremely annoyed by now as he flailed his arms around trying to prove his point. "Sam you can't be serious. This is Bella we're talking about, the one who trips on air. Are you really willing to give her a weapon of mass destruction?!"

"She wishes to protect our small community and I trust her. She's changed quite a bit in the past year."

"You have to be joking. I'll do anything, please, just don't have her on guard duty."

"Edward, this is her decision to make. Not yours. Last time I checked she was her own person and doesn't want to take orders from people. Especially you."

Edward gave a huff of disappointment mixed with anger and stalked off. His eyes blazing with held back rage. This wasn't going to be the end of it.

Mike's voice broke my train of thought. "So Bella, I heard about your mom. I'm really sorry to hear that…A lot of people died…Jessica didn't make it either. Those things tore her to shreds…" Mike visibly shuttered as a lone tear escaped, he quickly brushed it away in hopes I wouldn't notice. "Thanks" I responded awkwardly. "I'm sorry to hear about Jessica" I never even got a chance to see her when I first arrived. It was probably better that way.

"Mike, are you alright?" I questioned as I quickly examined him. He seemed to be breaking out in sweats although it wasn't hot out, it was rather chilly. I could feel Goosebumps forming on my bare arms as another cold gust of wind swept by. I probably should have worn long sleeves instead. "Uh yeah, fine. Why?" He questioned as he quirked an eyebrow.

"You look like you're sweating. Are you overheated?"

He brought the back of his hand up to his forehead and quickly dropped it to his side, wiping away the perspiration. "I'm fine, don't worry about me" He stated rather defensively. I let it go for the moment but I was definitely going to keep an eye on him. Something wasn't right and I was determined to find out what.


Finally the shift ended and I was free to roam around. Firstly I decided to go back to the house and get some food in my system. Good thing the fridge was stocked. It was amazing how the luxuries of my old life didn't seem so amazing at the time, only simple routines. Get up, take a shower then cook some breakfast. All three things consisted of some sort of luxury I and most people took for granted. A peaceful sleep, a comfy bed, good food, hydro, workable stove, microwave... The list could go on. When the epidemic hit the power cut out as did the hydro. No more nice showers. Who knew how long it had been since my last shower before I arrived here. Thankfully they had managed to get the power back up here and since this town was known for rain we were well set on well water to fuel showers and other means.

I slowly opened the door to the house and walked in. I expected to be hit by a wave of suffering and loss since my mother no longer occupied 50% of the space or in Renee's case, more. But I wasn't. I felt empty, hollow even. Like a part of me was dead inside creating a complete numbness to engulf me, swallowing me whole.

I numbly walked over to the small fridge and began to raid it. I pulled out a jug of orange juice and closed the door. I then opened up one of the wooden cupboards and grabbed a hold of a mug, pouring the contents of the juice into it. I eagerly gulped it down quickly drinking a second glass as well. After I was fully parched I decided to go rest up. I'd have to get used to sleeping during the day if I was going to keep up working nightshifts.


When I woke up from my nap it had been a few hours. I was still a bit tired but I figured it was best not to push my luck. I had managed to fall asleep fairly quickly and was content by the fact no nightmares came about. I stretched out my stiff limbs. That was probably the best I'd slept in a while. I slowly rose up off the mattress and made my way down the stairs and out the door. I felt the need to get some fresh air.

Once I walked onto the sidewalk I examined the streets and was surprised to see they had been cleared. It was no longer scattered in casualties that hadn't made it. People must have helped to clear them out while I was on shift. I was probably too tired to notice when I first made my way back. I walked towards the north side of the wall and was passing by the Eastern end of the wall when I heard it.

"Oh my God, somebody better come and check this out!" A voice called out, a voice that belonged to Seth. I briefly looked around and noticed I was the only one around the area so I rushed towards the voice, a little to the east. I climbed up the ladder and got onto the wall making my way over to where Seth was standing, a horrified look placed upon his features.

"Seth, what happened? What's wrong?" I questioned him as I looked back and forth for any threats. "Look for yourself" he stated as he motioned towards the ground directly below us. My eyes followed his line of sight and I audibly gasped.

"What the hell?" Directly in front of the wall laid a pile of dead rats or what appeared to be rats. The meat from there flesh was all torn off and only carcasses took their place. What the hell…

There you have it, a little longer chapter this time and a much quicker update. YOU'RE WELCOME! Lol. Yes I did in fact kill off Jessica. Poor, poor naïve little Jessica. So what are your thoughts about Edward right now? Do you really think he should be allowed to keep trying to do what's best for Bella or should he really just give it a rest? And what's with Bella all of a sudden being able to eavesdrop without him noticing? Is Edward losing his touch? Why are there dead rodents?! In due time you shall all find out. In due time….in the meantime REVIEW! (: