Alicia jumped as she was jolted back to the present by a loud bang. It sounded like metal clanging against the floor. "Oh hell no." She muttered to herself as she pushed to her feet. She quickly blew out her candles and placed them back into her pack. She searched around in her bag until she felt her knife. She quickly drew it into a defensive mode, ready for whatever was coming next. She thought she heard a noise. It sounded like...words? She shook her head dismissively; it has to be a zombie. She hadn't encountered any other living people since she had to abandon her mother. She shuddered at those words. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't think of an alternate scenario, maybe one where Alicia runs into the front room and saves the day. Or one where her brother returns at just the right time and...

"FUCK!"

"Ok that is definitely not a walker," Alicia thinks to herself. Taking a deep breath, she braces herself as she sees a shadow coming closer from around the corner. "Whoever they are, they're giving away their position with that flashlight." Alicia thinks smugly.

The mysterious figure rounded the corner and shined the light in Alicia's direction. She shimmied out of the way and ducked to the left, tripping on the overturned crate she had used for her candles earlier. The light instantly shone directly on her and Alicia had to cover her face with her hand to stave off the bright light.

"Oh thank god you aren't a walker!"

Alicia noted the voice: it was a female's voice, slightly deep but very Australian. "Not a what?" She asked as she got back on her feet. All of a sudden, the two girls turned their heads to where the Australian had just come from. Loud moaning, shuffling, and dragging noises were approaching quickly. "You didn't close the door?!" Alicia looked at the other girl in disbelief. The Aussie girl started to shrug but Alicia grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her. "Fuck this, we're going out the back." Alicia half mumbled. The other girl yanked her arm back.

"Nuh-uh, cutie pie," She shook her head and smirked. "I'm not passing up this opportunity at some fun." She produced two 9mm handguns from her sides. Alicia watched in what felt like slow motion as the girl effortlessly shot both guns and took out all 6 zombies. Between the flashes of bullets being fired, Alicia noticed she had messy blonde hair.

The blonde turned back towards Alicia and winked as she holstered her guns. "Bonzer! That never gets old." She said excitedly.

"Uh, yeah." Alicia stammered out quickly. She turned and started walking towards the back entrance.

"Wait!" The blonde girl chased after her, but Alicia kept walking out through what once were emergency exit double doors. When they got outside, they both became silent as the stared up at the sky, both mouths open.

Since there was no longer electricity, the stars were brighter than either girl had ever seen before. The brunette broke her stare as she glanced towards the blonde. Not only was her hair messy, but she had sunglasses on top of her head. Alicia's gaze continued down the rest of the girl's body: she was dressed in dark clothes. It looked like a leather jacket and dark wash jeans. Her eyes were drawn to the guns holstered at her waist. She took note of the girl's black combat boots as her eyes came back up to the girl's face where she was met with the blonde staring right back at her.

"Like what you see, cupcake?" The blonde grinned.

"Actually I'm trying to figure out if we've met before..." Alicia trailed off.

"Oh no, I'd remember a pretty face like yours," The blonde ran her hands through her hair. "What's your name, anyways?"

"I'm Alicia. Alicia Clark. And you?"

"I'm Elyza Lex. Pleased to meet you, sunshine." Elyza winked. "Are you out here alone in the woop woop?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess." Alicia's gaze drifted down to her own shoes. She adjusted her backpack on her shoulders, uncomfortably, still not making eye contact.

Elyza paused and watched the girl, scrambling for something to say to console her. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm all alone too." She kept her eyes on the brunette. "I mean in case you didn't know, I was born in Australia." Elyza watched as a small smile finally crept onto Alicia's face. She took the opportunity and ran with it. "Yeah my family was eaten by dingos and I was raised by kangaroos. I actually used to ride in the little roo pouches." Elyza imitated a kangaroo hopping around. By this point, Alicia was snickering quietly and finally looked up to meet the blonde's gaze. Elyza noticed that her green eyes were a little shiny, as if she had begun to cry a little. Elyza pondered for a second, and said, "I'll be right back."

She returned a few minutes later and stood right in front of Alicia. "Here," she said. Alicia reached out and took the card stock. She flipped it over and realized it was a postcard from Australia that had kangaroos on it. "That's my family photo. That's my mum in the front. You can keep it if you'd like." Alicia smiled and shook her head and tucked the postcard into her backpack. "So do you wanna meet my son, David?" Elyza asked sounding chipper.

So I'm actually really insecure about this chapter. As much as I want Elyza to be sexy, seductive, and dangerous right off the bat, I can't help picturing her being goofy, corny, and overly sweet to Alicia for no apparent reason. The next chapter is adorable imo.