Riley ran beside me as I darted through the trees, my bow firmly gripped in my hand, an arrow already loaded. When I reached a small clearing, my stomach dropped. Riley growled viciously, his eyes ablaze with hatred for the creatures stumbling about. The undead. He snapped and tried to tug away from me, but I held firmly to his collar, silently taking in the scene. We were still hidden, both of us tightly pressed into a bush, away from the crossfire.
To my amazement, there was a small group of people, real, breathing humans, trying to ward off the small herd of undead. I counted twenty to their five. A woman was sobbing, clutching a small child close to her body. A man with a firm, grim expression was shooting at the creatures, his face masking all emotion. Another man, one with only one hand, was warding them off with what seemed to be a prosthetic knife like hand. I was taken aback by his skill and drive. Another man stood close by, his knives slashing with pure hate.
My instincts told me to flee to the safety of my van. To go back and find food like I was originally doing before stumbling upon the strange crossbow wielding man. But my heart pushed me onwards. I released Riley's collar and let him loose. The young dog took off, growling and launching himself at the zombies. He tore into their skulls like they were prey rather than the other way around.
Riley always wore a thick, bullet proof vest. It was something I never took off him. It was rigged with sharp studs, which often helped bring the zombies down to his height. He also had a thick, wide collar around his neck, protecting his throat from threats. Though his long fur provided enough protection, I was never willing to risk the dog's life. He'd been bit before, but thankfully, by some miracle, dogs seemed to be immune to whatever disease had caused this horrible, almost unrealistic plaque.
I waited until Riley cleared a path before running towards the woman. She cried out in panic as one of those…things grabbed hold of her, sinking its teeth deep into her throat. I fought back a gag as I tore the crying child from her arms. I held the little girl, whose blue eyes were wide with fright, tight against my chest as I clipped my bow back onto my back before drawing my sword. For once, I was grateful for the long, lethal blade. I swung it with skill and precision, the blade not once faltering in my hands, despite the child clinging to my chest.
I soon found myself back to back with the one handed man, he was breathing hard, his body pressed against mine.
"Your friend done went and rang the dinner bell," I growled, taking a moment to readjust my posture. The child was hindering my usual speed, but I refused to set her down.
"I know," he huffed. "Who are you?"
"Not important," I spat. "What's important is getting out of this mess alive."
"No shit," he growled. We turned in perfect unison, using one another to keep the other alive. We cleared as many zombies away as we could, freeing up an almost ideal path through the trees.
"Hey kid, I need you to hang on, alright?" I said to the little girl in my arms. She nodded her little head, her hands clinging tightly around my neck. I whistled once for Riley, who bounded towards me, his fur cakes with blood and flesh.
"Van, now," I commanded him. He barked once before taking off into the trees.
"C'mon!" I shouted to the other men. Much to my surprise, they followed. We leaped over roots and bushes, our pace never slowing as we neared my van. Once it came into view, Riley slowed down slightly, his natural instinct to protect his territory kicking in. He turned to the men following behind me, his teeth bared as growls ripped from his chest.
"Relax, Riles, they're human," I chided as I rubbed the dog's head, letting the girl finally out of my arms. She sank to the ground, shaking and sobbing, her auburn hair a ratty mess. I sighed as I took a few much needed breaths and steadied my racing heart.
"Again, I ask, who the fuck are you?" the man with one hand asked.
"Harleigh," I spat. I tossed the sword onto the ground, the adrenaline finally wearing off. "And you all are?"
"Merle," the man nodded. "That's Martinez and that there's the Governor. Don't know who the kid is. We was trying to save her and her ol' lady back there."
"The governor?" I cocked an eyebrow. "Seriously? What is this, dungeons and dragons?" I spat. I wasn't impressed. Merle chuckled, but the man that called himself the Governor didn't look remotely amused.
"Why'd you help?" he asked me, his voice stern. He was trying to size me up, no doubt.
"Heard the woman scream," I shrugged. "I was raised not to leave no one behind."
"She's got skill, Governor," the other man, Martinez, said softly. "We could use someone like her in Woodbury."
"Woodbury?" I asked, my eyes widening. "You've got a town or somethin'?"
"Or something," the man said.
"C'mon now, I saved your sorry asses," I scoffed. "Be a shame to have ta feed y'all to the zombies."
"You wouldn't," Merle scoffed.
"Don't test me," I growled. My stance changed from one of interest to that of a skilled, fast huntress. My uncle always said if looks could kill, I'd have killed a hundred men.
"Yeah, we got a town," the Governor said softly. "A real safe place. You got a group?"
"No," I frowned. "Just me and my dog." I looked down at the little girl. "And this here girl, I suppose."
"You're welcomed to join us," he said, his eyes sparkling with interest. "We sure could use someone like you."
"Are your people…" I thought about how to word my question. "Do you allow people to come and go as they please?"
"Absolutely," he smiled. He seemed so sincere, it was almost disgusting. "We don't hold people prisoner."
"Alright, just till winter passes," I nodded. "Then me and this here little girl, we'll be moving on."
"Didn't take you as the motherly type," Merle chided.
"Lost my little boy when all this started," I said, my voice dripping with venom. "It's only instinct. 'Sides, a little girl this age needs a mama around."
I knelt down beside the little girl, my hand lightly brushing away her tears. "What's your name, sweetheart?" I asked softly.
"A-Alana," she stammered, tears falling from her beautiful blue eyes.
"Well Alana, we're gon' keep you nice and safe, alright?" I smiled at her. She looked doubtful. "See that dog there? That's Riley. He's real good with kids, and really, really good at keeping people safe."
"Really?" she asked, her face brightening just slightly.
"Really, really," I smiled. She nodded her tiny head, her little hands reaching for my neck. I pulled her in for a hug, not caring that these strangers, these potentially dangerous men, could see the exchange. I picked the little girl up and opened the back door to the van.
"You guys on foot?" I asked, tossing a look over my shoulder.
"Yeah," Merle nodded his scruffy head. "Why?"
"Get in," I nodded to the van. I buckled the little girl into the back seat before patting the seat next to her. Riley jumped up, his tail wagging as he pressed his head against the little girl's face. She giggled softly. I moved some of the bags around in the back, making room for the three strange men.
"Mind if I take shotgun, kitten?" Merle asked, shooting me a smile.
"Not a chance in hell, hillbilly," I snarled. I picked up my sword and placed it, along with my bow and arrows, into the passenger side. Once everyone was situated, I turned the van on, smiling as it purred to life. With the Governor giving me directions from the back of the van, we slowly made our way to Woodbury.
As soon as the walls came into sight, I found myself envious of the town these people had created. The thought of safety popped into my mind, forcing a smile to cross my faith. God, was I mistaken.