"Boo!" I jump and turn to Micheal and push him to the floor.
"Asshole."
He's laughing and rolling around he ground.
I roll my eyes and step over him.
"C'mon, Maria. It was a joke."
I ignore him and continue my way through the shelves.
We keep our distance from Creatures now. Unsure if the immunity is still intact.
It's safer for us.
I hear Micheal moving around behind me collecting weapons and other items we might need.
I look at him to make sure he isn't too far away from me before I look through the shelves.
Bang!
A gunshot is heard throughout the store. Before I can process anymore I am slammed to the ground.
Micheal pushed me to the floor. His body protecting mine and his gun ready.
I gives me a silence signal before he crawls to the edge to peek over. I am close behind.
I see a body on the floor, bullet hole in the forehead and another man running out the door.
I see the blond hair and for a split second I think it's...
"Chr-"
Micheal quickly covers my mouth.
He gives me a glare and I quiet down.
We watch the man disappear into the distance.
It was probably just wishful thinking.
I haven't seen Chris in almost a year.
I feel like I see him everywhere now.
I search from him in every creature we see.
I miss him so much some days.
When Micheal begins to get up I quickly move to follow him.
He doesn't take his eyes off the area where the man disappeared.
"Let's go. The gunshot will most likely draw unwanted attention."
He finally turns and picks up mine and his bags. He hands me mine and I feel ashamed.
"It kind of looked like him." I mutter softly.
"That man was dangerous. I thought you were learning, Maria. You have to be careful."
I nod and grab my bag.
We leave the store through the back exit.
We don't look back.
I move through the forest with ease.
I collected a small basket of berries for us.
It's so quiet and peaceful out today.
It doesn't last.
I hear two men speaking and I run to see. I hide behind a tree trying to listen in.
"Drop your bag."
A big dirty man is pointing his gun at another equally dirty man. I can't see either of their faces.
When the other man drops his bag almost in defeat, I decide I don't want to see what I know will happen next.
I am about to turn to leave when he man finally turns and I see his face.
Covered in dirt and dried blood. His eyes are hallow but very much alive.
Still so handsome. But defeated.
Chris.
"Nothing personal, man. I'm sorry."
I move without much thought.
I grab my gun a fire but he fires too.
Both men drop and I run.
"Chris!"
And now I know it's no illusion his time. It's really him.
I lean over him and put pressure on his bleeding side.
His sparkling blue eyes look at me and it's almost like he doesn't really see me. I touch his face and I know I'm not dreaming.
"Maria." He barely gets out before he passes out.
I put as much pressure as I can on the wound, trying to make it stop.
I just got him back. I won't lose him now.
"Micheal! Micheal!"
I scream as loud as I can.
I know it's probably not the best idea but I need help.
I hear someone running towards me.
My hands are now soaked in Chris' blood.
"Micheal!"
He finally breaks through the trees and runs to me.
"Oh god. Is that Chris?"
"Help me!"
He moves to knee down but is stopped when more footsteps are heard approaching.
When a group of four unfamiliar faces break through the other side and Micheal raises his gun.
They raise their's.
And Chris is bleeding out.
...so much for a peaceful day.