Jay's POV
I looked up to see the witch wasn't angry or attacking me, but she was just staring at me. It felt like time was frozen but I came to my senses quickly and wiped away the tears. I stood up and she took a step back and readied her claws.
"Wait I'm not going to hurt you" I pleaded. She lowered her hands but still remained at a distance.
"I'll just grab my stuff and leave" I had my arms up giving a gesture of surrender as I grabbed my machete a put it back in my backpack and slowly walked to the door.
Ten minutes later
I was still looking for a place to sleep for the night but all I could think of was that witch.
"Why did she just let me go and not kill me?" I wondered. "Was it because I saved her or was she somehow different." I was lost in my thought when I found a small ice cream booth to hide in but there was one problem. A tank was standing in the way. Damn and there was no way to sneak around it so my only opinion was a distraction. I picked up a rock and tossed it to the right of the tank and hit a trash can. It was quickly drawn to it as it roared and charged full force towards the alley, giving me the chance to rush to the door. Unfortunately a smoker was nearby and got me with his insanely long tongue. I was quickly bond as the tongue was wrapped around my throat, but my trouble only got worse when the tank turned to see me helpless. As he charged, I tried to fight off the smoker but could only pull my gun. That damn coward was on a rooftop and just of my sight, so I could only shoot at the tank.
Bang, bang, bang I unloaded my clip into the tank's skull but only made him madder. I was start to have trouble breathing as the tongue pulled tighter around my throat, causing me to drop my gun and use both hands to relive the pressure. When suddenly I heard the sound of a smoker dying and the tongue was loosened from my neck. Not asking questions I took it off me grabbed my gun and dodged the tank's punch. Use some imprecise sleight of hand I reloaded and shot at the tank's head again. "Headshot" I thought as the giant fell dead. I took a quick look around to see if my savior was still around but I couldn't see anyone, well no one alive that is, so I rushed to my shelter for the night. Closing the door I did a quick sweep of the room.
"Finally no zombies for a change." I stated
"Ok let's see if one of there is around thing left to eat." I looked around but only found some candy, a few bottles of water and, to my surprise a working ice cream machine. Enjoying my hard earned frosty treat I started to think about earlier with the smoker. "Who was the one that killed it and why help me." I finished my "dinner" and drifted off the sleep.
Witch's POV
"I think human safe now, but still I sorry had to kill the coughing one but I have no choose. I can't let my human die but at least he knows how to save himself." The witch sniffed the air and got a whiff of something sweet coming from the Dairy Queen where the human was sleeping. Her stomach growled as if commanding her to go, which she did. "I am only going to get some food that's it." She opened the door and the smell was so good she almost fainted. Closing the door she found the human asleep in a corner and looked for the source of the smell. She found the ice cream machine and pulled the lever to find her meal.
It took her by surprise by the sheer cold of the ice cream. But just as she learned how to eat it without freezing her teeth, found some candy bars in the humans backpack. She feasted four about an hour till she started to get tried. "I should leave but I want to get more cold food in the morning. I could sleep in that corner I doubt the human will see me plus I'll wake up before he does and take one last of those yummy stick things." The witch took one last look at the subject of her curiosity and, even if she didn't know it yet, affection before going to a hidden corner to rest.
The next morning
The witch woke up well-rested and refreshed but was also quick so she wouldn't wake up the human asleep just a few feet from her. She slowly crawled out of the corner to find the human still asleep. Taking one last candy bar she made her escape but not before silently thanking the human. She made her way up on a nearby roof and waited for her oblivious traveling friend.
Jay's POV
A few minutes later
"That was the best sleep I got on a hard floor but it's time to start moving." I grab my pack to get a quick snack but I couldn't find the candy bars I stored here last night, weird, oh well there are still plenty more here.
I checked to outside to see if the coast is clear and started making my way north. There was something I need to get from my parent's house. Something irreplaceable. This detour would take about a half days walk to get there then to the pier.
As I walked through the once beautiful neighborhood, dodging and killing any infected I could I finally reached the house. I entered the front door and felt chills as if they were still here. But I knew better than that. They were dead and hopefully they would stay that way. The house looked looted but I don't care I just came for one thing. After a bit of searching I found it my father's old pocket watch. On the inside a picture of him and my mom. After putting it in my pocket I had memories of them flood my head.
"I can't waste time reminiscing on the past." I said wiping away a single tear from my eye.
Two hours later
Finally found the pier but now I got two problems other than the many common infected swarming the pier. First there aren't many boats and the few that are still here are either busted or look like they need maintenance. And two I keep feeling like someone or something is following me. I looked at a few warehouses and found a message painted on a wall of a boat warehouse.
Survivors inside. Not infected.
"Is this for real or just another trick? If they are alive I hope they have a boat." I thought as looked for a way in but the front door was a no go so I climbed the ladder to the roof. I was able to make it down to the floor when I heard voices.
"We can't stay here any longer old man. Is the boat ready or not."
"Almost we just need some gas and we're all set"
"Then it's hopeless. We can't get to the gas station without those things finding us"
They continued to argue when I accidently knocked over a box of nails which drew all eyes to me fast.
"Who the fuck are you?!" the biker looking guy said as he aimed his shotgun at me. Causing me to put my hands up.
"I'm a survivor; I was looking for a boat when I saw your sign outside." I looked at their group, there were only four people An old timer who looked like a fisherman, a woman who looked to be in her 30's I guess was working at a business, a little girl who looked only 12, and of course the biker who's finger was ready to pull that trigger. "Look I don't want any trouble. I'm alone, I have a pistol and a machete as weapons but that's it I just want to come with you to the military rescue up north."
"Lower your gun Frank I think we can trust the kid."
"Are you stupid we don't know anything about this kid or if he's telling the truth."
"No but I don't think you want to kill some kid trying to survive like the rest us" the old man said as he lowered the bikers gun.
"Sorry about that I'm Samuel, or just Sam, this fine gentleman is Frank. That's Jacky over there and the little one is Alice. So what's your name youngster?"
"My name is Jay, I couldn't help but over hear you say your boat is working but needs gas." I said and I walked over and inspected the boat.
"Yes but there is no way we can get the gas with all those infected out there."
"Maybe I can help, I've mostly been sneaking past them and only killed when I had to. If I can get you some gas will you let me come with you?"
"Well I'd have to ask the others but you getting gas would certainly help. Oh and take Frank with you, he may be an asshole sometimes but he is some you want watching your back."
Later that same day
"Hey Sam we're back and we got the gas."
"Great kid it will take awhile to get the boat ready so we'll set sail in the morning."
Witch's POV
"No I don't want my human to leave but I can't go with them or they will try to kill me. What should I do?" Before I could think I saw four hunters on the glass roof of the building while I was of the upper stairs. With a shriek they broke the glass and each jumped to a survivor. The guys quickly killed three of there would be assassins, but one was going for the girls and they were in the line of fire. The lone hunter pounced on Jacky, who was only able to protect her face as the hunter clawed her relentlessly. Without thinking I jumped into action, running my claws threw the hunter chest, killing it instantly.
"Witch!" I heard shouted loudly and turned to face a firing squad ready to kill me.
I looked at my human with sorrowful eyes before running away to hide behind some crates. I heard them arguing for a bit then footsteps approaching her location, cause me to curl up in a ball of fear. While I was shivering I hear a voice talk to me and looked up seeing it was the human I was following.
"Hey you're the same one from awhile back right?" I nodded. "I thought so but what are you doing here?" I just pointed at you and I could see you slowly figuring it out.
"So you been following me since then and you've been watching over me and protecting me all this time?" Again I nodded.
"Well thank you so much. I guess this makes up even now." He said smiling and holding his hand out. "I think we should introduce ourselves, my name is Jay, what's you name." I had to think hard but I couldn't remember my old name it's been so long that now I've just been called witch. "I guess you don't have one or just can't remember. How about if I give you a name would that be ok?" I smiled and nodded.
"How about…. Dawn?" I thought about it and was happy with the name as I hugged Jay.
"Ok Dawn now we have to convince the others you're not going to hurt them. So no matter what stand behind me, hold my hand and don't let go. I'll protect you like you protected me.
As we walked back out to the other humans I felt my chest get warmer and my heart beating faster but not from the fear that they might reject me. It was from Jay standing by my side and protecting me once more.