Deep in the heart of the woods, Amelia moved with stealth and precision. Her dark eyes scanned her surroundings, keenly aware of any movement or sound that might alert the presence of the undead.
Today she had ventured out further to collect food, relying on snares to trap small game. Crouching low behind a thicket of overgrown shrubs, Amelia checked her surroundings once more before carefully approaching her first snare.
With practiced ease, Amelia studied the snare, ensuring it was undisturbed. To her relief, she found a small rabbit trapped within the tightly wounded wire loops. Swiftly dispatching the animal, she made quick work of tying the animal before securing it over her shoulder.
And with each successful snare, Amelia allowed the tension in her shoulders relax as the thought of having enough meat to last her a few days filled her mind.
I could probably smoke some of the meat. Maybe make some jerky.
However, the snap of a twig and rustling of leaves caught her attention. Instinctively crouching low, Amelia moved herself to blend into the undergrowth. Slipping off her bundle of rodents, she quickly hid them beside a tree trunk before searching for the source of the disturbance.
Suddenly, out from behind a cluster of trees emerged a lone corpse. Its decaying flesh and hollow eyes allowed Amelia a moment of relief. Quickly standing up, she caught the corpse's attention and met it hallway as it rushed towards her.
Instinct taking over, she swiftly aimed toward the creature's temple, allowing her knife to be sucked into the rotting flesh. Watching as its body went slack, Amelia pulled her knife out before moving to grab her hidden rodents.
Satisfied with her hunt, she quickly moved to disappear into the shadows of the woods — already preparing for tomorrow's hunt.
—
Dense woods stretched before her, a labyrinth of towering trees and tangled underbrush. She walked an invisible path, taking it countless times before, but today, for some reason, it seemed different.
The air hung heavy, a mix of earthy scents with an underlying layer of putrid. She traveled towards her cabin, seeking solace in the place she called home. But as she continued her trek, an unshakable tension settled deep within her.
Her body was rigid, and the hairs along her body stood on end. Something isn't right, she thought. Shifting her body, she gripped onto her knife and scanned the wilderness before her. She knew the dangers that lurked around her, but even as she searched methodically, nothing out of the ordinary stood out — so she pressed on.
Movements measured and deliberate, her every muscle was primed for action. With her senses heightened, the only comfort remained the dull thump of her heartbeat.
Every sound within the woodlands, vibrated within her bones, echoing uncomfortably along her ears. Every rustle, whether threat or not, sent Amelia into an anxious spiral. Her hyperfixation put a strain on her mind, vivid memories of the past intermingled with the present, blurring the line between the two.
Everything today stood as a reminder of the restless pursuit she endured. Her body had adapted to the changing world but her mind remained on a battleground, haunted by lost faces.
And everyday she's fought to silence her rising anxiety, the desire to run, and the danger her paranoia presented. Because beneath the weight of her stress, her years of trained skills shone through — providing a cushion to land on. Allowed her to move with a quiet determination, each step calculated, every instinct honed to detect the subtlest sign of danger.
—
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she caught a glimpse of her cabin. Its form was shrouded between trees and overgrowth, but its weathered and worn walls offered sanctuary amidst her desolation — gave her a moment of respite from her restless fight for survival.
However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. So she hesitated a moment, and then, from within the trees two figures emerged ahead of her. Oblivious to her presence, she instinctively sought cover, her movements swift and silent.
Hiding behind a thick tree trunk, Amelia watched the strangers, trained eye taking in the appearance. The first figure, a man in his early to mid thirties, exuded an air of authority. His sturdy posture and deliberated movements hinted at a natural leadership role. He surveyed the area, his gaze sharp and alert, while the figure behind him, a younger Asian man, was more tentative, as his eyes darted around nervously.
Amelia quickly locked onto the dynamic — carefully picking out her target.
She waited and watched, searching for the perfect opportunity to move.
Thankfully, the moment came fast as the older man carefully made his way towards and into her cabin.
She remained hidden, gaze locked on the younger man that remained by the treeline. His unease was palpable, eyes darting around nervously, and his fidgety hands clutched onto a pistol. As she continued to watch him an overwhelming irritation filled her, causing her to carefully close their distance.
She manovered herself quietly, body flowing like a shadow through the underbrush. Her breath was slowed, becoming shallow and controlled, matching the rhythmic beat of her heart.
As she approached, the young man remained unaware, his attention fixed on her cabin's entrance. She watched as his grip on the pistol tightened, and briefly wondered if he knew she was there — stalking him.
Closing the gap, Amelia positioned herself behind him.
Her eyes fixed on his every movement. She watched as he anxiously chewed on his lip, noticed the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and the moment he moved to shift his pistol between his hands, Amelia had him in her claws.
Arms wrapped around his head in a tight chokehold, she placed a hand over his mouth, muffling any potential outcry.
Her voice, low and commanding, reached his ear. "Shut the fuck up," she whispered. The moment she felt his body twitch, her arms tightened and she watched as his eyes widened in fear and his face redden at the lack of air.
"You even think about moving, I'll squeeze so fucking hard you'll feel your eyes pop out. Understand?" Amelia warned, patiently waiting for a response from the man.
Feeling his hurried nod, Amelia removed her hand from around his mouth. "What's your name?" she asked, still keeping him in her firm hold.
"g-glenn." Came the strangled reply.
Humming in acknowledgement, she asked, "You Sophia's people?"
Amelia watched as the boy's eyes widened.
Confirms that then.
Nodding in thought, she gestured towards her cabin. "Who's in there?"
The man hesitated, and Amelia applauded his loyalty but it wouldn't help him right now. Instead she simply tightened her hold, she felt the man's hands shoot up. He clawed and tugged at her arms, but she manovered herself in a way where she held complete control.
Tugging him taut against her body, she whispered, "shshsh…best relax or you'll pass out."
That seemed to calm the panicked man, but Amelia never relaxed her hold.
"Right, then. Imma have you call out to your friend, now." Amelia ordered.
—
"Daryl."
Out came the hesitant cry of the young man, as he called out for his partner. Thundering footsteps could be heard from outside and Amelia's little cabin shook with the force.
The older man came out in a frenzy, cabin door slamming open, and Amelia watched as some of the wood splintered. Irrationally angry, she couldn't help but harden her glare on the new figure. Stupid bitch, almost broke my damn door.
Analyzing the older man, Amelia quickly took in his intimidating presence.
The man stood a few inches taller than her, with a broad frame and weathered features. His piercing blue eyes bared into her but what caught her attention was the crossbow he held.
At the presence of his partner, Glenn began to squirm causing Amelia to readjust her grip, growing frustrated, she harshly tugged at his throat and hissed a quick, "Stop moving."
At the coughing sound of his struggling partner, the man Daryl, leveled his crossbow towards her head. However, Amelia quickly moved to shield her body behind Glenn's, leaving no vulnerable space.
And in that instance everyone tensed. Amelia with a surge of adrenaline rushing through her, Glenn with unwavering fear, and Daryl with fear filled frustration.
But suddenly, Glenn spoke up from his place within Amelia's arms. "It's her."
"Fuck you mean, it's her?" Daryl growled out as his eyes remained trained on Amelia.
Her mind immediately sent warning signals — blaring bright red as she realized they knew about her.
Fucking brat snitched me out!
The frustration of having been exposed by a child was enough to have Amelia spiraling into an unrestrained anger. "Who the fuck are y'all?" She seethe, angry at herself for having helped the lost girl.
"None of yer damn business, bitch!" The rugged man spit, glaring at her.
His tone only worked to fuel Amelia's anger. "If you don't want me to snap your friend's neck here, then you best start talking. Bitch." Amelia snapped back.
The two glared at each other, icy blues against dark mahogany.
Until a strained voice broke the tension, looking at the man in her arms, she watched as he pleaded with her through his eyes before finally speaking, "I-I don't wanna die."
She couldn't help but scoff. "Then, what the fuck do ya'll want?" She asked, dark eyes darting between both men, searching for an answer.
"We were looking for you," Glenn answered. "Sophia was asking us to find you. Said you were scared and alone."
Amelia couldn't help but grow annoyed at their reason, "So…a little girl bossed y'all around. 'Wonder she got lost in the first place."
The rugged man started to complain but Amelia quickly cut him off, "Look, I did y'all a favor so now y'all owe me," she hissed, "so I want y'all to leave me alone. Don't care what you tell the girl. Just leave me alone. We clear?"
Glenn hurriedly agreed, but the man before her continued to train his crossbow to her head.
And she took his resistance as an active threat and moved to tighten her arms around his partner. She ignored the way the young man squirmed in her arms and trained her glare on the man ahead — presenting him with her threat.
Amelia had no problem going through with her threat — if she'd never had a problem before she wasn't going to start now. In her worn down mind, if a threat was perceived it was met head on with a threat of its own. And the man before her seemed to understand.
She watched as he lowered his crossbow but his bolt was never unlatched and she noticed his finger never moved from the trigger. But she took the sign as submission and relaxed her hold on Glenn.
Weary she shifted them both forward, creating an awkward dance between all three of them. She moved until her back was at the mouth of her cabin.
Her arms around Glenn were completely relaxed but she kept a firm grip on his shoulders.
"Imma need you to leave," she nodded towards the man ahead, "I'll send your friend off in a bit but I can't have you near."
The man seemed to steam at her words as he placed the length in front of her cabin, "Nah. Ain't leavin' without him."
"Y'all won't but I can't have y'all around," Amelia reassured, "Just need y'all a few yards into there." She nodded towards the woods.
She watched as with a bit of hesitation the man moved towards the woods. He stood a bit away but close enough to where she could still see him clearly. And, it was enough for Amelia.
She quickly pushed the man in her hands forwards and bolted into her cabin. She knew she wouldn't win this fight, she could probably take down the young man, but with only her knife she'd be at a disadvantage with the older man and his long-range weapon.
Moving through her home and rushed out the backdoor — running deep into the woods and never looking back.