"How old are you?" Amber asked sitting side ways in her seat to look at Murphy. Murphy continued to ignore her.

Over the past week she'd done nothing but ask him annoying and personal questions.

"Ok then I'll guess. Your skin aint too healthy looking, quiet wrinkled. Mhm. But you do have nice healthy hair on your head quite thick and I cant see any greys." She tapped her chin thinking.

"Your eyes also look really really tired. Big bags. I'm going to go ahead and say... 45.

"45?! What-" Murphy looked at her offended and she put on her best innocent face looking confused. Murphy leaned back on the sofa looking Warren and Garnett who were smirking as they came down the stairs "Ok can you please make her shut up!"

"Y'know if you answer her questions she won't find it as fun anymore and will stop." Warren said as she walked by to the kitchen.

"Hey- wait listen." Garnett hushed them turning the radio up.

Friends, I'm talking about mean weather coming in fast.

Some reports of tornados.

Find shelter and take cover.

It's dangerous out there. More so than usual.

Citizen Z could be heard over the radio. Warren and Garnett shared concerned looks. At that moment Addy and Mack walked inside.

"All good?" Amber asked Addy.

"Peaceful night." She smiled back at Amber squeezing her shoulder as she past.

Murphy stood up and mutter "I'm going away from you now." As he spoke Murphy took a seat by Doc who was shuffling his cards.

"Your stalker said there's a storm front coming in. How is it out there?" Garnett asked Addy.

"Cloudy with a chance of zombie." Addy replied with a smirk. Proud at her joke.

"Ok you two get some rest we'll take the next watch." Garnett said heading outside with Warren.

"I will see your vicodin and raise you one tetracycline." Doc said to Murphy they'd already started playing cards.

"Call."

"Three of a kind."

"Full house."

"Aces high."

"That's five hands in a row. If you're gonna continue to use my deck you need to quit pulling cards out your ass." Doc said as Murphy laughed.

"Boo hoo."

Amber spread out on the sofa and closed her eyes. She must have dozed off for a while as she was woken up to her feet being shoved off the sofa.

She opened her eyes and sat up on her elbows "There is a chair right there!"

Muprhy shrugged "This spot was comfy."

As he sat down she glared at him then shrugged laying back down and resting her feet up on him.

"Uh get off." Murphy said looking disgusted by her touching him.

She shushed him and closed her eyes again. He tried to move her feet but he wasn't sure where to grab her to do so.

Grumbling in defeat he accepted his seating choices. After about half an hour Amber sat up quickly pulling a knife out from under her and aiming it at 10K.

"The... blanket... I was just...Sorry." He stuttered backing up.

"Shit 10 sorry." She gave him an apologetic smile. She was not use to people trying to touch her while she slept.

"Scared of that one. Best not to mess." Murphy said looking at 10K shocked face.

He then turned to his right side to look at Doc "You know if we breed those two, it'd be all over for the zombies..."

They laughed between themselves. When Murphy looked back over at Amber she was sat up on her elbows again. Her lips turned into a cruel smile causing Murphys to drop.

"Great... Here we go again." He grumbled folding his arms.

She sat up taking her legs off him and moved close next to him on the sofa crossing her legs under her.

"Uh personal space." He said shifting closer to the side of the sofa.

"Never heard of it." She dismissed waving her hand. "Now where was I? Oh yeah! What's your real name?"

"Murphy is my name."

"No Muprhy is your last name."

"My name is Murphy."

"Oh come on tell me your full name and I'll tell you mine." Amber pouted.

He didn't reply to that. But unluckily for him Amber didn't back down easily.

"Hey! You won't even tell me that!" Doc said shuffling his cards.

"You ain't apart of this." She replied back throwing a pillow his way with a laugh.

"If you don't answer I'll just guess." She waited for a reply but he didn't answer "Ok then here we go."

"David?"

"Peter?"

"John?"

"Mark? Oh god please tell me it's not Mark." She said grabbing his arm sounding horrified by that name.

A small smirk tugged at his lips as he glanced at her.

"Jack?"

As Amber kept going she held onto his arm. Bouncing a little in her seat after each name. "Andrew? Shaun? Shawn with a W?"

"Shaun is Shaun doesn't matter how it's spelt." Murphy replied removing her hands off him arm.

"You ain't a Shaun though." She said looking at him.

"Edward?" Doc asked from the side.

"Phillip?" 10K also chimmed in.

"Seriously?" Murphy asked looking between the two "You are going to encourage this." He point a thumb at Amber.

Scrunching her nose up she got up from the sofa "Oh you wound me, Mr Murphy."

Grabbing a magazine off the side she leaned by the window reading it.

Murphy leaned back in his seat to relax now she was gone. But oddly enough it felt cold now. Murphy looked over to see her flipping through the magazine and part of him wondered if she'd guess his name.

Outside the sky grew dark and the thunder started. It was low grumbles for a while but it was getting louder and closer.

There was a loud bang as the sky lit up. Amber jumper and turned to look out the window dropping the magazine to the side. She loved thunder, she use to watch the store with her father. Sure it made her shit herself but she also loved it.

Doc and 10K went to look out the other window. Amber went to move back but bumped into something hard, she then felt two hands grab the top of her arms and move her out the ways.

Murphy stood in her spot looking out the window. She rolled her eyes "Awe you scared of a little thunder." She stuck her bottom lip out at him "I can be your thunder buddy if you want."

"Grow up! I don't need you or any buddies." Murphy snapped pushing her out the way.

Amber smiled and patted his back and whispered close to his ear before walking away "Oh baby by the end of this apocalypse we are gonna be best friends."

As she started to walk away he shouted over his shoulder "Oh yeah, well I dont know how to braid hair."

Glancing to his side he saw Doc and 10K staring at him "She said- I was just- nothing."

"Puppies and kittens time to go!" Warren shouted from outside.

"Welcome home." Garnett said to Warren as they stood in the middle of a quiet town.

"We need to take cover. Is there someplace safe nearby?" Amber asked putting her hand on Warren's back.

"Yeah my house has a storm shelter it's not far from here." As Warren replied she looked to her side and noticed a display board.

Warren quickly walked over to the board looking at the photos "I knew these people. My neighbor. My boss. My..."

"Is that him?" Garnett asked coming to stand beside Warren.

"Who?" Murphy asked coming over "Oh, no. No. We are not here searching for dead hubby, are we?"

Amber stood on his foot and pushes him back and started walking with him back to the truck "Go away."

"Ow!"

As they pulled up to Warrens house the sky was green. They had discussed what would happen if her husband was inside and turned. Warren made it clear she wanted to be the one to give him mercy.

No one was arguing with that.

The house was clear. Oddly there was a decent supply of water and tinned food in the kitchen.

It was a nice house. Photos of Warren and her husband scattered all around. Family gathering and holidays.

Murphy went to sit down on an arm chair but Warren grabbed him but the back of his jacket and pulled him away "That is my husbands chair. You do NOT sit in my husbands chair."

"Is this even a good idea? What happens if we get stuck down there and you all turn and start craving brains?" Murphy asked looking 10K up and down.

"Don't mind him. His Mama didnt raise him right." Doc said to the kid as they started to move the supplies downstairs. Amber smacked Murphy on the back of his head and started to help Doc and 10k as Murphy wandered upstairs.

The wind was picking up they decided to settle in the basement before it was too late. Warren and Garnett had gone to do a supply run.

Doc, Amber and 10K sat discussing the tornado. How powerful it would be. They wondered how much damaged it would do.

"Holy fu-" Doc said looking up.

10K and Amber turned in their seat to look behind them.

"Oh wow... this is going to open up to many doors for me." Amber laughed thinking of all the ways to torture Murphy.

Murphy stood there, bald. He'd shaven his hair while upstairs. He stood awkwardly looking at the trio.

"Now why would you go and do that?" Doc asked staring at Murphy.

Murphy didn't reply and moved to the other side of the basement. The thunder started to get louder above them. Killing the fun in the room.

In that moment Garnett burst through the door to the shelter. But he was alone.

"Where Warren?" Amber stood up quickly walking to Garnett.

"Right behind-" before he finished speaking the door at the top of the stairs slammed shut.

Garnett and Amber banged on the door for Warren to open it. But she wouldn't.

He looked at Amber and pulled her back down the stairs. The lights flickering in the shelter.

Looking around Murphy was sat with the dead Z in the corner almost hugging it. She ran to Doc who put his arms around her covering his and her head.

The noise was loud, it was dark everything was shaking. It went on for what felt like hours. Dust falling from the walls around them.

They sat in silence until it all stopped. Garnett jumped up and ran to find Warren.

"You don't look so good chief." Doc said to Murphy. He really didn't he looked pale and his eyes were wide.

"I need to get out of here." Murphy stood up pushing the Z's body away, he stumbled out the room muttering to himself.

Doc looked at Amber "Hey you're his friend."

Sighing she nodded and quickly followed, she was not being responsible for Murphy going AWOL.

When she stepped outside she was shocked that the house was gone.

Murphy was stood to the side talking to himself hugging his jacket tight like he always did.

Warren was on the floor hugging Garnett. She be breathed a sigh if relief to see her friend alive and walked over to Murphy.

He continued to talk to himself.

"Hey." She stood in front of him but he didn't notice her.

"Murphy hey!" She grabbed his arm. Murphy flinched and stared at her wide eyed.

"Get it together." She said not letting go. "Breath Murphy." She said calmer.

He nodded staring at her. Murphy reminded her of a deer in head lights. "You're ok." She gave a reassuring smile.

The group stood to the back of the pick up staring at Murphy.

"Anybody else worried about Mr Sunshine over there?" Doc asked.

"I know he's looking worse." Garnett said with his arms folded.

"Yeah he was pretty creepy to start with." Warren added.

"Come on guys. Give him a break." Amber said sitting on the side of the truck. Earning her a few looks. Luckily Addy came to her aid.

"Yeah its the apocalypse, none of us look our best." Addy agreed "Its like one long bad hair day."

"Speaking of hair, what's with all the bald patches?" Mack asked.

Murphy glanced over his shoulder. Most of them moved to turn away but Amber kept staring. Garnett stood in from of her.

"Walk up ahead." He handed her a radio "Try and contact this Citizen Z. Find out more on this Murphy. But don't go out of eye sight."

Nodding she jumped out the truck and started to walk ahead fiddling with it as she went.

"This is Delta, Xray, Delta."

"Citizen C do you copy?"

Static came back out the radio and she sighed and slowly walked on further glancing behind to see them still stood by the truck.

"Delta, Xray, Delta I copy!"

She smiled and spoke into the radio "Hey! You're still with us! I need some information from you."

"Here for all your needs. I'll try my best."

"We need to know more about Murphy." She said glancing behind her again they had started to get back into the truck.

"Like what?"

"Uh, how about everything? Lets start with his full name."

"Roger that. Alvin Bernard Murphyhe's 33 years old. 6'1 weighing 183 pounds."

That's definitely not the name she imagined. She turned around to face the group and covered her eyes from the sun.

"Residencies- Uh Portsmouth Naval Prison."

"Wait hold on. Prison? What for?" Static came through the radio back. "Hey Z man you can't leave me hanging on that?"

After a few minutes she got no response "Shit." With a sigh she lifted her arm in the air indicating for Garnett to come forward.

"Anything?" Garnett with his arm out the window as he stopped the truck next to her.

"Uh no. Nothing." She shrugged climbing into the back of the truck.

She looked at Murphy then shifted and looked out the window.

What had he done to be in prison. Knowing her look this is where she'd been winding up a serial killer. Chewing on her nail she looked out the window.

Amber startled awake as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She had dozed off leaning against the window.

She looked over to see Murphy looking at her. It was dark out and they were alone in the truck.

She sat up straight and looked out the window. The others had set up camp outside. They must of let her sleep so she can be on watch first.

"Its nice when you sleep." Murphy said.

She turned to look at him slightly wide eyed.

"You're not talking when you sleep." He quickly added.

Without replying she opened the car door and slide out.

"There she is." Doc said making room next to him.

"Morning." Amber replied sitting next to him.

"You good to take first watch?" Warren asked.

"Of course." She looked over at the truck.

Murphy was leaned back in the seat. He didn't feel well. Something wasn't right. His skin felt itchy like it was peeling. He shivered at the thought of that.

It didn't take long for everyone to fall asleep. Amber stood to the side of the camp resting against a tree.

She liked the quiet nights. They were peaceful.

Or at least they were. She saw Murphy getting out the truck and going to take a piss.

She rolled her eyes and looked straight ahead so she didn't have to see. The man had no shame.

When he was finished he came and stood beside her.

"For a girl whos spent the last two weeks commenting on my appearance you've not had a lot to say." He finished zipping his pants as he spoke.

She didn't reply.

"Oh what have I offended you too?" He asked. He wouldn't admit it but the millions questions she asked a day kept him out his own head. Then she went cold turkey on him.

"Alvin Benard Murphy." She said as he went to walk away pushing away from the tree she leaned on.

He stopped in his tracks hearing his name.

"You gonna tell me why you were in prison?"

He straightened up "I don't have to answer to you."

"Ok then we'll play a new game." She approached him slowly looking over to check the group was asleep. "I'll call it Why was Murphy in prison?"

"Was it for murder? Or rape?" She stepped closer to him they were inches apart.

"Did you rob someone?"

"Or kidnap a kid?"

"Does it matter?" Murphy said bringing a hand to touch his face. Cowering slightly.

"It does. I'm not going to run around the apocalypse with a rapist or murderer."

"I didn't do anything like that!" He said quickly defending himself looking at her. He was hurt at the accusation.

"Then what?" She stood firm "You can tell me. Or I can wake Garnett and you can tell him."

Murphy pulled a face at the idea if having to speak to Garnett. "Wait you didn't tell them?"

"No. Not yet." Amber shrugged looking back at Murphy.

He thought for a moment and shrugged "Fine. I got three years for mail fraud."

Amber laughed, then her laugh got louder. Murphy pushed her backwards away from them sleeping.

"Thats it?" She said through her laughs. But then it dawned on her. Murphy still had his hands on the top of her arms and she looked up at him.

"Oh my god... you didn't volunteer did you? They forced you!" Her hand reach to his bites and he flinched away dropped his hands.

She remembered hearing on the radio that they were using prisoners to test the vaccine on. It all started to make sense. He was forced into this. Those bites. The behaviour. He never asked for this.

Without thinking she hugged him.

"Woah hey." Murphy said trying to move away. What was she doing.

He stood awkwardly for a moment. She was warm. He can't remember the last time someone touched him and it wasn't done in an aggressive way.

He placed his hands on her back and slowly relaxed into the hug.

"Are you going to tell them?" He said quietly against her hair. She smelt like vanilla.

"It's not my place. You didn't hurt anyone... physically. So what they don't know won't hurt them." She stepped back and looked up at him again.

"We'll get you to California and then we are done. Just don't pull any sly shit on us and i wont tell them. I won't even say your name."

A small smile twitched at his lips. She grinned. She'd never really seen him smile before.

Maybe he really had found a friend.