G

The door slammed shut and I snapped awake. The lantern turned on and I made out an upset Chris. Her lips were so thin that the surrounding area was pale with red surrounding it.

"What the hell? I have been busting my ass and you are frolicking with him?" Chris sounded really upset.

Riley, on the other hand, had a very pleased and victorious face. "What? You think you are the only one that can some but others can't? Does he have your name on him?"

Chris looked like she wanted to say something else and probably with a nasty intent. But she surprisingly calmed down. "You are right. Food ready by the way." She turned and left.

Riley untangled from me and I watched her put on clothes before I got up. It was her turn to very boldly watch me struggle into pants with one arm and then into a zip up hoodie.

"While she is gone, tell me. Who is better?" She smiled so wildly that I had to pause as I slipped into my boots.

I mean, I could have said it with complete honesty and felt no guilt. But then I realized that Chris wasn't bad per say and that it was nice having polar opposites. After all, I could dominate miss emo but I felt like I would have to fight Riley for top.

So I did the right thing and walked past her with my head held high. She kept pestering me for an answer but I definitely wouldn't give it to her.

The area outside the office was quartered away. Almost a clear yard with lanterns hanging up that lit up the areas where the grills didn't. I like how they put the heavy crates like a barrier. Similar to how the army would make sandbag forts. The gated area was limited two two people but you had to split left and right. Giving the defenders plenty of time to stack bodies.

I turned to the smell of grilled meat. I didn't even think to remind them to use up the meat but at least someone was smart.

Me and Riley got in line right behind this woman and man who were whispering fiercely.

"Come on! I promise not to tell her or how about this. Can you tell me if I made it into the top five or not?" Riley bumped me and I gave her back my full attention.

But what top five? She is currently number one. "Sure, you are in the top five." I said after a moment of thought.

Riley looked at me with a critical eye before she broke into a bigger smile. "I'm the best pussy you ever had, huh?"

The woman looked back at us and I blushed for Riley who apparently didn't have a sense of shame.

"Sorry." I mouthed.

The woman humpfh and turned around. Her husband looked back at us and gave me a thumbs up. I glanced at Riley who was basically glowing. She even stuck her tongue out and I cringed.

"Wow, can't believe you did that." I said with false shock.

"Cassandra coming." Riley's face got all serious.

I glance behind me but ignored the feminist leader and my ex who was glaring at me. "By the way, I didn't know you could handle guns. How about you coming out with me next time?"

Riley's serious face slipped, "I'm amazing with guns but you know that."

I schooled my face and grabbed a plate as the food server dropped a drumstick on my plate. I looked up at him and gave him that really face. The guy had the nerve to shrug and motion with his chin for me to move on.

Smiling, I sat my plate down and pulled my glock loose.

"Bro, you can't get your way just because you are packing. Get on now." He said but I saw him gulp down some saliva.

"Look here, guy. I'm a hundred and seventy-five pounds. You putting a drumstick on my plate is like me fucking you in the ass with my barrel. Be a good lad and give me a breast." I motioned at the breast with my glock.

The man opened his mouth but I pressed that little protruding but that sits at the front of a gun into his forehead. He made a snap decision to place a breast on my plate.

I smiled and put the glock away. Riley took the drumstick off my plate and put on hers.

"Let's go, big man." Riley said as she shook her head.

I huffed as I glanced around and saw a few people looking at me. Shrugging, I went to the next line. The woman didn't act like the guy. Give me the same portion as the other. Maybe that guy was just testing the waters.

I dropped at an empty table and realized I didn't grab a fork or spoon. Riley sighs as she places a rolled up napkin down in front of me.

"Just like a kid." She tried hard not to smile but failed.

I let out a manly grunt as I unrolled the napkin with one hand. The food was pretty good. Well it was excellent until Gloria and Cassandra sat down in those same yoga pants and sports bra I spotted her in before.

"Can we talk about you putting a gun to that guy's head?" Cassandra put it as a question but I felt like it wasn't really.

I look down at my arm and then up into her blue eyes. I felt this really strong intent to reach over and slammed her head into the table. It was intense enough that my chair scooted back on the concrete. My legs went from a relaxed flat footed stance to my feet sliding slightly back as I leaned on my tip toes.

Both imbeciles stiffen up and scooted back. Like they really would be able to outrun me.

Riley placed a hand on my arm and I glanced at her as I sat back in my seat, fully. Letting the sudden urge slip away, I tune into my rationality.

"I'm sorry. I haven't finished eating and man does not operate logically when hungry. If you have a problem, talk to the old man about it and he will address me." I said politely.

Cassandra eyes glance down. She nodded and tuned a lot faster than I expected she would. Gloria didn't even cast me a backwards glance.

Riley grabbed my hand, "you can let go now." She spoke in such a gentle tone that I was confused.

Utterly so until my eyes landed on the spoon handle twisted in my grasps. Feeling a tad surprised, I brought it to my other hand, and tried to smooth it out. While it wasn't necessarily perfect, it was usable.

"I wondered if you are having a positive mutation? Considering we survive the initial onslaught that means we are immune or having antibodies that make us semi-immune." She started speculating.

I ignored her and slowly ate. I could tell she was bumbling to say something as we made our way back.

The first thing I did was crawl into bed and hope to quickly fall asleep.

"So you are not going to talk about breaking a spoon?" Riley said as she knelt down and started pulling my boot off.

"I didn't break a spoon." I muttered defensively.

"Okay, stay in denial." She pulled at my pants next.

"What are you doing?" I grabbed my pants.

She smack my hand, "we ain't got nothing else to do but fuck and sleep. So we about to fuck."

I couldn't necessarily disagree with that.

*****

Having a broken arm was like finding out a super hype game was pushed back another month. Other than eating, taking out trash, and hiding from Chris and Riley. Life has been almost normal.

For a moment, I had this misconception that I wasn't at the end of civilization but dreaming. Really good dreaming.

But then shit started to change. Not for the group but for me. My eyes started to go from almost, I can't see in the dark, to I can see as good as day. This isn't the only odd thing if you ignore how my strength increases enough to bend a steel spoon. My hearing and sense of smell increase. Not all that great, mind you but if I'm stimulating Riley, I can hear her heartbeat. I know when she just gives into my urges and when she really desires it. Oddly enough it isn't only because of hearing her heart. She emits a kind of fragrance that really hits me like a rock.

Weird part is that she isn't the only one with this scent.

I tossed a bag of trash into the dumpster and looked at the sky full of stars. Then I settle in on some people creeping along the alley. Every since I stop going out, Cassandra and that fuck boy decided they would roam out. The sad thing is that while they used some of the sports equipment to better gear themselves.

Dogs, wolves, rats, and other rare animals far inland, started drifting into the city. Dogs and wolves before were already hard enough to fight. Not to mention the crazies who are basically superb killers.

Sigh, it was enough to say that some of them did not make it back. I slipped off to the side as I watched Cassandra and Gloria carry back some more serious injured people. They weren't like me who managed to escape with a broken arm and hurt pride. They were missing limbs, trailing blood behind them.

I touched my glock and machete as I scanned the darkness behind them. I flexed my arm and took off the brace. Loosen up the stiffness as I eased my way into the back of a trailer.

The girls made it to the dock ramp moments before I caught the scent of dogs. The footsteps of something else made me look at my lacking gear.

Cassandra had my shotgun dangling from her shoulders. I made a few quick steps and jerked it off her arm. I ignored her cursing as she stumbled past me.

I checked to see if she even reloaded it.

She didn't. I tossed it down and took out my glock as the first dog rounded the corner. I put four rounds down the alley and it dropped. The next dog collided with it, which gave its head coverage. Unfortunately for me, that allowed two other dogs and a big ass brute to walk into the alley.

The brute let loose the two dog leashes in its hand as it smiled.

I put down the other two dogs and met the last with my machete. The feeling of the blade crunching into the bloody mutt skull was satisfying. However, when I looked at the brute, who slowly walked towards me.

I lost courage.

The girls had already entered the building, so I turned and ran for the door. I twisted the knot but it wouldn't turn. They actually locked the door? Did they think I would foolishly fight to the death?

I ran square around the corner, hastily up the crates, and climbed over the fence. I grabbed the boards and ripped them off the door. With a slight pull the door was opened and I was rushing towards my room with my gear.

Riley and some girl I didn't know were watching a movie. I grabbed my shit and hurried to put it on.

"Grabbed the emergency bag, quickly." I yelled.

Riley shot up, pulling on her pants, shoes. The other girl looked hesitant but she pulled on her shoes.

"What's going on?" The girl asked.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

The sound of the building rocking answered her question.

I grabbed the heavy bag that Riley was courageously trying to lift. I ran right out the door and towards the way I entered. Luckily, she followed without a sound. The other girl followed and I was surprised.

Probably not as surprised as the Cassandra team was on seeing me. I didn't even stop as I rammed right into the padlock gate. My shoulders hurt but at least we would live. It appears, I wasn't the only one ready to run away.

Old man was dragging his daughter right behind me. Followed by Miss Owens and her two kids. The others I didn't know personally. Well, Amala I knew.

We ran right into the parking lot, towards the few trucks I had set up. I threw the bags into the bed and jumped into the back as Riley got into the driver seat. The car cranked up as I spotted Chris running in panties and a large shirt. Watching her sprint past some of the others was amusing.

"Girl, you better run a little faster!" I yelled.

The sound of loud banging ended and the screaming started. The old man tossed his daughter into the bed and followed up right as Chris made a jump for it. I grabbed her hand and yanked her in.

I slapped the roof and Riley peeled off.

"Wait!" Amala yelled and she was inches from the truck.

Bloody Riley stopped and allowed Amala to get on.

"Go!"

Cassandra and Gloria ran out the back just as a body flew past them. I hunkered down as Riley swerved onto a side street, bouncing off a car as she floored it.

"Only four cars made it." The old man sounded full of regret.

I shrugged, "what do you expect when you let those idiots go out?"

The old man shot me teary eyed glare but said nothing in response.

"Where are we headed?" Amala asked to change the subject.

"No idea. I hadn't planned on moving but Cassandra's group locked me out so I couldn't grab my guns to kill the big guy. Selfish is a hell of a story." I laughed and scanned the roads.

Riley pulled over once we got far enough away. The others pulled up one by one.

I pulled out my phone and turned it on. "The best place right now would be a police station. They should have an armory. I don't know what a national guard base would have."

Amala scratched her head, "there is a fort we can go to. It will have a lot of stuff we can use plus generators. So we can set up a basic defense."

I typed in military forts near me and two pop up. One an air force joint army training site and another pure army base. The army base was closer and could be reached through back streets.

After setting the GPS, I passed my phone to Riley. She took it and hopped back in. We started the journey to the road to self discovery.

This was the slowest ride ever. Mostly because a lot of the streets had those speed bumps or end of street ditch to slow down cars. By the time we hit a major side road, we could see the sun rising amongst some dense clouds.

Lucky for us, there was a hotel not too far away and we could easily pull into it with a simple right turn.

I hopped off the back and made a beeline for the lobby. All the doors were closed and the windows too small to climb through. Safe location to lay low.

The lobby windows were busted out and a lot of chairs or display packets were strung about. There was one of those plexiglass screens dangling off the wall, making it easy for me to jump behind. Not all surprising but the keys were on the floor scattered about with cash.

I grabbed all I could see and put them in Amala's outstretched hand. I searched for more but only saw trash.

"That seems to be all." I said as I turned on my flashlight and did a fast search of the draws and back area.

Well, the back area looks like a meat locker. Bodies were chopped up and blood was all over the walls. This is what a horror room in real life looks like.

My stomach churn as I backed out and exited the area with a quickness.

"What is the plan? Because I'm not seeing an upside to this situation. Definitely if we can't even hold a superm that was basically abandoned!" A woman yelled.

The old man held up both his hands as if to calm down a tiger. "We weren't united enough or had enough weapons to realistically hold the supermarket."

"We don't even have enough people now! So what are we supposed to do? Find another spot to be overrun?" Her voice was peaking.

"Why don't you lower your voice?" The old man asks as he glances around.

I noticed the woman opening her mouth as me and Amala walked up.

"I'm just saying that we need a plan and a solid leader. The last two showed what happens when we aren't led by a strong leader." The woman said much more quietly as I stopped beside the truck.

"Dump the keys here," I tapped the hood.

Amala laid the keys down and caught two that slid down the hood. I quickly sorted them out with the intent on finding the second floor keys.

"I understand what you are saying and I agree but who do you suggest we make a leader? Given that they have the ability you are satisfied with." The old man placated.

I felt my neck burning. All twenty-six people happened to look at me.

Sighing, I turned around and looked at all of them. "I think you guys have a misconception. The reason we lost the base was simply due to the fact that none of you bothered to pick up a weapon. Just look around and see who all has the weapons."

I turned around and looked at the second floor room numbers. There were only thirteen second floor keys but eighteen first floors. I grabbed two keys and tossed a third to the old man. I handed the second set to Amala.

"You guys might be a little confused but our biggest threat right now isn't the walkers. It's the wildlife coming out of the mountains. The insects who will carry diseases that might have mutated under whatever this mess is." I glanced at them before shaking my head. "The fact that none of you considered that or even thought about what you are going to eat. Makes any potential leader scared to take on that responsibility of looking over dead weight."

I brushed past them as I started loading bags onto my back. Riley and Chris moved a little faster than I expected in grabbing their bags.

"Okay, we can change. We just suffering from the same mental stupid as other people but if you become leader. Lead us fully, like you already have been. We can easily survive and adapt." The woman said something that wasn't even convincing.

"Do I look like a hero type to you? I am a simple man with selfish desires. If you want to follow me, then give me a reason to support you. If not, then have some value that makes you worth protecting." I said casually as I led my girls up to our room.

Their murmuring was quite low but some of them seem evidently interested in my proposal. Mainly the females who thought or assumed their bodies were still capable to today's standards of beauty. Of course, it was awkward hearing a few guys willing to pimp out their daughters or wives but given that the women didn't speak up. Not to mention, I was still the end consumer which means I could turn down the offer.

It was interesting to hear and very good to see those unwilling to make even the tiniest sacrifice for their lives.

I plugged the key into the door and smiled at Amala's little brother who was giving me those creepy eyes. The kid was definitely one of those weird types.

The room was a two bedroom which was great. I planned to stay a while and make some runs. Need guns and more ammo. Then food to sustain us on a journey that might be no more than six hours by car with good road conditions.

"Anybody up for a little hanky panky?" I joked as I sat the bags down.

Chris was the first to throw her bag down and walk towards the bathroom. "You almost left me and talked about getting laid? Nice try."

Scratching my head, I turned to Riley.

She scoffed and jumped on the other bed. "Don't you have all those women down there?" She pulled out her phone and began digging through her bag for a portable charger.

I sighed and checked my phone for how much battery was left. Sixty-five percent was decent.

The dresser had a notepad and cheap pen attached. I sat down and pulled up a Google map. Did a few quick searches for nearest gun shops to gun range. Tagging them as I set up an optimal route from my location.

I wrote down all the street names leading to them one by one. Then I looked for local stores and corner stores. After making three copies, I leaned back and glanced at Riley.

"Are you really mad about that?" I couldn't help asking. After all, we weren't exactly in a relationship and there were other ways for them to serve me.

"Its not about the sex but the connection to it. You are basically making them sell their body for a chance to live. That is fuck up." Riley spoke in that rare serious tone.

"Is it fair for them to freeload off my efforts without paying anything in return? Do I have to slave myself for a group of strangers? Die for people that have done absolutely nothing to pave the way for me?" I asked in a calm voice.

"You don't have to die for them but offering a little help is the basics of being human. Forcing them to sleep with you just to survive? That's what a scumbag would do." Riley said the most idiotic thing I ever heard.

"I'm not forcing anybody to do anything. Like how I'm not being a naive fool by putting myself in a position that could compromise my desire to live. They can put themselves in a position that doesn't compromise their moral character. You are free to do the same. I won't judge you for your naive position but don't expect me to desire to save you if you can't even accept doing something that boosts my desire to live." I spoke my mind and grabbed my rec10 before walking out the door.

I was surprised to see them still downstairs in a huddle. It was awkward for me to walk down the stairs.

The short lady from before broke out of the huddle and marched up to me. Her crew right behind her back with determined but nervous expressions to body languages.

"We talked about it and realized you were right. We haven't put forth our desire to live but acted like a bunch of whiny Karen's." The lady pointed at four males.

Two grown men with beards and one with a beer gut. Lastly, a guy who was Hella clean shaven and a pretty boy on top. His brown hair had that kind of anime perfection about it. Coupled with his blue eyes, even I had to take two glances at them.

"These four have been in scraps before and know their way around a gun. We.." she pointed at the mass majority of women then herself. "Have decided that if you have an urge or something domestic you need done. We can and are more than willing to do so. Won't hold it against you if the government one day gets their shit together."

I nodded and glanced at the three standing off to the side like lost chickens. "What about them? What's their plan?"

The short lady frowned, "they have principles."

I shrugged and turned to the group. "Okay, someone check the rooms with keys left. If you don't have a family member, then you can share a room with three other people. Pick the rooms with two beds and slide the beds together. That will hold four. I can take one more in my room."

That brown-haired girl that rode with us raised her hand. "I'm close with Riley and Chris. May I go?"

I waved my hand and she zipped off. I glanced up and spotted Amala. She held up two fingers.

"She has two spots. Women?" I spoke loudly.

Two slender women went upstairs.

"The rest of you can divide rooms as to how you like. Me and the boys are going to scout a few stores for guns and food. We need to stock up or we won't make it to the base. Not to mention guns that can put down wildlife." I explained the goal and dismissed them.

I didn't necessarily want to be the leader. After all, it is way more trouble than it is worth but it has benefits.

I pointed at the only two big trucks. Silver ram and the black Tahoe. "Get in and follow me."

With that, I climbed into the truck and revved that baby up. We peeled out and I paid a decent amount of attention to the road. Dodging the oddly parked cars. Detouring across major roads to side streets. It took longer and had us out during the day but we arrived at the first store which was just a pawn shop not even four miles away from the motel.

The windows were broken but the bars kept everybody out. Not that it helps with the doors partly open with a body in-between them. You can't even make out the guy's face, he was stomped to death.

"That is a sad way to die." The pretty boy said.

I nodded and gave my rec10 to the buff guy with tattoos. He took it and checked the slide all professionals like. I nodded and gave the pretty boy the glock and held my machete in hand.

"What about me?" The beer gut asks.

I looked at him and laughed, "hide behind the guy with the biggest gun. You don't have to worry about walkers with him around. Just the dogs or wolves. They will hunt the most dangerous one."

The big guy hesitates before shrugging, "it's whatever."

Nodding, I grabbed the corpses and dragged it aside. Pulling out my flashlight, we walked in. The place was a mess but you could tell the owner had everything organized. Small useless shit near the back. The expensive shit near the front where he could clearly see and had cameras.

Our shoes crunched heavily on glass and plastic. Sometimes, someone's hand or leg. It was a little sickening walking to the front but my frown turned into a smile real quick.

He had pistols in a former glass corner. Some on the floor but they look cleaned, somewhat. I flashed the light around for anything that looked like a bag.

"We have empty duffle bags in the car." The beer gut said.

"You and tough guy, go get them. Also bring a flashlight. Me and pretty boy are going to check the back for heavier weapons." I instructed.

They moved out and pretty boy and I carefully made our way to the back. It was astonishing that they didn't mess up the storage room but given that the door was jam. It made sense.

There were a few large calibers guns. Mostly shotguns to assault rifles. What looked like someone was piecing together a 240 Charlie.

I pulled off an obviously modified AR with no attachments. I cock the slide back and squeeze the trigger. A beautiful click encouraged me to start loading up. Pretty boy didn't need any encouragement. We made a few trips to the suv and loaded them in the back.

We searched for ammo but there wasn't anything. We did collect a generator, solar powered. Few spools of wire and some climbing equipment.

Best of all, we didn't even get attacked. We hit the road and made it to the actual gun store. I pointed out all the heavy caliber hunting weapons and assault rifle. Split into teams of two, we quickly empty the store of the best items and attachments plus all the ammo they had. Grabbed a few vest and hunting articles along with cleaning supplies.

Instead of leaving right away. I assembled a set of guns for each of us each. Well, me and the tough guy did. Help them square away their vest.

We took another route to a convenient store. As we happen to pass by a neighborhood of matching blue houses. Four girls and two guys came running out, waving and shouting at us.

I pulled over and got out with my gun. I wasn't the driver so it was fine. The tough guy did the same.

"Hold it." I barked out.

The lead guy stumbled to a stop, spitting out words. "Bro, take us with you. We ran out of food and cleared everything nearby."

"We don't accept useless people. If you can't provide positive services. You need to provide a positive bed service. What say you?" I always wanted to say that line.

Tough guy looked at me sideways. I shrugged and tried not to laugh.

"You can fuck all my holes as long as I get something to eat!" A semi-beauty said as she ran past the others.

Tough guy pointed at the back and she climbed in. The other three hesitate. One even looked at one of the guys. The lead fellow though, he grabbed one of the girls hands and dragged her forward.

"This is my sister. She has a degree in biology and some plant fields. She can help you grow food or stitch you up after. I am not familiar with guns but I used to work as an electrician. I can hook up that generator for you." He said rapidly.

I nodded and he climbed in. "What about you three?"

The guy looked at his girl and shook his head. "We don't need them."

The other girl frowned and tugged on the girl's arm. "Forget about him and think about your life. I am going." With that, the blonde jogged over and climbed in. The big guy closed the door and walked back to the passenger seat. I eased back to my seat as I heard the sound of padded footsteps.

I climbed in as they seemed hesitant. "Let's go."

Pretty boy didn't waste a single second. He took off and the couple seemed like they wanted to run over but we quickly left them. Followed by the howls that sent shivers down my spine.

Just looking at the pack in the side mirror had me thankful we picked up bigger guns first. The pack is about as tall as a ram truck on lifts. They were covering ground quickly and easily caught the couple before they even made it through the door of their house.

Sadly, they were catching up with us too. I rolled down the window as a retard moment hit me. I actually sat my ass on the window with my upper body hanging out. Now the movies make this look easy. Swerving and shooting but I struggle to get a decent aim. Fortunately, pretty boy slowed down as a ditch appeared. Giving me precious seconds to fire.

My first three rounds dropped the lead wolf. Then the truck sped up but I heard the sounds of fire from the suv as they pulled up beside me.

"Sit down!" Pretty boy yelled.

I swiftly crawled back in and was immensely thankful for his reminder. We scraped by a truck as we crossed a major intersection.

I climbed into the backseat and out the busted back window. I used the generator as a perch and waited for my chance. Which came quickly as the suv sped up and passed us.

Surprisingly, the tough guy down four out of seventeen of them. And I didn't see any more chasing. Frowning, I climbed back into the front and kept a lookout. We were fine all the way to the motel but I felt weird about the way the wolves gave up.

Were they smarter or had a plan on how to take us down? After all, they could track us…

Clicking my tongue, I jumped out of the car. "Honk the horn. Someone grabbed two more cars. We need to leave immediately. Those wolves can track us."

The tough guy and that new kid left to grab cars. The folks inside came out looking confused.

"Come down! We are leaving asap!" I barked.

They didn't linger around to ask questions and quickly grabbed their things. Two new cars showed up and everybody was easily able to load up. We hit the road again and I couldn't help yawning, feeling the stress.

"So, Riley.. you forgive me yet?" I asked as I searched for a local jail.

"Why would I forgive someone exploiting my gender?" The tone of her voice left me a little uncomfortable.

"What else would you have me do?" I asked.

Chris raised her hand as her head went between the two of us. "Umm, are you two an official couple when I wasn't looking."

The brown-haired girl nodded to agree with Chris.

Riley snorted, "when I gave him the best sex he ever had."

"I never said it was the best." I retorted.

"You didn't deny it either." She responded.

"That isn't the point though. If you don't want me to 'exploit' them, then what do they have to incentivize us to save them?" I asked.

"Their ability to do chores." Riley responded like that was a serious option.

"Yeah, I want to die for someone cleaning my room when I can just do it myself. Totally worth it." I spoke sharply.

"So it's not a perfect solution but it doesn't exploit women." Riley replied.

"Because men get exploited to save very useless people that offer nothing of value to a small community. Double standards is all you feminist know." I couldn't help but snap.

Chris raised her hand, "your eyes are glowing. Maybe you should calm down for a bit."

Confusion hit me but I took a deep breath anyway as I pushed my phone over to Riley. "Go here."

Riley snatched it right out of man hand and took a way too sharp turn that made my head bounce off the window.

I glared at her but she acted like she didn't see it or feel it.

"Glowing eyes. Deep breath. In and out." Chris blocked my vision with her big head.

I sighed and turned to stare out the window. Even with all the shit happening, the old highway still has the best sights. That open land with the occasional ranch here and there.

It made me want to mark them and come back to kidnap the livestock. Yet, mountains off in the distances reminded me that wildlife is still the most dangerous. I had yet to truly witness the horror of the walkers. Now that they have evolved to become intelligent sapiens.