My supplies were reaching an all-time low and it’s been three days since I’ve eaten and I'm currently sipping on my last bottle of clean water. Walking through the city has been tough, but the walk through the desolate military base was the highlight of my month, dare I say my year. Due to the surplus of food and water, I found not everything was safe to eat but there was enough left to sustain me.
But there is only so long you can stay in one spot before it’s time to go, the horde ensuring that no place is safe for long. It was a notion I was slowly growing tired of. everything beyond the base was picked clean. There was not much left that was worth risking my life for. So here I was checking every secure-looking building for food and water but they were always few and far between. My plan was to find yet another survivor group who was willing to give me something to eat. But such kindness was once again hard to come by.
But it was just my luck that I found a fairly secure building to attempt searching for food in. I nodded to myself and willed my body forward, my muscles were starting to scream in protest but my brain knew that I wouldn't survive too long without at least checking. I was far too dizzy and weak to pass up the chance of finding food.
Okay. no risks. Search and leave. Just search and leave.
My legs fumbled and complained with each step as I came to a sturdy fence… Upon closer inspection, I realized it was an electric fence albeit rudimentary in nature. I had noticed the generator hidden behind the car, I tensed thinking of how I almost made a really bad mistake. I shuffled closer and tried to listen out for a low hum or buzz.
I didn't hear any but that is no guarantee so I began looking for grass but there were no patches nearby either, so I looked for the second best thing, a zombie I walked to the closest alleyway and clapped a few times my gloved hands making just enough sound to draw two zombies.
“Now, now, gentlemen, I only need one volunteer so who will it be?” Both zombies lunged forward towards me and I tripped the one closest to me quickly stabbing it through the temple and collected myself, the quick movements making my head spin.
“You there with the missing right eye… yes. you. right this way.” The walker stumbled towards me indifferent to the space between us mindlessly growling and gnashing its teeth.
I then led it to the informal electric fence and kicked it into the wire body getting no reaction, I nodded and concluded it was safe. Still, the anticipation of touching the fence made me linger and question how much I really wanted to dive into the unknown. I lured the walker away from the gate not wanting to waste any more energy and noticed I was working up a crowd.
“Woah! Woah! The show is over, go home.” I then shook my head and decided my chances were better on the opposite side of the fence. Throwing my bag over first, then scurrying over the metallic barrier with haste.
Okay, one hurdle down… now to make it inside.
I circled the perimeter as stealthily as I could, worrying that I might have to come to terms that this building might be too dangerous to scavenge. A small horde worth of zombies were left to roam the small makeshift gated courtyard.
I then sucked my teeth unwillingly to continue stalling in hopes of stumbling across some magically obvious entrance so I searched the rooms through the windows looking for a door that would act as a barrier from the horde. Upon finding a room that fit that description I found a heavy rock and chucked it through the window knowing it would be loud but fast. And true to my suspicions it was. It drew the attention of about twenty or thirty walkers to my position. Some were closer than others but the numbers were not stacked in my favor much to my panicked dismay.
Plucking another large rock off the ground I used it to clear any jagged pieces of glass and then vaulted into the room my bookbag was seized by a walker, and so began the strange struggle for the temporary respite that the hallway was holding over my head. I didn't know exactly how safe this building was further in but didn't care. I just didn't want to be fighting, much less with a mini horde with four bullets and a survival knife. Even my throwing knives were too much of a valuable asset to lose right now. So I yanked away from the walker and allowed the small group to pour in while I made a break for the hall. I took note of any and all markings on the wall before sprinting down the hall to potentially get to higher floors.
The halls were largely empty and after rounding the corner to what the hanging signs promised were stairs to higher floors I was forced to face a harsh reality. Getting to higher floors was not going to be easy with the large barricade fortifying the doorway and the entire landing for that matter. Someone was clearly shacked up in here, now it was just a matter of figuring out if they were friendly or not, followed by if they were willing to supply me with anything to eat or drink or at the very least trade. While these thoughts were silently racing through my head I was acutely aware of any and all sources of sounds, so when an unexpected slam of a door echoed through the hall I expected the mini horde to be flooding its wide space but to my surprise when I rounded the corner again the hall was relatively secure.
The only catch was now three zombies were contesting a door on the opposite side of the hallway which made it clear to me that I wasn't alone. The question now was, am I being followed? Or hunted? I quickly dispatched the zombies knowing that if left unchecked they would pose a problem later and/ or when I chose to leave.
I stabbed each distracted walker ending its miserable reign in the living world, when I realized the muffled noises that emanated from within the room had stopped. My body then tensed as I heard a metallic squeak…
What the fuck is going on in this building?
Cautiously I opened the door inching it open slowly but surely to ensure the door didn't creek prematurely. My gun drawn at my side ready to take aim. The room was silent now save for the metallic creak of the still swinging vent door. I took a look around the room ensuring what I could see was clear. I peeked around the door quickly and noted it to be an empty room. The vent door no longer swinging as it hung from the ceiling recaptured my attention. I stepped into the room to examine the opening and froze, sensing someone shifting silently somewhere in a dark corner of the room… my hunger and desperation must be getting to me because her presence felt impossible to miss now. She calmly and courageously stood aiming her weapon at the back of my head from a safe distance and an angle I couldn't quickly turn to contest. I was already weighing my options of playing the scared poor survivor when she suddenly spoke.
"Don't move. Drop your weapon and close the door behind you. Gun first, then the door." Her voice was deep and rich though commanding, an indication of her mature age or at least I assumed she was mature, her blurred figure was just outside of my peripheral vision.
I have dealt with all sorts of dangerous situations, both before and after the shit hit the fan, but being captured by an unknown person was not something I’ve ever been eager to experience more than once, and right now it didn't seem very avoidable.
Nevertheless, I knew better than to make any quick moves or rash movements that could jeopardize my safety. I moved to comply with her order… With caution, I lowered my weapon… to the floor and let it clack to the ground, before kicking it a few steps away from my reach. Swiftly I twisted to close the door behind me making it my mission to end up facing her, to be honest, I needed to see what I was up against. I kept it ajar just enough for me to have an easy escape route if needed.
I studied her. Her eyes flitted to the door before darting back to me. The brown orbs narrowed at me as she silently contemplated her next words. I won’t lie she was good looking but good-looking people are seldom alone. I had to be careful…
Tilting my head slightly, I spoke in a dry and blunt manner. I had no intention to die but I wanted to test the temperament of the woman who held me at gunpoint.
"You've got me. Now, who the fuck are you and what's your business keeping me at gunpoint?" her eyes broadcasting a look that seemed almost unfazed. Almost being the operative word as she rolled her eyes and let her jaw twitch.
My muscles tensed, she didn't snap at me or shoot at me so I was just unsure of the type of person I was up against. Ready to react if necessary I widened my stance and paid close attention to every toned muscle on her body.
My eyes admittedly continued to soak up her appearance, her long dark hair, her dark velvety skin, her dark eyes. She studied me in return, still sitting in silence as she debated her next course of action… I started to get restless, was she trying to intimidate me or scare me into bolting? Trying to figure out her intentions I stood firm and waited for her command and watched on for how she approached this dangerous situation. I internally jumped when she sighed.
"Look I'm not here to hurt you, and if you didn't bring the whole city to my doorstep you wouldn't be in this situation… Now I told you to close the damn door! Answers come when I feel safe and right now I don't trust any undead to stay out of the conversation."
I raised an eyebrow from under my form-fitting half-mask at her response going so far as to cock my head slightly. I know she couldn't see the expression in my eyes either, otherwise, she would have explained herself a bit more. My mask's eye holes were covered by a dark but see-through fabric.
I figured she must have some valid reason for holding me at gunpoint like this despite having said she meant no harm. To be fair it was getting increasingly hard to show trust in this situation not going tits up but… I had no choice but to accept her terms.
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“Now, please. The last thing we need is for a dead-o to join in on the conversation.” I finally softly pushed the door closed with my hand and decided it wouldn't be wise to make any hasty movements.
"Fair enough,'' I grumbled while I did so.
The sounds of the undead teeming inside the room across the hall were quickly silenced, well… dulled, barred by a secondary barricade. At least for the time being. Once the room was secure, I turned my attention back to her.
"Now that we're sharing tight quarters here, mind if I get a look at your face? I’ve met a lot of people in this nightmare and could do well knowing you’re not a threat from the past." I had the urge to make a smart comment and was mentally losing the battle against doing so.
“Damn, have you been alone for that long? You need to see my face so bad you make up excuses?” I watched her jaw twitch in annoyance as she huffed through her nose clearly unamused but I wanted to mess with her.
“Do you have to be so insufferable? I was trying not to order you to show your face. I was being nice. But if you want me to be more pushy or mean I can order you to strip at gunpoint.”
“I think you're only proving your desperation to me. How long have you been alone?” Of course, I went unanswered as she moved on.
“It’s not a desperate tactic! Your stripping would prove I'm not stuck in the room with a freshly infected idiot! And as for the mask, I was serious about wanting to avoid ‘old friends’ so if you don’t mind it would be nice to eventually see you listen to my orders seeing how you’re at fucking gunpoint.”
“Which one am I supposed to be listening to?”
“The second one, the first one, hell both! surprise me! Just start.” her sarcasm and annoyance were prevalent in her voice.
I smiled knowing damn well she just wanted me to show my face but I wanted to mess with her, unfortunately for her, I have no shame.
“Okay…” I chuckled and started unbuckling my belt.
“Wha-” she avoided eye contact with me while I stripped. Neatly piling my clothes on the floor I stopped only to take in her flustered form slightly hidden by the shadows. She wasn’t looking at me… I was going to change that.
“Hey! How are you supposed to check me for bites if you don’t look at me? What am I just stripping to get your rocks off?” I pulled off my underwear and socks while she made eye contact with me. I could almost feel her blush within the partial shadow.
“The only one who seems to be enjoying themselves right now is you.” she motioned downward with the muzzle of the gun forcing my gaze downward. I too started to blush as I made a half-assed attempt to cover my half-hard boner.
Fuck. This is so uncool. I wonder what's going through her head.
She then continued speaking.
“Oh don’t start covering up now, you walked into this shameless, let me look for bites. Go move your hands don’t get all bashful now pervert.” I did as I was told completely flustered with the current series of events.
I moved my hands and watched her scan me over her eyes lingering on my growing problem before a sly smile grew on her face. Her brown eyes eventually moved on and checked the rest of me. She ordered me to turn around to check my back. Once done she told me to face her and ordered me to get dressed again. A smug smile was a new permanent feature on her face as we continued to converse.
“Feel better?” her voice was very patronizing and mocking. But her eyes felt… hungry.
“You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Ha. you’re one to talk. Now show me your face.”
“You have no shame.” I joked.
“I never said I did. Now let's go.” She then pointed her gun at me once again and made me stiffen. I forgot… I’m not dealing with an old friend or lover… this is a stranger and what’s more, I’m in her territory.
With measured movements, my gloved hand reached up to tug at the edge of my snug mask lifting it by the ridge that hung over my nose. The mask effortlessly slid up exposing my gray eyes, pierced eyebrow, and freckled cheeks.
This mask was designed by my brother and it has stuck with me ever since. After he made it, I didn't stray far from this tradition of wearing his signature skull mask. Though her motive for having me reveal my face felt genuine I intently searched her expressions as she scanned me over, her gaze felt almost embarrassing to endor like at any second she’d walk over pinch my cheeks and call me a ‘handsome kid’ despite us being what felt like the same age… the emotion her gaze gave off was enticing to me, to say the least.
"Your move," I challenged her boldly, replacing the mask on my face before I started to blush or some shit while awaiting her next string of words. I casually maintained a vigilant stance despite our concealed position.
"You’re pretty…” her voice trailed off her eyes looking me up and down once more before changing the topic.
“...you’re a stranger… Good. Listen close, stranger. Don't move..." she sighed seemingly to center and compose herself more so than out of annoyance. She put her gun down, apparently feeling more safe knowing I was a stranger.
She then returned to what I can only assume was attempting to enter the vent, a curious look crossed my face as I inched closer looking up into the vent clearly not listening to her command of ‘don't move’. she paused to shoot me a dark glare, I stared at her in response. She then shook her head to herself before returning to fail at each attempt at entering the vent on her own. I remained guarded but curiosity was consuming the remainder of my thoughts.
Why is she trying to get into the vent? Maybe if she didn’t use all the furniture to block the windows she’d have easier access. Should I help her? Should I offer? Is she living in the vents? Does she use them to traverse the building? If so, how does she go up or down floors?
"My name’s Shay not that it looks like you care. What’s your name?"
She seemed to be attempting to break the ice to escape the mounting awkwardness. I wasn’t all that interested in standing in silence; it was never my style. I watched her jump and watched parts of her bounce as a result. My gaze was unapologetically hungry, preoccupied with scanning every inch of her body.
I knew it was crucial to maintain a certain level of precaution, even with this momentary advantage I had over her. Because honestly, she was wide open. I pressed my lips into a thin line, still not fully sure what her deal was… or why she wanted to get into this vent so badly.
"Call me Cable," I stated matter-of-factly. I didn't feel the need to give any more information ending my response at that.
“What type of name is Cable? Oh is that your call sign? Let me guess you’re military… Well, since we're going by call signs, my name is Valkyrie. Valkyrie one to be exact.”
I cocked my head in both annoyance and confusion. Cable was my middle name but that was none of her business. But it was the on-the-nose guess of me being military that put me back on guard, I shifted nervously, my body language didn't go unnoticed.
“At ease guy… I’m not a soldier just a military brat but don’t test my patients… or my aim.” her voice started out chill, and laid back but took on an ominous tone as she voiced her threat.
Instinctively my body relaxed much against my better judgment but I let it go.
“So who’s the lucky soldier to parent you?” I intended to leech as much information from her as I could, or at least that was my plan but I accidentally struck a nerve. She blatantly chose to ignore my question moving on about her business indifferently.
“So why are you in this hellhole?” another question to be ignored… she was being as tight-lipped with her information as I was with mine, it wasn’t a shock. I was a stranger. Mild respect was mentally bestowed on her as I came to this realization.
I then poked at the obvious in hopes to encourage a response, because like I said… I hate sitting in silence. It makes me anxious.
"Seems like we're trapped together in this little hellhole," I continued, relaxing slightly. "Are you navigating the vents because you're trying to find a safe way to leave, or did you have something else in mind?"
Clasping my hands behind my back, I moved closer to the vent, my eyes scanning the room for any signs that might indicate other potential threats. She was far too pretty to be alone. Beautiful people have a scary amount of pull and power in this shity world of ours and I didn't want to be blindsided by another hidden person if attacking her became the only other option. I watched through my peripheral as she eyed my arms and where my hands were going.
At first, I didn't understand why she was watching my hands so closely but then it hit me. Overpowering her wouldn’t be hard due to her being so short compared to me so her caution made sense. I let my hands drop to my sides where she could see them so she did not feel threatened and continued my search of the room.
She noticed my hypervigilance and sighed once again.
"There's no one else here, I'm in this 'hellhole' alone, that is until you and the hundreds of other guests let yourselves in…" The sarcasm was heavily set into her voice near the end of the statement.
I struggled to keep my grumbling down, I was filled with both a mixture of annoyance and amusement at her sarcastic tone. She ignored my grumbling and continued talking.
"…and to answer your question this vent is huge and sturdy and it leads to safer floors that I have secured prior… I just... can't reach the opening of this one.'' I listened intently as she explained the purpose of the vent and how it led to safer floors. A flicker of curiosity danced in my eyes behind the mask, but I tried my best to suppress it, remaining stoic in a way.
I watched a wave of embarrassment and frustration set in, her features dusting pink as she avoided eye contact with me. Of all things to be worried about in the apocalypse she was worried about asking for help because she was too short to get things done on her own. My expression flattened as I frowned.
You worry about weird shit.
I couldn't fault her logic though if this vent could help avoid unnecessary fighting and lead to safer floors I would do everything in my power to get into it too. The problem is that all the furniture she could use as a leg up was being used as barricades to block the window which I wouldn't want to move either.
It seemed we were both caught up in an unfortunate situation, and I couldn't lie. I was heavily intrigued by the illusion of safety in an unexplored territory. My stomach reminded me of the hunger I was ignoring and the thirst that was edging into my thoughts.
"If these floors are as secure as you claim, then it might be worth a shot," I finally conceded, stepping underneath the vent.
“Why does it matter to you if they're safe or not.”
“You think I'd help you for free?”
“Uh. I'm stuck down here because of you.”
“Look, I don't feel like arguing with you and we’re not in a good place to do so either. Do you want my help or not?” she looked away from me and took that as a win.
Silently, I absorb the space, analyzing it for any potential ways to assist Shay in reaching her intended destination.
"So, how can I help? And be honest, there's no reason for empty promises or sugarcoating in this mess." My question doubled as a request for a straightforward answer. My gaze shifted back to her, my form-fitting mask shrouding half my face giving nothing away, even if a hint of curiosity laced my voice.
The sudden realization of the power I commanded in this situation right now made me internally smirk. She was forced to admit she was short and needed my help or continue to struggle alone. But, she spoke as if the whole conversation was reverse psychology like she never needed me or my help, and she was waiting for me to ask that very question.
Pulling a pack of gum out of her back pocket she retrieved a piece, taking stock of how many were left before returning it to her pocket. She rolled her eyes at me.
"How about you go pick up your gun first? For a tatted-up dude built like a marine you aren't very careful..." she sighed carefully weighing her options… Meanwhile, I couldn't help but smirk at her remark.
She was right in my carelessness. I had forgotten the weapon I had brought in here to defend myself. I hadn't approached the situation in the most gun-ready manner, but I swiftly retrieved my weapon from where I had dropped it earlier, checking it to ensure it hadn't taken any damage. It didn’t. Returning to the task at hand I pushed the gun in my hoster and returned to just under the vent.