A trust I afforded him.

“Well, luckily you only need to clear the first floor…” his face read disappointment

"But let’s get you food.” My heart did a flip as I watched joy creep across his facial features.

But my heart damn nearly stopped when he closed the distance between us in what I could only assume was supposed to be a hug. I pulled my gun while his arms wrapped around me. The cold muzzle pressed firmly on his rib cage, his smile eroded slightly as he nervously unfurled his arms laughing slightly unnerved.

"I... I didn't mean it. I was just excited about the food. I remember the threat. I'll never do it again I swear.” he took a slow step back and I put away my gun.

I wasn't trying to be an asshole, it was a reflex. You scared me. Fuck I didn’t mean to. You were trying to hug me? fuck when was the last time I hugged someone?

It was my turn to conceal emotions as I motioned with my head for him to follow me, telling him to pause in the common area I was going to end it in. I walked into the kitchenette and grabbed a can of chicken noodle soup and beef stew followed by two water bottles and utensils to eat with. It was the food I had prepared to eat later.

“If it’s been four days you need to eat light and ease your body back into eating… so eat the chicken noodle soup first… then drink one water bottle then the other can of food followed by the other bottle of water. If you're still hungry afterward then we’ll work on it.”

“Two cans? No! One will be fine i-.”

“Just shut the hell up and take it. Just do as I say the way I say to do it. Oh, and the mask stays off until you finish eating, understand? That’s my stipulation to your condition.”

“Understood valkyrie ma’am.”

"Yeah, you can cut the ma'am shit.” I sat back and watched as his face broadcasted his relief, happiness, and gratitude. His crisscrossed figure rocked side to side with childish glee as he indulged himself filling his belly with the much-needed nutrients, his demeanor was night and day compared to the fear he showed a few moments earlier.

My heart was shamelessly feeding on the pleasant feeling of company and the happiness of my unsuspecting guest. Sadness crept into my heart as I realized this company would be short-lived. This was sure to come to an end with the completion of the deal.

Cable finished eating, half an hour later and looked at me shamefully expectant.

“Are you still hungry?”

He nodded almost shyly… I cocked my head…

“I’ll feed you in the morning… So if your plan is to hide the next round of food, don't waste your time. Just eat if you're hungry. I promise to keep you fed.”

“Food is the way to a man's heart... I think I'm falling in love.” I rolled my eyes and smirked.

"Oh, goody! another heart to break, I was wondering when the next one was coming in...” my tone came out sounding more bitter than I meant, but Cable bounced a response back unfazed.

“A heartbreaker? How fitting. A beautiful lady like you couldn't possibly be without her thorns.”

“I can almost promise you that trying to flirt with me will end badly, just fill your end of the deal and leave. You'll be better off.

"I don't make or take promises lightly but I'm sure I'll be fine. Flirting with you is the easy part, it's getting you to fall for me in return that will be hard, you shouldn't talk about yourself like that though... You seem so sweet that in itself is rare nowadays, you're a literal diamond.”

“Trust me I don't take or make promises easily either. That's why I'm so sure when I say you'll only end up hurt so just do me a favor and don't try. Besides, most pretty boys I know are either cowards or dickheads, but I digress, as I asked earlier, are you actually still hungry?” curiosity crossed his face but I chose to ignore the clear request for clarification. He sighed and let his curiosity go, finally getting back on topic and answering my question.

“No.” I nodded as his truth came out smoothly.

“When was the last time you slept?”

“I woke up yesterday morning and haven't rested since… So by now, it will be about two days…” I nodded and instructed him to follow me.

It wasn't a long walk from the lobby; we just traveled up to the twelfth floor and walked into the biggest room to our right. The room was huge and hollowed out with obvious patches where the unnecessary walls were removed and repaired with only structural pillars and out-of-the-way walls remaining. The room looked divided into three by the tall walls of box springs and mattresses. I pointed to the bed closest to the door. It ended up being the second out of three, but it was the only one still in view from the pile of mattresses under the vent that I sleep on every night.

“That one is yours, use it and wake when you're ready, not a moment before.”

“Why are you doing this?” I looked him in his eyes, seriously carving a sense of truth in my next few words.

“Because survival is hard… no matter what… it's important to actually help each other in times when you are able. Otherwise, this world gets cold." I started heading out of the room to let him sleep alone but he stopped me.

“The world is already cold... It almost feels like you’re the only one trying to keep it warm and kind. Isn't it hard? lonely?”

“What difference does it make if it's hard? In the end, being cold or harsh only makes it harder to survive.”

"But kindness doesn't always work.”

"Then apply it where applicable. Not much else to it.'' I resumed my path out of the room. This conversation felt familiar... Like one I’ve had with Leeah, and right now was not the time, not ever...

I bet the concrete below is cold. Only one way to find out. Living is hard enough.

“Your outlook on this shity life is kinda nice... You almost feel too good for this world.”

My thoughts exactly.

"In your old life... If someone would have given you everything you need with the exception of shopping for your food and other desires, free house, free food, free money. Would you take that opportunity?”

"Yeah?”

“Would you think it's kind?”

"Yeah of course.”

“What about now? In this world, we know now? would you do it then?”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I don't know. Yeah, I guess, but everything is free nowadays. Limited and terrifying... But free.'' I nodded and shrugged like his response proved my point.

Cool, then you can have the building.

I once again started walking out of the room, not intending to stop and continue chatting anymore.

“Where are you going?” I kept walking and gave him a small smile over my shoulder.

“To the roof.” His eyes widened as he plucked the blanket off the bed I said was his, pulled his mask on, and caught up with me… I couldn't tell what was on his mind but him deciding to follow me annoyed me more than I wanted it to.

This was supposed to be a quick one-way trip... One I was supposed to take alone.

“Lead the way…”

“Where do you think you're going?”

"With you. To the roof.”

“I didn't ask for company, Cable.”

“Yeah, I know. I just... I figured you would want to have some company. You've been alone for so long.”

His words stung a bit but I knew he meant well. I just couldn’t shake this biting anger I felt, he was stopping me from leaving this fucked up hellscape on my own terms. Cable interrupted my thoughts.

“I promise I'll be out of your way. I won't make a peep.”

“The issue isn't you being in the damn way! your interrupting-”

"Interrupting what?”

"Tch. Do what you want...” I sucked my teeth and led the way marching to the ledge and taking a heavy seat, Cable set himself up on the concrete roof not far from me. The roof was almost completely dark, and the sun starting to set beyond the horizon. He laid down. I contemplated just jumping.

I was watching him through my peripheral before rolling my eyes and pulling a pack of cigarettes out of another pocket in my cargo pants… lighting it with a lighter I kept close at times… I was two drags in when he spoke…

"I didn't know you smoked…" My back remained to him but I chuckled.

“I thought you were gonna be quiet and out of the way.” I snapped rather sharply.

“I was just curious.” I rolled my eyes, my face plastered with dismay.

This is ridiculous.

"Yeah, well I do… but cigarettes are hard to come by… the plan is to quit after this pack… to drop a bad habit, after this pack, I don't smoke... That's the plan." Cable sat up in the corner of my vision.

"Can I have one?" I looked at him semi-annoyed.

"How old are you?" My tone was sharp maybe even a little rude.

"24 years young." my body relaxed slightly but… a wave of sadness passed over me I couldn't understand why my brain kept relaxing around him, it felt like my soul was just... Accepting his presence, him a stranger. I hated it, I didn't want to get accustomed to his presence, to anyone's presence for that matter. I’m done, I’m finished with trying.

He's around my age... I thought he was far older… not that I would get arrested or something.

"Heh. Old man…" I attempted to make a jab at him.

"Old man? How old are you?" Cable seemed to protest my comment, bouncing the question at me.

“23.” Cable audibly scoffed as he came to take a seat beside me.

“A year younger… we both are old…” I chuckled once again and handed him the last cigarette, throwing the pack over the edge to the ground below…

I would have been down there by now... This is getting... Painful.

I distracted myself by reaching for my lighter when…

“Don’t waste the fuel, just light mine with yours…” he then placed it in between his lips and leaned closer to me.

My heart skipped a beat for a moment… lighting his cigarette with mine would bring our faces so close together… bringing us into such an intimate proximity, it sent a shiver through me…

“Do you smoke?”

"Not often even less so nowadays.”

"And stealing a burn? did you do that often?”

"Only with pretty ladies.”

“...”

“Come on, I'm trying to keep a routine here, humor me.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Flattery will get you nowhere here.”

Cable then pulled his mask off to the side of his face staring at me from the corner of his gray eyes clearly ignoring my comment… I shook off the awkward and flustered feelings I was going through and leaned in to light his cigarette. He took a long drag and let it out through his nose.

You're cute... But I know you won't be here long... Just don't die in some dumb way when you leave. It'd be a shame. Why am I so comfortable around you? Who are you? like actually?

“You, scare me. Not in an 'I don't want to die' type of way but in a… well.” I started.

“In a 'Why do I trust you the way I do' type of way?” he finished my thoughts… looking at me through the corner of his eyes again…

“...Yeah.”

“You scare me too but not enough to actually warrant leaving without finishing the deal… but you scare me because you trust too easily. It makes me wonder about the shit you’ve endored… the fuckery you’ve fallen victim to… because walkers are scary…”

“But humans are worse… I know. It makes being kind all the more rare and being trusting too hard to be worth it for too many people but that doesn't sit well with me.”

“I'm happy you find trusting strangers still worthwhile, honestly. Otherwise… I'd be dead or kicked to the curb to die of hunger, or captive somewhere.”

“There is nothing truly worthwhile anymore… I just didn’t want to die an asshole.”

“I think that’s everyone's goal.'' I tensed realizing he didn't understand what I meant… even now.

I was just gonna jump while he was sleeping and leave him with shelter security and supplies to survive but… he came up with me. Stopping me for the second time today. His unconscious knack of preventing the inevitable which made my heart ache, my head pleaded with me to end this difficult existence to push off the ledge and let it be done, the sorrow of soon being alone once again was getting more and more harrowing to emotionally carry.

I was wearing long sleeves that were pushed up to my elbows, but scars of prior attempts to end it all or somehow cope. New and old wounds were exposed to the world. I looked at Cable who was staring at my arms with somber silence, but I thought he was staring at the zombies beyond the gate.

“I mean it’s one of my goals.” intrigue bit at me so I took the bait.

“Goals? as in plural? You have more than just surviving on that list?" I scoffed.

“I mean yeah! Like don't die an ass hole, secure a place to call home for a longer than just a week, start a protection job that doesn't end in failure, get married.'' His voice quickly became weighted by too many negative emotions to decipher, the most notable being guilt and grief. I attempted to lighten the mood.

“Get married? Hehe! Who are you gonna find that wants to get married in a world like this?”

“I don’t know… I'll start asking around.”

“Asking around? So you don't care who says yes?”

“Nope! It can double as a protection job… one I have no choice but to get right.” he was laughing, a genuine smile on his face. Cable stood up and left the ledge. I assumed he was leaving the roof… giving me an opening, an out.

“So you say I trust too easily but you seem to be fine asking randoms to marry you. Don’t you need love for that?”

"Yeah, but that part is easy.”

“I trust too easily... And you love too easily... I wonder who's more fucked in the future.”

“I'd say me but... I feel... Wrong.” I nodded in agreement and stood quiet. Plotting on how to jump and make it look like an accident.

Cable stood up and left the ledge. I thought he was going back to lie down or go to bed... But instead, I watched him while he knelt down on one knee and held out a ring…

“Will you marry me… and fill my life with purpose, to help me run a protection job that has a happy ending.”

“Happy ending? With me as your job? Don't do that to yourself. You don't want that, you don't want me… with the way I am, you won't be married for long. Don't do that.”

“I get that living is hard. But you said it yourself, it's the little things that make things worth it. This is my little thing.”

“I’m aware of what I said… but what you're asking of me isn't little… you're only going to end up hurt…”

“Let me decide that for myself.” his voice felt almost urgent. His pleading eyes made me feel like he knew more than he was letting on.

“Okay and then what!? I let you decide that for yourself and I kick the bucket then what? you move on?! you go kill yourself blaming me for your pain!? I refuse!”

“You won't die, I'll do everything in my power to keep you alive! to keep you happy!”

Suddenly I felt self-conscious and pulled my sleeves down and drew circles with my thumb on my forearm.

My heart was beating in my ears, my soul wanted me to say yes, to reach out and accept the offer of companionship from the first non-hostile human I’d seen in years. But My brain? My heart? My brain was replaying memories of betrayal, abandonment, pain, and anguish.

I shook my head fearful and unsure walking towards the door back to the sanctuary…

"You’re just lonely! you don’t know what you're talking about!”

It burned my soul to ashes to see the genuine pain in his eyes… at my response. So I pushed past him on my path of making my way back inside.

“That offer still stands… you never said no. So the offer will remain until you give me a definite answer!” When I looked back at him he was standing and looking at me, the pain still in his eyes before I watched him place his masked back on. I stormed down the stairs and proceeded to head to bed, upset that this nightmare isn't over yet but no longer brave enough to take the plunge with him as my audience.

Please god… either give me strength… or peace… I won't blame you if you steal me a bit early. It’ll save me the work.

It was the following day and I followed my daily regimen of checking the alarm room to ensure no alarms were set off without making a noise… none were set off so that was clear. Then it was off to eat something. I peeked into the room where Cable was still asleep on his assigned bed and a heavy weight settled on my chest. I pulled out food for Cable and placed it at the door’s opening. Then I made my way to the second rooftop that I had bridged to, gathering the wood I would need to patch up the window…

The process went longer than I thought it would because I had to saw two boards of wood to a smaller size for barricading the window. I knew the measurement by heart it was just a matter of drilling the two pieces together so it would be harder to break through… once I was done I looked back at the safe house roof I jumped when I noticed cable sitting on the ledge of the safe house roof, waiting for me. He stood and wordlessly helped me carry the plank to the opposite roof once I made it to the bridge.

“I got pretty scared waking up and not seeing you there... But it's nice to know you're still... Here. Anyway, Is this for the window downstairs?” he asked as he carried the makeshift barrier.

“...Yeah.” I chose to ignore his initial comment, despite the pain I felt in response to it.

“How do we get it down there?”

“We are gonna lower it to the first floor, push it under the barrier, and then climb under the desk in the barrier. Then the rest is as simple as clearing a mini horde and nailing it into place.

“Sounds so easy, what happens when this floor clears without any mishaps?" His voice held an edge of caution and curiosity.

“We will discuss it when we get there but the current agreement was you help me I show you a safe way out of the building.

With the agreement reached, Cable stood straight, his tall stature commanding the space.

"Lead the way, valkyrie. Chances are, It's going to get messy. We are partners, but trust is obviously still something I need to earn." With those ominous words, his grip on his weapon tightened, ready for whatever awaited in the depths below. I just raised an eyebrow.