The world we know is in ruin, humanity is in a deep shit and here I am, sitting on a tree, waiting for a dozen of walkers down there to climb up and eat me alive. I don't know why they call them "walkers" cuz they can run and fast at that. Should I call them runners from now on?...Its not like I have much time left so whatever. God dammit why the hell am I doing here?....should have stayed at the Lair.

I have a grenade in my pocket as last resort but it’s no use at this point. Ross gave it to me probably just to let me experience heroic death….hate that coward. The sound it makes is too much and the whole "population" of this block will be here in 20-30 seconds. Yes, walkers are fast as I said before. It's not like their physique is any different, It's just that all the limiters in their brain are put out, as well as any sight of intellect, digestion, incretion, growth or rooting. Weak point is brain. They have their instincts on though, as by the book. They chase and eat everything alive and cease eating once it is dead, not even finishing the meal. The scientist, that revealed this information turned into one of them right in the middle of broadcast. He forgot to mention if those things are alive…well, I'm sure they're not but who knows? Never shout never. I'm only telling this cuz that's the only info that's been verified. We know too little about them, and we're running out of time.

Food stocks in the Lair are almost out and everyone is too scared to scavenge. Mothers comfort their kids with tales that someone's gonna come and save all of them and soon start to believe their own lies. Men think about barricading/hiding instead of fighting, This self imprisonment started to get on my nerves after a week. I started to voice objections but only earned a bunch of haters. I couldn't endure it any more after a month and went out. And that brings me to my current situation: stuck on the tree, out of breath, almost in panic and, last but not least, in a need to pee.

My first sally was a huge success. I killed 2 walkers moving stealthily, stabbed them right between skull and spine. That zone is called "atlas", if I remember correctly. Separating skull from first vertebra is easier than piercing the scull but good aim is a must. Going for a temple was a bit hard at the moment and I wasn't sure if it'll be as effective. I used to be blacksmiths apprentice and there is a lot of aim and concentration you need to make ornamental fences, believe me.

The first encounter gave me an idea that walkers do not sense smell…not in the way animals do, at least. They pretty much don't move without stimulus and I was sure to not give it to them. I used small mirror to peek around corners, watched my step, held my breath when near them and actually succeeded. When adrenaline ran off a nausea stepped in. Those things look disgusting. Their skin is sagged and pale with blue and red bruises. Few shreds of hair still stuck on their skulls. Their eyes are glass pebbles. Their faces are expressionless nightmares. The first one I killed had a tuxedo on. Somehow I kept thinking about him. When I hit him in the back of his head he fell limp on the floor. I almost turned away when he started to move his jaw in a biting motion.....clack....clack.....clack….clack. Suddenly thick dark blood splashed all over his face and clicking sound was replaced by gurgle....it bit its tongue off. The scene was surreal. Somehow this chunk of meat and the suit did not fit in my head. I relieved him from misery.

I was lucky to find them facing the wall or looking the other side. After taking care of another 2 walkers on the second floor I climbed the roof to check the surroundings. I took one glance outside and froze.

"…wake up Tim…..It"s time to wake up…" I whispered in shock.

It's nighttime now, but what I can see is more then enough. Buildings badly damaged, mostly burned. Streets are impassable, stuffed with debris and car carcasses. We never had this many cars in the town to begin with, maybe some refuge caravans added more in stock. What surprised me even more is quietness. It's too thick, somewhat alarming, almost sterile. I expected to hear moans, but heard none. I saw crowds of figures on the streets, zombies obviously, but I heard nothing.

"They don't moan" I thought and tensed. It's gonna be hard to spot them beforehand. Meeting a pack right around the corner would be…..HOLY SHIT THAT ONE GLOWS!.... I freaked out and gasped in shock. What the hell is that thing? One of walkers down there glowed. Veins with purplish-red color, the rest of it - dark-blue. The glow was dim, but still…glowing walker…really? So gross. He ate fish and stored phosphorus or what? It's not like they digest food anyway…..or do they?

"…better go back now…. I had had enough". I ventured outside to gather some lore to let us survive but I'm quite full now. I grabbed all the food I could find at the kitchen and stuffed it in my backpack, then tried to recall some prayers while going down to the basement but dumped the idea. There is no salvage for us left since we are in hell already. Time to go back before the sun rose up. I don't know if walkers sight is alright and don't feel like checking. The worse thing is that Ross and everyone else were right. We need to dig holes as deep as we can and hide like worms. It took me 5 hours outside the safety to get this. This world doesn't belong to us anymore…

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That's what I thought while nearing the door.

…Knock knock knock…

"Who's there?"

Oh, great. It's Ross. "Who do you think could it be, Ross? It's me, Tim…..open up." I smirked.

"Sorry pal. Can't do."

"WHAT??!"

“You heard me, Tim….no entrance for you” His voice sounded sad but firm.

“What the hell are you talking about. Look, I'm not in the mood for jokes. It's been a long day already, open up, I brought some food.”

"Food?...where did you get it?"

"At the kitchen obviously. Had to kill 4 zombies to get there" To be frank I felt a bit proud of myself. Not only did I survive, but also secured provisions. Quite a feat don’t you think?

"So you did contact with infected. I'm sorry Tim. Leave the food near the door and go. There is no turning back for you now. Your sacrifice shall not be forgotten."

"Wait wait...what the hell did you smoke there? I wasn't bitten or anything. "

"I'm really sorry Tim" He spoke slowly and with a touch of sadness.

It always been tiring to communicate with him, but somehow he's even dumber today.

"My head starts to hurt already. Call Marie" Marie was someone I befriended the most. She taught me how to play poker and made our stay at the basement bearable for a long while. It is she who started to call our shelter "The Lair". It was always pleasant to chat with her.

"She is asleep" he hissed.

"Then wake her up!!" I started to lose my temper. After seeing those horrors what I needed the most was safety. There was a fence between us and them but I didn't feel safe….especially after seeing the glowing walker. I needed to take a breath.

"Ok, I get it, just don't scream....you'll attract them"

"There is no one to attract left. I cleaned the mansion" I said but he wasn't there anymore. I barely heard some rustle and muffled murmurs.

" Tim returned. He wants to speak to you. He's a bit aggressive and says his head hurts....I think he hasn't much time left…"

”Oh God…where is he?”

”Behind the door. Listen to me, Marie. He has food with him. You have to convince him to leave it behind. We need that stuff…you got me?” I heard her whimpers get closer and my eyes widened in disbelief. Somehow I don't like this.

"Hey, bunny, are you there?"

"Tim...I...?" She tried to stop whimpering but her voice gave in.

"Hey hey stop crying. I have a good news, I brought us some food. Now open the door, I'm a bit tired" Something was terribly wrong here. Have to be careful…

"...but Ross says you're sick already"

"Ross is an idiot. I'll be sure to break his nose once I'm in. I told him I wasn't bitten. What did he tell you?"

"He says you get sick once they touch you...I'm sorry Tim....I'm so scared.....don't know what to say" She started to cry again. "The food......could you...leave it for us?"

I think I'm getting it now. The fear got them good. They’re scared out of their wits. They buried me the moment I left "The Lair". I felt the panic swallow me whole.

“Marie, are you gonna leave me alone out here?” I hit the door with my fist. "Snap out of it, I'm not sick! Let me in!" I got really scared now. "DON’T FOOL WITH ME!"

"Marie, step aside now" Ross gave the command, he was listening after all. He supposed to be a sergeant in US army and always had this commanding tone when serious. I heard the key turn in the lock and sighed with relieve. They really scared me there. They're starting to get ridiculous ideas about the sickness. I'll need to have a really serious talk with them. "...but that’s for later, right now I need a rest" I thought and stepped in.

It was dark and suspiciously quiet.

“Marie, where are y…guahh” Sharp pain pierced me from head to toe. I fell limp on the floor just like the walker in tuxedo before, somehow I still kept thinking about him. Someone dragged me to somewhere…then pain..then I finally blacked out.

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Author's note: It takes quite some time to write a chapter since I'm not a native speaker. I wonder if I shall continue......to be truthful it's a bit too early for me to release this crap. I also have quite a workload right now so the story will progress slowly. Anyway, tell me please if it's readable. Comments are greatly appreciated.

P.C. Typing with my hooves doesn't make things easier.