Chapter 3

"You're pretty fast on your feet," Ronda says looking impressed, "we didn't even get a shot in."

"You were right to ask her to come and help us find Murphy." Doc laughs.

Surprise shows over my face. I can’t believe that Murphy is real, maybe there really is some hope left.

"Well we better keep moving the sound probably attracted more." Ronda states. "Our camp is straight ahead, lets move out."

************

When we arrive I am surprised to see that the camp is an abandoned store. It is all cleared out, no z's in sight. There is still food stocked everywhere, and well guarded too. In front of me stands the biggest dog I have ever seen. It's a husky and wolf mix. From sitting, to on all fours, the dog starts to growl as I approach. 10K suddenly runs to my rescue and shouts at the dog. It shuts up and sits back down. "His name is Shasta." I look at him in shock considering I have always wanted a dog to name him exactly that. He grabs him and puts my hand on Shasta's back. Stroking his fur feels nice, it feels...normal. I haven't done something so normal, as stoke a dog's soft fur coat, in years.

The dog rolls over onto my lap and holds his belly out. I, of course, can't resist and stroke his belly till he falls asleep on me. 10K seems amused, yet shocked at the same time.

"He's never just laid in the lap of a complete stranger before. I guess he likes you." Hearing 10K say that makes my day. I curl up with the dog and continue on to stroke his fur.

Ronda comes over and tells me I have a night shift later, that 10K will show me where to go. I nod and was then told to get some rest. No resistance on my part at all. I curl up against the wall with my new acquainted friend Shasta. His warmth making me feel safe.

************

I begin to drift in and out of sleep hoping to stay away from my night terror. Instead of my recurring nightmare, I dream of a memory from my past, before the Z.A.

************

I was sitting on a deer stand with a small heater on in the corner.

My grandfather always took me to the deer camp with him. It's one of the only memories I have left that I remember, the rest has started to fade.

It was just before the morning light, the trees moved slowly from the oncoming wind. A bird chirped a melody in my ears, it was so peaceful.

The sun then crept its way into the sky, as a deer made its way into the big opening. I raised my gun to shoot, but instead just admired it through the scope on my rifle. The deer looked up from grazing and met my eyes. It seemed to give me a long look before it took off  running into the forest, never to be seen again.

************

A light tap wakes me from my memory. I struggle to flutter my eyes open, but when I do 10K is standing over me.

"Time for your shift." He says with a smile.

I hurriedly wipe my face of any indication that I have just been sleeping.

Wow you just met the guy and you already care what you look like in front of him. I think to myself as I gather my weapons to head up to the roof.

I try to not wake the sleeping Shasta, but that dog hears my foot hit the ground and he bounces up. He follows me to the roof stair case and waits for me to open the door for him.

"Your Majesty." I whisper so only Shasta and myself hear.

He seems to understand my words for he struts out the door like he's the king of the universe. I giggle walking out to the roof top to see 10K staring at me with a smile.

"It's nice to hear you laugh." He says.

I blush and put my things on the ground. Hoping he doesn't notice, I quickly bend down and load my bow.

Being on the roof with 10K makes me nervous, not only because I don't know the guy, but because every time he looks at me my stomach goes crazy.

I turn away to look at the little town below me, admiring all the sights I'm taking in. A few Z's have made their way here during the time that I slept, and now occupy some of the street below.

Suddenly I feel a burning sensation on my face, I turn to see that 10K is staring right at me triggering those damn bugs in my stomach. He seems to stare at me a while longer before finally asking the question I guess he's been wanting to ask.

"Are you afraid to talk to me?"

Shocked by his words I look at him and laugh. He seems to be embarrassed by the question now. I stop laughing seeing this emotion. I sigh and finally speak my first words to him.

"I'm afraid to mess up." I confess in a hushed tone.

He looks surprised that I actually answered the question, but goes back serious.

"Mess up what?" He responds.

"I haven't talked to people in a long time. I don't want to mess up and say the wrong thing."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." He looks generally concerned. He reaches over and grabs my hand. "Don't let that get in the way of how you connect with people. Not all of us are bad." He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck nervously.

I let his hand stay there, enjoying the warm electricity go through my body. His hand starts to caress mine with his thumb. I look at him and make the time to actually take in his features that the moonlight so enhances.

His hair is so dark brown it looks black. A tingling sense to run my fingers through his hair comes over me, but I stop the urge by looking at something else.

His eyes are a beautiful mint green. His smile is gorgeous. His skin is a smooth tan color that makes his white complection seem golden brown. His teeth come to a point at his canines, it is actually a really sexy feature on him.

I suddenly feel his hand tightening around mine, bringing me back to earth. I look down at his hand and smile, this one gesture makes my stomach go in knots.

"Jasmine." I blurt out.

"What?" 10K looks confused.

"My name. It's Jasmine."

His smile brightens and I see a twinkle of what looked like hope in his eyes.

"I like it. Jasmine." He says testing my name.

A big blush comes across my cheeks and I put my head down in shame. The way he said my name made it sound like I matter.

"Hey," He says looking me deep in the eyes, bringing my face back up with his finger,"I know you may not trust us yet, but I swear we aren't bad people."

Shasta seems to bark in agreement.

I go to pet him, when something catches my eye.

A dark shadow blurs my vision.

Zombies don't move that fast. I thought, or do they?

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