Chapter 2

I only have a time for a quick intake of breath before Raven reacts, pulling his gun out and pointing it at the stranger.

Raven: Drop the knife.

The stranger doesn't move a muscle. He doesn't even look at Raven.

His gaze is fixed on mine, and I wonder what he hides behind thise eyes, one of them an ocean, the other a burning sky.

I lift my chin, exposing my neck to the man's knife.

Cola: What are you waiting for? If you want to kill me, just get it over with.

Raven: Cola!

Cola: Better him than a zombie.

???: A woman after my own heart.

Raven: I said, drop it!

The stranger turns gus head gracefully, like a cat. He takes one look at Raven, and then he drops his knives.

In a split second, he grabs Raven's arm and twist it until he can take his gun away from him.

Cola: No, wait!

The stranger presses Raven's gun against his own forhead. He pulls the trigger.

Click... Click. Click. Click.

He had no bullets left... And this man knew it. He's been watching us.

???: What now, tough guy? Your toy is useless. even if you have a blade in your sleeve, I suggest you keep your distance. You're too slow to match me.

The stranger turns his back to us and takes a few steps.

He could be a powerful ally! I can't let him leave!

Cola: Wait! Come with us!

Raven: What are you doing, Cola?

Cola: He saved our lives, Raven! He's strong. We could use a soldier like him!

???: I am no one's puppet.

He starts leaving again, but I run up to him.

Cola: At least, tell us your name!

Zero: I call myself Zero.

Raven: A nobody, then.

Zero: The last thing my enemies see before their life force is reduced to nothingness.

The tension makes my heart rate quicken.

I know he might be dangerous, but... He could have killed us already if he wanted.

Cola: Wait! You're all alone, aren't you? You could use our help.

Zero: Why would I need the gelp of a couple of weaklings?

Cola: We may look weaklings to you, but we have the advantage of numbers. There are more of us.

Zero: More sheep for the zombies to slaughter?

I shake my head.

Cola: We've managed so far. We have a well-fortified community of survivors.

Zero: If that's true, why would you come out here to be eaten?

Cola: We need this food to survive. Once we bring it back home, it will be the safest place for us to be in.

Zero: The safest place to be in, huh... ? It might be good for... It might be good enough.

Cola: You will come with us, then?

Zero: That's right, little sheep. Show this wolf the way into your shelter.

Raven takes one look at my smiling face and shakes his head with obvious disappointment.

I'll prove to him that I'm right. That it was the right choice to invite Zero to join us.

Raven: Let's regroup. Find our teammates, get the bags, and head back.

It turns out that five of us survived, not only four as we first thought. We Zero as our sixth man, and our bags full of food, we leave the super market.

We'll bring this food back. We have to. For everyone's sake... And to honor those we've lost today.

Raven: We need to be careful. Without bullets, it will be difficult to protect ourselves from a swarm.

Zero: I'll kill them all.

Raven: That's my line.

How could he have survived on his own without a gun..?

I decide not to ask. We all have our secrets. Zero should be allowed to keep his.

Zero: You, woman.

Raven: Her name is Cola.

Zero: I don't care. People who stare at me like that eventually lose an eye or two.

Cola: I was just thinking about what an interesting companion you are. Let's go.

Our way back doesn't go smoothly.

Small packs of zombies reach us from time to time. Their frequency increasing as the sun starts to set behind the hills in the distance.

With no ammo, we would have been sitting ducks... if not for Zero.

Before we even notice a group of zombies approaching us, Zero'a long hunting knives slip into his hands.

He pounces like a cat, stabbing and slashing.

Raven: Too strong... That guy is a monster.

Cola: Yes. But perhaps being a monster is what it takes to win this war.

Raven: I never thought I'd hear you say that.

I'm not really sure if I mean it or I'm just trying to hold on to the idea that Zero will be a valuable ally.

Cola: I guess we'll see.

We arrive home at sunset. The gate opens, and a group of survivors greet us, led by the Mayor and his brother, the Vice-mayor.

Mayor: You're safe! You're all safe!

Raven: Not all of us. We've lost three soldiers and a runner.

Mayor: Your runner has returned home safe and sound. That's why we're all here. We've been expecting you!

Raven: Where is Jacob?

Mayor: He's waiting for you report at the Headquarters... And who is this?

He looks at Zero, he grins, teirling a knife in his hand. The rays of the setting sun set his crimson eye blaze.

Cola: This... is Zero. He saved our lives. We wouldn't have been able to bring this food back if it weren't for him.

The Mayor only takes a moment begore he spreads his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Mayor: Our savior! Welcome! Our home is your home now.

Zero grins wider, but he doesn't reply.

Vice-mayor: He's a quiet one, isn't he?

Cola: I invited him here. I'll vouch for him.

Mayor: Good enough for me! I'm sure he just needs to warm up to us. Come along, now! We'll take thise bags over while you go report to your commander.

Zero: I want to go too. I want to meet this "commander".

Raven: Absolutely not.

Mayor: I'm sorry, but.. our policy is that every new comer must be examined by our medical staff before they can be allowed into the community. My brother will show you the way.

Zero: Hah. You people rely on your skin-deep examinations so much you won't even see the danger hiding on the inside.

What is that supposed to mean...?

Vice-mayor: Follow me.

Zero leaves with the vice mayor, and Raven and I lead our soldiers towards the headquarters.

Jacob: You're back! I never doubted you for a second.

Raven: The mission was success, but we've lost a few men.

Raven gives Jacon an account of our mission, making sure note how he disagrees with my decision to invite Zero into the community.

Jacob: Thank you, Raven. Go get some rest, everyone. Cola, zi need you to stay for a moment longer.

Cola: Yes sir.

I wait for everyone to leave before I approach Jacob.

Cola: What is it you need, Sir?

Jacob: This Zero guy.. I understand that he's strong. Still, Raven didn't seem to have an impression that his presence here will be beneficial.

Cola: He saved our lives. I understand why Raven is cautious, but I believe Zero would be a valuable ally.

Jacob: That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Cola, it's.. it's dangerous to trust someone based on their fighting ability.

Cola: Jacob, we don't even know how many people are left in the world. If we start distrusting everyone... Besides, you heard what the mayor had to say about it.

Jacob: I understand how you feel. I'm not going to tell you whom you can or can't trust, but there's something i want to share with you. Whatever conclusion you make will be your own. A while ago, I was charge of a combat unit similar to yours. I had a subordinate who was an exceptional warrior. He was my right hand man. On the battlefielf one day, I made an error in judgement that resulted in the death of everyone, including that soldier. I trusted his ability, but.. it wasn't enough.

Jacob looks down, his fingers curling into a fist.

Remembering this must becausing him so much pain...

Cola: I appreciate your warning, Jacob. I'll be careful.

Jacob: You have to. You vouched for him. The people are going to blame you if he dies anything bad.

I haven't really thought about that... I guess I'm going to have to live with that, if it happens.

Cola: Understood.

Jacob: There's something else I needed to ask you about...

Soldier: Sir? I'm sorry to interupt, but there's an emergency!

Jacob: What's going on?

Soldier: The zombies.. They've entered the town. They're attacking people in the streets!

Jacob: What?!

Cola: They broke through the barricades?