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Attack Of The Dead

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Chapter 5

Only inches away from my face, Raven parts his lips to say something. I hold my breath in anticipation.

Raven: I...

Soldier: Go for it!

Soldier #2: Kiss her!

Soldier #3: That's our Raven!

Raven and I both turn towards a group of soldiers cheering and clapping.

I can almost feel my cheeks glowing with furious intensity.

Raven: Looks like we've attracted an audience...

Cola: So what? If you were serious about what you were going to say, you wouldn't care about that.

Raven: Hmm.

He takes his fingers off my chin and tucks a stray lock of my hair behind my ear.

Raven: Some other time.

Cola: Raven, wait...

Raven: Don't worry. I won't leave you waiting too long. Don't you guys have something better to do? Get out of here!

Soldier: Yes, sir!

Raven: I should go as well. Thank you for accompanying me here today.

Cola: No, problem. Thank you for the food, as well.

Raven leaves, and I take a moment to catch my breath, only now realizing how tense every muscle in my body had become.

Should I realky be doing this? Letting him cause thses feelings in me...

I don't even know what to think.. I haven't imagined myself in a romantic relationship since the outbreak...

Besides... It's not like he really has feelings for me. He's probably just grateful that I came to his aid...

Ah, what should I do..?

Troubled by my thoughts and something I could only identify as a silly hope, I go back home.

A few days pass. Our team gets no new assignments, aside from the daily training. My duties done for the day, I take a walk.

I haven't seen either Weber or Zero lately..

I told Jacob I had nothing to repoert the last time he asked me, but I had to make sure I had something to give him next time.

I was hoping I would find Weber here, where I met him, but... Wait. There's someone here, after all.

Someone is lying under the old tree, right in the center of the meadow. Coming closer, I can clearly see who it is.

Zero leans against the tree, covered in blood, his eyes closed.

Is he injured?

I decided to keep distance foe a moment, and it seems he hasn't noticed me yet.

He could have been bitten... I have to be careful.

Zero opens an eye and turns his head towards me. I stare back into the crimson abyss of that eye.

Zero: Go away, woman.

Cola: Ah, so you ARE alive. I was just waiting to be sure. You know, because you're absolutely drenched in blood, which you will have to explain. Immediately.

Zero: You annoy me.

Cola: I could judt force you to go to an interrogation chamber. Up to you.

Zero closes his eyes again.

Zero: Very well. You have permission to approach me, but make it quick.

I mutter under my breath.

As if I needed permission..

Cola: Whose blood is this, Zero?

Zero: Wouldn't you like to know?

Cola: I'm serious. I need to know if you've been...

Zero: Bitten? Don't worry, little sheep. This is the blood of men- living men, whom I freed from their mortal coil.

That's...!

Cola: Quit joking. You can't just say something like that!

Zero: Does the idea troible you? Have you never taken a life?

Cola: Stop it! Tell me the truth!

Zero: But I was having fun. Yes, it's zombies blood, you child.

Cola: Where were they?

Zero: Outside. I wanted to leave this place, but I got intercepted. There were about hundred...

Cola: A hundred?! I must alert Jacob-

Zero: Don't bother. I killed every one last of them. You could send someone to burn the piles if you wanted...

Zero winces as he tries to lift himself off the ground.

Cola: You're hurt. Let me take a look at you.

Zero: Keep your hands away from me. I mean it.

Cola: You're the one behaving like a child. Let me help you.

Zero's lips curl into a wolfish smile, his eyes glowing with mischief.

Zero: Admit it. You just want me to take off my clothes in front of you.

Cola: What..?

Zero: Come on, then. Take my shirt off. I dare you.

Cola: Fine. You win.

Zero: Oh? What happened to your curiosity?

Cola: I was worried, not curious. But you're probably fine, if you're in the mood to tease.

Zero: I ws in generous mood, but you've missed your chance.

Zero stands up.

Zero: Now leave me alone.

Cola: Look, just.. go to the medical unit. I hate that I have to keep repeating these words, but we have protocol here.

Which I keep breaking, anyway...

Zero: Tch. Protocol. A bunch of mice hiding behind their toothpick walls, waiting for the inevitable.

Cola: You really like your animal anologies, don't you?

Zero: Listen. When the outbreak started, I took refuge in a place I thought was safe. The walls were thick. There was plenty of food. But the enemy still got inside.

Cola: Nothing will break through our defenses again.

Zero: Are you sure?

He's seriously starting to annoy me!

Cola: No I'm not sure. Anything can happen. We're human, and we make mistakes. Byt as long as we're alive, we can fight.

Zero: At least you're smart enough to admit you have no control.

Still, saying it out loud gives me a strange sense of shame.

Zero: Trust only yourself. Believe only in the power you have in your hands.

Cola: I believe in my friends.

Zero: Then you're just another fool, and you deserve what you get.

Cola: Maybe I am. But I promise you, Zero, we will get all through this, together. That's the only way.

Zero: We'll see about that. I've grown tired of this conversation. Leave.

I turn to leave, but at that moment I remember I needed to ask him something important.

Cola: A few days ago, I met someone...

Zero: Don't care.

Cola: I though you might know him. He seems to know you, anyway.

Zero: Let me guess. Blonde, pretty, thinks he's funny, but he's actually obnoxious?

Cola: No. A shy, sweet guy. His name is Weber.

Zero: ▪︎▪︎▪︎

Cola: Do you know him?

Zero: He shouldn't have got out.

Huh?

Cola: What do you mean? Where is he? What did you do to him?

Zero circles me and grabs my shoulders, pressing my back against the tree.

Cola: What are you doing? Let me go, right now!

Zero: Quiet.

Cola: What is-

Zero: I hate when they ask so many questions.

Zero leans over me, his lips right beside my ear.

Zero: He's fine. As long as I'm here, he's safe. He shouldn't have been out, not here. But it doesn't matter. You know why?

Cola: N-no...

Zero: Because I'm in control. Not him, not you, not Jacob or your funny little mayor. Me. Understood?

He doesn't let me reply. Just as suddenly as he grabbed me, he lets go.

I stay in place for few moments longer, staring at the grass.

Zero: Looks like your rodent buddiesare running somewhere. Looking for cheese, perhaps?

His word shakes me from the haze, and I noticea group of soldiers running towards the front gates.

Cola: Something must be going on. I better go.

Zero: I'm coming with you.

I take my gun out, determined not to get caught off guard.

Cola: Alright. Stay close to me.

Zero twirls his knives.

Zero: How about you do the opposite? Stay as far away from me as you can, or I might mistake you for an enemy.

What's going on here?! It looks like every single soldier we have is here!

I tap the nearest soldier on the shoulder and ask what happened.

Soldier: It's the Raiders, ma'am! They've besieged us

Cola: What?!

Zero: Interesting. Looters don't usually try something like that, unless they're really, really hungry...

Cola: Where is Jacob?

Soldier: He's outside, trying to appease the bastards... I mean- uh... Negotiatingwith the Raiders. Sorry, ma'am!

Zero's laugh reaches my ears.

Zero: Well, now I've heard everything. They're going to skin your man alive out there.

Cola: I have to go to him. Will you come with me? I'll feel much better knowing you're by my side.

Soldier: Who, m-me?!

Zero: She means me, weakling. You want me by your side, eh? Even if it means I kill all the Raiders? What happened to your precious morals?

Cola: I'll trust you not to do that. Just watch my back, okay?

Zero: You'll trust me?

Cola: That's right, Zero. I'll trust you.

Zero: You're making a bad choice... Fine. Let's find your boyfriend.

Cola: He's not my-

Zero: Don't. Care.

We make our way out of the community. In front of the gates, we find Jacob pacing left to right.

A few fully armored soldiers carrying ballistic shields stand near by.

Cola: Jacob!

Jacob: Cola, what are you doing here? Go back inside! These people are dangerous.

Cola: I had to make sure you're safe. What happened?

Jacob: I'm not entirely sure myself. If I understood right, several groups of looters banded together and created a coalition of some kind... a tribe, as they say. They're hungry, and they think we have food. They wanted to negotiate, sent a messenger. They want us to guve them all of our food, itherwise they will attack.

Cola: What did you tell them?

Jacob: That we need the food and couldn't give it to them. I offered a compromise. A way to work to gether to secure more food.

Zero: Aww, how cute. Making a pact with a pack of dogs that would bite your hand the moment they got the chance.

Jacob: ...What is he doing here? Get inside, civilian.

Zero: I'm with her.

The way he say it makes my heart skips a beat.

Cola: Jacob, what happens if they refuse?

Jacob: They outnumber us, but our defenses are strong. It would be a slaughter I'd rather avoidit if I can. And I'd rather save the bullets for when we actually need them...

Zero: Zombies aren't your only enemies.

Jacob: That's true, but they're the only ones we can't hope to convince to be on our side. If only temporarily.

Zero: I see. Perhaps I've underestimated you, commander.

Jacob stares at Zero for a few moments, as if he was weighing his words.

Jacob: Get this guy a proper weapon.

Zero: I'm good. my knives are more than enough for this trash.

Jacob: Suit yourself. Now let's see if-

A high-pitched sound pierces the air, followed by a flaming arrow that lands in front of Jcob's feet.

Zero: I guess you have your answer.

Jacob: That was a warning shot. We must-

Soldier: Look out!

Another arrow flies into the sky, straight towards Jacob.