Valerie POV

"I'm going out", I said blandly.

Making my way through the broken - probably once-prestigious - office building. Miller's Inc. I recognized the name - it's a real estate business. Now it's a mess of blood-stained keyboards, broken windows adorning slivers of skin and decomposing bodies that gave off a foul and acrid smell. However, the smell wasn't bothersome anymore. What truly mattered was that the individual was indeed dead.

I found myself standing outside behind the wall of dead Cannibals that ran out and off the building's higher floors. I would need an excuse for my absence. I suppose the most believable one would be that I went out looking for more food.

I walked casually through the unmoving Cannibals. Nothing scared me anymore. I didn't fear death, but that didn't mean I welcomed it with open arms. Well, I suppose I'm afraid of losing one thing; Gloria. She's the only link to my past I allowed myself to have. I hadn't met her before marrying Michael but it felt like I stored my personality - my identity - in her. She doesn't know that yet. She doesn't know that I had a toy pony named Pinky that I pretended to feed when I was six. She doesn't know about the butterfly kisses my father would give me each night. She isn't aware of the fact that I'm terrified of bats. Yet, all of that is stored in here so I can be the fearless leader I have to be.

Survival comes first.

I hadn't realized that I had wandered quite far. I was now on a street lined with shops: a boutique, an optometrists office, a small café and a quick mart among other things. I noticed the weeds growing out from between the pavement cracks because they were adorning bright and vibrant yellow flowers. A strange sight; yellow flowers around a street filled with danger and death.

But that's not why I noticed them. I noticed them because I'm allergic.

I couldn't control the sneeze. I'm not sure I even tried to - I needed this release. I unsheathed my sword and surveyed my surroundings. I was surrounded by dashing Cannibals in all directions.

My old friend adrenaline surged through my body and I felt like I could finally breathe again. I rushed in. The direction of the cafe that had metal railings as aesthetic fences. The fences forced the Cannibals to line up.  One by one I viciously severed their heads from their visibly stiff and infected bodies.

The last Cannibal was a short Asian woman. She made no noise as her dishelved short hair moved slightly in the wind and her burning red hands reached for me. As I was about to slice her head off and admire the fountain of dark blood, an arrowhead appeared through her eye and she dropped to the ground. I instantly flung a table over and took cover. I heard the approaching footsteps, "I'm not going to hurt you. You can come out."

By the voice, I discerned that it belonged to a man. Despite his reassuring tone, I remained still. How do I turn this situation to my favor?

The gun!

I quickly withdrew it from its holster and rose to my feet. A man with red hair, brown eyes, rather short and wearing cameo stood silently holding a bow and arrow. "You won't use that. My name is Lucian, what is yours?"

I slowly lowered my gun. Not because of his words but because of my intuition and sometimes I ignore it at my peril. I think this man is one of the good ones - useful.

"My name is Valarie", I offered coldly.

My apprehensive attitude had no effect on him whatsoever. He smiled at me, a charming smile - I noticed his dimples - and walked over to the Cannibal he shot to retrieve his arrow.

"Well, bye, Valarie."

"Wait", despite just meeting him he could prove to be very useful. He turned around and quirked an eyebrow. The others will not be pleased - except Will. Will would understand.

"There are others. Come with me, we could use you. But first, we need to get food", I saw skepticism appear on his kind face.

"Look", I offered, "if you don't want to stay you can leave. But give us a chance Lucian." Psychologically using someone's name earns a small degree of trust. Even I know that now - thanks to Will.

"If you try anything, I'll kill you", he said calmly. I had to withhold a scoff, I wasn't intimidated by a 5'7'' man. He was the same height as Will now that I think about it.

"Got it", I said simply.

_______________________________________

I led a tense Lucian to the office building. Despite his subtlety, I noticed him continuously looking around. He probably expects an ambush. For one of us to jump out of hiding and take his gear, loot, and life. Humans are far more dangerous than Cannibals could ever be.

"How many are you?"

"Six of us", I told him blandly. I was still surprised and a little frustrated that my demeanor didn't phase him in the slightest. So far - besides Will - he is the only useful male we hopefully have. And at least - for now - he isn't infatuated by Will. In looks, Lucian is very similar to Will, but personality-wise he is completely different. Carefree and easy going. Kind.

"Gross", he whispered as we walked around the wall of dead bodies at the front of the building. I couldn't contain the confusion that spread itself on my face and manifested as scrunched together eyebrows.

"Where have you been staying all this time?"

He shrugged at my question, "My apartment, I heard the broadcast and actually listened to it. I lived in the downtown area, that was hit really fast. Lucky I took up shooting as a sport, I dunno - it just looked cool. Then I ran out of Ramen cups and had to go out to get more. Took me a few near-death experiences to learn that headshots are the way to go. After that, I've just been sleeping in buildings that have been cleared once the infected move onto another area."

That stopped me dead in my tracks, "They're moving around unprovoked now?"

A/n: Sorry for the short chapter guys :( I have THEE worst case of writer's block.