The city had been quiet today. So much more silent then it usually was.

Birds free of burden took to the skies, crying their songs and perching effortlessly onto wires and buildings. Several crows cawed, ebony feathers rustling about as they stared down at the endless streets of asphalt and debris. The sun warmed both feathers and mind- the heat being aggressive to the living creatures below it's fiery warmth.

One such person under that deafening sun, was you. (Y/N) (L/N).

Traveling along bloody, and wrecked streets to find some semblance of humanity. A medium sized backpack was strapped to your back, tight if only for the reason of your own personal pet peeve. A utility belt wrapped around your waist, all sorts of things hooked on and tied to it. One such thing being a pistol- the holster conveniently hooked on the side of your dominant hand for easy access.

Your shirt- dirty- bloody- and torn at every free end, was a simple grey color. The jean shorts you were wearing were in no better condition then your shirt- only looking better thanks to the tougher material used to build them.

Still- grappled into one hand was an AKM assault rifle- you liked to say it was a fancy way of saying 'machine gun'- if only for the fact that it shot bullets at an alarming rate. Your other hand was doing something much more important.

A rather thick wire comprised of metal and any other hard resources put into it was wound around that other hand, and your arm constantly jerked forward, raw strength and effort being put into holding the metal wire next to your side.

Your face was neutral. Unblinking. More then anything annoyed by your current situation of having no food with you. The constant growling of your stomach had been a fair reminder to that problem- yet the more it rumbled the more the tugging on the rope and annoyance seemed to be spurred.

Stopping and jerking the wire back as hard as you could, the clicking and dragging of claws ceased, wire loosening as the lowly growling of your self proclaimed group member drew closer to your position.

Giving a curt glare at it as a way of telling it to keep it's distance, you shuffled around for a moment and pulled a tattered map out of your backpack's side pocket with your chained hand. Looking at a map with a gun in one of your hands was difficult, yes, but you managed anyways, unfolding and staring down the different street labels and signs. You were horrible with directions- so checking in now would be better then taking time to figure out where you were later.

"If we take a right up here on the next street It should get us there a bit faster..." Peeking up from behind the map, your eyes fell onto your hooded friend, "What do you think about that?"

As usual, there was no reply to such a question- simply guttural noises that played more into a dog persona then a legitimate reply.

Continuing, you looked back down at the map, "I could reeeally go for some soup or like grilled chicken- you'd probably really like the beef, so that's what you're getting you little dork." A soft growling noise was once again the only response given back to you.

"That settles that- we'll just go in to the store and look for whatever's still edible and within the due date.

Staring at the street names for a bit longer and internally arguing over food, you finally closed the map, folding it and returning it to its usual residing.

By now, the wire was becoming alarmingly loose with how close your teammate came, the clawing on the ground becoming louder the more it stalked towards you. Staring at the half hidden face, and natural frown therein that rested along his countenance, you rolled your eyes, fed up with all your problems.

Rather then showing that on your face though, you took a deep breath, exhaling and refocusing on your crouched teammate. Neutral faced and trying your best to look like a leader would, you shooed with your hands and waved the wire around, trying to convey the feeling of personal space to your teammate.

True- he wasn't that close to your own little barrier, but goodness knows what he'll try the moment he gets too close for comfort. Despite the time you spend with him- he still tests the boundaries far past the regular limitations that they should be at.

That was to be expected though.

He was infected.

Common people like you that didn't hear the news before internet went off the grid don't really know what to call it, nor did you expect it. It was sudden- and the only thing that you could call it was an infection.

Word on the street- which you only know based on survivors previous to you writing messages- is the names of all the types of infected. You half forgot what they were called- but you remembered what your teammate was called.

Hunter.

As lethal as they were- they could only get some real damage on someone if isolated. Unluckily for you- you were the only human you traveled with. The bright side being that your teammate was the only infected you traveled with.

Giving the wire a tug and twist, you tread forward, keeping a steady eye on the hunter's blank lower face and hooded body. He watched you closely. Too intensely for comfort, but after a few moments, he crawled forward, the harness strapped to his chest and along his broader shoulders rustling with his small movements.

He was certainly a handful- the type that gave you paranoia and the constant need to glance over at him. But to you, it was all worth those ill side effects.

Twisting the chain on your arm one last time, you watched as he made his way ahead of you, growling at nothing but the wind and trash that tumbled around.

It had been a surprise that the streets were so clear of infected as quite literally the only moving bodies were you and your hunter. The blood caked over the streets was a bit unsettling, but that part was easily ignored. After a week of nothing but blood- it was blended into the environment inside of your mind. You'd take this moment of peace as a blessing while it lasted.

The sun was slowly rising higher into the sky, heat wave deepening the further it grew.

By now, the hunter was scuttling ahead of you, standing now rather then crawling like it usually likes to do.

It was much faster while standing- so you had to continually tug and strain the metal rope.

The only thing that could complete your day of peace would be some communication, or fulfillment of the social need.

"So. Think of which food you want when we get there?" As expected, there was no explicit answer. Only silence as he tugged forward against the chain. You were prepared for such a cause, and answered for him, "I know I said you'd probably like beef- but let's be honest- Pringles are some flippin' crunchy good chips."

Grabbing the chain as you walked after your hooded companion, you looked forward with a hum, "Actually- the Lays plain chips are pretty good. Salty, but good." You looked at him attentively, "Growl if you want some salty chips on the side."

Once again, you understood the fact that there was no conscious behind his actions, so when your single answer to your question was the rattling of those wires and a hard pull on your hand, you nodded your head, "Yeah- too lunch-like to go with beef. I vote mayonnaise instead."

Nodding your head at your own genius, you stopped talking and listened to the sound of your boots solid clunk. With every step, you came closer to your destination. With every step, you were reminded that this food was for your survival. The growling from your stomach came rather naturally with your thoughts, the gurgling noise momentarily making your hunter pause to look at you.

It... was a complicated story for how the two of you ended up together. Timing and several days of sleep loss playing a part in making him your companion. The thing you had to remind yourself of, was that this infection had only lasted a week so far. It didn't make sense how everything could collapse so quickly, but you played it off.

Side note, you'd only been traveling with him for not more then five days. Surprising how quickly you'd gotten used to this way of living.

Glancing at his now crouched and growling form, you pulled on the chain when he began eyeing some crows. If he jumped- game over. He was too strong to be stopped by your arms alone.

"Ah-Ah! No. Crows." You scolded him in a deeper tone, watching as he continued to watch the crows, growls not at all signifying that he understood what you were saying. You just shook your head as he did this, tugging the chain again to pull him away from the black feathered bird. He took heed this time, and the both of you walked past the crows with no qualms.

"You know. I was thinking." Jostling the gun around a bit and winding the metal chain around your wrist just a bit tighter, you continued to walk, staring dead set at the hooded companions back. "If we found where Max was- you think he'd scold us- or hug us? I'd for sure get a whack to the head." Glancing at a destroyed townhouse, you sniffed absentmindedly, "Not sure what he'd do to you."

Sighing, you pursed your lips. The wind was gentle this day. No change in the atmosphere despite such a drastic change in the human economy, "I really want to find them all."

You went silent for a bit, walking and paying attention to what your hunter was doing. Crouching and growling by the looks of it. The harsh noises resounding from within his throat were loud compared to the empty streets- you bet that if you tried to mimic him, your throat would hurt rather churlishly afterwards.

As suspected, another growl resounded from ahead of you, and you glanced up at the hunter. Mind you, he was looking at a robin this time rather then a crow. Rolling your eyes in an exasperated manner, you tugged on the chain again, watching as he turned to look at you instead. His hoodie blocked his eyes, the looming shadows blistering and swaying as he moved. The duck tape on his arms and legs reflected the rising sun dully; you had to squint past the small glare.

Just north of you- a sign appeared in the distance. The small and grimy green stating which street is to both left, right, and in front of you and your companion. At seeing that sign, you paused, tugging on the chain and watching patiently as your hunter took a small moment to realize you stopped. Glancing away after he ceased movement, you tugged the map out of your conveniently placed pocket on the side of your backpack.

The paper used to be rather glossy- but the wear and tear of the apocalypse made it rugged and scratched. Ignoring that fact, you opened the paper and felt the creases as you glanced over the map.

"Hmm... this looks like the street..." Taking a quick peek at the sign above the horizon of the map in your hands, you chewed you lip and looked back down, "It's the quickest way over there- so it seems fair in my opinion."

Squinting at the map, you memorized the name of the next road you needed to go on, sniffing absentmindedly as your eyes slide across the paper.

That moment didn't last long. A low groan and a sharp blight sent a jolt through your leg, pain not nearly as overpowering as the fear scuttling down your neck and across your spine. You didn't quite understand what had happened. The smallest of pinches, and the tensing of muscles, next thing you knew- you whipped around with your gun firing out bullets faster than you could have realized you have actually pulled the trigger.

Everything seemed to freeze for a moment; the situation becoming crystal clear as to what was actually happening at this moment. Your untrustworthy companion had nipped at your foot- the small jolt of pain sending you into a flurry of fear and rabid bullets.

You realized one second too late as to what had happened- the sound of the gun's previous action echoed, scaring your partner enough that he jumped several times away, pulling on the chain and by accident pulling you forward and straight onto the ground. The skin on your arms were scraped sorely and left a rather tender burning feeling on them.

You shooting your very loud gun wasn't even twice the problem. One of the many flurry of bullets shot had strayed and hit a car. Hence, the car alarm now blaring and all but putting a permanent end to your relatively peaceful day.

Screams and restless groans resounded from afar, and the metaphorical tap in your shoe was only the greatest urge to run and find safety. How unfortunate that you couldn't quite 'run for safety' due to your companion. His fickle and animalistic mind was programmed to that as a literal hunters. The moment he sees you running- he'd pounce directly onto the opportunity... to well... pounce on you.

You knew this from experience when someone traveled with you. If it wasn't for that temporary human on your side- you would have been slaughtered at the hands of your own companion's lethal claws

Thoughts aside- you needed to find a temporary cover. And fast. The cries were growing louder- and there was no way you could sprint out of this mess- that was a topic already covered.

Frantically searching the area and winding the chord connecting you to your hunter companion, you jumped up from where you lay on the ground, taking no time in making sure you were free of dirt.

By sound alone- they seemed to be coming from all directions- and with no where to go except the buildings- you walked as calmly as you could to the closest building- which wasn't too far away. Considering you couldn't outright rush over to that building and first had to direct your companion over to the building and patiently wait for him to crawl over- 'too far away' was meant as- a few feet away if you have a fast pace.

Unfortunately or not- you had to tug several times to get him to go the way you wanted him to go- the blaring car horn distracting him rather well.

He finally turned the way you wanted him too, but by then- infected came pouring around the corner of the street, shoes stomping loudly as they ran towards the car alarm.

Letting out your own growl from the stress and frustration of trying to keep alive, you squinted your eyes with a few blurry tears, continuing to try to take cover, you took aim at a few infected, pulling the trigger and letting loose a quick blur of bullets. This is why you liked automatics- they took out hordes pretty efficiently, despite wasting ammo so quickly.

Taking a few more steps in the direction you wanted to go in- your face went from frustrated to downright horrified at the next turn of events.

You weren't sure what was worse- the fact that the horde was on your tail- the suddenly loose grip on the only thing that kept you and your companion as traveling buddies- or the haggard feeling around your neck- tying around you as a noose and jerking you back so hard your wind pipes cut off circulation.

No. Not even the last option was the worst option- the fact that the chain around your wrist was gone drove that feeling of hopelessness all the way home. Through squinted eyes, you watched as your companion waddled around on all fours, completely oblivious to your dread and panic. You didn't want to loose him- not now.

Smoker. That's what they were called.

The damned bastard.

Course he's gotta hone in on the only person without a reliable party to help out.

No-... you trained him for this- you tried to train him for this- come on- he knows what to do! And if he doesn't then you'll just have to get his attention and pull off the stupid-

You flinched as you hit your head on a pole while being dragged-

-fucking kill command!!

Watching as he kept dawdling around, you made the rash decision that the kill command was the only way to get him to do anything.

Opening your mouth as wide as you could, you yelled whatever came to mind- you just needed his attention to give him the signal, "HEY! You *HuRk*" The tongue tightened around your neck, "BASTARd- Look AT Me!"

At the sound of a human voice, he turned to look at you with that infinitely blank face.

In the background the horde drew even closer.

Now or Never.

First slapping your gun twice against you thigh as you struggled, you threw it on the ground, the metal clattering loudly against the concrete.

Everything slowed down at that moment. The gun rattling wildly and the hordes screams and yells.

Those lingering shadows underneath his hood became a tight winding venom as he stared dead at the gun hitting the ground, lethal gaze settling forward just as time returned and the horde rushed past him, and towards you.

You couldn't see him now.

Not past the endless bodies of infected's legs, and definitely not with your blurring vision.

Clutching the grimy tongue and struggled weakly was the only thing you could do. You felt as though you lost a part of yourself. He was hiden in the horde now- and the clenching in your heart was one of grief.

Not to be a downer, but something about the horde drawing closer practically spelled out your death in full. Wonder what.

Not to mention your one ticket out of here was one of them-... and somehow knowing that made you feel bitter.

But, on a different note- it would appear your training held at least a small portion of significance in his dumb mind.

As lo and behold, several of the infected's bodies were flung- gore spilling from some excruciatingly looking lacerations along the mid section of their bodies.

Relief couldn't begin to describe how much joy you were feeling at the moment. Your back had hit the wall of a building- the smoker's tongue having run its course and pulled you straight down the street. The horde was being torn apart at the moment. Any infected that ran in front of your companion- which was literally every infected- was cut down by their legs instantaneously- the stranglers that were on the sides being spared of the gruesome fate. He was like a god among servants in a simply manner of speaking- strength against the weak easily clearing a path for him.

He was dead locked onto you quite unfortunately, as the moment he reached jumping distance, his legs jolted downward before releasing. He was a powerful thing to mess with. A beast made of rage and muscle. But when the memory of the pure force behind his jump resurfaced- the helplessness of being slashed at- you heavily flinched- reeling your head in to protect your neck, and squeezing your eyes closed with a burning will to live.

That was the end.