"Oh sick!" I exclaimed excited.

On the way to Wolf Cove I found a comic bookstore. Considering I might die any day, I went inside. Taking pleasure in little pieces of happiness. And happy I was. Because this shop had a golden Vegeta! The statue was only a few inches tall but they were rare. Only four made in the entire world and my ass found one! Grabbing it, I shoved it down my pants. A grin on my face as I left the shop.

He'd look great beside my Bulma figurine.

Heh.

I continued my walk, when suddenly I stopped. My eyes widened. The loud thudding vibrated across the ground. Earthquake? I was moving backwards suddenly, until my back was against the building. My hands stretched out, my hands shaking, the figurine falling from my fingers.

"My name is Sebastian!" I yelled over the thunder.

Maxwell sighed, stepping on my face, "Come now Four. Enough."

I screamed, lightening flashed. Allowing me to see the people around him. A guard held an umbrella over his head. The rain hurt. I was cold. My whole body hurt. I wanted Mother. Mother was warm. She liked my name. I wouldn't forget it. I wouldn't give it up.

"S-Sebastian is m-my name," I whispered.

Maxwell shook his head before bringing down the baseball bat again.

I blinked, the noise overwhelming. I heard them before I saw them. A herd of deer cut across the road. My jaw fell open. There were so many. I'm guessing since the virus became airborne their numbers went up with the lack of humans. I breathed slowly as they disappeared. One trailed behind, tripping and falling. A baby. It let out a cry. Crying for it's herd to come back. I stepped forward, never seeing such a beautiful creature so close.

"Hey there," I whispered with a smile.

It looked at me terrified, trying to stand. My hands moved to help it back up when a low growl sounded behind me. My eyes widened and I turned, slowly. My hands out as I did. Behind me was a single wolf. It's fur matted and one eye missing. He prowled forward, baring his teeth. Behind me, the deerling let out noises of fear and panic.

I moved out of the way and the wolf got his meal.

My journey continued.

There was guilt, I felt guilty for leaving the wolf to tear apart the abandoned deerling but what could I do about it? I knew the difference between bravery and stupidity. The deerling was a lost cause, no doubt that wolf had a pack behind him. And even if he didn't, the deerling's life just wasn't worth the pain and suffering. Not to mention if I saved the deerling then the wolf would die.

And I was always more of a wolf kind of man.

From what I gathered, Marianna's base was an old wolf reserve. Which meant, if I was lucky, then I was close now. No doubt the wolves of the reserve had relocated when Marianna and Felix moved in but they wouldn't have relocated far. Not when their hunting grounds was still within the land of the reserve.

So I clung onto that hope.

The sun eventually set again, but this time there was no homes or shops to camp out in. It was just me and a seemingly never ending road. Which was fine, I had camped in the darkness of night many times before and will many times after. Unless Maxwell sent one of the Well dogs after me. One of the girls, I forgot her number and I never learned her name but I read about her ability. She had enhanced sight. So if he sent those ones after me, then I'd be as good as dead anyways.

I sighed softly, it was cold tonight. So cold I could see my breath against the darkness. It did occur to me to make a camp, for warmth, or find some place to hide for the night. Climb a tree, sleep in it maybe. However, the chances of them finding me if I kept moving were less. The time between our distance greater. So, I kept going. Walking through the night down the cracked pavemented road. Every so often I could hear the juttered moans and groans of the undead. Sometimes, they were close enough I could smell the reeking of rotted flesh and sun-toasted maggots that lived within them. Sometimes it was worst like the zombie had only recently turned but, sometimes it was better. The reeking of a zombie that was years old now.

Eventually, the sun began to rise.

With it a herd of storm clouds. Then soon it was raining. My clothing soaked, and my hair sticking to my face. I wondered about Erin Brooks. What was she doing right now? I wondered if she got stuck in the storm. Maxwell had been hunting her and her father for as long as I could remember. Then I remember when he found her father, a zombie now, and he had been pleased. Thinking finding the mans' doctor ought to be easier.

It wasn't.

Until recently.

He had found a trail left by her. At first, he wasn't sure but soon it was clear. After taking samples upon samples of the DNA found at the sight. No doubt she thought she had been stealthy, but not enough. Not when Maxwell had almost all his minions after her. Now, the trail was clear. I wondered if he had sent another team out for her. Which one of us was first on his list?

I was sure it'd be her.

Soon the rain stopped, and my feet grew tired. I sighed, dragging myself into the forest. If I had to take a break, I had to do it there. The road was too obvious. My clothing felt heavy. Heavy and gross. The soil in the forest was like mud, which didn't help. I complained silently to myself. Realizing how stupid it was to continue walking in the rain.

I was an idiot.

However, not long into my hike, I spotted something in the distance. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at the cabin. Breathing out, I pushed forward. The cabin got bigger and bigger in my view until I was standing in front of the porch. Around the cabin, where footprints. Weathered by the storm, but clear as day. My guard rose as I moved slowly up the porch, one step at a time until I was in the doorway.

Then, I slowly pushed it open. Inside, there was a faint smell of...something. I wasn't sure what but it was sweet. I looked around carefully, it looked like a former base of some survivor. The furniture had been pushed against a broken window, and in the middle of the floor was a silenced zombie corpse. Bending down, I touched the wound on it's forehead.

A bullet wound.

Most likely what took the zombie down.

Standing I moved into the kitchen, finding the source of the smell. On the counter, empty peach cans lay tipped over. I hummed, my stomach growling. Moving to the cupboards I found two more cans of food. It was confusing. Why would these survivors just leave two perfectly good cans here?

I picked one up—another peach can.

Deciding this would do, I looked around. Spotting a rusted knife on the floor, I grabbed that too before moving back outside. Placing my goods on the porch, I began searching around for dry wood. Which was difficult due to the previous storm, but not impossible. There was dry wood under the porch. I then moved back inside, finding the couch pushed against the window. Half the couch was soaked, but the other half...

"Perfect," I muttered.

Ripping apart a cushion's top layer, I then began pulling out large chunks of the cotton inside. Once I had my pile, I moved back outside and began assembling my fire. After adding the couch fire starters, I then stepped back, admiring my work.

Until I realized I had no actual fire starter.

Cursing, I went back inside and searched around. Anything would do, a lighter maybe? Or a pair of glasses? Maybe the previous camp had left something behind. Anything would work. I pulled apart the single bedroom, then stepped into the bathroom. I paused seeing the bundle of bones in the tub before spotting something else.

As if by some stroke of luck, the bundle of bones was on top of a bag.

I had no issues about digging through the pile, pulling the bag free. Inside, a photo. I tossed that onto the pile without looking. I didn't need to see a photo to be reminded that this corpse was once a person or two. When I looked up however, I also saw a photo tucked into the cracked bathroom mirror. Looking away from it, I found a pair of moth feasted clothing inside. I also found a pair of matches, a bottle of water, a pocket knife and a stuffed dog full of silver fish. I let out a cry as a few skittered up my hand.

Dropping the dog, panic filled me over the disgusting little bugs. Moving out of the room now, with no intention of returning, I went back outside. The first four matches didn't work, but the fifth did. My fire was started and I stripped my clothing off, laying them over the porch railing which hung a few feet right and above the fire.

Sitting on the steps of the porch in nothing but my shoes and boxers, I tossed the rusted knife into the fire before pulling out the pocket knife. Then, I stabbed away at the can of food until I could use the knife to pry pieces of peaches out one by one. They were good. The syrup sweet against my dry tongue and the peaches like little pieces of heaven on my taste buds. Then I drank half of the water bottle, before laying on the porch. The heat of the fire blowing over me from time to time. It was better to camp outside than inside.

Inside I'd be trapped but outside, I could run if I had to.

I wasn't sure when but eventually my eyes closed and I slept. I wasn't sure how long, but I awoke before the sun began to rise. The fire had gone out but my clothing was dry. So I pulled them on before grabbing the pocket knife and the rest of the water. Then, my journey began again. It felt good, my stomach was fullish, my clothing dry and I had water. I couldn't help but grin, moving through the trees at a faster pace.

Instead of going back to the road, I went deeper into the forest. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling. A feeling that told me I should go this way. Luckily for me, my feeling seemed to be right and in front of me up head I could see the glisten of silver.

A fence.

It had to be the wolf reserve. My heart swelled at the thought of seeing Marianna again. My grin grew as I moved through the forest at a fast pace. So fast that I kept stumbling. My feet lazily dodging protruding roots and large rocks. As soon as I reached the fence, my hand stretched out. I could climb the fence in no time and find Marianna. I could—

Freeze.

My eyes widened, my fingers only centimeters from the fence. It was then I could hear it. The feint buzzing and crackling. My hand lowered and I looked past the fence. Windmills. I could see working windmills which meant they had working power. My eyes carefully slid back to the fence.

Electric fence.

My eyes narrowed and I frowned. I had been so close and yet so far. There was no telling how long this fence went. It could take days to go around and find the entrance. If I picked the right way. Groaning softly, I turned. A sudden groan caught my attention and my eyes widened. The zombie tackled into me before I had a chance to react.

The first thing I noticed was the zombie's appearance. It was a silly thing to notice, but in that moment were it lunged for me time slowed. I noticed how the zombie was a girl. A teen in a cheerleading outfit. Her uniform was in one piece, with a rip down the side and a knee-high sock missing. Her blonde locks were dull. A piece was missing, revealing her skull underneath. Her eyes were blue and glossy. The whites of her eyes yellow. Bone protruded from her arm. Then I noticed a pain in my arm.

I let out a cry, it's teeth digging into my arm and pulling a chunk from my skin. Instantly, there was a throb of pure agony. It's teeth biting through the artery in my arm. Blood sprayed free, bathing both of us from head to toe. The zombie had a brief flash on it's face before it's face began to melt away. Maggots dropped off her like snow. My other hand moved, shoving her in the face. Her nose let out a vicious crack but she didn't flinch. Her teeth didn't come apart. Then there was a moment where our eyes met.

An image of what she might have looked like before the end flashed in my mind.

Then her body jerked, her eyes melting, flesh dripping off like water and she dropped. I stood for a moment, watching my blood continue to dissolve at her remains, her flesh became a puddle, her face distorting and her teeth dispatching from her mess. I sighed.

My arm hurt like hell.

It would take a while for it to full heal, especially since she got my artery. I moved away from the body, my head swimming with dizziness from lack of blood and my fingertips grew numb. I moved slowly, focusing on my harbored breathing pattern and dragging my feet across the soil. Time escaped me, I just kept to the fence without touching it. Listening to the rhythmic buzzing of the electricity circuit and the beating of my own heart in my ears.

"Welcome back you mutt," the voice growled.

I blinked, my eyes lifting and I grew silent. My guard rose and across the fence I could see a gate. My heart skipped a beat, relief filling me as I saw them. They had changed so much but I'd know them from anywhere. Felix and Marianna. They both had tattoos covering their body, Felix looked like a tank now, but they were the same. My lips pulled into a smile.

Then Felix was lunging forward. My eyes flickered to the group in front of them. A blonde man I didn't recognize, with a blade in his hand and a woman. My eyes widened as I looked at the woman. She stole my breath away, that fire in her eyes. Dirt smudged her face, those cheeks finely cut. She had a tint of red to her face, like she had just been fighting. A pout on her lips, and her arms crossed over her chest.

Her body was tense, ready for a fight and yet she looked afraid.

Lost.

Her eyes continued to move from the people to the zombie near their feet. No doubt she had silenced the monster. Yet, the way her eyes flickered back and forth before her body seemed to relax slightly when she looked at the zombie. Like people scared her more than any zombie could.

I breathed out slowly.

She reminded me of myself. Instantly, I knew who she was. Subject Zero—Erin Mira Brooks. I had never seen such a beautiful target. Maxwell had sent me out on many missions to take a life—a real life, or steal one but her, I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill someone who was just...

I couldn't kill her.

My eyes watched as they all went inside. All but two guards at the gate. Once they were gone, I blinked back to reality. Remembering why I had come all this way. I had to warn Marianna about everything. I wasn't sure if Erin Brooks had been honest to them or not but I would guess not. Information like that was dangerous.

She was dangerous.

So why couldn't I bring myself to kill her? Why couldn't I want to kill her anymore? My brain hurt, this didn't make sense. With a soft sigh, I stepped forward, out of the trees and into the open area in front of the gates. The two guards didn't notice me at first, but within seconds their eyes looked up at me. The one stumbled to raise his gun, the second more steady, clicking his own off safety but not raising it yet.

"Who are you?" the second asked.

I cocked my head, "I want to talk to Felix and Marianna."

They blinked in confusion.

"There's no one here by that name!" the first said loudly, "You're bit!"

"Come on mate," I sighed, "I just saw them."

The second now rose his gun, "Your bit and bleeding. You are a dead man, which means even if we wanted to let you in, we can't. Best be moving on now, or we'll have to shoot."

My eyes rolled, and I turned, "I'm going."

Whatever, I'd find another way in. This bite was problematic. Turning on my heels, I walked back into the trees. Darkness dotted in the corners of my eyes, and the pain in my arm was spreading as my body fought off the virus. My vision failed me and my legs gave out. When I blinked again, I was leaning against a tree, the gates and guards gone. I moaned softly, my arm already healed. It was dark now, nighttime. I turned my head, a light beside me and instantly my heart sank.

Beside me, was a rotten bastard.

Behind him, two men dressed in white, holding rifles.

"Oh fuck off," I groaned sitting up.

Fredrick smirked, "You thought you could run from us? We are the shadow men! We are the shadows!"

"Sure, sure," I sighed.

It was a surprise, that Maxwell had sent the likes of Fredrick after me. Disappointing really, I mean I knew he was in charge of taking the illicit back to the City of Ash or killing them, but this was just pathetic. I was Maxwell's most loyal and fierce dog. I deserved scarier men after me. So why send Fredrick and only two men?

Unless they weren't here for me.

"You're after her," I whispered.

Fredrick's grin grew, "So you saw her. So did I—she's a pretty thing."

His compliment was disgusting on his tongue. Anger rose inside me and I felt the urge to shatter his nose. But I held back, his men would shoot me on sight. There was no arguing that. They would kill me if it meant saving this ugly bastard.

"You can't just walk in and take her," I laughed, "they'll never accept that."

His grin didn't waiver, "I can and I will. Even if it means piece by piece. But Felix and Marianna won't mind, they're indebted to us after all. We allowed them to leave, we allowed them to live and thrive."

"Tell yourself that," I laughed, "Does it help pretend you're in control?"

His eyes narrowed, "Watch your tongue. You're breathing right now because Maxwell still has use for you. I want nothing more than to put a bullet through your head and watch as you die. But Maxwell wants you alive, for some reason, so you get to live."

"Lucky me," I snickered.

He slapped me across the face, palm open like a bitch that he was. My head snapped to one side, blood filling my mouth as my teeth dug into my tongue. I didn't care, the pain was nothing compared to the satisfaction of bugging the shit out of him. The man was too stupid to even realize he could kill me and tell Maxwell that he found me dead.

For a scientist he was a fucking idiot.

"Take him back to the City," Fredrick demanded, "I'll get the bitch myself."

Their hands grabbed me, I let them. I was in no position to fight back, nor would I try. They had all the power in this situation and for now, that was fine with me. It was time to go back to the city anyways. I knew I couldn't get near Marianna, not right now. I'd have to wait for the right moment.

Anger flared inside me, "Don't call her that."

He paused, "What does it mean to you? She's a dead bitch. Maxwell will get her, he'll peel off her skin like a carrot. Probe and prod at her until she screaming for death. Then he'll cut out her lungs, and if she's anything like the illicit then she'll heal. Over and over again."

"Fuck you," I snarled, "Don't touch her."

Fredrick laughed, "Why do you care so much?"

Because she was so much like me.

Because I didn't want her to become so much like me.

Because just like me, she was turned into a monster when she was just a damn child.

"Because she thinks she's alone," I whispered, "she thinks she can't trust anyone and yet she still fights. That fire in her eyes, that's what humanity looks like. She was taught not to trust people, she learned to trust zombies because they're more predictable."

And yet that fire in her eyes. It hadn't gone away like mine. She refused to let her flame die down, she refused to become snuffled out.