Rebeccah sighed as she continued to move down the highway median. The wind carried a dread silence, something that she had heard for almost six hours now. It had been staggeringly quiet. And it unnervered her...but calmed her at the same time. She couldn't hear anything; no birds, no cars motors running, no footsteps, and no moans. She sighed, and began to talk quietly to herself. "Cheer up, Rebby. No point in being as quiet as a ghoul sneaking through the night." She said with a light chuckle, before looking to a sign. An off-ramp was half a mile away; she could see it in the distance if she looked. She checked her watch. It was already five in the afternoon?

"Off ramp it is, then." She affirmed in herself as she picked her pace up a little. "Rather not be out at night..." She said quietly. As she moved towards the off ramp, she pulled her rifle off of her back, and slowly and cautiously began to decend to the small pike. There were a few fast food joints, a quick-stop gas station, and a mini-mart. She looking around, she didn't see any undead. In fact, her whole way here she had only seen a few infected. She didn't want to shoot and attract them to her like a beacon. She knelt down beside a car, and looked through her scope, scouting out the little places further. She could now see a few zombies inside the buildings, but nothing she was afraid of. She'd already seen a few on her way up here.

"M'kay...I've got...five places to pick from for my sleeping place, and I've still got to check them for supplies... and just under three hours to do it. Gives me about thirty minutes in each place, and then thirty to set up my sleeping arrangements." She said to herself. She would begin to make her way to the closest building: the gas station...

Ed jolted from a sound sleep and sprang to his feet. He scanned the dark room to make sure no Stiffs had made it inside. All was still quiet on the Western Front, the barricade had done its job. He let out a sigh of relief - It was just a bad dream. He took a seat on an old crate and removed his pistol from his holster. The once shiny revolver had seen a lot of action since all this started. It had become dull and listless and Ed thought it was fitting to have such a worn out piece. In the last few days, his hope had slowly started to dissipate. When he first arrived in the area, he had been with another survivor named Desmond. He wasn't a friend, but Ed had come to enjoy the company. He remembered the screams. He had been searching for supplies in a looted shop when Des called out from the other room. By the time he reached him though, several infected were already chewing on his organs. Instead of fighting, Ed bolted for a nearby gas station and quickly blocked the doors. He had been there ever since.

The pressure of surviving was starting to get to him. He could slowly feel himself slipping into madness. Being alone for days, with only the moans of the undead as your company can do that to you. He flicked open the cylinder of his gun and peered down at his few remaining bullets. The only other weapon he had was his trusty claw hammer, but it wouldn't be enough to hold off the infected. It was clear what had to be done. He clicked close the cylinder and slowly raised the gun up to his temple. The cold steel burned his skin. He took a deep breath, and just as he was about to squeeze the trigger, he was stopped by a sound outside.

He paused, listening carefully to the tap of boots on concrete. Maggot Brains couldn't make footsteps like that. It was a human! He made his way to the door and peered out through the boards. At first, Ed was sure he was looking at a solider - Some tough ass army jock jacked up on roids. However, as the survivor neared the gas station, they took a moment to remove their hat and wipe sweat from their brow, revealing beautiful blonde hair. Edwards was shocked - It was a woman! As she checked her rifle, a big son of a bitch that made his revolver look like a toy, he slowly backed away from the door. Was she a solider? Hell, Ed had heard stories from other survivors about soldiers opening fire without warning, so even if this was one of Uncle Sam's finest, he didn't feel much safer. He sighed and returned to the door. There wasn't many other options. A few moments ago, he was ready to shoot himself. She was close enough now, she would hear him. Kowalski cleared his throat and spoke the first few words that popped into his head - "I'm not infected".

As Rebeccah neared the gas station, she had felt something wrong. It was unatural. The large glass windows had been barricaded... She let her rifle from her hand, pushing it behind her, and switching to her smaller pistol. Replacing her hat on her head, she cautiously neared the glass doors, which too had been barricaded. She tried to glance inside, when suddenly, a soft voice called to her.

"I'm not infected".

Rebeccah jumped like a child at the voice, clearly not expecting anyone to talk to her through the barricade. She must've not seen him. She sighed heavily, and placed a hand over her chest. "Jeeesus...way to scare the bejeebus outta me!" She fussed quietly, but at the same time playfully. It was obvious she was glad to meet someone that wasn't trying to bite her face off. "Hey, uh, listen, I don't suppose you could clear the doorway, and let me in, huh? You haven't shot me and taken my things yet, so you couldn't be one of those people that go around and raid other survivalists." She asked softly, her her jolting to look behind her, seeing no zombies in the immediate area. "And hurry, if you don't mind. I'd rather not be deadhead food..." She muttered, keeping a hand on her pistol.

Ed was more than happy to let her in and began removing the wooden planks with his hammer. When the doorway was clear, he stepped back and allowed the young woman to enter. "Um... I got some food and water over there if you need it" He stated, returning to the door to restore the barricade. As he hammered, he noticed she was staring at him. "I'm Edward Kowalski. You can call me Ed or Kowalski or whatever ya want really. I'm not picky" He called over his shoulder to her.

Slowly, the door was unbarricaded, and Rebeccah was let in. Once inside, she would help the man refortify their safehouse. He offered his supplies. Sweet. "Thanks. But I'm alright right now.... And I'm Rebeccah Lancere. You can can call me Rebeccah, or what my friends used to call me; Rebel or Rebby." She said, smirking. "Nice to meet you, Eddy." She said with a smirk, as if she had known the man for a long time. Once their job of refortification was complete, she would let out a tired sigh, plopping herself down on the front counter, looking around the dark store. "How long you been cooped up here, Ed?" She asked, turning her head back towards him, pulling her goggles away from her eyes.

Ed made his way behind the counter and fumbled through his pack. Finally he emerged with a bottle of water, took a drink and leaned against the counter. "I think I've been here about... A week now? I don't really know. The days have kinda merged together. Hard to keep track of em" He said softly and took another sip from the bottle. "You a solider, Reb?" Ed asked, motioning to the bolt action. "If you aren't, you missed a good chance" He chuckled.

"A week?" Rebeccah asked, looking up at him. "Sheesh, that's a while.... I assume you've already checked out all the stores and whatnot around here, huh?" She asked, watching as the man retrieved a water bottle, and began to drink. She had stopped for 'lunch' about three hours ago, and really wasn't too hungry. The power-deficent store was cozy, and gave her a sense of security. She would stand up, and remove the hat from her head, and sit it down on the counter, followed by her goggles. "Well...I guess I'm spending the night here, then. No point in separating just to live a few minutes walk away, right?" She asked grinning at him. "This place has a backroom right? Or at least bathrooms?" She would ask, as she idly walked around the place.

Edward watched as Rebby searched the area. Having her here made him feel normal again, so of course he didn't want her to leave. "Yes!" He said in a loud, excitedly cracked voice. She smiled at him and continued to look around. He cleared his throat and tried again to answer, this time not sounding like a 12 year old boy. "Yes. There are bathrooms and a backroom. I've been sleeping back there, but you're more than welcome to take it tonight. Staying out here in the front of the store could be dangerous if those things get in. I slept through most of the day anyway, so I'll just stand guard tonight." Ed said calmly. He made his way to one of the shelves and picked up a stick of deodorant. "There's soap and stuff, so if you want to use the bathroom to wash up, you can... Not that you smell or anything!" He laughed. Ed scratched his beard and smiled. "I guess you can tell I don't get out much, huh? Never been a smooth talker, especially with woman" Ed joked.

It was blind. I knew that much. Watching the zombie sniff out the air, it tilted its head toward me.

Oh shit.

I slowly backed out of the alleyway, Why I chose to go this way, I had no clue. Glancing over my shoulder from time to time to make sure I didn't slam into the wall or any trashcans, I crept toward what I thought was the exit that led to the main road, not taking my eyes off the ugly bastard for a second.
Then the worst thing happened.

Moving my right foot back, I kicked a glass bottle. It skidded along the pavement then came to a stop a few feet away.

I held my breath and froze. The world seemed to slow down for a moment. The zombie moved its disease infested eyes at me, Opening its mouth, It showed off its rotten and decayed teeth and bleeding gums. Then everything snapped back into place. Turning around, I ran into a dead run. The zombie let out a blood curdling sound that made my insides churn.
Spotting a opening, I ran faster. But my legs wouldn't carry me fast enough. I heard it fall.
Taking this time for advantage, I spun around and fumbled with my gun.
It's blinded eyes searched wildly for me.
Lifting my gun, I clicked off the Safety and shot. The sound echoed off the walls and I listened as the birds cried and flew. For a second I thought I missed, but the things knees buckled and it fell. I watched the dark liquid trickle down its forhead. I let out a sigh of relief and ran out of the Alleyway immediatly.
knowing the things, they would have that alleyway surrounded in about five minutes. But I'd be out in One.

And I'd make sure I was far, Far away, by the time that happened.

Rebeccah smiled at Edward. "Hah. Thanks. I probably will after a while. The plumbing still works? I thought that since the electricity was out, the water would be too..." She said. "I might wash up after a while. Dispite how this thing looks, it's actually not all that hot." She would say, letting her backpack down next to the backroom door. She would return to the counter. "That's okay. I understand what you mean." She said with a giggle. "And frankly, if you told me I smelt, I might not care. Smelling is the least of my worries..." She said lightly. Again, sitting on the counter, facing him. "It's been a long time since I've seen anyone Eddy. It's great to have company again." She said with a caring smile.

Her head shot up, thinking she heard gunfire. She might've been wrong...but she couldn't be too cautious.... But she returned to focus. "Oh. To awnser your question from earlier, I only wish I was in the Army. I'm solo right now. But if this thing ever blows over and we solve it, I'm definitely getting in." She said with a grin.