I smelt them before they appeared in front of me. The smell of rotten flesh was enough to make my eyes water. My skin crawled and I shuddered knowing I was so close to them but I knew if I stayed in my hiding spot and remained quiet, they shouldn't be able to find me. Shouldn't be the operative word. Not like the other time i got caught and almost had my arm ripped clean off and that wasn't the worst of it. The right side of my face was a mess. claw marks went from my eyebrow and went straight down to my chin. They never healed properly although, on the bright side, I looked badass.; like a warrior from ancient times before the fall.
I broke out of my train of thought when i heard glass shatter nearby. I became alert to a presence near where I was hiding. While i stayed crouched, I quickly grabbed my blade from my boot and held it close to my chest, getting ready to strike if I had no choice but to fight my way out. If I was going to die, I was going to go out like a warrior. Just like dad. While I was ready to fight, the ground suddenly began to shake. I had never felt this before. Something so new to me that it frightened me, causing me to whimper. Unknown to me, the creatures had left; screams could be heard I the distance as they got further away, trying to get away from whatever caused the rumbling in the earth. It didn't feel like an earthquake but I was so unsure at this point that I just wanted to escape and hide. Then as quick as it came, it was gone. Like it never happened. There was no noise. No birds, no wind. Nothing. That's what scared me the most.
My only alternative was to move on from my hiding spot. I had to get back to my hideout and rest, which wasn't too far. If I didn't move now, I wouldn't get home until sundown. Slowly moving out, still crouched to the ground, I observed the surroundings for any lingering creatures that could still be close but luckily, nothing was in the area. I stood up quietly and began to walk at a slow pace towards the uneven paths by the old city buildings. I imagined them standing tall as they did in ancient times before everything went bad. Beings fell from the sky, taking control of humanity, their minds and their bodies. Dad had found other survivors and kept on moving with them and they didn't look back. Soon the survivors were killed and split up to stay alive but dad remained. Hoping that someone would find their way here. Before he died, he told me to keep moving and never look back but i also remained. Just like my father before me.
As I found my way towards the edge of the city, I began a slow jog alongside the edge of the tree line, knowing I would get close to the entrance of my home base. I made my way to a small river and followed it and made it to a sewer line. There was a small crack in the foundation next to the wall that I was able to squeeze my body through. Fortunately, I was small enough to get through, so i was safe from anything big trying to get in.
Inside the tunnel, the darkness before me didn't bother me at all. Near the end, I turned down the right tunnel and stopped in a room that emitted a small glow; a small fire was still lit in the middle of the room near my blankets that were placed in a messy pile by the wall. I slipped off my boots and shook off my coat and messed with the blankets, laying them out, I warmed my hands and feet by the fire. I knew tomorrow I needed to go hunting. I just needed to rest.
With my bow steady in my hand, I aimed at the rabbit that was eating the weeds by one of the buildings that had fallen into ruins. I could see more nearby but this one was bigger than the rest. It would last longer than the others and I was so hungry. Drawing the bowstring back all the way, I steadied my breath and released the string when I was confident I could get it. I watched as the arrow hit home, piercing the rabbit in the neck and watched as the other ran in different directions to get away. I smile, triumphant that I had now caught my food for the next few days. I ran over quickly and snatched my prize, pulling out the arrow. At least it was a clean kill, I thought while tying the rabbit to my backpack. Today was lucky. I had got food and didn't see any infected today, which was amazing, to be honest. Maybe the hoard had moved on to the next city. That made sense but at the same time, I wasn't quite sure why they would suddenly all disappear. Usually, there were some stragglers left behind fighting to survive on their own however, this wasn't the case. They were all gone.
When I was satisfied that the rabbit was secure, I decided to scout the buildings for extra supplies I could use. I had already emptied most of the buildings but I knew it wouldn't hurt to do a bit more. Setting my sights on the big building on the other side of the town, I began to move, placing the bow on my back along with the bag, I hummed in contentment and with a smile on my face, My thought remained on the feast I was going to have later on tonight.
But as I continued my walk, I didn't sense the figures that lurked in the shadows watching me in the distance. Observing and soon to encounter.