I now sat in a tent-like building that reminded me of a top circus tent mixed with an army base. I remember when I was younger mom and dad took me every year to see the circus. I had always been jealous of the acrobats.
The base itself was very lively with enough people that it seemed like no one noticed me. That thought was completely wrong as a tall, bulky man with dark hair and hard eyes seemed to stalk over to me. I could feel arrogance roll off him in waves as he seemed to play dress up as some high-ranking army man.
He wore dark green pants, and heavy combat boots, with a black tank. Not to mention the number of knives and guns strapped to him he looked like a kid playing dress up as G.I. Joe. I cracked up at that reference.
As he got closer I wasn't even mildly surprised to see Jaxon at his side, walking quite calmly however, I could tell by his stiff shoulders the walk was all an act. He was just constantly on edge, wasn't he?
"What's your name?" The man demanded as he reached the metal cot I sat on.
Despite only sitting in my bra and panties I refused to let my chin sink lower than my nose. I knew they originally stripped me to do a full health check-up however, I now sensed this man took advantage of that as a bullying scheme.
"And you are?" I merely asked back pulling a tone of mockery and curiosity.
"Donovan. I'm the general around here – I - have to say overall visitors and suspicious activity. You are highly suspicious," he replied, not having any shame in letting his eyes rake over my body.
Gross.
"Lily. Why am I deemed suspicious?" I replied not at all bothered.
I had years of being surrounded by zoms, not to mention the people I came across were never good people. Not until Cameron and Max. I still wasn't sure of Jaxon but it seemed he wasn't much different than this idiot.
"A little girl like you all alone around muchin' dead people? I don't buy it. What's your story," Donovan purred leaning into my face so his breath waft my nostrils.
My eyes narrowed and I leaned back in disgust. Not only did he seem like a total tool but it also seemed like this so-called general liked his rum on the job. I couldn't help but glance over at Jaxon who glanced at Donovan with an unreadable expression.
I kept my tone nonchalant as I spoke, "My father died a little back. I was on my own when Max and Cameron found me."
"Why'd he die?"
"That's not your business," I snapped back.
His hand moved so fast I barely blinked as his tight grasp caught hold of my shoulder. I couldn't help but wince as his fingers dug into my skin but I held my gaze strong.
"Everything in and out of that gate is my damn business you little bitch," he snarled, spit hitting my face.
My face flinched back with disgust but other than that I struggled to hold no reaction. In truth, I wasn't afraid of him. He disgusted me but other than that all I saw was an idiot playing dress up to a man who was given power he wasn't meant to have.
"Don, back off. She explained it to me," Jaxon spoke smoothly.
My eyes widened as the man who I thought hated me lied for me. Donovan snorted before letting me go. I stayed silent as he looked over at Jaxon, suddenly friendlier. Looking between them I did notice they did seem to be friends.
"Alright, I'll back off. Lemme know how good she is once you pound her good," Donovan laughed darkly before walking off.
My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to figure out why Donovan thought Jaxon would beat me. With a brief wave of fear, I wondered if Jaxon was known for that. The remaining man looked over at me before slipping off his coat. I yelped slightly as his hand moved towards me.
"Relax, you're not my type," he replied almost amused.
I realized his outstretched hand offered his coat and my face heated up at his words. I took the coat and he too walked away. Should I have been glad I wasn't his type to beat? But then, it would be strange for him to have a type of woman to beat. Unless.
My jaw dropped as I realized what he meant. He didn't mean abuse he meant sex!
"Hello?" The deep voice jolted me out of my thoughts and I looked up to meet a pair of warm dark brown eyes - they reminded me of Max and judging by the man's coat I'd guess this was his father.
"Hello," I murmured back, watching him with caution.
He looked friendly enough and very clean. His skin was darker than his son's, with soft curly hair and wrinkles pressing on his face with age. If my father was alive still, no doubt they would be nearly the same age. A pang in my heart reminded me of the reality around me.
"I heard your name was Mira. It's nice to meet you, I am Doctor Grayson Brown but you can just call me Ray," he winked warmly at me, "Max told me you were sick? I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something serious."
Instantly I opened my mouth annoyed, "I was fucking checked already I'm not bit."
His eyes widened at my hostile change then raised his hands in defense and gave me a gentle smile. Like he was trying to calm a wild beast. My lips twitched in amusement, to these people I could be a wild beast.
"I didn't mean it that way, I just want to make sure you didn't have hypothermia," he spoke softly.
Sagging my shoulders I nodded. And silently he began the check-up - feeling my forehead with the back of his hand, checking my pulse, and asking me a few questions about dizziness, nausea, confusion, and such.
He nodded patiently listening to my responses, then leaned back once his questions were done. I noted Cameron had entered the tent and was now talking with some soldier woman. Ray cleared his throat softly, turning my attention back to him.
"Sorry, you can go in a few seconds. I just want to let you know I don't think you have hypothermia; you do however have a slight fever and I would recommend getting something warm to eat and some rest. I'm sure Ms. Rosenfeld would like to meet you as well and figure out your situation," he said cheerfully.
I looked at him blankly.
"Alma Rosenfeld is our town's mayor."
My eyes grew in size, a woman the mayor of this town? Instantly I realized she must be a strong woman, with a taste for bloodshed. No doubt I would have to be careful when I came across her. Wiping emotions from my face, I nodded as Cameron made his way over to us with a large, goofy smile on his face.
"Lily! I have come to save you, and to give you a tour of the town," he chirped, shaking hands briefly with Ray.
My eyes narrowed as they did some strange hang shake. What the fuck was I watching?
"Make sure she meets Alma first," Ray told him before departing, leaving just the two of us.
Cameron froze, then looked over at me and nodded. This only hyphened my anxiety, to a point where I realized I was still almost nude and stumbled to throw on my clothing. Despite them being grimy and dirty it was merely how I lived for a while. It hadn't bugged me until this point when I realized I looked horrid compared to these people.
"Wait," Cameron told me. causing me to pause from pulling up my pants.
I noticed his face blushing slightly, and he purposely turned his face away. The woman he had been talking to before - now walked over with a hard look on her face. Wordlessly she thrust a bag into his hands, sending me a glare then turned to leave. She wasn't the warmest girl around. Not to mention her rough short black hair, made me never want short hair again.
"Thanks, Selena," Cameron called after her, apparently obvious to her attitude.
I, however, would happily take her out of town and show her what a world outside her little fucking bubble was like. Instead, I bit my tongue and Cameron put the bag near my feet.
"There's clean clothing in there but if you prefer your clothing that's okay too. I'll wait outside for you," he chipped then turned to leave.
I didn't comment. merely rolling my eyes and watching as he acted like we were the only ones in this tent. I reminded myself that eyes were all around me which convinced me to open the bag. And at that moment, I decided that I hated that Selena girl. Instead of pants, I could move in, or a loose shirt that I could fight in I stared at a skimpy black crop top and a pair of high waist fucking gold booty shorts. Gold!
"I hope they fit," I heard someone snark.
I spun to see the bitch herself sitting on the cot with her legs crossed, and the grin on her face only made her look ugly. I shivered slightly and held my head high.
"They're fine. I'm shocked such clothing could be found but I am assuming the whore of the town like yourself finding clothes like these wouldn't be an issue."
And with her jaw-dropping, I merely pulled the tight clothing on. In truth, I was fucking shocked clothing as this existed in this hell of a world. However, if she wanted a fight, I would not dare to back down.
"Listen you cunt," she began as soon as I finished dressing and turned to leave.
Her mistake wasn't in her words but in the fingers wrapped around my arm. Despite the clothing I moved, spinning to shove her back onto the cot, and my hand instantly found her throat. People moved slower than the dead outside, that was for sure.
"No, you listen, don't you dare threaten me or I will make you beg for the dead to rip you apart," I snarled.
She stared up at me, with blue eyes as wide as a wild deer in the sight of a zom. I also took the blush on her face as a sign that she was embarrassed. And that was good enough for me, I let go and without any more words to degrade the horrid girl I left the tent - eyes burned my back watching me as I went.
I stumbled out the tent door, almost falling flat onto my ass when hands reached out to catch me, relieved by Cameron's quick hands.
"Thanks, blondie," I sighed.
"No problem kitten."
My eyes widened; that was not Cameron.