[ February 14, 2025 ]

[ Rock Hill City ][ Southern District ]

It was night, in an alley between two company establishment. I was there leaning over a dumpster, i'm so tired, hungry and my wounds are stinging. I lose my hope that night, because the only person i'm trusting, died infront of me and in the hands of our comrades. They betrayed him...us who following his footsteps, he got betrayed by his only bestfriend. I'm not gonna forgive them, i hate them, i will kill them.

As the rain continue to pour down, an middle age man who's wearing a military coat, has a huge backpack full of supplies, and a sniper behind him. He was staring at the poor little girl who's no consciousness but holding the glock tightly.

"...poor kid...", he said with a smile.

He carry the little girl and walk away from the alley heading somewhere.

I feel warm, the stinging pain has no longer hurt. I don't know what happened but i felt someone was touching me, who? Did they find me!? I need to wake up...WAKE UP!!

The middle age man startled when she suddenly get up from the bed. His expression change to happy since he was glad that the little girl is fine, he stand up taking the porridge that he cook earlier.

"...here eat while its hot...but be careful..", he said with a smile and put down the—

—the little girl smack the bowl of porridge and it fell at the floor, the middle age man didn't say anything and just starea at the dirty porridge at the floor. She was staring at him with full of digust and anger, he also see the fear on her eyes.

"...you don't need to be scared little girl, i'm just helping you from your wounds...what happened to you?", he ask calmly and took some towels to clean the mess.

Why is he asking me!? Who the heck is this old dude!? He's being nice to me, why he will do that i'm just a stranger...how stupid is he, he shouldn't helping a stranger like me. He should left me behind.

The little girl is still not saying anything to the man, he think she experience something horrible and it traumatized the little girl. He put the towel at the sink, and start washing it with the remaining water.

"...its fine if yo—", he was about to say something but the little girl talk.

"...why...why you helping me?", the little girl said.

The middle age man smiles, and wipes his wet hand. He walk towards the little girl and sit besides her.

"...there's no reason for me to leave a child outside, especially our world turn apocalyptic...", he said with a warm smile.

This old dude, he was...he was

"I have no reason to left you there alone, you are just a kid, you deserve a better life...especially now that we are on a apocalyptic world...", a young man said with a bright smile.

He was same as Julian, they said the same thing after they save my life. I don't know know why but they seemed related to each other, i can feel it.

The little girl look away, it seems she was blushing a little. Although she was only 10 years old, she saw adults as cool peoples, since they can do everything and whatever they want. Suddenly, a weird noise heard by both of them, and it was coming on her belly, she blushes more but because of embarrassment.

"...aww, wait let me get you something to eat..", he said and stand up walking towards the kitchen.

In that day, i met the man who will change my life, physically and mentally. I was cold after my first group died infront of me, after that i never cried anymore. I met Julian after that incident, he took me and bring me at their safe camp. It was comfortable and lively in that place, like they didn't care about the apocalypse happening in our world. He teach me how to shoot, how to defend myself, and hpw to trust peoples. But i don't care about other peoples anymore, i'm done trusting anyone because they just gonna die and left me alone, the only person i trust and care is only Julian.

Julian is a 16 years old young man with a rugged yet kind demeanor. He has short, messy black hair streaked with gray, symbolizing his struggles in the harsh world of the zombie apocalypse. His piercing brown eyes show both vigilance and a deep sense of responsibility. A scar runs from his right eyebrow down to his cheek, a memento of his survival battles. Julian is resourceful and knowledgeable in treating injuries, making him a crucial figure in Lizbeth's survival. Despite his gruff exterior, he has a soft spot for Lizbeth, seeing her as the little sister he never had. He taught her survival skills such as using a weapon, scavenging, and identifying safe shelters. Julian is dressed in practical gear: a worn-out leather jacket, cargo pants, and sturdy boots. He always carries a first-aid kit and a modified crowbar, his weapon of choice. His philosophy of survival balances pragmatism with empathy, making him a reliable protector and mentor for Lizbeth in their perilous journey.

I owe my life to him, ever since that day i never leave her side even if he goes for scavenging. Everyone is seeing us as couple even i'm more younger than him few years. Julian has a joyful and kind yet strict leader of the 'Black Wolves' group. Alongside his bestfriend Raven, they lead the group together after the former leader got kick out for killing some comrades. One day has comes, and it wss terrible for him. Scarlett, Julian's girlfriend disappear out of nowhere and never find anymore. I know what he felt that day, i lost everyone on my life too, my parents, my big brother, and my first group who took care of me for few days. I comfort her that day, and luckily it makes him calm for some reason, but i know he didn't. I can see it on his eyes, he was never gonna be fine after that.

"Julian, you better die right now...", Raven said while pointing his gun on his head.

"...i knew it, your the one who killed Ms. Alexandria", Julian said with his eyes full of stress.

I was in there, hiding behind a barrel, listening to their conversation. I have confidence that Julian will win at him without any ease, but i was wrong Julian didn't do anything but to smile on his bestfriend...even he got betrayed. After that i tried to run away from the safe camp, but Raven found me and order his men to follow me and bring my head to him. I run, and run from the Black Wolves, but whatever hide i did they keep finding me. Until i fell on a nearby dumpster, luckily they didn't find me instead this old dude found me.

The little girl watch the man cooking another porridge for her, she doesn't want to trust thr old man but she's not in the condition to fight him. She just stay silent and look around the house, it was cozy and like a normal house before the apocalypse. The old dude walk towards the room to bring the porridge when suddenly, a group of infecteds burst in inside of the house, causing the old dude to throw the porridge at them.

"Hide now!!!", he said to the little girl.

He took his baseball bat and smash the infected's head at the wall, blood splattered. The old dude has a body of a military captain, it was huge and full of muscles. He have white beards and hair who well fixed, and waxed upward. He gripped his bat so tight and swing it towards the two infecteds coming towards the door, he sent them away, destroying the window and attracting more infecteds.

"He protecting me? Why he will do that...i'm just a child and he can just leave me here like what the others gonna do...", she mumbles while hiding besides the bed.

That night, while i was watching him fighting the group of infecteds, i can see the determination on his eyes to protect a child like me, and to save both of us. I can't believe that i'm gonna met another man that will sacrifice his life just for a child like me.

He swung the bat, cracking the skull of the infected. The creature crumpled to the floor, but two more took its place. He backed into the living room, positioning himself between the girl and the advancing horde. Another infected lunged at him. He ducked, then brought the bat upward, smashing its jaw with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across the room, but he couldn't stop. One infected grabbed his arm. He slammed his elbow into its face, then swung the bat, taking it down with a single blow. But more kept coming. He could hear the girl whimpering behind him, her soft voice pushing him to fight harder.

A sharp pain shot through his leg as one infected grabbed it using its sharp looking nails, but he roared in defiance. He spun, using all his strength to smash the bat into its head. It collapsed, but his leg was bleeding. He moved to the stairs, using the narrow space to limit how many could attack at once. The infected clawed and climbed over each other, desperate to reach him. He swung the bat wildly, breaking bones and crushing skulls. Each hit sent shocks through his arms, but he didn't care. His only thought was to protect the girl. Finally, the last infected fell. The house was silent, except for the sound of his heavy breathing. He dropped the bat, bloodied and dented, and staggered to the girl.

"...finally...its done..shit my leg..", he said and take a look on his legs.

"...looks mini wound...i'll be fine..", he added too.

He stand up, but he was shock when an infected was standing infront of the door, without doing anything. The middle age man was trembling for some reason, he doesn't know why but it scares him so much. The infected stood taller than the others, its grotesque form twisted beyond recognition. Its skin, once human, was now stretched tight and translucent, showing veins pulsing with a sickly green fluid. Patches of flesh hung loosely, exposing raw muscle and bone beneath. Its head was misshapen, the jaw unhinged and extended far too wide, filled with jagged, yellow teeth. A constant gurgling growl escaped its throat, a chilling reminder of its unrelenting hunger.

"What the heck!? What's up with its appearance!?", he whispers.

Its eyes were the most horrifying feature—bulging and bloodshot, yet somehow lifeless, like they stared right through you. Blackened fingers ended in claw-like nails, sharp and caked with dried blood. The infected's body moved in unnatural, jerky motions, its spine arching grotesquely with every step. Thick, slimy drool dripped from its mouth, leaving a trail as it shambled forward. The smell it carried was overwhelming, a mix of decay and something foul that clung to the air. But it wasn't just its appearance—it was the way it moved. Unlike others, this infected didn't stumble mindlessly. It cocked its head as if it was listening, then charged with terrifying speed, letting out a high-pitched shriek that could freeze anyone in their tracks. As it neared, you'd notice its ribs jutting out unnaturally, as if ready to pierce its prey. This wasn't just an infected—it was a nightmare, a predator made to hunt and terrify. A creature no one could forget after seeing it, even in the safety of their dreams.

"...shit..LITTLE GIRL RU—", he screams but something happens.

The terrifying creatures rush in extreme speed and tackled him, crashing in wall.