As Dane stood up, gathering the supplies they'd scavenged and stuffing them into a bag, Kade sat up, rubbing his head in confusion. "What the hell happened to me? Why was I sleepin' here?" he muttered, shaking off the fog of his impromptu nap.
Dane shot him a mocking glance, unable to resist a jab. "Do you really want to know? You passed out after chugging that whiskey like it was water. Some Marine Commando, huh? I didn't know being a professional drunk was part of the job description."
Kade grumbled, clearly still out of it, but hauled himself up, grabbing his gun. "Hey, hey… I wasn't that bad."
Dane raised an eyebrow. "You were snoring like a bear in hibernation. I'm pretty sure the zombies almost left us alone just because they thought you were one of them."
Kade shot him a look, but couldn't suppress a grin. "Yeah, well, it's called 'resting strategy.'"
Dane chuckled, shaking his head, then grabbed his ax, feeling its weight in his hand as they both prepared to leave. As they approached the back door, Kade got serious again. "Alright, listen. When we get out there, don't think of 'em as people. One bite and you're one of 'em. They're not human anymore, got it?"
Dane nodded, though his grip on the ax tightened. "Got it. Don't worry. I won't hesitate."
Kade led the way to the back gate, moving with surprising stealth despite his earlier stupor. He cracked the door open a sliver, just enough to peek through. After scanning the alleyway, he pulled his head back in, whispering, "The coast's clear… for now."
He slowly opened the door wider, motioning for Dane to follow. "Just remember—stay alert. Anything could happen out there. Anything."
As they slipped outside, Dane couldn't help but mutter, "Yeah, like you suddenly getting sober."
Kade smirked. "Miracles happen in the apocalypse, kid."
Kade Mercer glanced around the dark, decaying street, his eyes scanning every shadow. "Alright, Dane, attach your back to mine. That way, we've got both sides covered. We'll be safer this way."
Dane hesitated for a moment but did as Kade instructed, pressing his back against Kade's, gripping the ax tightly in his hands as they began to shuffle forward, step by cautious step. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, every sound amplified by their fear.
Trying to break the tension, Kade spoke, his voice cracking slightly but with a forced casualness, "Hey, Dane, you ever think about singing? I bet you could hit a mean high note."
Dane shot Kade a disbelieving glare, his whisper tinged with anger, "Are you serious? This is not the time to ask about singing!"
Kade chuckled softly, a grin forming beneath his scruffy beard. "Just tryin' to lighten the mood, kid. Calm those nerves."
But something felt off. Kade realized he couldn't feel Dane's back pressed against his anymore. He muttered, his voice dropping, "Hey… stay close, alright? What are you doing?" He didn't hear a response. Alarmed, Kade slowly turned his head to glance over his shoulder—and his heart skipped a beat.
Dane had stopped dead in his tracks, frozen in place. His legs were trembling violently, his knuckles white as they gripped the ax. Fear had him locked in place. Kade's playful tone disappeared, replaced by frustration and a sharp urgency. He grabbed Dane by the shoulder and shook him roughly. "What the hell are you doing? Why'd you stop? What's got you so damn scared?!"
Dane didn't say a word, just raised a shaky finger, pointing straight ahead.
Kade followed the line of Dane's finger, his own breath catching in his throat as his eyes locked onto what lay before them.