Forgetting the Apocalypse

7. Tastes like Chicken

Fredi's pov*

I'm so glad no one was around to see this. I just got a cramp that knocked my to my damn knees because of the sudden running and jumping I had to do because of the dogs. Thank god I chose not to head back to the gas station. No way was I going to be able to climb to the sky light and land right.

I should note however, I'm not exactly a spring chicken. I'm at least fifty years old. Ok I'm actually fifty one but whatever. Having said that, since the end of the world happened, I think I'm in the best shape of my life.

Which you kinda have to be if you need to be able to run. Sadly though I think a major factor is that I haven't had any beer, so my beer belly has significantly gone down. I'm not saying that I'm back down to my high school days but way better than when I was going to gym regularly.

I'm down to a limp just a bit, but I'm not too worried about it. Night is already here so I can slow down my pace and grateful for the breeze that's begun. The days are getting cooler but it's still too hot for my liking. Especially since it's been what, almost six months since we had to start traveling only by night.

Boy was that an adjustment.

I think more so than realizing zombies are no longer fictional. Guess we all owe those doomsday zombie slayers back in the day an apology, if any of them are actually alive. I mean I hope so. It'd be pretty dumb to have all that preparation and bunker and now it's going to waste because they're dead.

In the beginning, everyone was still trying to get by during the day. I think that really put a dent in the human population more than the initial wave did. By then, I could count on my hands how many survivors I've encountered but I couldn't tell you how long ago it was. Now you have a better chance of finding a good old English breakfast before you find another survivor.

Well son of a gun!

If I don't find some over easy eggs and bacon in the next house. Oh damn, she's aiming an arrow at me! "Easy there tigress. Not going to hurt you, just passing through. However, don't even think about doing anything funny. Tell you what, you put down your bow and I'll lower my gun. Sound good?"

She gives me a nod. Oh, thank god!

"I'm Alfredo. But you can call me Fredi. Everyone does, well at least they used to. What's your name?" I ask her.

I see her looking at my leg that I was trying to keep my weight off.

"Easy, easy..." reaching down, I roll up my pant leg all the way up to my thigh and turn all the way around so she can see it. "I'm not as young as I used to be. Had some feral dogs chase me last day, ended up getting a cramp." I give a little chuckle. Hoping she believes me. Last thing I want is to get shot over a wound I don't even have.

"I'm Mara. You going to be ok out here with that limp?" she asks.

Truthfully, I've dealt with worst but that was before. I don't want to slow her down. I don't need that on my hands in case the worst happens.

"I'll be fine tigress, excuse me, Mara. It was nice meeting you though. Survive as long as you can out here." I give her a little salute and now before I start walking again.

I hear her sigh deeply behind me.

"Wait... Ugh, don't make me regret this. C'mon, I think I saw some houses downhill. I think we can get to them before sunrise." Her statement immediately makes me laugh. "Oh, you'll probably regret it. I've been told I'm annoying and act like a child." I say giving her the biggest smile, showing all my teeth. She just rolls her eyes but doesn't comment.

She'll get used to me. That or she'll use me as bait. I really hope it's not the second one.

Halfway through the night I can't stand the silence anymore. "So Mara, headed anywhere in particular?"