Caught In The Crossfire//A 10k Story

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day outside, the sun was shining, the birds were tweeting and the Z's are roaming. I sighed and stepped outside into the chilling breeze, welcoming the refreshing feeling that flowed over my skin. I relaxed as the sun hit my skin, quickly being disrupted as I heard a low growl from my left. I tensed and swivelled around to greet the rotting shell of a human that was a good few feet away.

"Good morning stinky! Lovely day don't you agree?" I laughed at myself as I flung my arms up in the air gesturing the sun. Yes, I was definitely going crazy. The zed's vicious snarls increased as it got closer and I stepped towards it, plunging my machete into its soft skull. " I guess you don't care." It fell limp to the ground. I looked around, checking for any unwanted companions, and once I was satisfied I was alone, I started walking again.

I started walking up the road towards the grand city of New York. Today was a scouting day. I was walking along, slap bang in the middle of the road on the white markings, one foot in front of another humming a forgotten song to myself while watching my feet as the hit the ground. The road was well over due for a routine check, potholes littered it making one hell of a bumpy ride to any vehicle. That was if any vehicles drove down it.

The trees swayed slowly in the breeze as I walked. My plan was to scout out the thin cluster of building that appeared at the first junction on this road. I only every ventured on the outskirts of the city. Never further in, I reminded myself. Venturing too far in could lead to a tricky situation, more chance of being overrun. A deep grumble of an engine shook me from my thoughts.

Barrelling along the road, was a large black truck. "Shit," I mumbled to myself and I jogged to the side of the road, jumping down the steep embankment and scrambling up onto a low branch of a tree. The bark scratched at my hands and I brushed the leaves from my view of the road. My rifle was now in front of me and loaded as I focus the scope. I steadied my breathing. It could be a group of good-hearted survivors or it could be bandits. I wasn't taking any chances. People were just as dangerous as the damn zombies, if not more.

From my position, I could see four people in the cab and three squatted in the bed of the shinning pick up. Driving was a man, he had darkish brown hair and a kind face. Sat next to him was a dark skinned woman with long dark hair, her face looked a lot less welcoming. I couldn't quite see who was sat in the seats behind them, but in the cargo bed was a young woman with red hair and a happy smile on her face, a blonde haired young man wrapping his arm around her. I grinned to myself, at least people were still finding happiness in this world.

But the one who held my stare was a tall slim boy, his midnight black hair, which contrasted against his pale skin, blowing in the wind. Other than the basic features, I couldn't see much of his face. He was scanning the trees holding onto a large sniper. That gun looked impressive. And deadly.

The truck started to slowly stop as it approached where I was hiding. They must have seen my pathetic escape to the trees. "No, no, no, no, keep going," I muttered and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans one at a time. I had always dreamed of finding a group to ride out the end of the world with but now that they were here in real life, breathing humans in front of me, my fears and instincts kicked in. I wanted them to keep going but I also wanted them to stop. Was I scared because I hadn't seen people in so long? Maybe. Or was I terrified that they were bandits? Most likely the latter.

The truck pulled to a stop directly infront of the tree I was in. The man and women, who were sat in the front, climbed out and did some sort of hand signal to the others, presumably to tell them to stay put.

"Hello? We saw you walking down the road... alone. We just wanted to check that you're okay?" The man who was driving shouted scanning the trees with his eyes, his hand hovering over his holstered pistol.

My breathing hitched in my throat and I debated whether to reveal myself. The dark haired boy was also staring into the trees. I worried that he might see me seeing as my hair stood out like a sore thumb in the dark forest.
"We ain't gonna hurt you!" The dark women shouted, clearly weary of the situation. They shared a looks before raising their arms up in the air as a sign of peace.

"How do I know that?" I shouted back in a strong voice, stating that I wasn't scared. I had the upper hand here, I could see them but they couldn't see me.

The pair looked slightly shocked. The man made eye contact with the women. "You will just have to take our word for it. We would unarm ourselves but, as I'm sure you're aware, it would be a little dangerous." The man shouted with a smile still looking around for me.

Should I? Should I not? Yes I should, no I shouldn't, yes I should, I don't want to be alone anymore. It's now or never.

"Okay, I'm coming out!" I announced. They looked at each other cautiously before they lowered their arms, glancing over at the truck.

I jumped down the short distance from the tree, twigs snapping under my boots. As soon as my feet hit the ground everybody's eyes were on me. I slowly approached the two people stood on the road. The first two people I had seen in nearly 3 years, other then rapists and bandits in New York. It felt odd to see them, to speak to them.

I tried to hold my grin back but I couldn't. A huge smile spread across my face and I took a few steps closer to them. They returned the smile but also looked confused. "Sorry, you guys are the first people I've seen in a while," I apologetically mumbled, still smiling, and swung my rifle over my shoulder. These people seemed harmless enough but I kept the safety off in case a quick reach for the weapon was needed.

"I'm Roberta Warren and this is Charles Garnett. Hey, everybody come over," She shouted at the rest of them, her voice authoritative. She clearly had labeled me not a threat and thought I wouldn't harm them. I wasn't sure if they were trustworthy but they stopped to helped a stranger and that showed good intentions. Most people would have kept going or shot at me. Hence the hiding in the trees.

As they all trailed over, Warren started pointing and rounding off names in a quick manner. "This is Addy, Doc, Mac, Murphy, and our newest member 10k." She finished with the dark haired boy. The really attractive dark haired boy.

I could see his face now, and I was shocked. He had beautiful eyes that glinted in the early morning sun light, a slight bump on his nose and a strong jawline. Light freckles dotted his cheeks and faded lips that looked chapped and red. He had an intriguing aura.

I noticed how everyone, except Murphy and 10k, looked clean and well rested. That must mean had a camp near by with some form of water. Another good sign.

I looked up at him with shy eyes but he was already staring at me, mouth slightly agape.

"My name is Jaime," I said awkwardly, filling the silence with a little wave. I felt a little like a fish out of water surrounded my potential predators.

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First chapter. I started writing this a year ago so I promise it improves. I'm going to edit it, hopefully soon.

But PLEASE give it a chance, I swear you won't regret it :)