I could hear that nauseating low choking gurgle they all seemed to make. Before I even realized it, I found myself gripping onto his shirt out of fear. I could still smell the rancid blood and rotten flesh of the other one that was dead a few feet away. It was cold out but the heat coming off his body countered that. “They probably heard us, guess there’s probably a hoard nearby. These must be some stragglers.” He reached down, not even needing to bend his knees to pick up the axe.

He seemed unbothered by me gripping onto him. I realized in that moment that he wasn’t gripping onto my shirt anymore. I could just run for it… But if he’s right and there's a hoard nearby, I don’t want to risk running into that. I should just stick to the original plan and use him to get somewhere safe for now. Thunk. The sound of more bone splintering. I turned around, it was still dark but the sky was a few shades lighter than before, the sun was going to come up soon. On the ground was the other undead that had just met its final fate. The axe sticking straight up out of its head. Jesus, it’s at least fifteen metres away. He hit it right in the middle of its skull anyway though. I loosened my grip on his shirt, the threat was dead now anyway. 

“Stay put, I need to get my axe.” He walked past me and walked over in the direction of his axe. I just kind of stood there, watching him go over to retrieve it. The sky was getting lighter, it was getting easier to see the separation of the trees from the sky. I let out a breath. I hadn’t seen another person in months, ever since things really got bad. Just my luck that it would be someone like this. At least I can use him I guess, though him being so much stronger than me is both a good and bad thing. He can protect me with that strength but, he can also use it to prevent me from getting away.

A small wind rustled the leaves, pushing my hair into my eyes. I shook my head to move it, it had gotten long again. I keep cutting it whenever it gets annoying, but I hadn’t done it recently, so now it was covering my eyes mostly, and poking at the nape of my neck. My scissors were still inside my tent. I wonder if he’s going to ask me to pack or… I don’t know what. I felt awkward just standing there, waiting for him. I bit my lip, realising how obedient I was being. That annoyed me. “So what’s your name anyway, huh?” I blinked, watching him get closer with his axe in hand, blood dripping off of it as he did. Right, we didn’t know each other's name. I opened my mouth, but didn’t say anything before closing it again. It should be fine right? Just my first name doesn't say much. 

“Xiao.” I finally say, just as he reaches me. I found myself looking up at him. Geez, this guy really is tall. What is he? Like 7 feet or something? That’s an exaggeration, but he’s got to be at least 6 foot. He smirked.

“Huh, cute name.” My eye twitched, I didn’t say anything though and just clenched my jaw. “Haha what a scary face, you don’t say much but you sure do seem to have a lot going on in here huh?” He taped my forehead with his knuckle. I didn’t respond. “You can call me Jay.” So, that’s his name. The way he said it though, is that really his name, or just a nickname? Whatever, I guess it doesn't really matter. “Well Xiao,” Huh, he pronounced it right. “pack your stuff, it’s a long walk to where we’re headed.”

“Where are we headed?” I didn’t know what his plan was other than selling me at some point.

“Trading post of course, gotta see if there’s anyone with worthwhile reward that’ll like someone like you.” Well, I guess that’s to be expected, that is why he didn’t just steal my food and leave me to die after all.

“What if there isn’t anyone like that? What kind of reward are you expecting anyway?” I bit my lip, ah I let myself voice some of my agitated feelings a bit too easily there. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of his axe. It didn’t seem like he noticed though, or maybe he didn’t care. 

“Well there’s lot’s of trading posts around so it’s only a matter of time.” Conveniently he didn’t answer my second question, I wonder if he’s looking for a specific kind of reward? It’s not like money is of much worth anymore, most people are trading for food, clothing, general supplies. I don’t really know what kind of supplies he could be wanting. Plus if he thinks I’m worth a lot, what high priced items is he even wanting? Medication? Just a shit tone of food maybe? I feel a knuckle knock against my forehead again. “Oi, scrawny, get your shit and let's go. I don’t plan to stick around and wait for too many more of em to smell a meal.” He swung his axe up and rested it on his shoulder, flinging blood past me as he does so. Geez, he needs to watch where he swings that thing.

“Yeah, ok.” I turn around and head back into my tent. I take a moment and sigh, looking at all my things  that had so comfortably found their place for the past few months. I did get too comfortable. I ended up treating this like any other camping trip, I practically forgot about the outside world. It was just so easy to forage and fish, plus with water from the nearby river I was all set. I felt like I could live out the next few years here and be just fine. You know, just wait it out until a vaccine was made and the government could get mobilized again.

I saw my gloves with the fingers cut off shoved in the corner where I had left them. I slipped them on, ensuring that my scar was hidden. I know it’s too late at this point but, with someone around it still feels like being naked without it hidden. I went back to packing away my stuff, as I was rolling up my sleeping bag I noticed blood. I paused, before remembering that, right, he stuck his bloody axe in my tent to threaten me. That’s going to be impossible to get out. I continued packing my things. I didn’t realize how much stuff I had accumulated in here. I guess it had been my home for the past few months so it’s not that surprising.

By the time I had packed everything away the sun was already half up past the horizon, casting long warm rays past the trees. Jay was sitting on a long nearby, he had his axe in his lap and was running a pumice stone over the edge of the blade to sharpen it. Next to him was a blood stained rag. His axe was clean. I guess he at least seems to know how to take care of his tools. My bag was heavy on my back but I still had to pack away the tent. I placed it down before I started dismantling the tent.

“So how’d you find this place anyway, looks like you’ve been here for a while right?” I heard Jay ask from behind me. I continued to dismantle the tent. “Oi, I know you heard me.” I sighed.

“It’s a camping spot I came to a long time ago.” I kept it short, it wasn’t a lie anyway so I still answered his question.

“I mean ok but, this place isn’t written on any modern maps. I had to find one from the 60’s to find this place.” God this guy… I bit my lip and just kept on with my task.

“So why did you come here if you thought it would be ab…” Oh, duh, the same reason I came here. Exactly because it was abandoned, but also has stuff like an outhouse and a dock to fish from on the river.

“Figured it out huh?” He was making fun of me.

“Yeah well, I guess it just seems like you’re looking for something other than a safe place to live out the rest of your days.” I heard him hum in response. 

“Haven’t decided yet.” I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t.

“Haven’t decided what?”

“Haven’t decided.” God, he’s irritating. I didn’t even bother rolling my eyes, not like he could see my face right now anyway.

“Whatever.” I mumbled under my breath. I finished taking down the tent and packed it away in my bag. It was a proper hiking bag so it was huge once it was fully packed. I went to lift it over my shoulder but before I could Jay snatched it from me and swung it over his own shoulder. “What are you…”

“Can’t let you have everything you need to just run off on me now can I?” Oh, I see, so that was his plan. Make me pack everything that’s important to me and then keep it hostage. I just sighed. Whatever, at least I don’t have to carry it I guess. It’s heavy as hell. Granted you wouldn't know that by looking at how easily Jay seemed to carry it. 

“I mean… I could still just, run at any moment…” Now why, the hell, did I go and say that. He cocked an eyebrow and smirked. Luckily he seemed to find the question amusing. Wait, actually that’s irritating, it’s better than him being pissed but…

“Sure, but you wouldn't get far.” He took the bag off his shoulder and placed it down next to him. “Why? You think you can outrun me?” He looked giddy at the idea of it, sending a shiver down my spine. He’s out of his mind. “Well? I’m not stopping you.” I blinked. 

“I… I was just curious… not like I was really going to do it or anything…” He chuckled and grabbed the bag back off the ground, swinging it back over his shoulder. 

“Good boy. Now, let’s get out of here.” My jaw clenched, he needs to stop saying shit like that. 

We headed out of the forest, he wasn’t looking at a map or a compass of any kind so I had no idea how the hell he knew where he was going. Every onece in a while he would just stop for a second and look for… I don’t know what, before turning one direction or another. Eventually I could see that the tree line was ending up ahead. So he really did know where he was going. This wasn't the direction I came from to get to the campsite initially, so I was starting to wonder if he really knew where he was going. We climbed up a slight ledge before finally reaching the edge of the forest. I stood up and dusted off my sweatpants from the dirt before looking up. A sense of dread washed over me.