A month had passed since the world fell apart, since Lena Solis had to learn how to survive on her own. She moved quietly through the overgrown streets, her katana ready as she approached a small house. The windows were broken, the front door slightly ajar. Perfect for scavenging.

As Lena peered inside, the smell of rot hit her instantly. There were two walkers, once a man and a woman, they were probably married. Lena wondered what their lives were like before this all. Her attention was called back to the moment as she heard them shuffling aimlessly in the living room. With some hesitation, Lena moved swiftly, her katana slicing cleanly through their skulls. She would never get used to the killing. The room fell silent again, except for a faint muffled sound. Is someone crying? Lena thought.

Lena followed the sound to a door locked from the outside. A confused yet saddening expression on her face, she unlocked it and cautiously pushed it open. Inside, a malnourished girl, was curled up on the floor, tears streaming down her face. She looked up at Lena, her body trembling as she struggled to stand. Lena's voice was soft, "Let me help you." She stepped forward to support her.

   The girl wobbled on her feet before suddenly bolting for the back door. Lena chased after her. "Wait!" she called, but the girl didn't stop. She bursted into the wildflower field behind the house. Lena reached the door just in time to see the girl spinning in the flowers, twirling in a way that looked peaceful, untouched by the horrors surrounding them.

   A smile tugged at the corners of Lena's mouth as she sank onto the back porch, watching in silence. Movement other than the young girl caught her eye. A walker emerged from the far edge of the field, slowly advancing. Lena cursed under her breath, pulling her gun from its holster and taking aim. "Run!" she shouted.

   The girl froze, her eyes widening as she turned and saw the walker, now only a few feet away. She'd never seen one before. She ran back to Lena, hiding behind her just as the gunshot rang out, the walker crumpling to the ground.

   The girl started to shake, her sobbing in waves. Lena knelt down, pulling her into an embrace. "It's alright," she whispered, "I've got you. I've got you. I'll keep you safe. I promise."

ᴀ/ɴ: ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ!
ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ sᴛᴀʀ ★ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ❦