Back the way Kathryn Came

The woman’s hand was firm as she pulled Kathryn away from the zombies. She had the right idea getting the hell out of here, however she was running away from Hailey’s work. “This way,” said Kathryn, changing direction, pulling the woman with her this time. The woman seemed surprised that Kathryn was taking control but allowed herself to be guided. Kathryn led them back down the alleyway she had come from, to the fence. “Over the fence,” she said, grabbing onto the metal links before the woman had a chance to respond. “Uh… okay,” the woman said, climbing up beside Kathryn.

The two were up and over the fence before either realized it, landing in the freshly cut grass of someone’s yard. Cutting through this neighborhood was the fastest way to Hailey’s work without a car. All Kathryn had to do was get through it, cross the highway, and she’d basically be there. She wasn’t going to stop now.

Kathryn started to walk away, as the woman crouched down to catch her breath. “Hey wait, where are you going?” She said, “Hey wait!” She ran to catch up with Kathryn who had already cut between two of the large houses to the street. “Where are you going?” The woman asked, “I didn’t even get a chance to thank you. You really saved me there, without you I don’t think I would have made it. My name’s Paige by the way. Hey wait, hold on a second!” Kathryn kept walking, but the woman grabbed onto her shoulder and held her back. Begrudgingly, Kathryn turned around to face her, “I’m Kathryn, you’re welcome for the help, but I’ve got someone I need to find and every moment a waste standing around is a moment she could be in trouble.”

Paige stood there for a moment before speaking again, “Okay, can I come with you?” Kathryn was taken aback, she’d assumed that after saving the woman they’d go their spectate ways. “Don’t you have somewhere you need to go?” Paige shook her head, “All my friends got fucked into zombie right when the apocalypse began, I was the only one to make it out alive. The only thing I need to do is stay alive, and that’ll be easier if I have someone to watch my back.” Kathryn considered her for a moment. The girl was tall, muscular, seemed decently athletic. her survival skills were a little questionable after the whole van debacle, but it might have just been bad luck. After all she did make it through the first two days, most people couldn’t even say they got that far. But on the other hand another person meant another mouth to feed and a potential roadblock to her goal.

Kathryn was so busy considering the pros and cons, that she barely saw him in time. A zombie, purple golf shirt torn but still hanging to his green body, was running full sprint at her from between two cars. Kathryn’s body moved with her brain telling it to, pushing Paige out of the way as the zombie went flying past them. Self preservation is a wonderful thing.

Without a second thought Kathryn sprinted across the front yard of a house. Paige was on her own, Kathryn had already saved her twice today anyway. Kathryn was halfway across the lawn when she saw them, zombies streaming out of the next door house. Immediately they saw her, their white pupils focusing on their newfound prey. With zombies now closing in from two sides, Kathryn had **** but to turn towards the nearby house, a large brick building with columns wringing an engraved front door.

She tore across the lawn and ran up the steps to the front door. She pulled on the handle, only for the door not to budge. Kathryn pulled with all her might, cursing as the zombies grew near. Suddenly Paige was besides her, her face contorted in concentration as she pulled alongside Kathryn. With a creak, the heavy door swung open to a foyer beyond. The two girls fell inside, Paige slamming the door behind them right as the zombie in a golf shirt was about to cross the threshold. Paige flipped the lock, as the zombie banged and scratched at the door, but it would take more than that to budge the thick wood. They were safe for the time being.