"Come on buddy, just a couple more hours." The eighteen year old commented as he looked down at his companion, he'd come across the poor dog almost as soon as he left zone blue. Dogs being out here by themselves, trying to survive made for one mean animal. First time they crossed paths, he attacked Tom and ran off only to follow him again. After the second attack, they became the best of friends.
He was good to have around, he listened, he was tough and smart so it was like having another person with him. Tom hadn't seen anyone this past year on the road, other then revenants and people who were trying to kill him. Sometimes they were bandits, a small group, or a lone wolf like himself. All those times, Tom killed them, every last one of them because he really didn't have a choice in the matter. People were more dangerous than the beasts who now roamed this earth.
It's not like he hoped for someone, he really didn't. Tom was alright with it just being alone, it was easier that way. With meeting a person, he had to made sure they were completely alone, and that they wouldn't attack him any chance they got. It was always easier just to kill them before they got the chance to do anything. Plus, the chances of finding a person who wasn't like the bandits was a long shot. His dad used to tell him not to trust anybody, all the good people were dead, they were the first to die.
Leaves and small twigs crunched beneath him while walking through the large wooded area, trees, trees and more trees. Normally he would just stay on the road, but he had gotten held up by revenants, a lot of them. It wasn't the most he's seen, but it definitely wasn't something he could do on his own. Not even Sumo could help him, it was too dangerous.
Traveling with Sumo for a year now didn't make Tom think of him as just a dog, he was a friend, and a loyal one for that matter. Sumo had thoughts and feelings, so Tom was going to keep him safe like how Sumo did for him. "Are you hungry?" He questioned looking down at the German shepherd that was walking right by him, sniffing the ground filled with dirt and leaves. All sumo did was let out a loud sigh, answering his owner the best that he could.
"Ok, let's see what we have." He said Stopping in his tracks, he kneeled down on the ground and took his backpack off in a swift motion. Quickly zipping it open, be dug around in it going past some ropes, small gears and batteries. Taking out a clear plastic bag. "Nothing..." Tom commented with disappointment, he had been too focused on getting away for the large group revenants that he forgot they needed to stock up on anything they could.
All that searching for any food in his bag was put to a pause once he heard leaves cracking in the distance, it wasn't him and it definitely was Sumo. Both him and his dogs guard were up. No longer keeling on the ground he stood up, pistol in hand positioned to shoot anything that was in front of him or that was of any threat. It could be a person, or just a skin eater. If that were the case, revenants were much more easier to kill.
Slowly walking towards the noise, or at least where he thought it came from, he took slow and dragged out steps. He couldn't be too careful, or too quiet. Hearing a gargling like noise, his demeanor seemed to calm a bit, it obviously wasn't a person. He knew what sound revenants made, it was usually gargling from the older ones but the newer ones sometimes sounded like they were crying or struggling.
Turning the corner of a tall tree, he found the culprit. The obviously rotten up body slowly walked around aimlessly, lazily dragging its feet through the leaves. Letting out a sigh and putting his pistol back in his holster, he took out a knife, tapping it on the trunk of the tree, small bits of bark falling to the floor. The noise immediately made the monsters head turn, all it saw was a warm meal. As it moved closer, parts of his stomach fell out.
By Toms analysis, they'd probably ripped him up where all his organs rested, poor guy. Before it could let out a loud growl, Tom stuck the knife it the base of its skull, pulling it out in a swift motion. Good thing he did it before it growled, they always attracted at least another one near by. A growl however couldn't be compared to the Hunters. One good roar from them and every revenant within two miles would be headed their way, that is of course if the Hunter spots them or feels their presence. They're blind, but if people got too close, they are sure enough to be a goner.
"Don't worry Sumo, it was just a growler." He said heading back to where he once was expecting to see his companion patiently waiting, but to his dismay Sumo clearly found another intruder. This time it wasn't a human or a revenants, it was a dog, and it definitely wasn't friendly. Both animals looked about ready to pounce at each other in any moment. Both of them growling, fierce looks it their eyes.
Tom took out his gun and pointed it at the dog, he wasn't one for killing dogs but some if they were just looking to kill whatever they could. Carefully, Sumo got in front of his owner as some sort of protection from the mean looking dog. "I don't want to hurt you, it's alright, just calm down." Tom spoke softly, putting his hands up to show that he wasn't going to do anything.
The growling from Rottweiler seemed to calm down in this moment. "That's it, good boy..." He said with a small smile, "...or girl." The boy added slowly attempting to get on its level. "Just relax, we're not gonna hurt you, ain't that right Sumo?" Tom's dog on the other hand seemed it little bit on edge with this whole thing, he didn't like it one bit.
Before anything could continue further the Rottweiler that seemed to have calmed down suddenly snapped. Letting out a bark, front teeth showing and everything. Thankfully, before it can get to Tom, Sumo jumped right in, taking a few good bites before he too was bitten, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handled. Quickly the dog backed away from the two, looking at them both before letting out a very loud and long howl.
It became clear that Tom had got played by a damn dog, it seemed pretty nice, but he figured it was one of its many tricks. "Shit..." Tom said to himself looking around every direction, that howl was pretty loud, sooner or later every revenant within a few 30 feet or so would be headed their way. As if it couldn't get any worse, a long drawn out whistle in the far distance caught all their attention.
Upon hearing the whistle the wild dog when running towards it with urgency. Clearly not over the fight, Sumo went running after. "Sumo! No, Stop!" Tom yelled but it was no use, he then began running too, headed straight for trouble.
