Chapter Rachel
Rachel woke up , in her sleeping bag next to Cassandra they kissed , she was the one thing that made this whole hell livable . Life was hard on the outskirt , queen gambit didnt live a simple life but it was a life she loved . She remembered her life before , married to a husband who didnt appreciate what she was doing a drunk , who would beat her up weekly . Even her job , a secretary wasnt something she ever planned on doing but bills are meant to be paid . The apocalypse had almost been a blessing in disguise . The queen gambit were her new tribe , it was her salvation as much as her redemption . She had loved Neil since he had rescued her , she still remembered as it was yesterday . When the outbreak had started her husband was one of the first to be bitten , he had gone on another one of his bender . He had come back infected , the odd thing wasnt how sad she was that she had to be the one to kill him ,no the odd thing was how easy it had been to leave all of this behind , she hadn't looked back since . She went back to her parent condo , but they were already dead , luckily there cupboard and the pantrie was full of various food , she had survived a couple of week but the loneliness was making her go insane , people often underestimated the importance of book in an apocalypse , how could they had guessed that it would be so important . She had been reading the hobbit for the third time when she had heard noise in the apartment next to hers , she remembered feeling fear , she had also neglected the importance of keeping in shape in the apocalypse . She had tried to block her door with any furniture she could , but queen gambit came trough the fire exit . She was tormented by how afraid of them she was , and how happy to finally see some other survivor. They were four people , all armed , when Neil had saw her he smiled , that smiled seemed strangely warm .
- hi there , what your name? He asked
Her heary was desperate to tell him , but her brain was screaming to be cautious , they were armed and it was the apocalypse , her stock of food was halfway empty but there still was a couple of week worth of food .
- Its okay we arent here to hurt you , said a women
There was Cassandra , she looked proud , she look like a badass . Rachel was so use to the abuse that she forgot how a strong women looked like .
- Im Rachel , she finally said
Neil who seemed like the leader of the group smiled and said .
- I apologize for my intrusion , we are scavenger which basically means that we go from door to door , mostly store and take what we need or what we think we can trade .
Rachel was paying close attention to everything he was saying , it was crucial to her survival she only had a kitchen knife to defend herself, but shed be damned if she left them take what little she had , without a fight . Neil looked at her and reassured her ,
- we arent thief dont worry , however if you'd would like to trade, we have a variety of item , it cant be easy living all alone .
She looked trought theyre stuff she couldnt believe it , they had a gun to trade , she wondered just how well those people were doing . In the end, she trade a week worth of soup for the gun , and about a pound of rice for the ammo .
- Thank you , said Rachel
The group laugh , before Cassandra said
- its a fair trade , no need to thank us , world might have gone to shit , there still a society.
That notion , surprised Rachel how odd , she was surprised people like that existed it was still the apocalypse debut but things must have been crazy out there. Yet that group didnt seem to have changed their lifestyle , it was almost has if they trived in that situation . She began to admire them , they werent survivor like her they were entrepreneurs .
- If you still need to trade thing , we will be at the sports center nearby , said Neil we are leaving in two days . Your more than welcome to come by to trade.
And just like that they left , they didnt even try to take her stuff , she spent the next day obsessed by the thought that such a group exist . She thought about them so much that she decided to pack her bags and to go to the sports center . At her arrival Neil saw her ,
- Hi , Rachel was it ? Seems you brought a lot of stuff , im glad our wares interests you . He said
She looked at everyone of them and said , bracing herself , gathering all of her courage
- I come here to join you , please accept me
The four of them looked at her and smiled .
- we a have a lot of rule ,and there no trial , steal ,lie , put the life of other in danger and it is death ,are you still interested ?
Rachel nodded , she would have done anything to be included , the leader looked at the other then she saw Cassandra nodding . Was the leader looking at the other to seek approval ? Finally he looked at her got closer and smiled
- Welcome ,Neil said shaking her hands
And here she was almost six years later , she had never regretted her decision , the queen gambits , were a family , with now more than thirthy members they were the ruler of the sky . Sure the city was infested with zombie , but the roofs were theyre home . She had embraced even the ideology , food was something they shared the rest was yours to keep , you make your own trade . Life on the outskirt was tough , but it was rewarding , work and lady luck were all you could rely on ,she wouldnt trade her freedom for the safety of a community .Beside most of the queen gambit found community people to be weak , they always complain about how the trade where to the advantage of the scavenger . Didnt queen gambit risk theyre lives everyday ? She looked at her fellow tribes man , a bunch of entrepreneurs , a bunch of people willing to risk they're neck for a good deal , those were the people that would succeed in the apocalypse. After the morning coffee , instant coffee but still ,they gathered around the map .
- Good morning ,ladies , gents , started Neil today we have an amazing opportunity , the ,zombies have moved to the south , following this line , this gives us access to a bakery which is judging from our notes the first time its accessible if those walker ( zombie ) dont eat bread this place will be full , I know boring stuff but the suckers at Ridgeway will jump on that stuff like candies .
There was a bunch a bunch of laugh after that comment .
- Here will be our entry point and here our exit point , the zombies are at a forty kilometers distance which leads us if we leave now ,an hour and a half, said Cassandra
Rachel looked at Cassandra with admiration , she was a pizza delivery girl before all this start , her knowledge of the city was crucial she was a important member of the queen gambit . The speed of the zombie was also something that had taken a long time to measure , but they were brainless they always moved in group , very rarely they would turn but most of the time you could measure theyre movement. The target today was a very interesting one ,the food would be inedible , the flour molded , but a bunch of thing especially salt which was use in making bread , was priceless , spices were always a prize item during traded , she gathered only the essential , which consisted of some water a handgun the very same one she had traded Neil and a small hatchet , weight was deadly , got to the rendez vous point , almost everyone had showed up . Neil gave the signal . They had practice theyre formation countless time they knew exactly what to do . They arrive at the bakery as predicted , the place was untouched , what a find theyre would definitely be some amazing loot . She manage to find some pepper and some salt , but the most amazing find ? Turns out the baker was a drinker , her years scavenging had thought her better , the best stuff was in the office or hidden , usually the manager had better pay so better stuff . She was happy with her find she kept looking for other stuff but she was more than satisfied , her amd the rest of the tribe could make some very interesting trade with these , these were extremely valuable .After the allowed time , Neil gave his signature hawk whistle . That mark the time and you better be paying attention to it , miss it and you were left behind . They gathered at the entrance , judging by the face of her tribesmen , she wasnt the only one that had found something good , even Neil had found five carton of cigarettes , in perfect shape . Others were not so lucky , some face harbored the look of disappointment , she looked at Cassandra hiping that was not the case , they gaze met and her lover took out a small box , Rachel mouth dropped. She had found cigars , now she knew exactly who to trade those two , the sarge , that military town leader would be on theyre knees for them . They got out of the building they still had about ten minute to spare , the mission was a total success . Something weird happened, the growl were closer , which wouldnt be a problem usually , but they were coming from the escape route . Cassandrs showed another way to escape , her wits had save them more than once . They found an hallway it was far but it was their best option .They followed the road , the zombie were more dispersed what was going on , they cross the main street with speed , the zombie would notice them but all hope wasnt gone . They finally reach the hallway but it was full of zombie , it was odd they were nothing in this hallway. What could they be doing there , they went back they had no way out , but they had a strategy for that , zombies were impatient , wait a couple of hour , a night maximum and they would leave you alone . They only had to find a place to hide any building would do . They went back on there steps . What they saw was seriously scary , a women was there , and she was surrounded by zombies only about twenty to twenty five but still . Rachel remembered a scout report of a women , but this didnt make any sense why werent they attacking her , she was right next to them and easy target , she looked at Neil he was lost in his thoughts .The women was moving towards them followed by the zombies , the more she was advancing the less human she looked , she had a very very pale skin , patch of her hair was missing , her teeth were almost black she was infected . She heard Neil screamed
- Ladies , gentlemen , today we earn our keeps this city has been giving us for years now , today we pays her back , all of you are strong , smart you are a different breed of survivor . I see weakness in the community , i see surrender in those communities ,but as i look at you i see strenght. Today we might died but never we will coward because we are queen gambit , raise your weapon ,show them that humankind has not given up .
They were a bunch of small cheer , followed by people raising there arms ,Rachel would have died for that group as she raised her gun . The women backed away . She knew these were dangerous how weird , maybe they had scared her off , but shortly after the zombie gathered in front of her , almost like a shield . The first shot was shot by Neil then a rainstorm of bullet followed , they made hell rain that day but to no avail they were surrounded , it didnt take long for one of them to get bitten , soon they were all dead . Rachel had seen Neil fall , she had felt rage and despair . But when she saw her love fall she sank to her knees , she was ready to die . Soon she was rhe last survivor , she heard a low growls all of the zombie dispersed . What was going on ? Only the woman stood , the infected looked at both of her hands and smiled , she got closer and closer . She was smiling , the infected got on her knees close to her , she opened her mouth and got closer . Rachel had lost all hope , but at that moment she felt a flame light up , this woman seemed in charge , she would pay for what they had done . Her whole tribe life for her life was the best she could do but it would be the last thing she ever did . She took out a second hidden gun ,much smaller , it was a habit she took from the now deceased Neil . She took it out , a look of surpirse it the women but she was too close .
- Fuck you , you infected piece of shit , said Rachel smiling
The women got up growling in pain . Second later she felt teeth tears her flesh .
