Under The Wall [REWRITTEN]

6 ~Fall~

After a week, I had finally gotten myself together. I had studied maps and towns, buildings, and safe houses.

I would be going on my own. Kaleb was staying at the lab, and I wasn't about to make Hale leave him, even though he wanted to see me through. I told him that Kaleb needed him, and they both had already lost one, and I couldn't bear the weight of another death if he died too.

So it was time.

Time to go.

I had extra guns, ammo, and tons of food, more than enough for two people. I had been given a horse too, to make the way easier. This horse was way different than those back before the virus. It was stronger, and was more accustomed to running faster and weaving through areas.

I decided to name it Strider. I know, its unoriginal, but it suited the giant brown horse perfectly.

I stepped out of the shower, being clean for once- and shaved nearly hairless, except for the hair I tied back in a ponytail. The red had long since faded out, and now it seemed permanently stuck at a reddish-brown color. I tied up my hair, quickly pulling on [thankfully] clean, new clothes. A pair of those weird denim-legging hybrids that are warm but easy to run in. I wore a black long sleeved shirt under a faded red t-shirt with the words 'Paradise of Sin' written on the front with a sunset design. It was old, so I assumed it was some sort of music album or some such. I wore newer, sturdy hiking boots, my old ones now faded, the soles worn too thin to use. My hair had somehow grown even more, and now reached my shoulders. I now had three holsters on my back; two for guns and one for some sort of a melee weapon that I did not have. I had one pistol holster, and the other three smaller guns I kept in my bag. My bag was mostly ammo and clothes, while the horse carried the water, food, and extra ammo in packs.

I turned around, looking for two things. I grabbed my 'bread knife' and slid it into it's sheath on my belt.

I opened the single drawer once more,pulling out the picture I loved so dearly. I was of me, my parents, and Joel. Joel found me after the military school, and had brought me to Marie.

I stuffed the picture into my front pocket, before checking my flashlight secured to the bag.

"Okay, that's everything." I muttered to myself and made my way to the stables, where Jen-the girl who had come with me and Joel to the labs- had just finished tying up the saddle on the horse.

"Thanks, Jen." I said, and she smiled at me, before muttering a few words of farewell.

I said goodbye to her and walked the horse to the gates.

My mother rushed to me and gathered me into a tight hug.

"I wish I could come with you.." she said, a sad smile on her face. My mother never was one to cry.

"You have to stay here and watch over everyone else, Mom." I said, before drawing away and hugging Joel.

"Thanks for everything, Joel." I said softly.

"It was no hassle, kid."

"I'm not a kid anymore, I'm taking care of myself. You, however, watch Kaleb and Hale. Keep them safe for me."

"You sure about them two not coming with you?"

"Yeah, I am. We had fun together, but we.. drifted, you know? And Hale needs to keep Kaleb together, he's the only one who can anymore." I said, before he ruffled my hair.

"Well, be safe is all I can say. Avoid Bloaters and Stalkers, they're the most dangerous." he chided.

"I know, Joel. I know."