Till The End of The Line

~One~

Runners and clickers shrieked at the ground level of the safe house. Grabbing my pistol, quickly loading it and preparing to defend myself from the intruder that's behind the door.  Footsteps grew closer and the sounds grew louder. My heart and blood pumped intensely in my ears, causing them to ring. Can i handle a herd like this? Well fuck, doesn't look like I have much of a choice.

The door knob clicked, swinging open. I scrambled to my feet, aiming at the door, ready to wipe the infected and anyone else who decides to come through that door.

"DON'T SHOOT!" Bill yelled, two unfamiliar faces following in pursuit behind him. Still holding up the gun, Bill shot me a look that caused me to roll my eyes and slowly lower my gun.

"Bill, who the fuck is this?" The older man yelled, throwing uncle Bill a crazed look. The man had darker hair, sprinkled with grey. His face had some stress lines and was accented with a scruffy beard. Uncle Bill's face dropped to the ground and he pinched at the bridge of his nose as he let out a stressed out sigh. 

"You really don't deserve an answer since you and this little shit came into my town and set off all my traps. But, this is my niece, Erin."

I stared at the unfamiliar faces, not giving them exactly a warm welcome. The girl reached her hand out to uncle Bill, trying to introduce herself. I knew that wasn't going to end well. Before I could even step up, Bill had already grabbed her wrist.

"Hey, my name is Ellie-wait what the hell?! JOEL!" Ellie yelled as Bill put her small wrists into handcuffs and attached her to the closest pipe.

"Bill what the hell!?" Joel yelled, running over to try and release Ellie, but Bill pulled his gun and cocked it.

"Turn around and get on your knees!" Bill forced Joel around and kicked at the back of his knees till he was on the ground. Joel growled as he followed orders, putting his hands on his head

"Is this really necessary?" I asked, stepping forward to put my hand on Bills back. He shook off my touch, but avoided looking at me.

"Erin, stand back and let me handle this. I'm not taking any chances."

Ellie looked over at me with pleading eyes, trying to wiggle her way from the cuffs. My face softened looking at her, she's just a kid.

"I'm clean!" Joel yelled as Bill continued his search, before I could even stop her, Ellie had pulled the pipe from the wall and slammed it into Bill's back. Joel and I both ran to her, trying to grab a hold of the pipe.

"Son of a bitch!" Bill yelled, rubbing at his back, ready to retaliate.

"Are you done?!" Joel yelled, standing in between Bill and Ellie, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Am I do-. You come into my house. You set off all my traps. You put me and my niece in danger and almost broke my damn shooting arm! Now who the fuck is this little punk? And what is she doing here?" Bill and Joel were now face to face.

"I'm none of your goddamn business and we're here because you owe Joel some favors and you can start with taking these off!" Ellie stepped up to them, making my instincts kick in, trying to protect Bill.

Bill just chuckled and held up his arm to keep me back. Joel went on about needing a car, making me let out a chuckle this time. His attention went to me, anger written on his face. I stared back, not afraid to step up to this entitled asshole.

"Don't you think that if we had one that worked we'd still be in this infected shit hole?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Exactly my point. And why the hell would I just give it to you? Sure take my car, take my food. Let my niece and I starve and die now that all my traps are disarmed."