Dust in the Wind

Chapter 2

A Dangerous Prey

Ezra woke up next to a stranger, looking over at him and patting him awake. With a smile, she tells him that she hopes he is infected, because if he wasn't before he is now. She hops out of bed, pulling her clothes on and brushing her teeth with a towel in his bathroom before heading out to meet Aqil.

They regrouped at David Edmond's glass mansion, going in once both were present. The man explains to them that the job will require much care, as they will be going after an albino tiger that has been seen in No Man's Land. He says that Roan has approved this and that they will be greatly rewarded for their work. Music to their ears. They will be provided a trailer, as well as gear to capture it. They agree and are sent on their way.

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Home Sweet Home

Ezra jumped out of the beat-up truck to open the gate. Aqil pulled forward in front of the garage before getting out and following Ezra inside. They had secured the house and the area surrounding it, using large fences and barbed wire to keep any infected out. Outside of the small house, Aqil has a garden with fresh vegetables and herbs, one of his greatest pride. Inside is Ezra's collection of anime media and figurines, mostly broken and faded, left behind when families fled when the outbreak first happened. Nonetheless, she loved them deeply and often puts on a working DVD or VHS before bed.

"Ez." Aqil walked over to their kitchen, washing his hands in the well-provided water. "Will you water the garden for me?"

Ezra sighed deeply, got up off the worn couch, and grabbed the pail, filling it with water. She then stomped off out of the house and into the yard. Aqil walked over to the Hissing Cockroach colony, checking on them before calling out to Ezra once more. "Ez! The colony is getting full again, you know what that means."

Even from inside he could hear her groan. Aqil fed his tarantula before starting dinner, frying up the excess cockroaches. Ezra walked back inside, having finished watering and getting back to reloading the brass.

"How do you feel about going after a whole ass tiger?" Ezra asked, taking the, now shiny, brass out and set them in a pile. She then took a different pile and began putting a new primer in them.

"Sounds dangerous." Aqil shrugged. "But with the tranq guns, I'm sure we'll be fine. I can get some help if you think we need it."

"We'll be fine." She nonchalantly reassured him. "We don't need them."

"If you say so." He walked over to put the lever down on the record before resuming cooking. After a while dinner was ready. Aqil pulled out some homebrewed liquor to go with it, setting the table for two. Ezra and Aqil ate, finishing their small portioned meal quickly. Ezra began the dishes when Aqil switched the music from ambient swing to Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult. The two of them began singing the song as loudly as they could, doing the dishes together.

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A Nurse's Duty

Jade began packing the handful of things she was allowed to take with her. She was being sent out of the quarantine zone to help out where she is able to. Almost all doctors and nurses were being sent out along with her while the city got stuffed more and more full every day.

"Jade." Karim gently touched Jade's shoulder. "You don't have to go."

"I do, Karim. But I also want to." She took a deep breath. " I need to. I want to help people and there are so many people suffering right now."

Ezra looked over at Aqil who was visibly upset, but not saying anything. Ezra reached over and held his hand, squeezing it slightly. He looked over at her sadly, squeezing her hand back.