Harem in a zombie apocalypse

[21] No funny business

We were out of supplies, and no car. We wandered through the rural town for a good 10 km before we finally saw a house with a fountain inside. Being super thirsty, we rushed forward to the fountain to get some water. Then we heard the sound of a gun clicking. 

"Drop your weapons and put your hands up, no funny business. If ya'll don't do as told, I will blow both your fking brains out." came a feminine voice with a slight Texan accent from behind. 

There was a palpable tension in the air as the cold, cruel voice echoed in the eerie silence. My parched throat tightened, the thirst momentarily forgotten as a new fear gripped me. I didn't dare turn around, my hands already in the air in a show of surrender. Beside me, Ms. Yan followed suit, her body visibly trembling with fear.

The voice was chilling, a stark reminder of the lawlessness this world had succumbed to. It reminded me of the men at the gas station, of their wicked smiles and lustful eyes. It made my skin crawl, and for a moment, I forgot about the burning thirst and the exhaustion that clung to my bones.

I didn't move, didn't dare to even breathe too loudly. I was too aware of the cold muzzle of the gun potentially pointed at the back of my head. There was no telling what would provoke the person holding the weapon. One wrong move and it could all be over.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart.

There was silence, only broken by the soft gurgling of the fountain and the distant groans of the undead. The wait was agonizing, every passing second filled with a tense uncertainty. My mouth was dry, not from thirst but fear, and I could feel a bead of sweat trickle down my temple.

Finally, the voice spoke again, "Answer my question first. Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

"I'm... I'm Chang and this is Ms. Yan," I replied, carefully choosing my words. "We're... we're just looking for some water. We mean no harm."

The seconds stretched into an eternity as we awaited her response. My mind raced with thoughts and strategies. If she didn't lower her weapon, if she decided to shoot, what could I possibly do? I was unarmed, at her mercy. And in this world, mercy was a rare commodity.

Finally, after what felt like forever, she spoke again, "Alright. Slowly, put your weapons on the ground and step away. And remember, no funny business."

With great relief, we complied, putting down our weapons and stepping back. Our survival depended on this stranger's mercy, and in that moment, I had never been more aware of our vulnerability. But as I raised my hands again and turned to face the stranger, I was hit by a surprising sight. 

A pair of lively, sapphire eyes met mine, sparkling with an unusual energy that seemed out of place in this desolate world. They belonged to a young woman, no older than nineteen, with long, flowing blonde hair that cascaded down her back in a wild, unkept mane. She had a tall, lean build, her lithe frame clad in worn jeans and a faded flannel shirt.

The most striking thing about her, however, was the wide, almost childlike grin on her face, starkly contrasting with the serious, cold demeanor she'd just displayed. A shiny revolver was still in her hand, but the threatening aura seemed to have dissipated somewhat.

"Hi there!" She chirped, the threatening tone of moments ago completely vanished. "I'm Cassidy. Nice to meet you... uh, Chang and Ms. Yan."

Her words tumbled out in a rush, each sentence trailing into the next in an enthusiastic jumble. There was an air of excitement around her, a kind of restless energy that was infectious. It was jarring, meeting such an upbeat and lively person amidst the terror of a zombie apocalypse.

"I know, I know. I can be a bit...intense," Cassidy said, her hand absentmindedly fiddling with a strand of her hair. "ADHD, you know. Can't really help it."

She shrugged, almost nonchalantly, as if confessing a harmless quirk rather than a mental condition. Her frankness was disarming, and despite the dire situation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. There was a raw, refreshing honesty about Cassidy that made me feel strangely comforted.

Cassidy then gestured towards the house behind her, a quaint little cottage that had somehow managed to remain untouched by the chaos. "That's my home. Well, it was my uncle's, but I guess it's just mine now."

There was a hint of sorrow in her voice, but she quickly masked it with a bright smile. She was a survivor, I realized. Despite the hardships she must have faced, she was braving this new world with a fiery spirit and contagious optimism.

"Anyway, welcome to my humble abode!" Cassidy said, spreading her arms wide. "You guys can take a breather, grab some water. But first, let's get those weapons off the ground, alright? Safety first!"

With that, she hopped off the porch and moved towards our discarded weapons. I found myself chuckling, shaking my head in amusement. 

Q: Would you welcome someone into your house in a zombie apocalypse?