Lil' Missy

Chapter I : Someone new.

We've been stuck in this godforsaken forest for hours. There are no paths, and even if there are some they all lead to nothing. I've been walking on some train tracks that AJ had spotted whilst I was killing off the undead, it was our only hope of getting out of here.
And now I'm here, with a boy straddled to my back, holding onto my shoulders.
As I carefully tread the railway, I take the time to scan my surroundings. The path in front of us was long, almost endless. The trees were old and cracked, their leaves delicate and dry, falling to the ground as the wind picked them up. The grass is covered in leaves, creating a carpet of golden, brown, and yellow colors, like a mosaic. The grass gently flowed against my ankles, the breeze of the wind brushing against my face. I was surprised at how quiet it was. No walkers, no birds, no.. nothing. The immersive silence was almost eerie-like. Even at times like these, I can't seem to relax. I'm still tense, my weapons never leaving the grip of my hand. I'm constantly on my feet, always on watch.
I know that's supposed to be a good thing in an apocalypse, but I just don't know how long I can do this for. I can't keep my eyes off of anything or anyone, so I had to learn it the hard way. Like how Lee decided to leave me alone and I was lured by a stranger, which caused Lee to get bit whilst searching for me. I still miss him to this day, sometimes I wish I could just give everything up just to see him again. I know that's selfish, I know that everyone I have known has died for me to stay alive, and I know that I have a little boy that I promised to love and care for no matter what. But sometimes, just sometimes, that aching feeling comes into my heart and I want to just drop dead.
Suddenly, my thoughts are swept away as I hear a faint thumping. It was light, like something small repeatedly stomping the ground, but very fast, its tapping grew faster than my own heartbeat, which was rapidly increasing. I stopped, focusing my hearing on the sound, and as soon as I realized it was coming from my left, I snapped my head to the sound.
I was unbelievably afraid, but for some reason took no time to turn to whatever was there. I braced myself to see a horrifying sight, but instead, all I saw was a small rabbit. I turned stiff, keeping my eyes on it, making sure not to let it sense my presence as I slowly lifted my gun. Just as I aimed at the animal's head, I heard a sound.

-Ba-ba!

AJ babbled, and as soon as the wild animal heard that, It frightfully ran off.

-Oh, AJ!

Now I was really past my limit, I've been so exhausted and this was our only chance for something good.

-That was dinner! Aren't you hungry?..

He looked at me, his big brown eyes getting sadder and his pupils dilating. Now I felt bad for lecturing him. Sure, a kid is supposed to know right from wrong, but AJ is still so little, and he's just as tired as I am. I fix my stance and sigh, continuing to speak, now with a calmer but still strict tone.

-We're out of food AJ. We're gonna starve. I'M STARVING. We gotta-

I stopped dead in my tracks. My eyes locked with the rabbits. It was standing maybe two feet away from us, just staring. I couldn't dare make any moves. Before I could process what happened, the hare spun around and dashed behind the small hill.
Luckily, my legs were always ahead of me and sprung towards the path of the animal. I couldn't spot it anywhere, no matter how much I looked. As I was about to give up, I saw another shimmering glimmer of hope.
Two cars. Two!. I quickly gained my posture and thought about the possible dangers within the vicinity of the cars. They could have walkers in it, or worse, someone alive. Or obe pf them could be loaded with goods and me and AJ would live the best life. Whatever it was, I shouldn't get my hopes up for it. I inspect the cars from far away. The one on the right seemed to already be looted, but the one on the left was telling me a different story...
And so I turned my legs in its direction and started walking to the car. When I was as close to being able to see through the front shield, I suddenly sensed a dreadful feeling in the depths of my chest, my throat closing up. The car gave off a weird aura, I couldn't tell if it was meant to warn me of any dangers or was simply just a gut feeling. I took out my gun once again and slowly crept towards the windows. But before I could take even a glimpse through the cracked glass, I heard a muffled sob.
I pause. Was there someone in the car? I'm already so close. I can't back out now. It sounds like a small child, crying out desperately. The sobbing turns to wailing and now it's piercing my ears. AJ starts whimpering and I can't help but feel sadness wash over me, the need to comfort whoever is in there, even if I don't know them at all.
I put my hand on the door handle and try to pull it open slowly and steadily, but fail to do so as I yank it with force, frightening the person inside, immediately stopping their cries. I turned my head to whoever was in the car.
I see a little girl, clenching her stuffed toy, and staring at me with utter fear.
As I try to speak the child trembles with terror, panicking even more and trying to shuffle away from me.