The Last Shot

1: Whispers of Survival

The putrid stench of decaying flesh hung heavy in the air, mingling with the chilling sounds of husky groans and growls that shattered the stillness of the night. A young woman, exhausted and desperate, leaned against the rough bark of a towering oak tree within the shadowy, forbidding woods. Her eyes were shut tight, her breath coming in ragged gasps as beads of sweat traced their way down her forehead. Listening to the horrors that surrounded her.

She had been running---running from dawn 'till the darkness of night, fleeing not just from the ravenous dead but from memories that haunted her and the grim reality of the world she found herself in. Escape seemed impossible in this merciless, unforgiving world. Unless.... There was....

With trembling hands, she reached into her black, battered and blood-stained combat boots, retrieving a small, silver revolver that her father had pushed into her hands moments before a horde of the undead tore her family from her life. She remembered how she had narrowly escaped, the screams coming from her mother, echoing in her mind. Clutching the engraved handle of the gun, her fingers traced the delicate rose pattern etched into the cold metal. She opened the chamber, checking to see how many bullets remained.

Just the one.

A heavy, shaky sigh escaped her lips as she closed the chamber. Pressing the barrel to her temple, she cocked the gun and held her finger over the trigger. Her body shook with sobs, tears blurring her vision. "I'm sorry." She whispered into the darkness.

Just as she braced herself to pull the trigger, a piercing scream shattered the night behind her. Without a second thought, she shoved the gun back into her boot, her hand instinctively reaching for the knife strapped to her belt. Silently, she sprinted towards the source of the scream, her heart dropping, guilt pouring into her soul as she recalled her mother's final words. 

A promise that was almost broken: "No matter what happens, I will always be with you, even if we're apart. In here." Her mother placed her hand over her daughter's heart. "And in here." She kissed her forehead. "This world will try and destroy you. But I know you will beat this world. Promise me that you will, Nina."

"I promise." Nina had vowed.

Tears streamed down her face as she replayed the memory. She pushed through thick bushes until she stumbled upon a scene you only used to see in nightmares. A mother and child were being devoured by the undead. Overcome with grief, Nina fell to her knees. Her sobs loud enough to attract a nearby roamer.

The creature licked its decaying lips, shuffling towards her with ravenous eyes. Nina remained unaware, her head bowed, refusing to watch the horror any longer. As the roamer closed in, an arrow whizzed through the air, embedding itself in the creature's skull. The growling ceased, body collapsing in front of her with a heavy thud. Startled, Nina gazed at the lifeless corpse, then slowly rose to her feet. Turning towards the direction the arrow had come from.

The bushes rustles. A man emerged; his figure illuminated by the faint light of the moon. "You, okay?" He asked, his strong Spanish accent slicing through the darkness.

Without answering, Nina quickly drew her gun and aimed it at him. The stranger remained calm. His eyes narrowing slightly. "Who are you?" She demanded, wiping her eyes with one hand.

He nodded towards the corpses still being feasted upon. "Did you know those people?"

"I asked you a question. Who. Are. You?" Nina growled, tightening her grip on the gun. Unfazed, the man stepped closer and retrieved the arrow from the roamer's skulls. Pulling out a rag from his back pocket and began to clean it. "If you don't answer my question, I'll shoot you." She threatened, cocking her weapon.