Happily Ever Afterlife

Split

A/N: So, i'm basically going to have (or at least try to have) different versions of "Te Zombie Song" for this book.

Alex scanned the city as they walked, searching for any sign of human life. Cringing as she shuffled past a walker bent over a young female's corpse, Alex became aware of Duke's absence. Her head swiveled from side to side, eyes looking over every member of the herd. She knew that most of the others would never hurt her loyal companion, but in the face of starvation, they would eat anything that moved. Ashkin nudged her arm, startling her.

"Went.. to... hunt.." He wheezed, his crooked jaw hanging by nothing but loose skin.

Alex huffed a sigh of relief, and nodded to Ashkin.

Alex's eyes focused on the road once more, just in time to notice that the herd was starting to separate. This made no sense. The only ones left after the dispersal were Ren, Ashkin, Caleb, and Alex herself. Looking to Ren, Alex finally spoke.

"What... Happen?... Herd... Leaving... " She asked.

Ren shrugged his exposed shoulders. "Wanted... To... Go. Said.. Better... To hunt." He mumbled.

Alex nodded. She knew that the herd would travel towards food, even if it meant death, but she also knew that Ren wasn't that much of a risk taker. Even so, it didn't make sense that the herd would split up. Being in a group was in their nature. Safety in numbers and all that.

As the small herd shuffled along, the peaceful silence was shattered by four consecutive gunshots. Ren's head shot up and his body lowered into a crouch. He was in hunter mode, now. Ashnik and Kai followed suit, growling and snarling at the unseen enemy. Suddenly, two more shots rang out, much closer, and a familiar bark filled the air.

Alex stiffened as she sniffed the air. It smelled like a human, but much sweeter. As she inhaled deeply, she could detect the faint scent of Duke. Ren and the others were already up ahead of her, but Alex knew she could catch up. Digging her heels into the gravel beneath her feet, she launched herself forward at a full run. She may have been one of the oldest walkers, but she was far from being the slowest. With each step she took, propelling her body forward, she could hear the snarling of the others getting closer. Even as wounded and torn up as she was, Alex was one of the fastest runners in the herd. Before she realized it, she was well ahead of the others, Ren snarling in protest. Though her lead was soon intercepted by a savage-looking Duke. The hair on the back of his neck was raised, as was the hair along his spine and on his hackles. His teeth, bloodstained and decaying, were bared. He stood in a protective stance, seemingly protecting the human behind him.  

(For those of you who are probably shaming me for such a short chapter, I'm sorry. I wanted it to be somewhat of a cliff hanger, but I suck at writing, so..)