Happily Ever Afterlife

What Doesn't Kill You

"I can fend for myself, guys."

Kai gave Sam his typical lopsided grin and made a wheezing, coughing sound that took the place of laughter.

Alex grunted, silencing Kai. "H-Herd... I-Is ... Dangerous. Not like us. K-Killers.." She wheezed. Sam snorted defiantly.

"I can take care of myself. Surely the herd can't be much bigger than this one, right?"

Before Alex could respond, a massive walker tackled her to the ground, jaws snapping wildly in an attempt to maul her. Though he had the upper hand in size, Alex had the gift of skill and strategy. The mammoth of a walker tried snapping at her shoulder, which in turn allowed Alex a clear shot at his exposed neck. Digging her teeth into the decaying flesh, she clamped down like a pit-bull, and shook until she heard the popping of joints and the walker became limp. The others had a bit more trouble, as Kai's already ragged cheek was now completely gone, exposing bloodstained, shark-like teeth. Ashnik's left arm was now missing, and he shuffled around trying to find it. Meanwhile, Sam had been firing shots, and had mowed down half of the herd. Alex sprang upon a newer-looking walker. That was her first mistake. The newling was stronger and faster. As soon as it saw Alex pounce, it's jaws unhinged like a snake and closed around her left wrist. The creature jerked its head to an unnatural angle, slamming Alex to the ground.

Ashnik, who had successfully found his arm and popped it back into it's socket, tackled the newling before anymore damage could be done. As its arms flailed wildly, trying to catch something with its claws, Alex angled her heel above the walker's throat and brought it down with all of the strength she possessed. Just as Sam was about to let out a sigh of relief, an unholy snarl filled the air.

Everyone whipped their heads around at the same time, and saw Duke growling menacingly at a walker that was about ten times bigger than a pro wrestler. His teeth were oddly pointed and looked more like fangs or tusks than teeth. His arms alone were almost bigger than Alex herself. The way he held himself resembled a gorilla. Drool hung in thick strings from the beast's mouth, and his eyes locked onto Sam. Alex saw this, and went into a defensive crouch in front of her human companion. The walker's jowls lifted into a wolfish grin, and he coughed and wheezed as a show of laughter. Duke took the moment of distraction to strike. Before he could fasten his jaws around the creature's shoulder, Duke was flicked away like a simple flea, and was sent sailing into the nearest tree. Animalistic growls and snarls erupted from the small herd, and Sam's surprised squeal was the final straw. The beast lunged forward, knocking Kai out of the way as he advanced towards Sam. Ashnik had leaped onto the creature's back, but was ignored. No, the beast had other things in mind. His vicious glare was locked on Alex, who charged the massive walker head on.

This clearly surprised the creature, as its hard, emotionless glare became a look of bewilderment. Alex's teeth sunk into the hard flesh as she tore away chunks of decaying meat, and the beast howled in pain before easily gripping her waist with one hand and yanking her off. Of course, Alex instinctively bit down on his forearm. The bewilderment became fear as the walker realized he had made a mistake. He tried shaking her off, looking very much like a child trying to shake off a fearsome insect, but Alex's lockjaw grip wasn't letting up. Finally, the beast had enough. He sunk his large tusks into her shoulder, one pointed tooth about the size of a keyboard piercing straight through, and attempted to pull her off. Alex only bit down harder, ignoring the searing pain. Sam was firing round after round at the beast, but they did nothing at all. The impact sounded like someone crushing a watermelon with a bat. Finally, the beast released her waist to try to swat her off. Of course, as he turned his large head away from her, he left his neck exposed. Alex lunged, tearing at the skin like an animal. Kai and Ashnik sood a few feet away, misty eyes wide with terror. Never had they seen their normally docile companion so vicious. Not even on a hunt. Finally, the walker fell to his knees, his head at an angle that made him look broken, before falling to the ground. They all waited for him to stir, as if he would get back up, but he did not. Alex was panting like a dog, discolored blood pouring from the wound on her shoulder.

"Alex! Oh my gosh, are you okay?" Sam demanded as she eyes the wound. Alex merely grinned.

"H-He... Didn't do... much damage..." She wheezed, clearly exhausted. Kai and Ashnik had yet to move, but they saw the pain in Alex's misty blue eyes when they backed away from her. Still, they were afraid. Duke, even with a limp, bounded over to Alex, nearly knocking Sam over in the process. Sam yanked Alex into a bear-hug, ignoring the blood that soaked through her clothing.

"I thought you were gonna die, ya big dummy!"

"A-Already dead, S-Sam..." Sam couldn't help but smile at Alex's sarcastic tone. She'd been getting better at speaking as time went on, and she could almost speak fluently.

"Someone's feeling a bit salty today."

As the herd shuffled along, night began to fall. It'd been two weeks since any rival herds had attacked, and Sam still refused to leave Alex's side, and vise versa. Ashnik and Kai had eventually begun to get closer to Alex, but still kept a safe distance. Alex felt a stab of pain explode through her chest whenever her friends would back away from her, but she didn't blame them. Duke's limp had gone away, much to his pleasure, and he now ran ahead of the small herd.

"Are you sure you'll be fine hunting on your own?" Sam demanded for the fortieth time (Alex had been counting). "I mean, I can come with you. It'll be easier to find survivors and lure them out if I'm around."

Alex shook her head, her white, blood-soaked hair twirling like a helicopter blade. "Too dangerous. Other walkers."