The Madness Inside Us

New Orleans, Pt. 1

We walk down the roads through what used to be New Orleans, trying to scavenge some supplies and food.  We ran low a couple days ago, and now we are pretty much almost out of both food and water.  Murphy and I trail in the middle of the group.  None of us say very much...exhaustion and dehydration really take a toll on the human body. I glance back at 10k, noticing how he glares at Murphy.  I know they dislike each other, and that Murphy is a real ass sometimes.

But I can't be the only one who sees that he really cares for these people, even in his own little way...right?

I nudge Murphy, "Hey."

"Alright, what do you want", he scowls at me.

"What makes you think I want anything? I actually-uh-well, I wanted to ask how you're holding up.  It must be really scary for you....all of this," I gesture to our surroundings, hoping he understands that I mean our whole situation.

"Why do you care? You don't even know me, hell, you barely know any of us", he snipped.  "Don't even know why we keep bringing you along", he mutters more to himself than to me, but I still manage to catch it.  

Ye-ouch, that stung a little.

I try to shrug it off.

I fling a throwing knife to the side, seeing a Z out of the corner of my eye before even hearing it, and it sinks through its eye socket and into its brain.  It drops instantly and I jog quickly to retrieve my blade.  Wiping the knife off on my pant leg, I glance at him and raise my brow.

"That's why.  Other than my charming personality and the fact that I'm super fucking hot, of course", I wink at him and he snorts, rolling his eyes.  "Now, wanna tell me how you're doing?"

"Well, how would you feel if you were injected with a random vaccine after being strapped down to a table, left to a bunch of zombies that tore into your flesh, and expected to be able to be stuck 80000 times, have your blood drained out of you, and save humanity?"

Heh, good point, zom-bro.

"Yeah, I thought you might feel that way", I smirked at him, taking in his blue skin.  Maybe just a little kindness would make a difference.  I reached out and touched his arm, patting it and giving him a kind smile.  "I'm sorry, you know.  I know you didn't ask for any of this.  You may be an asshole sometimes, but you certainly don't deserve this.  It must be so scary for you.  I'm here if you need me."   Before he could answer, I slow down to walk beside 10k.

I smile warmly at him and grab his hand, squeezing it and then letting it go.  His face becomes splotchy with a bright red.  So innocent, to be left so awkward by even a friendly gesture as that.

I bump 10k's shoulder with my own.  "Why so red, hot stuff?"  If possible, his race turns an even brighter shade of scarlet.  "I do it to Addy too.  What can I say, I'm very...physical".  I wink at him.  At her name, Addy turns and grins at me, moving to my side.  I wrap my free arm around her waist and wiggle my eyebrows at 10k.  I love teasing him.  He is just so cute that it sent my heart into palpitations.

I wish that I never had to let go of his hand...but I have no idea if he even likes me in the same sense, and I don't want to ruin what friendship we had developed in this short amount of time.

"Well, we all know which team Tally plays for", Vasquez mutters under his breath, making sure it reaches the rest of the group.  I roll my eyes.

"Oh, don't be silly.  I'm bisexual."  I stick my tongue out at him.

There is a pregnant pause.

"Huh.  Well that's new news".

"Looks like Addy has company".

10k widens his eyes and looks at us together.

"Don't worry," I say, winking at him.  "I may be attracted to girls too, but I prefer to get with guys".

"Good to know," he murmurs.  Immediately, my heart skips around. 

What was that supposed to mean? Does he like me?

My thoughts are interrupted by our buddy Citizen Z on the radio Warren carried.

"Bad news, Operation Bitemark, looks like there's another zunami headed your way.  Better get to a safe place fast.  I'd say you have about three hours before it reaches you."

"Aw, damn", I shout, throwing my arms up from Addy's waist.  "Fucking again?  Really?  Really?"