PARADOX ↦ ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

23

A DAY PRIOR, 4:43 PM

Her eyes scanned the gates ahead of her as she started down the trail, heading out with a bit of supplies in case anything were to happen. She had to focus, the plan was simple, but every time she thought about it her thoughts recessed back to if she failed. Not only would she let her whole camp down, but she would let the Galra camp down as well. It was her duty to fight, just as her father did. She had to get the herd to follow her and her friends away from Altea, and toward Galra.

Her horse was calm as she rode it out of the camp, from the trail to the grass and following the two horses ahead of her. She was lucky to have her horse still, especially after most of theirs were taken by the Galra months ago.

To her, months ago was fresh in her mind. She lost her father then, along with almost all of them dead. She and around fifty people were all that was left, their camp still practically in ruins, but the wall repaired to keep them safe. As soon as she lead the heard to the enemy, she could go back home.  She turned to look back at the gates, knowing by risking her life like her father did, she may never return.

"Allura?" The man ahead of her called, turning her attention to him.

"Yes, Coran? " She responded, turning the white horse to face the pinto he was currently riding. "Is there something wrong?"

"You're lagging behind." He stated, knowing it was safer for them to all stay together.

Allura sighed, urging the horse on as she headed forward, Coran riding next to her. "I know... I just get worried. What if this plan doesnt work?"

The bay horse ahead of them slowed, walking next to them. "There's no reason for it not to." The other man said while riding, his dark skin and dark hair complimenting his blue eyes. "Lotor told us the camp weakness and told us to simply lead the walkers there. Then they will do the rest."

"I know that Aaron." Allura responded, in the middle of the two. "But what if something does go wrong?" She repeated.

"It won't." Coran insisted. "But if you keep that attitude it for sure will be."

"You're our leader now Allura, and by doing this it shows that you are brave." Aaron said and smiled softly. "You are a lot like your father. You have his ability to lead, but you also have his optimism."

Allura looked down slightly, but sighed and nodded. "I just have to stay positive and hope- no, I know nothing will go wrong..." She said, repeating the words to herself. "Nothing will go wrong..."

Coran laughed softly. "That's the spirit!" He cheered softly, nudging her shoulder softly with his hand.

Aaron smiled and looked at both of them. "I'll race you past the tree barrier!" He said quickly before he urged on his horse's reins, the walk turning into a gallop.

Allura smiled at her friend, urging her own horse onward. "You are so on!" She laughed and rode fast, trying to catch up with him.

"Oh, come on!" Coran laughed and tried to get his horse to move on, catching him off guard. "No fair!" He called out after them, not as fast but not wanting to lose. "You both got a head start!"

—

THE PRESENT

The rain hit the window, thunder sounding outside as he lit a candle, then gently hovered a cigarette above the flame. He then went to the window, looking out for a moment before he heard her toss in the bed.

Haggar gently looked over at her husband, keeping her bare body covered in the sheets. "Are you alright love?" She questioned, propping herself up on her elbow.

"They're coming Honerva." Zarkon simply said, gazing out the window and at the trees in the far distance by the cliff.

"You said that yesterday as well..." She said, reaching down on the floor for her shirt before she slid it on, walking toward him and gently wrapping her arms around him.

He stayed stoic, as if her affection couldn't break his stone. "Because I know. Lotor has been distant. He has to be complying against us somehow." He said as he drew a breath from his cigarette, blowing the smoke out a moment later.

"He's our son." Haggar responded, gently rubbing his back. "He's been with us since before this mess. He won't go against us."

"Even after what I did to his lover?" Zarkon asked, not believing her.

"You knew what was best. That boy was a distraction from his duties, from his home." She told him, looking up at the man.

Zarkon scoffed slightly, putting his cigarette out against the window seal, then throwing it in the ashtray on the nightstand. "That boy was nothing more than a lovesick princess. Ever since I got rid of that Altean, he hasn't looked at me the same. It's always more sterner, more serious." He told her as he gently moved his arm, placing it around her.

Haggar sighed and gently traced her hand over one of the scars on his chest. "Think of it this way. You made him into a man. He understood that love is not important. Not when he has to prepare to lead a camp one day."

"We are a fantastic example aren't we?" Zarkon chuckled before he looked down at her, gently kissing her forehead. "Go to sleep, tomorrow will be a new day."