Over the Horizon

Chapter 3:Newcastle

This Chapter was written by Grace.

After all that we felt rather tired so we decided take a break underneath some trees.

I had gotten out my drawing book and was sketching away. When I noticed David looking at me with such interest out of the corner of my eye.

I ignored this for the longest time until I decided to look up at him. He quickly turned his gaze away from me.

“You’d never think there's an apocalypse going on. Ya know?” He said

“Why do you mean?” I replied

“I mean look at it, Blue sky, green grass, birds tweeting. Out of context, this might seem like a normal day"  He replied

I looked around.

He was right

If someone living under a rock had just come out and decided to go for a walk they would be oblivious.

“I see what you mean, you want to see what I've been drawing?”

“Sure”

I passed him my drawing pad. It was the horizon. I normally draw people, animals or things inside my head but I decided to try something new. I eagerly looked at David to hear his response.

“Wow. I honestly didn't expect this" He looked up smiling

“Thanks” I said blushing slightly “it's a bit rough but I thought I might as well try, we should probably get moving. Seeing as I can see it getting a little darker”

“Yea. C'mon. Let's go" He stood up and held a hand out for me.

I gingerly took it and he pulled me up as we began walking.

We walked for about five minutes before I could hear a rustling in the bushes.

I stopped walking for a second as I eyes the bushes.

“Did you hear that?” I asked David

“Yeah" he said “Weapons up"

I pointed my rifle to the bushes. David did the same

The tension raised and the rustling got closer.

I held my breath as the rustling came to its peak and something came out of the bushes.

I yelped.

It….was not a walker.

It was a dog.

“A dog!” I exclaimed as I approached it.

“A dog?” David said in confusion.

I let it sniff my hand

It was a German Shepard

It sniffed my hand curiously and then licked it.

Seeing that it didn't mind humans I gently pet it's head

It's tail began wagging.

“It's friendly David!” I said happily.

“So I've noticed. That means he or her has an owner. And they’ve been trained.”

“but where is the owner?” I said looking at the dogs collar.

It read

Harō

“Hello Harō!” I said petting it more. It's tail began wagging furiously.

“Harõ huh? Well then Harõ where's your owner?” David asked,

Harō tilted his head slightly as if he wasn't quite sure.

“Maybe he's around here somewhere” I said thinking.

“Or maybe he has turned into a walker.” David replied.

Harōs ears went down slightly as if to confirm what David said.

“He's a clever boy eh?” I said petting him even more. I couldn't help it. I haven't seen a dog in two months

“Yeah. Anyway, we should get moving. It will be dark soon and we both know walkers are more active at night"

I nodded and stood up

Harōs tail still wagging

“You want to come with us boy?” I said with a smile

Harō let out a bark

“I'll take that as a yes”

David said nothing and started walking. His rifle still in hand.

I got up and began following David tapping my jeans to signal Harō to follow us.

“We got a doggo!” I said slipping my hand into David's.

“Yep" He replied putting his rifle over his shoulder “We’re nearly there. We can sleep soon"

“Good” I said “because I'm bloody tired”

“Is that a reference to A Burnt Rose?” He asked

“Maybe” I smirked.

Before the infection. David had written a few books. One of them called A Burnt Rose. I never really read many of them because most of them were fanfiction but there was one line in that one that made me laugh for some reason.

‘My names captain delta rose and I'm bloody tired’

Anyway.

After walking for a bit I noticed that David was walking a little strangely. As if he was falling asleep while walking.

“David?” I said

“Hmm? Yeah?” He replied clearly tired.

“Are you ok? Maybe we should just sleep outside if your this tired. How far away is where we are going now?”

“From what I saw on the last sign, about 20-30 min best. An hour worst. But don't worry, I’m fine"

“David you honestly look like you're about to pass out. When was the last time you ate something?”

“Uhh, about 2 days ago?” He said like it was nothing.

I sighed and swung my backpack around my arm so I could reach it.

I then dug through it and found a small box of crackers and handed them to David.

“Eat” I Demanded

“Fine" He said as he slowly opened the box and started eating.

“You gave me your lunch so it's only fair if I give you mine” I smiled

“If we're being honest here? I made that sandwich for your breakfast but you killed that bird so. Yea. If Dean was here could we say, you flipped him the bird?” He said while

smirking.

“Don't bring Dean into this…” I said sighing “don't even mention him...please”

“Shit" He muttered “Right sorry" He looked down guiltily.

Dean was my boyfriend at some point. Way before the infection started. But things didn't work out. He had cheated on me multiple times and even...well...some things are better off not mentioned.

“It's ok” I said giving David a comforting smile “you just forgot. That's all”.

“I know. I shouldn't have forgotten. Is all. I love you" He said and passed me back the box of crackers.

“I love you too David...but you aren't going to finish the crackers?”

“We have very little food left. One of the reasons I haven't been eating. It was also one of the reasons I was desperate to get to Newcastle quickly, so we can get some supplies.” He said

I paused for a bit

“You worry me sometimes”

“Is that a bad thing?” He asked genuine concern in his voice.

“Yes...yes it is”

Later *Censored*