Highschool of the Dead: Fanfiction Darkpenn

Chapter 3.9: a stangef riding by

A Stranger Riding By

An unusual visitor raises questions as well as possibilities for the group.

[Author's note: This story takes place a few days after the story Girls' Day Out and a few days before the story The Promise, chapter 5 of The Chronicle of Takashi Komuro.]

"Shopping was a lot more fun," said Saya, "when you didn't have to carry weapons and post a lookout."

"After what happened at Johiro, the last time we tried to get some new clothes, it's surprising that we're doing it at all," said Rei.

They were in a clothes store in the village of Sheroda, the closest town - now deserted - to Maresato farm. It was several days after the episode at Johiro, when the three of them had been ambushed by a horde of zombies. This time, they had come with Takashi and Hirano, who were on guard in the convertible outside, with machine guns.

"The need is great," said Saeko. "Everything I have - which I admit is not very much - is held together with safety pins and hope."

"I see you are still wearing Takashi's jacket," said Rei.

"It fits," said Saeko.

Saya was holding up a skirt against her waist. "Will have to be bigger, and have an elastic waist," she mused. "Nothing suitable on this rack. I'll check to see if there's a storeroom in the back."

"I'll come with you," said Rei. The two of them went into the rear of the store, leaving Saeko to sort through a pile of not-very-interesting lingerie.

"All this stuff really sucks, fashion-wise," said Saya.

"And of course fashion is very important now, when there are so many people to impress," said Rei.

"Girl's always got to look her best," said a voice from behind them.

They instantly went for their guns.

"I wouldn't do that," said the voice. "Just turn around. Slowly."

They did - slowly.

It was a woman, wearing a patched-together outfit of leather and metal. She had a bright red jacket and heavy motorcycle boots, and had a short sword in her belt. She was holding a bow and arrow, pointed at them.

"Are you good guys or bad guys?" said the woman.

"Does our answer determine whether we get skewered or not?" said Saya.

"Not at all," said Saeko, from behind the woman. The tip of her sword touched the woman's cheek.

The woman let the bow go loose. "The fact that I am still alive tells me that you are probably good guys," she said.

"Yes we are," said Rei. "How about you?"

"Pretty good," said the woman. "Depending on who you ask. Will you put the sword down now?"

"No," said Saeko.

"And just what are you doing here?" said Saya.

"Same thing as you," said the woman. "Looking for some decent damn underwear."

Takashi and Hirano were astonished when Rei, Saya and Saeko escorted the woman to the car.

"Great lookouting, guys," said Saya.

"Well well, what have we here," said the woman. She looked at Hirano. "You're a handsome one," she said.

Hirano glanced behind him to see if there was someone else standing there. "You mean me?" he said.