Winter - One Month Later
Considering it has only been a month since I met him, Buddy has grown quite a lot. He's almost the large size of an average adult German Shepherd. I've taught him many commands over the past month and he has aced every single one. Ever since I first met him he would follow me everywhere. I would share my meals with him whenever we got food, although, food supply has been getting shorter and shorter. I still share what I catch with him.
I catch an I6 staggering over to me from the corner of my eye. Why is an I6 this far North? Without another thought I step towards it. Buddy seems as if he's about to attack as a low growl rises in his throat as he crouches down low. "Stand down." I command him. He obediently ceases to growl and stands tall as he waits for me.
I raise an eyebrow in confusion as the I6 walks normally, like a normal person, but it's rotting flesh says otherwise. I pull out my dagger from the sheath that's strapped to my lower leg and I step closer to it. It makes a strange gurgling sound, as if gurgling it's own blood. It steps closer to me. Buddy watches closely, as I go to slash downwards, but the creature stumbles out of the way as if dodging my attack. They've never dodged an attack. I think, confused. I then sweep it's feet from beneath it and I slam my dagger into it's forehead. It struggles for a few seconds, before falling limp. "They shouldn't be this far up North." I speak to Buddy. I always talk to him, because it's almost as if he listens to me, and sometimes he even seems to answer me. "It seemed like it was coming from up North too." I say, ripping my dagger out of the dead Infected's forehead and I replace it in the sheath. Buddy barks and I nod my head, "There must be something up there." I say in agreement, as if repeating his 'words'.
"I guess, that means we should head that way." I state and we go a little left from the direction we had been walking in. I just hope this isn't a bad idea.
~-*-~
Buddy walks close by my side as we walk North, but something seems to come to his attention. The big dog stops and barks, causing me to come to a sudden stop a little ahead of him. I take my bow in my hands and pull out an arrow, pulling it back on the string. I aim in the direction that Buddy growls lowly towards. His growl is quiet, but threatening. I finally hear four voices conversing with each other. All of them are hushed, but I can make out what they say. Buddy barks a second time, causing their voices to silence. I hear the clicking of guns reloading. Buddy sounds like he's going to bark again, but I quickly shut him up, "Halt." I whisper sternly. He makes an annoyed sounding huff, but quickly resumes his low growling.
I take out another arrow for a multi shot just as four people appear through the trees. "Drop your weapons!" One of them call, their voice is a strong male's voice. I don't move and continue to aim at them as they come closer, still cautiously.
Suddenly, I drop my bow and it hits a rock with a dull sound. Buddy barks and jumps up on me, thinking I've zoned out again. I taught him to do that when I come deep into my thoughts to ensure nothing jumps me whilst I'm zoned out. He barks over and over, scratching his paws against me. I stare blankly at the one person I completely recognise. His white-dyed, short hair. His deep brown eyes. He seems as frozen as I am. "Drew." I say in a strangled whisper.
Buddy seems confused, yet he still jumps down from me, standing beside me. The three people Drew's with seem incredibly confused.
He takes a small step closer to me, compact snow crunching beneath his shoes. Buddy growls lowly. "Stand down." I command him. He immediately ceases his growling. "Sit." I say. He instantly obeys and sits down.
I look over Drew. It can't really be him. Can it?
"B- But, you died." I say in confusion.
