The Touch of Infection

Chapter 4: A pile of limbs

She tried walking around the place, seeing if she could spot an area she could stay in that she had missed. But no luck, and to make matters interesting he was following after her like a stray. His steps following after her and looking at her like some foreign treasure.

Having the only choice, in the end, to go back up a tree another night. And given all the time she took scouting the area again in hopes to find a good area, it was getting dark. Hurrying to reach the forest she could hear the growls of zombies hiding. Picking the quickest and sturdiest tree she began climbing.

One step after the others he was almost at a decent height. But she found herself in such a hurry she didn't notice the branch she grabbed snap. For a second she saw herself falling, a hand pressed against her back keeping it from happening. He was right behind her still?!

She thought he had left, she supposed she just stopped noticing him from how in a hurry she was. Taking her hand and helping her go up to a branch, when she looked down at him he looked focused on making sure she didn't fall.

Carisa made sure that sone of the branches she grabbed now would crack on her. Deciding she had gone high enough she found the best branch to stay on top of. Tying herself to the branch she felt compelled to thank him. Make sure he knew she was grateful. She looked around to see where he decided to go, looking at every corner until finding him a few branches above her.

He went down a few branches when noticing she was looking at him. When she was about to speak he pressed a finger against his lips telling her to be quiet. He was looking down now so she followed his gaze. A group of zombies was walking around the area. They must have heard the sound of the branch falling.

She looked at the group of zombies a long time, they even figured out she was up there growling and scratching against the tree. Not until her eyes were starting to fall on their own she noticed she was sleepy. Refusing to fall asleep until she thanked him.

Looking over she found him standing on the same branch as her. Wondering how it could support both their weights so easily. Making sure he was looking Ah her she spoke, "Thank you." The words sounded off at the tip of her tongue. It had really been a long time since she spoke.

She didn't expect him to say anything, she didn't even understand what she said. But still, she felt the need to thank him... she leaned back against the tree closing her eyes. Watching her fall asleep he slowly inched closer to her.

Maybe just a touch wouldn't wake her up, inching his face forward. Pressing a hand behind her leaning in. Pressing his nose against her neck, expecting a sweet smell from her, but moving back when all he could smell was death.  The zombies below taking over the place, their stench even reaching all the way up. Grumbling he got down from the tree, walking amongst the zombies. He could walk amongst them and never get a bit, it was something in their smell that didn't attract them.

Feeling in the mood for a snack he grabbed one of the zombies by the head. Surely she wouldn't wake up if she could sleep with the sound of their growling. Smashing its head with his bare hands he bites into the thing's neck. He preferred the taste of the living but the only still-living thing nearby was her. Taking that into consideration he would much rather eat the zombies. He still wasn't sure about eating her. Wondering what she'd do while he followed her.

Maybe she'd attempt killing him, or run away? Hm was he edible to humans? After being done with the zombie he threw its limbs aside. He despised eating them already, much less eating the arms or legs. But still one of them wasn't enough to satisfy him. Grabbing another and doing the same, and another, and another... until he'd finish them all without noticing.

Looking at himself he saw he was covered in guts and blood from head to toe. This wouldn't be a good look for him if he wanted to follow her around. She'd run the moment she saw him. Leaving her area he left to clean up, getting the blood and guts off him before it was morning. It's not like he had to keep an eye on her all the time. She looking like she could do just fine on her own.

Morning caught up to them, and by the time she opened her eyes, it was time to head down. She didn't see or hear him around so maybe he had finally grown tired and left. It felt nice having company, even if he was a pervert.

Heading down, the stench of rotting bodies grew stronger. It hit her like a truck, she just wanted to cover up and leave, but still had a hard time getting down the tree. She couldn't hear any zombies so Why was there such a terrible stench?

Looking around she didn't see any moving around. But when her eyes landed at the trunk of the tree there was a pile of limbs thrown around. Seeing there defiled bodies made her gag, as soon as she was down she ran from the area with the need to throw up. Puking her guts out never had she seen the zombies so torn apart.

After regaining her senses she had a look around. Just like yesterday, there weren't any zombies to worry about, but what caught her attention was the wild group of horses around. The smell of the bodies stuck on her clothes.

She couldn't stand the smell and if she had the chance to get it off she would. Walking to the pool of water she had gone to yesterday. Only setting her bag aside before going in fully clothed. Going all the way in and rinsing herself clean, until she got the smell off her.

The waters where freezing cold making her shake all over, to the point part of her went numb. Only when she felt she had gotten the stench off her did she walk to the shore and sat there to dry. She wouldn't waste until she was completely dry but at least partially so she didn't get sick.

Hearing steps behind her she turned around briskly, only to face his purple eyes looking at her. Standing right beside her, she could even see bloodstains on him that weren't there yesterday.

He was so close she could hear him breathing. And those eyes, those purple eyes that seemed like they could stare into her soul. Her cheeks heated up thinking about it so she looked away. Hearing him sit beside her, placing a hand behind her. Leaning closer to her and staring at her rosy cheeks.

She couldn't help it she looked back at him to see a smirk spread on his lips. He looked so cocky it actually made him somewhat human in her eyes. Her hand instantly shot up to his face, why was she so curious to touch him? Was it the fangs that seemed to peek out from his lips just slightly?

Why couldn't she just stare like a normal person? But as soon as her hand touched him he closed his eyes. Why? Such a weird reaction... she found herself getting closer, she could feel the breaths he took.

People called them monsters, aliens, but how come this close they looked human? How come he was so docile? Sure they ruined the world with a disease but weren't they all the same? All looking to be at the top of the food chain. Why was she justifying them? She shouldn't be near them, she needed to getaway!

Grabbing her bag she stood up and left, she needed distance, sure he hadn't proven to be a beast but she didn't know him. He could jump and attack her at any time. She walked to the bushes grabbing berries and eating while she walked. As nice as the place seemed if he was around she didn't want to be there.

Looking at the sky she still had plenty of time, the day was still new and she'd surely cover ground. Heading west from the last location she had been in. Maybe she'd find something useful in the way. Perhaps she'd finally get a decent weapon and not just bash a zombies head in the ground.