Whoosh—!
Kreehk!
An arrow sliced clean through the air and sank straight into a zombie’s eye, dropping it in one flawless shot.
Derek peeked at me, having taken down two zombies in seconds with the calmness of someone twice his age. Clearly fishing for praise.
I smiled and gave his head a careful pat.
Rob called out from his spot, clearly amused. “Hey, Sasha. What’s with that rotten smile you’re giving the kid?”
“Sasha’s being nice and smiling! You just don’t get it,” Derek shot back.
“What? Kid, how bad is your eyesight?”
“Shut up, old man.”
Derek was right—I wanted to smile naturally, but my face wasn’t exactly cooperating.
Still, he got it, and that was enough.
“The numbers have definitely dropped. Look! We’re chatting and it’s still quiet,” Bliss noted.
She wasn’t wrong. Compared to yesterday, this felt manageable.
We were moving faster, helped by the group’s improving agility.
We reached our second temporary shelter earlier than planned and decided to catch our breath.
I found Yoan sitting apart, staring off into space. He glanced up and gave a faint smile when he sensed me coming.
“You like that doll?”
“Not really. Just didn’t wanna… leave it.”
“Good choice. It suits you.”
His reply was flat, and he went back to staring off into the distance. The tangled thoughts behind his eyes were troubling.
I sat beside him, fiddling with the doll’s ears when a bright idea hit me.
“Yoan. Touch my head.”
“So suddenly?”
“Head pats… improve mood.”
“Yours or mine?”
Seriously, so picky. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand, placing it on my head.
“Go on. Hurry up.”
He looked puzzled but didn’t protest, gently stroking.
So, this was like... pet therapy? Not that I’m a pet, but I figured mindless stroking might calm him down a bit.
He kept patting my head in silence for a while.
Honestly, I really did feel like a dog.
“Sasha.”
“Mm?”
“When did you last wash your hair?”
“...Huh.”
I did wash it, but definitely not today or yesterday.
Embarrassed, I grinned sheepishly and tried to scoot back.
But Yoan closed the gap. “Don’t run away.”
“Not running—”
“I was just saying your hair is oddly soft.”
Oh, that was it?
I even tilted my head so he could pet me more comfortably.
Where else could you find a considerate zombie like this? Should feel lucky.
“Your mood?” I asked.
“Good.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Are you worried about me or something?”
“A bit.”
I dunno know what you’re thinking since you won’t say, but don’t carry everything alone. We trust you. We’ll follow you. And I swear, we’ll be fine.
“Grroowww sayyrrrg alongrrarrk. Grrrrust! Yourrrhk. Grrawww-fingrar.”
“Hmm.”
After hearing my nonsense, Yoan opened his mouth seriously.
“This really isn’t working out. Once we get through this, we absolutely have to try something else.”
“Ugh… really?”
“Aren’t you frustrated too?”
You’re the frustrated one, not me. Though I admit, eating zombie blood and flesh is pretty gross.
Seeing my face, Yoan pressed on. “We have to find other methods. Either way, this has to end fast.”
“I’m fine…”
“Well, I’m not.”
Selfish jerk.
Yoan stood. “Come on. Still work to do.”
Annoying how he always says exactly what he means, but at least he felt better.
I nodded and took his hand.
Back with the group, Yoan split us into teams to check for survivors.
There were seven of us—a tricky number for teams.
I offered to go alone.
“No.” Yoan shut that down fast. “Going alone’s dangerous.”
“No, I’m fast. Strong. Can communicate.”
“I know you can’t talk zombie.”
“…Sign language.”
“Hah, be honest. You want to look for that zombie alone, don’t you?”
Aria? Hadn’t thought of that, but now that he said it, it made sense.
Aria was more likely to show if I was alone.
Rob chimed in from the side. “My lord, trust Sasha a bit. You’re way too overprotective.”
Who knew Rob would be helpful?
“Yeah, overprotective,” I said, stubborn.
I was a zombie and the lowest priority to protect, but they were smothering.
Probably because I’d charged in recklessly before… but that was to protect Yoan.
Alone? No need for that.
“I won’t do anything dangerous.”
“Among us, Sasha’s about as tough as they come,” Jeremy agreed with a nod.
“Hmm.”
Even Jeremy’s nod made Yoan think.
“Fine. But your only goal is to check on survivors, deliver food, and report back. Nothing else.”
“Got it already.”
Finally, permission.
So off I went alone.
“Be careful, sis.”
“You too.”
We set a rough time to meet and went to our areas.
Walking the ruined village solo felt odd.
Had I escaped when I first met Yoan, I’d probably be wandering like this.
Looking back, joining them was the best choice. Otherwise…
I’d have been scouted by Aria and ended up one of them, I guess?
I pulled my hood lower. People would freak if they knew what I was.
“Oh my goodness, thank you! We should be able to move safely in a few days!”
“Thank you, thank you! We’re alive because of you! sniff”
Delivering food and news, survivors were genuinely grateful.
I felt good being decent for once and was pretty satisfied as I made my rounds into what looked like a marketplace.
Is Aria really not going to show up?
I thought she’d appear again, whether to kill me or whatever.
Maybe best to finish quickly and look for her myself.
About five more spots to check.
Suddenly, a strange feeling prickled my spine. These hunches never lied.
“Ah!”
As I stepped forward, rope wrapped around my ankle and yanked me down.
I lost balance, hitting my head hard on the ground. Vision blurred fast.
Am I gonna pass out again?
Is it really okay for a zombie to be this pathetic?
***
Sunset.
Yoan stood, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, tapping his fingers, staring at one spot. But no Sasha.
“Haaah.”
He sighed deep.
This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted her going alone.
He pushed off the wall and headed inside.
Derek, waiting by the window for Sasha, came running.
“What do we do now?”
“Go get her.”
“But it’s almost night and too dangerous. I’m worried, but… we don’t even know where she is,” Bliss said sensibly.
“We can’t just wait.” Yoan got ready fast. “If I don’t come back in twenty-four hours, Rob—”
“My lord?”
“You take charge and lead. I’ll find Sasha and meet you at the next stronghold.”
“As you command.” Rob, usually quick to protest, answered seriously.
“I want to go too.”
“Hey, kid. This isn’t your place. Read the room.”
“I’m going. What if that guy gets stuck somewhere? Someone needs his back.”
“He’s not ‘that guy,’ he’s the lord. By that logic, it makes more sense for me to go.”
“Then what about the people here? Someone has to lead, and I can’t. You have to do it, old man.”
“…A little too well-spoken for a brat, aren’t you? And you still call me old man.”
Rob scratched his cheek, awkward.
“We don’t have time,” Yoan cut in. “Derek, follow me.”
Derek grabbed his bow and followed Yoan out.