We see Jack walking down the street with a few undead here or there, boots crunching over glass and loose gravel. The sun now fully risen bathes the dead city in gold, but it doesn't bring warmth—just clarity. Everything looks clearer in the daylight, and somehow that makes it worse.
Jack's eyes scan the buildings like he's looking for something—maybe shelter, maybe people, maybe just a reason.
Jack: "It's weird… I don't feel cold. Should I be feeling cold? Or tired? Or… something?" Every day it's a new question.
His voice trails off. There's no one to answer, except the wind brushing through cracked windows and the faint echo of distant crows and moaning of the undead walking by.
Up ahead, a gas station. Mostly intact. The sign hanging sideways, one chain barely clinging on. It swings slightly, squeaking just enough to get under your skin.
Jack makes his way toward it seeing if there might be anything fun to do, cautious but not scared. Still can't feel fear. Just that constant calm like someone put a weight on his emotions and turned the dial to mute.
As he steps inside, he noticed less items then before.
Jack: "Huh… people must of came through here." He mutters as he looks around.
Shelves mostly empty. Empty cans. Ripped chip bags. The usual looting leftovers. But behind the counter, something catches his eye it was quick but he definitely saw movement.
Jack freezes.
Jack: "Okay… now we're talking." He whispers
He has not met many people since he woke up the ones he did meet lets just say they weren't very friendly. It didn't matter anymore they are now busy rotting in the sun now.
Zombies are a great tool when needed.
Jack slowly walked towards the counter and before he could speak he heard groaning at the entrance seeing three undead walk in.
Jack: "Guess we're doing this again."
He walks away no longer caring about who ever was hiding as he turns he sees them—three undead, slowly dragging themselves between the debris.
Jack: "Stop." His voice is firm.
They freeze.
Jack walks up close—close enough to see the flies in their hair, the slow twitching of their fingers.
Jack: "Turn back."
They turn no hesitation at all.
Jack: "Alright. Now… leave."
They Shuffle away. Off to who knows where.
Jack: "..."
Then a sound—quick, sharp. Not undead. Someone breathing heavy. He turns toward the counter.
Jack now sees a girl—late teens, backpack, bruised lip, clutching a wrench like it's her last friend on Earth. She freezes when she sees him. Wide eyes. Terrified.
Girl: "Y-you're one of them… aren't you?"
Jack stares. Says nothing.
She raises the wrench. Shaking like a leaf.
Jack still just keeps staring
Girl: "I saw you command them! You—you made them stop!"
Jack nods.
Girl: "How?"
Jack still just stays silent, why you might ask well he likes fucking with people.
There's a long pause. The girl looks ready to run. Jack doesn't blame her.
Girl: "If you're like them… why haven't you killed me"
Jack just turns away and starts walking out of the store loosing interest if she just attacked him unprovoked we might have a different story but nope.
Girl lowers the wrench just a little.
Girl: "Where are you going?"
Jack looks her dead in the eye. No smile. No smirk.
Jack then turns back to continue walking.
The girl needing answers starts to follow him keeping a decent distance "Name's Riley."
Jack: "Jack." He holds up the dog tag.
Riley: "You can talk!" She yells a little to loud for her liking.
Quickly covering her mouth looking angry at Jack's back.
Jack:"When I feel like it"
Riley now just stays quiet as they walk down the street.
Riley notices how the zombies on the street keeps their distance from him and being close to him meaning her also.
Jack (to himself): "Maybe I won't have to talk to zombies all day now." He turns his head slightly back to look at her slowly follow him.
Riley: "What?" Saying a bit shyly hopping he does not want to chase her away.
Jack: "Nothing."
'This could be fun' he thought looking ahead.
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AUTHORS NOTES
Well dang second chapter is done what do you guys think
I had fun writing this as this is the first time tooke some time XD
Not sure when the next chapter will be up but hopefully soon have a great day everyone.