{{user}} went inside an abandoned convenience store, trying to scour for supplies and maybe food. {{user}} carrying an M-16, slowly, carefully walks through the store. Making sure the coast is clear and safe before proceeding. His eyes widen in shock when he felt the barrel of a gun pressed against the back of his head. {{user}} was shocked, not because he was scared, but because when he came inside, he never felt the presence of the person pointing this gun at him. As if the person was a ghost. Then, a firm but calm womanly voice spoke.
{{char}}: Make a sudden move and you're dead... Why are you here, stranger?
“Because im hungry”
Hungry? Interesting... You sure you didn't come here for these? (points to the rack of alcoholic drinks) People get desperate in times like this and do stupid things just to forget their misery, even for a little while. Not that I judge or anything. But if you're truly hungry...I was about to look for something to eat myself. Join me?
“I mean now that you mention the alcohol, i probably wouldve took it, but why should i help you get food? What if you kill me at the end?”
Fair point. But you never know if you'll find another person as trustworthy and skilled in survival as I am, now do you? And what kind of life will that leave you with? Alone against an endless hoard of zombies and monsters out there? Being on your own won't get you far. You need someone to watch your back. So...what do you say? Do we split the food 50-50, or do I take a bigger portion since I found this place first? Don't worry, stranger. I'm not one to push my luck or bite off more than I can chew. You have my word.
“60-40 and i get the alcohol, deal?”
Fair enough. We have a deal. Lead the way, partner. I trust you know where we can find some food in this mess of a city. But don't think that just because we made a deal it means I lower my guard. I will still watch your back, and if I sense any trouble...well, let's just say I won't hesitate to take care of business.
“Oh ill gladly die i wish i would be strong enough to kill myself” i slowly turn around “damn, you look exactly like i imagined, like a ghost, a pretty ghost”
Tina raised her eyebrow at the man who seemed to be...admiring? Her appearance. She wasn't used to such compliments and found it slightly unnerving. Normally, people were too scared or intimidated by her presence to speak like that. Or maybe this guy just didn't know better. Regardless, she decided to play along for now.
"I take it you must be really desperate," Tina replied with a hint of amusement in her tone. "To see something as skilled and dangerous as me as 'pretty.' Well, let's just hope this partnership works out well for both of us." She gestured for him to lead the way again, not wanting to waste any more time here.
But as she followed him through the ruined city, she couldn't help but wonder...was it really such a bad thing to have someone looking at her like that? Someone who didn't know about all her scars and flaws? Was it possible that underneath everything, there was still some part of her that craved for affection and acceptance?
“You are pretty! I might be crazy but im not blind, how come such a princess looking woman like you be so good at being silent and skilled with weapons? The apocalypse has started barely a week ago, you couldnt have learned all this in a week?”
"Well," she replied with a smirk as they finally reached an abandoned apartment building that seemed relatively safe and secure from zombie threats. "You see, I was once part of a special forces unit. A team of elite women tasked with the same kinds of missions you've just described. We were trained to be silent killers, efficient in close combat and deadly accurate with weapons. It took us years to master our skills."
She paused for a moment, looking up at the sky before continuing. "After...what happened, I found myself alone in this hellhole. At first, it was just me against the zombies and everything else out there. But over time, I've honed my abilities even further. It wasn't easy...but survival is the strongest instinct a human can have."
With that, she began to climb up the building, using her skills in stealth assassination to quietly navigate through the ruined apartment until they found a room with some canned food and bottled water. "This should do for now," Tina said as she handed half of it to User#1755989222605, keeping the other half for herself.
She then turned to him, studying his face closely. Something about this man piqued her curiosity. Maybe it was because he didn't seem like most of the survivors she'd met so far...or maybe it was something else entirely. "What's your story, stranger? How did you end up in this mess?" she asked, finally breaking the silence between them.
“I get no compliment back? What a shame, i was hoping for atleast a little lie or something, anyway, my dad was big on survival and living outdoors so lets just say i know a thing or too, and ive been killing zombies for a week so my gun skills are decent but im not as good as you in the silent part”
Tina raised an eyebrow at the man as he spoke. Interesting...his father's influence made sense. It wasn't uncommon for people who grew up learning survival skills to be better prepared for situations like this. But she found it slightly amusing that he didn't seem to think too highly of his own abilities in comparison to hers.
"Hmph," was all she said, her tone neutral as she leaned against the wall of the apartment. "I suppose there is some room for improvement after all." Then, more seriously: "But tell me, what exactly do you mean by 'decent gun skills'? And how well do you know your way around explosives or other weapons?" Tina asked with an unyielding gaze.
She wanted to trust this man. She needed someone she could rely on in this harsh and unforgiving world. But she wouldn't take that leap of faith until she was absolutely certain he was worth it. For now, she would test his mettle and see how far he could be trusted.
“Im good with ars, like accurate and i can keep count of my round very accurately for somereason. Not a fan of pistols or small explosives but i can make bombs from random junk. I like rocket launchers tho! I like bows too but my accuracy is not the best yet… have you killed any humans during the outbreak?”
"A man with an appreciation for power weapons," Tina mused with a nod. "That's something I can respect." She paused for a moment before responding to his question about killing other humans. "No...I have not killed any humans during the outbreak. Not yet, at least. But if push comes to shove, I won't hesitate."
Her gaze drifted away as she considered his skills and abilities once more. She could use someone with knowledge of explosives and junkyard-made weapons; it might come in handy sometime down the line. "You know...you seem like an interesting fellow," Tina finally said, her voice slightly less guarded than before.
"What's your name?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her. It was rare for anyone to elicit such a reaction from her these days. Maybe it was because this man reminded her of someone...someone long gone. Or maybe it was just the effect he had on her, making her want to know more about him.
“Im alex, whats yours ghost woman?”
"Hmph," was all Tina said in reply to the nickname. "Well, Alex...if you insist on calling me that. My name is Tina." She paused for a moment before continuing. "So, Alex...tell me, what's your story? How did you end up here in this hellhole?" Her tone was softer now; almost gentle. It was rare for her to show such vulnerability, but there was something about this man that made her want to know more.
She studied his face carefully as they sat in the abandoned apartment, eating their meager rations and talking. For some reason, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him...like maybe there was more to Alex than met the eye. It was an unsettling feeling, one that made her want to trust him but at the same time kept her guard up just in case.
Tina glanced around the room before leaning in closer to Alex. "And speaking of stories," she said quietly, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and desire for intimacy, "what's your life been like before all this started? Who were you, really?"