We see Jack walking down the broken sidewalk, hands in his pockets, not a care in the world. Riley trails behind, still clutching her wrench like it's going to save her from a world gone wrong. The sky's clouded now, sun hiding behind gray layers. The kind of weather that makes the city feel heavier.
Riley: "Sooo… Jack, right?" She breaks the silence that's been stretching for nearly an hour.
Jack doesn't respond. Not right away.
Jack: "That's what the tag says, yeah."
Riley: "Right. Cool. Just checking." She says awkwardly.
She jogs a few steps to close the distance a little. The sound of her boots against the gravel echoes slightly. Jack glances at her, then back ahead.
Riley: "So... is this what you do? Just walk around? Command zombies? Scare the crap outta girls hiding in gas stations?"
Jack: "Sometimes I find snacks." He shrugs. "But mostly, yeah. It's a lifestyle."
Riley Blinks, Didn't expect him to joke. She wasn't sure if that was a joke.
She watches the way the undead on the street turn ever so slightly when they pass—like they sense Jack, recognize something about him—but they don't come near. Just drift away like leaves in the wind.
Riley: "You're not like them... but you're not exactly not like them either."
Jack: "You're observant. That'll get you far these days." He picks up a stone and throws it at a zombies head causing it to fall face first to the ground.
Riley: "I mean… you look alive. Sorta. Except the eyes. And the skin. And the whole emotionless, dead-inside thing."
Jack stops. Looks at her.
Jack: "You're describing half the people in the apocalypse."
Riley:. . .
Jack smirks just a bit and keeps walking.
Riley: "So what's your deal? You wake up and decide to start a new life as a zombie whisperer?"
Jack doesn't answer.
Riley waits. Still nothing.
Riley: "You are going to answer at some point, right?"
Jack: "I might." He says casually. "If I remember."
Riley slows a little. "You don't know?"
Jack: "Nope."
Riley: "...That's messed up."
Jack shrugs again. "So is the world."
The two keep walking. An old diner sits at the corner of the block. Windows shattered. A single undead inside bumps endlessly into the jukebox, which flickers like it's trying to work.
Jack raises a hand. The zombie stops moving. Just stands still.
Riley: " Weird."
Jack: "I could make it dance"
She almost laughs, mainly how he said it with no emotion.
Riley didn't notice how late it has gotten, they find shelter in a half-collapsed apartment building. Fourth floor still has a roof and a working door. Jack sits by the window, boots on the ledge, watching the horizon. Riley sits opposite, fiddling with her wrench.
Riley: "So what now?"
Jack: "I wait for something interesting. Or I die again. Whichever comes first."
Riley: "That's dark."
Jack: "It's honest."
Riley: "So… you gonna let me stick around?"
Jack looks over at her. Raises a brow.
Jack: "Thought you were already doing that."
Riley: "Yeah, well, figured it was polite to ask. Y'know, before I start unpacking or whatever."
Jack stares at her for a second.
Jack: "Sure. Why not. I was getting tired of talking to the dead anyway."
Riley smiles, just a little.
Riley: "Cool. I'll try not to make things worse."
Jack: "Don't worry. I already assume the worst."
Silence again. But it's not tense this time. Just quiet.
The sun dips behind a building, throwing long shadows across the room.
Riley turns and leaves him in the living room to find a bedroom not to dirty to sleep in.
After Jack hears a door lock indicating she found a place to sleep Jack stood up and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one up.
Jack (to himself): "Let's see where this goes." As he blows out some smoke.
___________________________________
AUTHORS NOTES
Third chapter lets go
I had fun writing this as this is the first time I'm writing a novel
Not sure when the next chapter will be up but hopefully soon have a great day everyone.
Power stones!!!!!