Slight edit~

Three weeks had passed since Shawn and Olivia moved in together. Winter was in full swing now. The Walkers were frozen solid, the snow was piling up, the days grew colder, and the nights grew longer. Their life together was simple but pleasant. Days were spent working to build up a store of gear and food. Shawn had gathered more fuel from the other boats and a few gallons of oil for the motor. He linked together a few more marine batteries to make sure they would have a good power supply. Shawn kept gathering more stuff that others left behind in the city. A hunters scope but no rifle more ammo for his guns and now a back up piece. Earlier on they had visited some libraries in order to find maps of Canada and the US to help them on their journey. They also took a few books on survival tips and other subjects that would help them, as well as some novels to enjoy. When not working they would relax and enjoy each others company. They talked about their plans for the future, about their pasts, about the now. They'd sit and read together, had meals together, even played in the snow sometimes. Olivia recalled a snowball fight when she had managed to peg Shawn square in the face. He had chased after her, shouting that he would get his revenge, and when he caught her he shoved a handful of snow into her face. It was cold and fun, and afterwards they went home, curled up with a blanket, and had some hot tea. Olivia had fallen asleep with her head on Shawn's shoulder that night, worn out as she was by their winter fun. Shawn had become an irreplaceable part of Olivia's life. He could no longer imagine what it would be like without her around. Every day their trust grew deeper and his love for her grew stronger.

Shawn knew Olivia was tough but going out alone to gather supplies was a little daring. He wanted to argue and at least go with her but she survived this long and together might wind up being a distraction for both. as he watched her leave the boat he got into a hurry and fell down into the boat scraping his shin. cussing for a minute mixed with some deep breathing he put on his boots and got dressed just in case. Shawn grabbed his gun and sat out side to keep the reception strong. hooking the charger to the solar cell to the charger to keep it fully charged.

"Alright, love," she said cheerfully over the radio. "I'm about to go out of range. I love you and I'll check in when I get back in range. See you when I get home."

Shawn keyed up the mic. "Be alert. I love you." He started to rub his hands together and worry. He couldn't leave base and risk the work they did. Right now he would risk it all for her safety. He was glad the place was larger so he could pace.

Olivia radioed in to Shawn. "There were some complications. I'm coming home now," she muttered into the radio. "Going dark for the moment." Then she shut the handset off again.

"Wait . Hello, hello?" He stopped his heel in the floor. She was safe but something didn't sound right. He was with her long enough that it was not the happy Olivia he knew. He grabbed the scope and started to scan the coast looking for her. He grabbed his bag and a car first aid kit he found and ran back out to look for her and make sure she was coming home in one piece. He saw her walking up and she looked like a hurry. He didn't want to have her think he didn't trust her so he darted back inside and took off his jacket putting the guns in the bag and that in the closet. He sat down with the radio and waited.

As she walked down the stairs he noticed her face was different, pale. Shawn felt her tremble as she hugged him. He hugged her back holding her more for comfort then the usual affection. "It's ok. Your home." He had no idea what happened but his face grew dark and the thought that something tried to hurt her was clear. Shawn grew angry. He loosened his fists and patted her back "It's ok darling I got ya."

Olivia sniffled as she hugged Shawn tighter, still pressing her face against his chest. She tried not to think of what just happened. Tried not to think of what could have happened. Instead she focused on Shawn. His scent, his strong arms wrapped around her, his soothing words, the beating of his heart. He was her rock, strong and steady even when she felt overwhelmed. Shawn's very being was a balm to Olivia's fears. Gradually she stopped shaking. Her eyes closed, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She pulled away just enough to move her arms so she could wipe away the beginning of tears--tears that she refused to let fall. Looking up at Shawn, she suggested a bit mutely, "Let's go have a seat and I'll tell you what happened."

Guiding him over to a chair, Olivia let Shawn sit down before she sat on his lap. She didn't want to be apart from him right now. She wanted to be as close as possible. To have his arms around her and know she was safe. Taking another deep breath, Olivia began to explain. "I went to Central Park to check my traps as planned," she told him as she settled down against him. "The first three were empty. That was alright. I didn't expect to have something in every trap. Then I moved onto the fourth one. That's when things went crazy." Olivia was working hard to keep her tone even, to keep her voice casual. She didn't want to break down crying. She didn't want to let those assholes get to her even after they were dead.

"There were rabbit tracks in the snow and the trap had been sprung," Olivia said, still working to keep her voice even. "There was nothing in the trap though 'cause out rabbit got stolen by three sons of bitches. When I saw that the rabbit was gone I was just gonna call it a day and come home. Didn't wanna be out of range on the radio, not being able to reach you with other people nearby. Before I could even leave though the guys came back. Guess they musta still been nearby hidden out of sight. They tried to jump me. One guy had a gun, another an ax, and the third a knife. That was all they had though. What a piss-poor arsenal if you ask me." Olivia knew that she was swearing a lot--both mentally and aloud--but in a way it made her feel better. Besides, she was actually being rather sparing with her expansive vocabulary of colorful words.

Shaking her head as she recalled the memories of the fight, Olivia continued on. "I took all three of them down. Knocked their clocks out for good. Since they had taken my rabbit but hadn't split it open yet, I took it back and grabbed everything else they had of use. Fair is fair considering I knew what they intended to do. Just in case they had any more buddies hanging around I decided it'd be best to get on home. So here I am, and there they are dead in Central Park. That's what they get for messin' with the wrong girl." Olivia felt her fear slip away with the end of her tale. She realized now that she had no reason to be scared. It had been a scary situation, yes, but she had easily taken control of it and had come out on top. Three years ago before the start of infection, Olivia would have balked at the thought of killing three men with ease and without remorse, but over the three years she had learned that you had to act with a strong heart and no hesitation if you wanted to survive. There were still kind people in this mad world, but those three men had not been kind.

Holding Olivia and listening to her tale his face stayed dark. Shawn was grateful for her returning unharmed and that she took out three assailants by herself was impressive. Now was just not the time to be impressed. Shawn held her and rubbed her back. "Your home. I'm grateful that you're safe and I can hold you right now." He sat there with Olivia in his lap and held her close for as long as it took to get her to feel safe.

No matter how long it took Shawn sat there holding Olivia. He rubbed her back and held her gently. He wished the chair would rock but this rich types probably had someone to do that for them. He closed his eyes and softly hummed to her a country song (Keith Whitley - "When You Say Nothing At All"). He rested his cheek against her as he hummed. Eventually he quietly sang to her the same song. Still holding her in his arms.

Nodding at his words, Olivia leaned against Shawn and lay her head on his shoulder. She let her eyes close and just focused on him. His breathing, his arms around her, how he gently rubbed her back, his warm voice as he hummed an old familiar tune. If Olivia was truthful there weren't too many country songs she really cared for. Even back before everything started she had preferred other genres of music over country, though she did have favorite country artists like Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, and Shania Twain. Mostly she preferred rock, metal, old school swing music from the 20s, guys like Frank Sinatra, and classical artists like Mozart and Bach. But far be it from her to tell Shawn that at this moment. Besides, the song he chose had an all too obvious message of love. Olivia smiled and lifted her head up to kiss Shawn's cheek. "I love you, Shawn," she breathed quietly as she hugged him close.

Thinking of Frank Sinatra made Olivia recall a song of his that he liked. Fly Me To the Moon. Olivia began to hum a bit quietly at first, but then she started to sing aloud, her voice melodic, her tone matching perfectly the style in which the old crooners like Frank used to sing.

"Fly me to the moon
Let me play amoung the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On jupiter and mars

In other words, hold my hand
In other words, darling kiss me

Fill my heart with song and
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

Fill my heart with song and
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true
In other words
In other words, I love you"

At the last words Olivia kissed Shawn on the lips and gave him a smile. She felt at ease once more, being at home with him. Looking around the boat, Olivia started to think. It was winter. They knew that much. They just didn't know what time of the year it was exactly. Perhaps November or December at least. Was Christmas right around the corner? Or maybe it had already passed? Olivia didn't know. She had stopped worrying about the holidays long ago. And yet right at this moment she couldn't help but think how nice it would be if they could decorate the inside of the boat with Christmas decorations. Olivia knew that celebrating Christmas would not restore the world to how it was before the infection, but perhaps this one thing would make their lives a bit brighter for the duration of winter.

"I'd like to visit some thrift shops soon, Shawn," Olivia told Shawn decidedly. They were the most likely place she would find what she was looking for.

Shawn listened to the melody she sang after his. He didn't recognize it but he listened to the song and the words. Shawn felt her body relax in his arms. Gently kissing the top of her head at the end of her song the message was clear. He kept his arms wrapped around Olivia shifting a little in the chair Shawn held her close. He didn't know what to say anymore. The world was a messed up place and the fact that three people not walkers would try to assault a girl in this world made Shawn take a deep breath to calm himself. He was glad they were dead. Just holding her was calming to him as well. This was a sanctuary Shawn would fight to keep it that way.

The next words took Shawn by surprise. He thought for a moment as to the reason. Putting snow and shopping together it all lead to the thing Shawn would of obviously over look in the current situation. "Why don't we move the boat up town tonight we drive low and park it with some of the other boats and you can have the high end stores. No survival gear in there should be empty. Not many people willing to fight for name brand stuff." Shawn covered Olivia's hands with his own. "Either way I think we should move the boat. Staying here too long is a mistake. I've already took everything from the surrounding boats."

While visiting some high-end stores was not on the top of Olivia's list of things to do, she couldn't exactly say it wasn't something that she didn't want to do either. Olivia had never been greedy or selfish. She had always been realistic and level-headed, never asking her mother to buy her nice things that they couldn't afford. Olivia had been more than content with the life they lived, though she had strived to do her best in academics so that she could help support her and her mother by getting a good job. That wasn't to say that Olivia didn't want to see what the world of the well-to-dos was like, but she did not yearn for their lives or their material goods. At this time, however, the story was a bit different. If there was a store--any store--that had useful supplies of any sort then Olivia would go and clear it out no matter if it was a thrift store or a fancy department store. Besides, her main goal was still to find some decorations for Christmas.

"I think that's a good idea," Olivia agreed when Shawn suggested moving the boat. "I can't guarantee that I wasn't followed coming back, and like you said we've pretty much wiped this area clean. We'll leave tonight when it gets dark." She squeezed his hands in reassurance--not only for him but for her too. Everything would be alright, she told herself. It would all be alright.

Under cover of night Olivia untied the boat from the dock and hauled up the anchor. They sailed away from the shore for a few miles before heading farther up north, keeping parallel to the shore. Soon they had the boat pulled up to a larger set of docks with even bigger boats than the ones they had seen at the other docks. Yeah, this was definitely the high-end of town alright. At least it had been in its hey-day.

Once they had their Sunseeker settled in, Olivia wandered over to Shawn who was at the helm and came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning in to kiss his back. "Let's go to bed, love," Olivia suggested.

Shawn was glad she agreed to the move. It was too dangerous to stay blood tends to attract predators others would find the bodies and figure there were others in the area. Well equipped and or skilled they would try to find the person to either recruit or take out. The number of times they walked up the docks. He had gotten careless. Shawn started to feel more responsible. Driving the boat away from the spot slow and quiet made him feel a little better.

Docking at the new spot made him feel better. Shawn just finished dropping the anchor when he stood there overlooking the water He felt a little calmer and safer. Shawn looked at the city. People living on top of each other. Like a kennel. Such a waste. Arms hugged him and Shawn wrapped his arms around them. Everything faded away. The arms held him and the smile grew on his face warm and comforted in the security of her arms. Olivia's trust was something precious to Shawn. As Shawn heard the words he followed Olivia to bed closing the outer door and locking it. Taking off the outer wear and his boots Shawn got ready for bed.

Morning came and Olivia carefully slipped out of bed to dress for the day. She gave her still sleeping country boy an affectionate kiss on the cheek before she quietly made her way into the cabin to start some coffee and heat up something for breakfast. She cooked up some rabbit with some dried apple reconstituted with water, then made Shawn a cup of coffee just how he liked it. Balancing their plates and cups on a tray, she carried it back to the bedroom. Olivia set the tray aside before she sat on the bed next to Shawn. To wake him up she showered him with kisses until he came out of his sleepy stupor. "Mornin', love," she greeted warmly. "I've got coffee and breakfast all ready. Were you wanting to go out today, or stay in?"

Shawn awoke under a barrage of kisses. His mouth in a smile before his eyes opened. As he looked at Olivia he took care to move smelling the food nearby. Shawn slid his body up the bed to rest his back to the wall. "Morning love, sleep well?" He looked at her no different then before. He loved her. He grabbed up the the covers out of habit.

"I reccon I'd best be getting up. I'll take a quick shower then eat that fine smellin breakfast. Rabbit? Mmmm! I needed to get some more stuff for the boat. A few odds and ends. Shouldn't be too long. We can stay in touch by radio, switch channels mid day to stay hidden." He looked down grabbing the boxers off the floor to cover himself. He stood up out of the bed and got out some clothes. As he moved about the cabin Shawn kept glancing back at Olivia and smiling. He snuck a look at her dirty clothes and wrote the numbers on his map. Then slid it into his bag.

Hopping out of the shower he dressed and sat down to eat. The food was good. Just one more to toss in the plus column. "Good god girl this here is good." He ate knowing the real world was just outside. Not that stuff like that mattered as munch anymore. He would fight every walker that stood between him and Olivia. Living for himself without a real purpose is like gambling when you are the only one at the table. Living for others gives life purpose. Especially when it's someone you love.

Shawn got dressed the rest of the way jacket, boots, the survival bag with his bar. He made sure both radios had a full charge. Double checking the gear and that he had everything he could need. No one came knocking but most people wouldn't look to see if a boat came up the coast in the middle of the night and parked next to other boats. Still he had a second switch installed in a secrete place the boat would stay put even if they undid Shawn's ignition switch. He sat out of sight in the drivers chair as he listened to Olivia's thoughts to the outing while forgetting to look at her face.

"I did, thank you," Olivia replied with a smile, giving Shawn's cheek another kiss before he got out of bed. She was far more cheerful than she had been yesterday when she had returned from her outing to the park. It wasn't just that though. Overall Olivia felt more relaxed and closer to Shawn than just yesterday. All of her barriers that had stood between her and him had been torn down completely last night. She trusted him and she loved him more than anything.

Olivia watched as Shawn started going about his work, nodding in agreement to his plans for the day. She had actually wanted to go out with him, but she had some different stuff to get. Besides, they'd have the radios to keep in touch with. Finally Shawn went off to take a shower. When he left Olivia rolled over onto her stomach on the bed and folded her arms, laying her head atop them. She allowed her eyes to close. Thoughts of last night and just different moments in the weeks gone by filled her head. They were sweet memories that she would cherish.

But through the good thoughts came a gnawing worry. Eventually Olivia would have to go back to the park to hunt. Would she have a run-in with more survivors with bad intentions? Or were those three men that she killed the only ones around? Olivia would talk to Shawn and see about taking him with her on her next hunting trip. She didn't want to be caught by surprise again.

Her good mood all but ruined, Olivia sat up. However, when Shawn finally came out from the shower she perked back up instantly. Seeing him always made her happy. While they ate breakfast she sat close to him. "Thank you," she said with a smile when he complimented her cooking. It really wasn't much given what they had to work with, but Shawn was happy anyway so she was happy too.

When Shawn started to get dressed Olivia pulled on the rest of her gear as well. Gloves, hat, jacket. She grabbed her weapons and other things while saying, "I'm going to hit up some of the department stores today to see what all I can find. Remember to keep an eye out for other survivors. I don't know if those three from yesterday were the only ones, but if they're more they might not be friendly. Of course you can radio me if you need help with anything." Going up to the chair where Shawn sat, Olivia momentarily slid into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on the lips. When she pulled away she was beaming up at him. For Olivia, Shawn was her everything. She was so glad that she had gone down to the docks that day. "I love you, Shawn," she breathed quietly. She gave him another kiss, then after a while she slid off of his lap and extended her hand to him. "Ready to go?"

Looking out at the city Shawn pushed all the "if's" out of his mind. His face was calm and thoughtful. The air was cold and the city was dangerously quiet. Some of the buildings were burned out. The cawing of seagulls were the only thing bold enough to make a sound. Holding Olivia as she sat in his lap Shawn's eyes still fixed on the coast. In that moment he thought of what was needed. Remembering the number of blocks and which streets to take. The subway was a sure death trap. He wouldn't go that route even if he was pressed. The office buildings were a secrete treasure spot for stuff like toilet paper. The emergency lighting was basically a large long lasting flashlight once the battery was recharged. They had a first aid kit, and coffee. Getting more ammo for his gun wound be a must and some lighters for heat or medical uses.

The kiss broke the focus and was a welcome distraction. Her happiness was warm and made him feel better about the day. She was so beautiful, especially now in the hellish world her kindness was everything. He smiled back at her and felt the gun in his back. Tucked away it was really more a last resort if he ever got bit. A few times he had used it to stick in the mouth of a bitter and give him the second chance he needed. He would of preferred a forty five but stuck with the Beretta nine mil because it was so common. He had the scope with some shoe string tied to his wrist the two hunting knives and a kitchen knife taped to the outside of his bag. Shawn felt the weight shift as Olivia got up and held out her hand.

Shawn smiled again and took her hand. "I'm ready darlin." Standing up he started to gather his effects. Putting the empty pack on and grabbing the crowbar Shawn walked with her to the end of the dock. "I was thinking radio check in twenty minutes. I'm going north a ways and grabbing some stuff from the offices." He smiled to reassure himself more then Olivia. "After the first radio check we should switch to the next channel, and so on. If I get into trouble I'll wait until the next check in to send a signal. If you don't hear from me then you wait until night and relocate the boat. The kill switch is under the second stair from the bottom floor. I also put in a lever for the fuel tube off the pump." The watches they had were on the same time. It was 815am. "See you in twenty." Shawn hugged Olivia gently, kissing her on the cheek and headed toward the first building.

keeping to the stone side and staying away from any glass fronts Shawn made it to an ally and began to snake his way north using the alleys between buildings to avoid the open streets. The walkers were either frozen or so slow he took the time to kill them with the bar clearing a path as he went. It left a trail but it also left a clear path back if he needed one. A few times a biter fell from the roof drawn to the sounds from biters below fighting Shawn. For the most part they exploded once they reached the ground. Some bums who had died in a dumpster had jumped out at Shawn forcing him to kill them and use more time trying to get to the first check point. Shawn also had the misfortune to find a building where a large pack was kept inside. Probably after trying to barricade themselves in only to fall prey to each other.

It was 0835, Shawn turned on the radio, "Check, check. I'm three blocks behind schedule, lots of walkers. No survivors, over." He was on a boat for too long and didn't take into account for all the walkers. He would just mark off the office runs and stick to the others. climbing a bunch of stairs would be too costly. If Shawn could make the time in the return trip he would hit a few but now they would have to wait.

No answer, Shawn's mind screamed out in scenario's. He was too far out to make it back in any reasonable time to give her aid. "No, stop it Shawn she is fine. Just in a bad spot at the moment. She'll call ya. Just you wait and see." At risk he left the radio on and turned the volume up. Exhaled he stood back up. Shaking his head and giving the side of his cheek a few slaps. Shawn moved on trying to pick up some lost time.

Making his way out of the the ally Shawn saw a gold mine but it had a scout in front. The guy didn't see Shawn but Shawn wasn't geared to take on a desperate guy armed with a rifle verses his nine mil with only three rounds. This was a choice Shawn would hold on. No way he could make the shot across the street and not raise alarm to the group holding the area. Looking up for a moment, If there were spotters Shawn couldn't see them. Doubling back meant more lost time, but to go around unseen was the only choice. "Shit." Shawn whispered. Slowly he backed up only to find a second scout had flanked him from behind in the alley.

This scout was younger, mid twenties and dirty. He had the look of a hunter that saw prey. Not too trained, the scout put his dirty fingers in his mouth and whistled out. Over ten feet out Shawn had to do this quick. Taking full advantage of the whistle, Shawn shot the kid in a quick draw. The round hit the scout in the gut and he dropped but not before reflexively squeezing the trigger on the tech nine he was holding. A spray of bullets rang out as the scouts arm raised a line of impacts raced to Shawn across the ground. Shawn veered left as he rushed forward. The scout cried out, Shawn tackled the guy on his way down. Putting the gun to the guys face, the scout gave up the fight. Or so Shawn thought. A click of a trigger pull at Shawn's side let him know his luck held for now. Grimacing from the future that could of been Shawn cracked the scouts head in with the butt of his own gun. Then again for making Shawn shoot him in the first place. This happened in the ticks of the clock. Shawn had no time to check the body he dipped behind a dumpster a few feet from the fight.

The second left his post from the front of the shop and came into the ally. "Chris! Hey Chris?! Aw, Shit man!"

The sound of footsteps in retreat was Shawn's que to get out now! Stopping he did a quick pat down to find a spare clip with ammo and some keys. Shawn took them and left quick. Running was sloppy but he didn't know how many there were in that group and although that Chris guy was alive when Shawn left him, gut shots were a fifty fifty. Running North to the turning point hoping she would either answer by now or... ducking into a door way to key the radio it was 941 AM.

"Olivia, not sure if you're receiving this. I'm running behind, this side isn't safe. There is still a group here. Olivia..."

Tears streamed from his eyes. In a choked whisper he spoke, "I know your safe I'll be there darlin just you wait for me." Shawn took a hard swallow and stood up. He looked at the map and folded it slowly. Taking the magazine he took off the scout he emptied the ammo and loaded the magazine a total of eight rounds of solid lead. It would do. He stepped off and made his way to the department store.

From the outside Shawn tapped on the doors and waited a moment. Nothing. Taking his gun tucked into his pants as he mad his way in. By now the emergency lights had run out of power. Only the dim light from the outside was streaming inside. Shawn's nerves told him it was a bad idea to venture to far in. He agreed. Thanks to marketing the store had placed all the woman's apparel in the front of the store. Shawn unintentionally took a moment to appreciate what new clothes looked like. Never stained in blood or brains. Undonning his pack to carefully place some of the clothes inside. He knew her size and taste in apparel. Darting around the store taking one item then moving to another. The display case was locked, taking a second to look around he wrapped the gun in a sweater top and smashed the glass. He took a his and her perfume set and decided it was enough. "Time to go." Was the thought he had but some one else said it.

Turning around he saw two guys with guns. They were dirty and had the look of being out too long. Shawn's mind raced for options as they talked. He was grateful for small favors. There were none, he was careless. "Hey fellas. Look I'm just getting some clothes for my little girl." Maybe they would let him lead them to a fake location buy him a chance.

The guys chuckled. "Little girl eh? Just love that. Rick, search him."

Shawn looked at the leader. Thin like eating was hard and his belt was holing his clothes on. Matted blonde hair and scraggly beard. About five foot ten and machinest thin. The guy coming up was dark hair about six foot even and just as thin. Now that shawn had stopped focusing on clothes both of them smelled like a gym locker with something dead inside. Shawn was going to use his army training. the dark haired guy approached Shawn who had his hands in the air.

"Wait Rick. You turn the fuck around." Shawn complied.

As Shawn felt the cuff on his wrist he spun around at the same time turning on his heel twisting Ricks arm behind his own back. Now Shawn stood behind the guy with Ricks arm pinned between them. Shawn took out his gun and put it to Ricks side. Shawn only had time to smile as the shot rang out. The bullet struck Rick and went through. Shawn felt the pain and took a step back. The blonde ran off as Rick fell. Shawn was left standing there bleeding.

He knelt down bleeding taking off his pack and jacket to look at the wound. "Shit." Shawn put a sirt offf the rack and wound it up like a towel. Putting it in his mouth he took a deep breath before putting his finger in the hole. The round hit one of the ribs it was slow enough from Rick that the rib caught it. Didn't make it hurt any less. Removing his finger from the wound he whimpered and groaned from the pain. There really wasn't munch to make a bandage worth a damn. Shawn searched Rick for anything useful. A knife, a section of metal pipe, a single poker chip, was all he had. Shawn spit on him for not having a handcuff key. Shaw cuffed the other side onto the first loop of the cuffs. Re donning his jacket and pack he got to his feet. "Time to get back. Can't keep her waiting."

Shawn looked at his watch, almost noon. By the time he made it back she would be there, ready for dinner.

Shawn had a bigger issue as his blood brought walkers to him even as they were stiff from the cold and trodded through the snow drifts to get to him. The bright side was that any one following him would have to contend with the walkers first. leaving a blood trail that dripped from underneath his jacket Shawn continued toward the boat. If he could reach it, he could sail off the coast to heal with Olivia. Safe from the land locked walkers. His steps started to falter as he lost blood. The walkers of the city began to follow him. First there were seven then from the alley ways and crashed vehicles they came. Shuffling in a large herd making it almost impossible to keep unnoticed. The herd now more then twenty shuffled in his footsteps. Reaching for him with outstretched arms. He forced his feet to move. The loss of blood made his temperature drop making every step a fight to live. The heard gaining ground with every step. The gap became shorter to soon he had no choice but to lock himself in an abandoned car.

There were no keys and the herd quickly surrounded it. Again Shawn smirked at the thought of being safe from the living. The car rocked side to side and the slapping of hands against the glass was the last thing Shawn heard as his eyes closed. He dreamed.. Of the days before the out break, where he had bought his home after his tour of duty. The cutting of the grass and getting the right flowers for his garden. The random emptiness of the home becoming a concern and how he heard noises from under the ground. Shawn knelt close to the soil, closer still unable to make out the words. Then bursting through the ground the dead hand and a half decomposed face of an old boot camp buddy. Shawn's eyes shot open to the reassuring sight of the dead still encircling the car one of them had managed to put a hole through the back passenger window and its arm desperately trying to reach Shawn. Most of the skin was cut from the glass. Shawn pushed in the lighter and while he waited searched the car for a miracle. Nothing but a map, some pens, fast food receipts and a lighter. Grabbing the cars cigarette lighter he started to heat the metal with the hand lighter getting the metal red hot. Lifting the jacket and shirt Shawn hovered the lighter over the wound before gritting his teeth and pressing down. "Oooooww! Son of a bitch! Damn!!" A few punches to the door panel and he lifted the metal only to have a little of the skin melted to the metal tear. "Damn!!" Shawn's mind screamed louder, telling Shawn how stupid it was to try some shit he saw in a movie.

Shawn sat there now more awake then he was previously and pissed. The thought came to him, He rolled a window down a crack and lite the map on fire. Shawn held it to the side of one of the walkers face lighting the hair watching as the embers fell to their clothes. Spreading the the pact together walkers until most of them were burning. Now heated from the fire outside Shawn looked at his watch 215 pm. "Damn I'm late." Trying the radio he found the battery was dead from leaving it on and the volume turned up. "Damn..Well..." He sighed trying to think Shawn rolled up the window to cut the smoke and looked around. Taking the knife that was taped from his arm he cut the cover off the passenger seat. Holding it in front of him Shawn opened the door to the fire pushing his way out he tried to hurry across the mob now to burned to give chase. The flames growled and snarled as he left them.

"Shot, burned, nearly eaten by a pack of damn roamers and now, now to top it all off, its going to be dark soon!" Shawn limped down the side walk hopeful the move would seem like a walker and not worth anyone's time. A few time a walker trapped inside one of the streets store would try to lung at him either cracking the glass or reaching out from the security metal fence to keep looters out. He fought to beat the night. Stopping to take a drink of water from his pack or stab a roamer that came from an adjoining alley he could see the docks and sighed in relief at the boat still being there. Stumbling over his own feet hunched over and exhausted he walked closer to home.

Shawn leaned against the ladders rapping his arms around like a lost friend found and appreciated. Taking a deep breath Shawn let his wall down and let the tears fall. Letting the fear creep in that she wasn't there, that something happened to her, that she was wandering the streets just another face in the shuffling swarm of death in the city. He climbed up slowly and each step was a fight to stay the course. As his eyes reached the deck Shawn's chest grew tighter. It was quiet on the new boat. The lights were off on the main deck, only the moon showed the silent scene. No blood trails or holes, the dock was quiet except for the night winds and the lapping of water against the hull. His hand reached out to the latch handle and pulled it open as he shut his eyes.

Shawn heard Nothing. His heart sank. Opening his eyes he looked about to see nothing. The boat was empty and he was alone. Grabbing his head he screamed and started to kick anything near by. After a moment of this Shawn slumped against the wall. Silently still letting the tears run down and disappear into his beard. He looked around and shook his head. She was real the clothes and things they shared were real. he would wait on the dock the next couple of days as his side scabbed over. Still stiff from the pain he sat in the same clothes watching for her. Telling himself it was real it was real.

Recharging the radio on the following day he would leave it on waiting wanting to hear her voice. So soft in its southern kindness. A week went by, nothing. No sign of Olivia and he had already started fishing again to keep from going into their supplies. Each day the numbness grew. His love still their within Shawn just sinking deeper within him each night. Stowing the gear on the boat and put the clothes he had in his pack away safe in one of the storage spaces. Shawn had a few batteries as back up and a few 5 gallon gas tanks filled. The river froze him in place and ice fishing became the new challenge of the day. No matter what he did he kept the radio on and the volume turned up carrying it like the hope for Olivia's safe return.

After a month had past the ice thawed and Shawn keyed the radio. "Olivia ...I love you. I made the choice to find you. I'm not going north. My side healed and is tender. I took the bullet out after it became infected. I made some sewing stuff from the fishing equipment. I used all the alcohol to clean it out and help numb me up some. You would of had a good laugh. First time got too drunk and passed out on the floor. I know you were real and I'll find you darlin. One way or the other I'll find ya."

Shawn had gone through his half of the supplies while he hid and rested. His side now a pink scar was what remained of the lesson he nearly didn't live through. He wore the police vest over a tank top with his hoodie over the vest. He had a back pack with water bottles and a radio charger if he ever found power. He kept a paper map of the city in his back pocket. The knife taped to his arm, one folder in his boot, and his gun in a new leg holster. In his hands was the 3 foot crow bar. The radio was off and by his side clipped onto Shawn's belt. He took a deep breath and looked out at the city as the sun came up. If she was there she would head to the boat. By now the only option is that Shawn would find her. He had to.

The walk into the city was eerily silent. The wind was still and the smell was of the rotters locked in the rooms in the many buildings now death traps. "This pace should be burned." Shawn thought. If he had a battalion of army grunts they could clear the city and cut the bridges making this a starting point for the new world. The issue would be the subway that was undoubtedly packed full of 'em. They always seemed to gravitate to the lower sections for what ever reason. May be run a train through and clear it? No this place had just too many exits. No living person would be mad enough to go there so he would keep his search above ground. He had a map and would go block by block. Working his way out from the docks in a semi circle.

Shawn moved to the first building. First going to the back door, locked, a good sign. He wouldn't bother with the front. Reaching up with the crowbar to pull down the fire escape ladder he climbed to the roof. From his military days he learned to start at the top and work down as to not have to fight the enemy from both sides. No rotters on the top. Shawn moved to the door and pried it open with the bar waiting. The smell told the story of things gone bad. He tapped on the door frame loudly. Waiting a few minutes he tapped again louder.

Groans and growls as they shuffled out of the dark. not sure how many he moved to the corner of the building using a lead move then hooking them with the bar and forcing them over the edge. It was loud and messy but they wouldn't survive the drop. One after the other lunged at Shawn only to be forced over the edge and fall with a wet splat. Nine in all. With the end of that Shawn went to the door and listened, nothing.

He moved in slowly, noting no smell of fire inside or able to see and burn marks outside he was sure the stairs would hold. The top floor the door was closed but not locked. He pushed on the bar and the door opened inward. Light streamed in from the end of the hall and gave the area a horror movie look. The smell was no better. He would go room to room. first right the door was locked and he knocked in a pattern so not to panic any survivors. Shave-and-a-hair-cut, waited for a moment and then put the bar to the door. The first room would help him layout what the others would be like so making sweeps easier and more muscle memory.

The door gave way to a living room that had a kitchen directly off to the left the right was a short hall way with more doors obvious bed rooms. The air was stale and everything had dust over it. Shawn shut the door behind him just as a marker. Who ever had lived here didn't bother coming back. The room had pictures of the family that lived there. A couple with a young boy. He moved to the hall and tapped on the door to his left. Not hearing a sound Shawn opened it to a kids room toys on the floor and a twin bed in the far corner. He kept the door open and moved to the last door on the left to a small master bed room. Empty, The room had a TV and a queen bed in the middle pictures of the family were on the dresser and a few more on the walls. Flipping the mattress, checking the closet, and dresser turned up nothing. Moving back to the living room Shawn slowly opened the door to the hall. Still empty let him sigh in relief.

He tapped on the door on the left side of the hall. He tried the door it was locked, so he put the bar to it and entered to the sight he never got use to. The smell was just as bad. A family took the quick way out and stabbed themselves to death. The last one with only a single tell. The knife still in his head via the eye. He saw them coming to life and he went after each with the bar in his hands. taking a minute to catch his breath he whispered, "Rest in peace." as he shut the door. He did this for the first floor and found nothing in the way of supplies but even less in the spirit of his hope.

By the third floor he was spent and the smell was making his empty stomach turn. He went to the last room on the right and shut the door it being stale but free of corpses he slid the couch against the door and went to the master bedroom. Again sliding the dresser to the door and then the bed to the dresser ensuring the shove would wake him. Shawn took of his boots and socks he took the bottle water out and drank the last of its contents. "Not munch of a night cap, but you'll do for now." He keyed the radio. " I'm not even done with the first building but I'll find ya. This might not be the best move on my sanity, I just cant believe it wasn't real darlin. Don't give up and neither will I. I will find ya." Laying down on the bed he held onto the bar and shut his eyes.

The sun woke him and again he went door to door and scene to scene. It was on the third floor from the bottom when he heard it. After the knock on the door, down the hall a whimper and some whispered voices. He took the safety off and pulled the hammer back on his gun for the time leaving it holstered but ready. Maybe it was in his head, maybe not. either way getting shot once was more then enough and he wasn't going to stop looking for Olivia just because of some whispers. He put the bar to the door and pushed it in. The frame split and he walked in shutting the door behind him. A weed poster gave him home and sure enough there was a gun in the dresser. two boxes of ammo and a cell phone. The closet had some dead bushes and a set up for growing. He took the gun and ammo and looking in the kitchen for food. He could hear more whispering. "Jackpot!" These stoners knew munchies. they had a few cans of the good stuff and a can opener. Shawn took the moment to eat standing in the kitchen behind the counter. They were cold but it was food. "Good god chef you are the man!" food raised his spirits. Sticking the other cans in his backpack he tested the water to find nothing. Letting out a sigh returned him to search for more in the apartment. Shawn turned up a few pron mags and some bags of dried weed he kept for barter. No first aid kit, nothing else of interest he took the can opener and left.

Taking a big chance Shawn spoke up. "I'm looking for my daughter. I'm going now. I don't want trouble so I'm going to leave and not come back. The top floors are clear if you need fresh clothes." not hearing anything he moved down the stair well to the second floor. Growls and moans came from some of the rooms. Glad he ate he moved from right to left down the hall. tapping on doors and some times hearing the dead scratching on the other side. He needed supplies and to know she wasn't there. Each door he worked was an exercise in futility.

One dead in particular was a fat girl. She lunged at him as the door was opened. Pinning Shawn to the wall behind him making them too close to use the bar. Snarling and biting at him she had him pinned against the wall. His forearm against her neck and his other hand holding hers away from his face. Shawn put his foot on the wall behind him and pushed off rocking her back off her feet. Shawn's weight made the rotting guts burst out the sides as he fell on her. Quickly he took the knife from his arm and stuck her in the temple. The smell was just ungodly. He tried to stand only to have his foot slide in the sludge. Shawn's second attempt was better, and he retrieved the knife only to slip and land on his ass in the sludge. "Shit." Shaking his head he got up a third time.

Shawn opened a window to let in some air. Thinking a burning dumpster would of been better then now. Lifting the collar of his shirt over his nose. Wanting to be thorough he moved down the hall and looked into one of the bedrooms. "Hello." It was a man's voice. Shawn jumped into the room and pulled his gun.

Shawn yelled out, "I'm looking for my daughter." He took a few steps away from the wall taking aim at the door way. Slowly he pulled the hammer of the gun back. The safety was always off.

"Man you've been through every floor if she hasn't showed by now she ain't here. You need to go." Foot steps moving away, the door closing, and more steps moving down the main hall.

"I'm looking for my daughter!" Shawn knelt down and peered out gun first. Nothing. Nothing but the bitter he just dealt with and the door was closed. Standing, then stepping out into the hall Shawn rested his back to the wall. Looking up questions came creeping into him with the doubt. He had gone through this once already and sure as the sun she came back. It had been a month and nothing. He still had the radio. He turned it on and listened. ....Nothing.

The guy was right if she was here she would of heard. Heard the doors breaking, the knocking the heavy boot steps of a man to tired to control the fall of his feet. She wasn't here. Just a mad man scaring a family trying to hold out in hell. He did the southern thing and cleared out the last two floors found some strength and broke five of the stairs to keep more from coming back up through the building. confident it would deter bitters from killing the family he left.

The streets were clinging to some remnants of snow. It was silent. Then a snarl and a walker fell from a roof. Shawn took a moment to mark off the first building in his search. One down and it only took two days to clear. Shawn needed some water to clean the sink off him. Letting his eyes look about on the map he saw the fire house previously marked in his searches. They would have a shower if anyone did.

He moved to the corners of buildings looking out and moving quickly across the open streets. The bridges were clogged with cars buses and wreckage.some of the cars were hanging off the sides. Shawn didn't even bother looking at the tunnels. When Shawn got to the fire house, it was different. The doors were closed. "Shit."

He maneuvered around to the side to see a herd around the corner. Some of them spotted him and like dominoes they lead the others. Over twenty walkers as his eyes became wide and nothing around him but alley ways and buildings to die in. Shawn was exhausted low on food and sleep. Still he pushed his body toward the door of a neighboring building. Not stopping Shawn put his shoulder to the door and It held. he took the bar and pried at the door as the herd turned the corner to greet him with growls and snarls. The door gave and he ran inside.

Down the hall to an open elevator. As the herd followed Shawn felt like he was moving on will alone. the lights were off so he looked up and climbed into the elevators roof access. semi safe the herd piled into the small elevator and reached for Shawn. breathing and safe for the moment. He took off the jacket covered in guts and tossed it down. Confronted now by his own B.O. he took off he layers and let them air. Using the vest to rest his head he looked up to see darkness. Exhaustion took him.

As he woke to the soft growls below it was completely dark. Shawn's movements caused the herd below to become louder. Groping around in the dark he found the back pack and a lighter. Shawn sacrificed his socks and set fire to them. Then dropping them down to the herd below to create a nice little fire. he saw the railings and his gear. Putting the vest back on then his shirt and pack Shawn moved up the the rails. Still sore and hungry he moved only to the second floor. The smoke was filling the shaft quicker then he thought. using the bar he opened the elevator shaft's doors.

A walker lunged at him only to fall into the burning elevator. Shawn tapped on the metal doors. More shuffled out into the hall and toward him falling to their final reward. Confident it was clear he pulled himself out of the shaft and shut the doors to keep the smoke out of the hall. It wasn't long until the sprinklers went off, Shawn laughed softly at first then louder.

A door from the stair well burst open to flood in four people in U.S. army fatigues. Guns drawn as a red dot hovered above Shawns face. "Don't move! Hands, let me see your hands!" The guy was in his late thirties early forties. He was unshaven and about six foot. His face was thin from lack of food. A .45 caliber semi automatic in his hand. His eyes were blue and slightly red from being on watch for too long. The black hair was greasy and no longer military style if any of them really were at this point.

This guy was larger, still fit, and wore a sleeveless grey army blouse. He was six foot plus a few inches. Carrying a M-4 with a laser sight. He shouted commands, "Hands! Now asshole!" He had an army day pack on his back. They were well equipped. Moving as a fire team should. Shawn could see one of the group covering the rear as another pointed their gun down the hall. Shawn didn't move. Still chuckling at the shit sandwich he was dealt.

The one watching the hall was a woman she wore some army pants with a winter coat. She carried a M-4 iron sights and a flashlight on the side rail. She looked back at Shawn briefly before returning her focus to the hall. She had blonde hair and wore army boots too big for her. She was about late twenties. her face showed how thin she was under the bulky coat.

The final guy was in his early twenties brown hair brown eyes, street clothes, obvious recruit. He had a Ak-47 covering the stairs. He was the dirtiest. Must of stopped bathing as it got cold and just never found a reason to pick the habit of hygen back up. he must of been a buck sixty in the weight class. The way he held the rifle showed he had skill enough to hold his own. Must of what the group saw as well.

Shawn raised his hands only to be shoved face down and a knee to his neck. The bigger guy patted Shawn down and took the gun but not the knife on his arm. It was under the jacket, but the guy didn't do a good search for small weapons. "I'm looking for my daughter. She is lost in the city."

"Tough shit. I can tell you she isn't in this building if you think she's still alive. Still pinned Shawn heard them search his bag. "You should just be glad you're breathing. More then most in the city. Anything?"

The guy with the greasy black hair searching spoke out. "Mitch, guys not carrying munch just a nine with a half a clip, and some protein bars. He's got a map with a few markings on it."

The kid pepped up. "Hey Josh give me a few of those." Josh, the large guy tossed the kid one bar then another.

"I'm gonna let you up. Move real slow if you wanna keep living. What are these markings? You got a camp, or a place where you stashing stuff like some fucken squirrel?" Mitch stayed squatted in front of Shawn as he spoke.

"No." Shawn was out numbered and out gunned so he decided to play the meek for now. He wanted to keep living and the bullet he caught in November gave Shawn some wisdom about keeping his cool.

"Well we're going to do a little back track." Mitch pointed to a spot marked on Shawns map. "If it checks out we'll cut you loose. Either way your shits now ours." Standing up Mitch motioned for Shawn to follow with his hands. "All right you take point and if you try to run we'll shoot you. Lets move to the street."

They made their way to the first floor. Shawn could see and smell the burned rotters. His mind on the fire house. The chill wind from outside on his wet clothes didn't help his mood. He moved into the street. He turned right heading to a store front he already picked through months before when he was stocking the boat. They weren't gonna find munch there. "Y'all looking for a fifth wheel are you? Cause I gotta find my daughter. I dont have time for all these detours."

"Y'all? Shit! You ain't even from the city huh? You some out of place hill billy boy?" Mitch's comment made the group chuckle a little. They kept moving down the side walk. The city was quiet the few trees were still bare from the winter. All the intersection lights were dark. The place was a modern ghost town. The shattering of glass made everyone look up as a rotter fell from a fifth story window. The corpse splattered on impact. The distraction was enough for the group not to notice a stream of bitters rushing from the alley.

"Shit!" Josh was up first taking his rifle barrel he shoved it into the first face closest to him. Josh's eyes widened at the herd before him. "No good!"

"Lets move their's too many." Mitch pushed Shawn forward. The swarm of rotters kept moving after them. Shawn knew the location as a point of reference as he looted the water front. Going back his mind tried to recall the exact lay out to try and ditch this group. The rotters were a large group over fifty. The speed of the group showed Shawn they were weaker then he first thought. Still unsure if they would waste a bullet on him verses saving it for the dead was still up for debate in his mind. They were still five blocks away from the store.

The security gate in the front was still in place but the door was damaged from Shawns crowbar. They would need to rig it some how. Mitch took point and let the others slip inside. Looking at Shawn he shook his head. "No room. Better get going hick." Shutting the door in Shawns face. There was not time for insults. Shawn ran.

Mitch used him as bait. Shawn wasn't going to quit now. He turned a corner and ran to the intersection. taking his crowbar to a man hole cover Shawn slid it open climbed down and closed the lid. Wasn't the best idea today, it did give him time to catch his breath and regroup his thoughts. He hooked his arm on the metal bar and in the dark he first noticed the smell. "Well Shit." He looked up through the holes in the sewer cover to see the herd moving over the lid trying to find him. For the first time Shawn was glad the shit smell was covering his own. If they could even smell him at all. Truth was Shawn had no idea what separated him from the dead besides the obvious. Why they choose to eat living flesh as opposed to each other he had no idea. To make matters worse His stomach growled.

Shawn waited the better part of the day before daring to move the lid and look about. A few roamers but the main herd was gone. Shawn rose up and took the alley ways back around to the fire hall. He stopped to finish off the five that followed him from the sewer. Still damp but glad to be in cleaner air he searched the dead in hopes for anything. He found a wallet and a set of keys with a remote. Pressing the button did nothing. tossing the keys and the wallet Shawn didn't see any rotters around the fire house. He moved in.

The door was locked either a good or bad sign. Shawn moved around the building tapping on the garage doors then listening to try and determine the situation. Nothing. Returning to the back door Shawn put the crowbar in and pried the door open. Inside the air was musty but no corpse smell. The alarm didn't go off so Shawn suspected the building was without main power. The flood lights were of as well. He moved a tool chest in front of the door before venturing further in. The light from outside was shining through the garage door windows. Shawn moved up the stairs to the second floor. The beds were still in tact and some were even made. He moved to the kitchen where the fridge was rotten from lack of power. The stove still had gas. When Shawn opened the cabinets he smiled. Cans for days! There was cereal and more! He set out a pot and started cooking raviolis.