Nicky asked someone passing by, "Do you happen to know where Cynthia is?"

The man pointed, "She is usually in the daycare."

"Thanks!" She turned to me, "Well, that was easy. Let's go."

I refrained from rolling my eyes as I walked beside her. Liz had once more taken possession of my hand. That little detail was gaining several startled looks from people who recognized Liz.

Liz pointed, "Look at the kitty! Can we pet it?"

We had told Liz at the last Stronghold that cats probably wouldn't like her, but it looks like she had forgotten. Nicky made a face, "Kitties don't like zombies. In fact, most animals don't. People who hang out with zombies usually have problems with most other animals as well."

Liz looked at her with big eyes, "Can I try?"

Nicky shrugged, "I don't see why not, but if I can't get close to a cat, then I doubt you will."

Liz let go of my hand and walked over to the cat. The cat had no problem as it watched her approach until she got closer. With a suspicious look and flattened ears, the cat darted under a shed and out of sight. Liz looked crestfallen as she came back, "Animals won't like me anymore?"

Apparently kids had a hard time if they thought someone or something didn't like them. Nicky looked thoughtful, "You aren't a zombie, so some will let you get close. Let me think for a moment. Horses and sheep are a no-go. Goats don't seem to care. Chickens and turkeys are oblivious to smell, although turkeys are just evil... Hmmm..."

Liz watched Nicky with a hopeful expression.

Nicky perked up, "Ah! I know! Trinity's dog is still around with the groups that go out every day. It was fine with Trinity, so it shouldn't have a problem with you. Most dogs won't let you close, but some will and I think this one is our best bet." Nicky turned to me, "Those hunting and gathering groups often return to drop off whatever they collected at lunch. Do you think you can pick up Chloe's scent?"

I sighed in resignation before taking a deep breath. I jerked my head slightly in one direction, "She is inside the fence at the moment."

Nicky grabbed Liz's hand, "Let's go!"

They took off at a jog. I shook my head before following at a more sedate pace. It had been a long time since I had last seen Chloe close up. I had seen her a few times here or there, but it had always been at a distance and she hadn't seen me.

We had never been close, not that it was a surprise considering that I was a zombie and she had been some random stray that had just stuck around and kept her distance. Still, she had stuck around and had been my only company in the wilderness for several months.

I eventually caught up, but kept my distance lest I disturb them. Chloe evidently had no problem with Liz or her scent that was contaminated by contact with me. The girl was thrilled with the big fluffy dog and Chloe apparently loved children. Now that I thought about it, Chloe had spent a fair bit of time with Liz on our original trip to this place. Chloe would remember her.

Others were watching them in amusement. I recognized a couple of them as being from that bunch we had cured and directed here. Two of them wandered over in my direction.

"Thank you once again for what you did."

I hadn't done anything. It had been Nina handing out the cure. I had simply sat there and watched. I shrugged, "You're welcome."

The woman glanced over at the child and dog, "Why were they worried about the dog not letting the girl near her?"

"Most animals will not allow people near them if they have been in close proximity with a zombie. They can smell it."

The man scratched his head, "Well, Chloe had no problems with her."

I nodded wordlessly. They gave me plenty of space as we silently watched them play. Liz looked around and spotted me. She patted Chloe's shoulder, "Chloe come!"

She started walking in my direction and Chloe happily walked beside her. Liz got closer and told me, "Chloe is a nice doggie."

I didn't reply. Everyone was watching in curiosity to see the outcome of this. Chloe helped this hunting and gathering group everyday as she kept a lookout for zombies while they worked. She would remain silent and pointedly stare at them. If they got too close, then she would start barking.

Chloe sniffed the air and looked at me. I held out one hand a bit, "Hey Chloe. Remember me?"

She tilted her head before slowly wagging her tail. Chloe slowly walked over to my hand before allowing me to touch her. I gently scratched her behind her ears for a bit before stopping. She shook herself off before heading back to lick Liz's face again.

Those watching seemed quite surprised that Chloe had come close to me. The woman looked at me, "You knew Chloe from before?"

I blinked slowly, "She found me several months before I came here."

"Interesting."

I didn't bother replying. After ten minutes or so Liz tired of playing and we once more went in search of Cynthia. She was indeed in the daycare. There were not many young children in this Stronghold, so only six children were in the room. All were under the age of 5. It wouldn't surprise me if some parents were able to keep their children with them during the day.

Cynthia recognized Liz, but didn't seem surprised to see her. The gossip vine apparently hadn't wilted any in our absence...

"Hello, how can I help you today?"

Nicky apparently knew that I didn't feel like talking today and replied, "We somehow stumbled across Liz on our travels and brought her back with us. I am certain that someone wouldn't mind looking after her."

Cynthia thought for a bit, "I can think of several people, although we do have to see how well they get along. I don't want to pry, but what are the odds of Marissa or Tom showing up?"

Nicky made a face, "I highly doubt they will ever be seen again, and if they do manage to appear, they will have red eyes."

Cynthia took the subtle hint that Liz was truly an orphan and nodded, "I can look after Liz. It isn't any problem at all."

"Thanks. Have fun Liz!"

Liz was eyeing up the toys in the far corner, but distractedly answered, "Okay. See you later."

We left the building as Cynthia went over to Liz. Nicky stretched once we were outside, "So, what do you feel like doing now?"

I snorted faintly, "I plan on relaxing in my room in solitude."

Nicky chuckled, "I guess that means that I am not invited?"

I growled at her, "Solitude does not include company."

Nicky just grinned at me, "I think someone told me that once. In that case, I think I will go see which groups missed me the most."

I somehow doubted that they would be as thrilled to see her as they were to see me. I shook myself off lightly as I turned toward the secondary building. That is their problem. They were the ones who originally tried to keep her here so I would stay. They have to face the consequences of their actions at some point. Besides, that lady practically doubles as a zombie invasion drill. It is all about seeing how fast you can escape unnoticed...

My door still had that sun and moon paint job. I shook my head before opening up the door. It did not surprise me that no one had entered my room while I was gone. It was a bit dusty, but nothing too bad. I put my backpack on the floor and closed the blinds before sitting on the bed. I backed up until my back rested against the wall.

I slowly relaxed as I waited for sleep to come.

~

I woke to the sound of footsteps and voices coming down the hallway.

"There is a spare room on this floor. My door is that turquoise one. Trinity's has the fancy scene painted on it. If you want a certain color, we may be able to get Nicky to paint your door, but it may have unexpected consequences. She isn't exactly easy to keep focused unless it was her idea."

That about summed up Nicky's occasional obsession with art. John replied, "I won't bother her. It is fine as it is."

I could hear a door open as they checked out the last vacant room on this level. I stretched as I stood up. I checked the clock on the wall and was mildly surprised to see that it was late afternoon already. Somehow I had managed to sleep for four hours. I did feel much better for the rest though.

In fact, I felt good enough that tormenting Luke sounded like fun. I headed for the doorway and unlocked the precautionary locks before opening up the door. I wandered down the hallway silently. They were looking out the window and didn't notice me, so I leaned against the doorframe and waited.

They were talking about different things, but it sounded like John had no intention of leaving this place while his brother was happy here. John was also going to be working in the lab with Luke and Nina.

Luke turned around. My presence must have startled him pretty badly since he instinctively dropped into a crouch and snarled at me. I bared my teeth with a deep growl of warning. My instincts were insulted by the Runner snarling at me, even though I had expected such a reaction. Runners did not react well if you startled them.

I remained where I was though. It only took Luke a few seconds to recover and stand straight once more. John's eyes were fairly wide with shock at his brother's reaction. That was the main reason I had not alerted Luke to my presence in a more courteous manner. John had to remember that a bloodthirsty and vicious virus lurked in Luke's body and mind. This way, if Luke started to lose control, John would realize it and be able to get away.

Luke exhaled heavily and shook his head as he apologized to me, "Sorry about that." I could tell he was irritated with me, but he didn't say so or let it come through in his tone.

I shrugged, "I thought you had caught my scent." It was mostly a lie. The air had been coming in through the window, so he wouldn't have noticed my scent strengthening. I wasn't sure if his nose was keen enough to detect a lie.

"You have been up here long enough that the entire hallway has your scent floating down it."

Fair enough. A Runner had a good sense of smell, but it wasn't anything like mine. Nor was it even comparable to Daniel's.

I moved my gaze to John, "There is one hazard on this floor that Luke failed to mention."

John was still a bit off balance, "Ah... May I ask what that would be?"

I snorted faintly, "Nicky."

John looked confused, "I am not sure I understand..."

Luke made a face, "There isn't really any way to explain it. Some days she just... goes a bit overboard."

John looked no wiser, but still nodded, "That is fine."

I snorted in faint amusement as I backed into the hallway so Luke wouldn't feel so cornered. Luke inquired, "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

I shrugged, "I plan to make myself scarce. After being stuck in a crowded truck for so long I will probably head out into the forest and just wander around until dawn.

He was not surprised, "Feel free to raid any of my traps if they caught something that interests you. The one to the west has been catching the same silly fox every single night."

That fox was not going to live long if it didn't learn. "Thanks, although I doubt I will take you up on your offer. If you feel like a deer, let me know and we can track one down."

He nodded, "Thanks, but I am good for now. Perhaps next week I will take you up on your offer."

I nodded at Luke before heading down the hallway. I had known that Luke wouldn't accept my offer today. He was far too polite to do such a thing when I had just returned today. If he had released the fox so many times, then he was probably catching quite a variety of wildlife and was full by the time he got to that trap.

It was still polite to offer though. The other reason I had asked was to once more subtly hammer home that fact that Luke was no longer human. John's slow blinks proved that I had managed that task to my satisfaction. Luke hadn't noticed it either.