b a r r e n l a n d ||

Running fast, I ran into a diner, pistols raised.

"!" I turned around as fast as possible, scared that a walker could be there.

Feeling fatigue set in, I ducked behind a car, and sipped on my canteen, putting my magnum on the hood.

@CL Krystal was walking down the street, hiding behind whatever cover she could find. How long had she been running for? Too many days had passed since she had first sighted, and killed the zombies. Now, they seemed to populate every single corner of the earth. In the distance, she spotted a girl. Although she wasn't fully able to tell, the stranger didn't look like a zombie. Still, she hid and waited to see who this person was before she approached.

@CL I heard someone and took both my pistols out.

@Yoseob Walking down the highway, I kept my magnum at the ready as I saw a man run between the cars. Was he insane?

*runs around* H-hello?

[POST FINISHED]

"Thanks," Kibum replied, finding a towel in the hall closet and entering the bathroom. He left the door halfway open; keeping it locked would be dangerous. When the warm water hit his skin, he sighed softly and shut his eyes. After getting clean, he secured the towel around his waist and gathered his dirty clothes, the katana in his free hand. He went into the room she'd told him the clothes were and inspected the selection. Kibum found a suitable and soft track suit that would serve as sleepwear, which he put on. He found a pair of jeans and a durable leather jacket that he liked as well, and set those aside for the morning. Once situated, he found where Minzy was asleep and plopped himself down outside the open doorway, taking the first watch in case of an attack.

Minzy kept her two handguns on her hips as she went into the bedroom, only taking them off to place them on the nightstand, "The room across the hall has men's clothes. Some of them might fit you if you're interested," she called as she went to the window to double check that the thick planks were still securely fastened to the wall. Once she was certain they weren't coming off any time soon, she went to the dresser and pulled out a large t-shirt. She didn't bother shutting the door as she changed, in fact, she was more comforted leaving it open so she could clearly hear Key in the next room. She went to the doorway and found him in the hall, "Wake me for anything," she told him before going back into the room and collapsing her tired body onto the soft bed.

Kibum narrowed his eyes at her, "Yah, tha'ts rude," but his eyes were amused anyway. He then nodded and finally took down his harness that held his swords, "I think I will," he said, taking one sword with him, just in case.

Minzy let put a soft chuckle, "I know, I could smell you from across the highway," she teased. Watching him arrange the bottles, she stifled a yawn, "If you wanna take one, it's the first door in the right," she pointed doen the hall, "I think I might go check the barricades in the bedroom next door to it."

At her announcement, Kibum blinked before chortling for a few moments, "Well, that's good to hear, I guess," he arranged the pill bottles on the counter before lifting the collar of his shirt and sniffing himself, "I'm in need of a shower," his eyes glittered with amusement.

"It's not much of a secret," Minzy shrugged, "I found out that this place runs on well water," she told him as she set down her now half-empty water bottle and crossed her arms over her chest, "Which means we have running water, and therefore," she paused to build the suspense, "A working shower. You have no idea how happy I was to find that out. The pressure isn't great, but my god it feels amazing to be clean," she couldn't help but be happy about such a little thing. When you spent every day killing the dead, you started to feel a little disgusting. Finally feeling clean had made her feel human again--or at least more civilized.

Kibum nodded as he took out several bottles of pills, each of varying potentcies and emptiness. He then blinked at her, before his lips out of habit, "Sometimes secrets are the only thing left that are truly yours, these days," thought he was a little curious. Of course, he didn't dare show it.

Minzy simply smiled and leaned against the counter as she watched him put away his findings, "Hm I forgot what it's like to have pain relievers. I mean, I keep some medical supplies with me, but mostly just antibacterials and bandages," she said, taking a few swallows of her water, "I've yet to tell you my favorite thing about this place," she said cryptically, a wry smirk tugging at her lips.

"You're a smart one," a ghost of a smile passed over Kibum's features, and he ruffled her hair after taking the offered bottle of water, "That's good," he unscrewed the cap and took a few long gulps before closing it again. He then put the sports drink he'd found into the refrigerator and the power bar in the pantry, "That's all I found, sadly," he shrugged, "But I did score a few bottles of aspirin," he took out a bottle and shook it.

Minzy snapped out of it and nodded towards the adjoining room, "The kitchen is right there. I've moved some of the non-perishables upstairs just in case, but other than that, there was plenty left in the pantry," she moved to the kitchen and a small lantern that sat on the counter, just enought to bathe them in a soft white glow, "There are water bottles in the fridge. The electricity may not work, but it's still cooler than room temperature. I tossed all the rotten food that was left," she opened it and pulled out two plastic bottles, offering one to Key.

He listened to her explanation, his eyes glittering with interest, "Interesting," was all he said. He didn't remove his swords from the holster on his back, however. He liked to keep them beside him at all times. Sort of a security blanket. He noticed how she looked at the bracelet, and nibbled on his bottom lip out of habit, "Where are you keeping the supplies?" he took off his knapsack.

Minzy smiled proudly as he sized up her work, "I did my best. There's also a small attic; the only entrance is a collapsible ladder. Perfect in case of a horde attack," she told him. Her eyes sparkled as he pulled out the handgun and she picked it up to take a closer look, "Smith and Wesson--great brand--forty-five caliber..." she released the magazine a emptied the bullets, "It can hold up to eight shots plus the one in the barrel, but there are only five here," she told him as she put it back together, "It's a common caliber though so finding more shouldn't be too hard," she blushed slightly as she realized how nerdy she sounded, "My dad was a bit of a gun enthusiast... He had always wanted boys and I was all he had until my little brother was old enough..." her voice trailed off as her eyes again fell upon the silver band encircling Key's wrist.

Kibum eyed his surroundings, calculating, measuring. He nodded with satisfaction when he saw that the house was made of bricks, and the door was a heavy wood, thick and with reinforced locks. He saw that the windows had been boarded up to keep walkers from breaking in, "Heavily fortified," he remarked, nodding his head, "You did a good job," he tossed her the compliment. That was rare, for him to give out compliments. He followed her to the table and put the pistol he'd found in the escalade down onto it, "Have any idea what this is?" he asked,, tapping the black handgun, "I'm not much of a gunman, as you can see; but you seem to be an expert,"

Letting their joking banter fade, Minzy nodded once as she scanned the surroundings, going back into survival mode, "There's a dirt road turn off about fifteen yards ahead. It goes for a couple hundred feet and then meets the house," as it grew darker, she kept a sharp eye out, "There," she pointed just ahead to where there was a change in the ground's texture. They continued down the worn stretch and made it safely to the house, pulling a key from her pocket she unlocked the front door and went inside, securing it closes behind them, "I don't think anyone was actually attacked here. there's no damage anywhere, no bodies, and the rooms look like they were left in a hurry. The occupants escaped when they could. I found the key in the potted plant on the front porch," she explained everything to her companion as she began removing her larger guns from her back and placing them on the dining table.

He snorted at her remark, "Pretty lame- name, if you ask me," he kept his pace with hers as twilight was coming in around them, "Much obliged, Minzy, given the circumstances," he inclined his head towards her before looking around again, "How much further, it's getting almost too dark to see, and the walkers should be around," he kept his sword ready.

"Locket girl and Key," she mused out loud, her bell-like laughter filling the silence, "We could be a superhero team," she shook her head at the thought of them running around in spandex and capes, adjusting her tan leather jacket, "I'm Minzy, it's nice to meet you Key," she bowed her head slightly as she met his gaze.

Kibum shrugged, "We're all going to die anyway," he his lips as he looked out onto the abandoned road, "It's not like that fact is any different now than it was a year ago," he kicked a stray beer bottle out of his way, "Just call me Key," he said, smiling wryly, "That was my nickname in high school,"

(ebony)

"Thanks ninja," she answered with a soft laugh. As they walked, she kept her eyes alert as she let her mind wander, "So are we doing names? Because some people about it causing too much attachment, but I couldn't care less," she reached up to brush her ivory hair out of her face.

Kibum nodded, "You've got a point there, locket girl," he smirked lightly as he easily fell into step beside her. He was taller than her, naturally, since he was a man, so his legs were significantly longer. His swords klinked quietly on his back as they walked.

Minzy listened patiently as he debated and gave a half smile as he finally decided, "Not like I asked you to marry me," she chuckled as she began walking, expecting him to join her, "Who says we can't join forces for the night and part ways in the morning? Besides, I don't know about you, but it's been quite a while since I've gotten any sleep in this hell. We could look out for each other and actually get a decent amount."

He stopped walking and turned towards her, looking at her for a moment, "I didn't really ask for a tagalong," he began, pursing his lips lightly, "In a time like this, forging ties with others only hurts you," he sheathed his swords and crossed his arms, seeming to be in deep thought for a moment, "But, a team of two might not be such a bad idea," he then nodded, "Take me there,"

"I found a house," Minzy offered. She didn't know why she was clinging so much to him. Maybe she was still suffering the emotions, more likely she was just so starved of human contact that she just wanted to take advantage of it, "It's not much but it's safe an easily defensible. It's about half a mile east," she told him.