Raven's mouth was just beginning to speak when suddenly the sound of a gunshot tore through the cold winter air. Echoing sharply through the tangled trees and broken zoo walls. Raven's eyes focused on Alara just in time to see her finger pull the trigger of her Ak-203.
BOOM!
The female zombie's skull exploded in a grotesque explosion of bone fragments and gray brain matter. The body hit the ground with a heavy thud that echoed faintly in the surrounding cold winter air.
Alara lowered her rifle in one smooth motion, her breath even, her blue eyes sharp, and glowing with an unreadable emotion. She turned her head slowly toward's Raven, her expression unbothered, her lips parting just enough to let her words slip out in a tone as casual as if they were discussing what to watch on TV tonight. "Raven, honey, there is no need to worry about me. I would kill this trash even if I never met you. These zombies are nothing in my eyes."
Raven blinked her green eyes, her fingers flexing instinctively on her own rifle's grip in astonishment. A chill crawled up her spine not from fear but from a sudden realization. There is a meaning far deeper in Alara's words than a simple statement. Her words were spoken not just with coldness; but with contempt, a pure disdain that seemed to strip the world bear and say you are not worthy to grovel at my feet.
Raven studied Alara's face, the subtle lift of her chin, the near-royal dismissal in her gaze. In that instant, Raven felt as if Alara wasn't just executing a trash she was passing judgment on something unworthy of existing in her presence.
A faint sound of metal drew Raven's attention. Metal Mouse disengaged his optical camouflage with a faint shimmer as he moved to collect the zombies nucleus core.
A small, smile tugged at Raven's lips as she watched Metal Mouse. Thinking to herself, This zombie is not even worthy to be a trophy. Not for Alara. Raven turned her attention back to Alara, her voice sliding into a tone of approval. "This is great. This is another thing I don't need to worry about, then. You've got the right mindset, Alara. Other than me, all others are merely pawns or enemies to use for our own goals. That's one of the cardinal rules of the apocalypse everyone but me is a disposable pawn."
Alara lifted her head slightly at Raven's words in thought, a moment of confusion crossing her eyes. Alara's response came softly, as though reaffirming something she already long knew. "I've always thought that way, Raven. So there's no need to worry besides you, no one is worthy to stand by my side."
Raven paused, her breath catching for just a moment. A flash of surprise moved across her eyes before it sank into a thoughtful look. So Alara's not completely human now after all, Raven thought silently. That's a good thing. Without guilt, without empathy dragging her down, she'll move more freely at my side. Raven felt a subtle knot in her heart loosen as a serious worry for her melted away in the wind.
As if sensing Raven's silent self reflection, Alara lifted her rifle slightly, her fingers resting lightly along the barrel as she met Raven's gaze with a clarity that sent a ripple of warmth and unease down Raven's spine. "Raven, your enemies are my enemies. And those you consider pawns and tools… they're mine too. I've always known that, from the day you saved me in that mall." Her voice was smooth, free of hesitation, as if this truth has was embedded in her core from the being.
Raven's chest rose and fell with a quiet exhale, her eyes shining with something close to madness. She gave a subtle nod of approval. Inside, her mind Raven justified her viewpoint. It's not that I'm crazy… well, maybe technically I am. But in this world, my mindset isn't insanity it's survival.
Memories moved across Raven's mind, flashes of betrayal from her past life of the faces of her first so-called allies, their forced smiles and hidden agendas. They were the ones who had lured her out of the base. These people are what's called "newbie killers," or PKKRs. In video games they would be players who use naive, newly awakened individuals as bait or shields to distract zombies, or they would simply kill you outright for your supplies. Those smiling vultures left her for dead, laughing as they vanished. In this life, there would be no salvation for them. Only screams and a slow, painful death.
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