I was heading out when Dep fell into step beside me. Mind if I tag along? My heart sank. I did mind, very much, but too much was at stake to let it show.

Sure, why not? After a mile or so, he begged me to stop for a rest.

Pissweak, I chided. We are in the middle of the Zombie apocalypse and you can’t run a mile without dying?

You wanna do this? Dep asked with challenge in his voice.

I know, I know, I groaned, you used to have to walk 20 miles a day in the snow with 500 hundred of them trailing after you, just to get a drink of water. Come on, I said, let’s at least walk fast.

After about 5 minutes of brisk paced walked I heard the change in his breathing, and fought the urge to run off without him.

So, you and Rachael, he began.

Really? I asked. Why does every male in my life want to run it?

Just give me this, Dep said. It is kind of a luxury to lecture you about unsuitable friends, rather than just trying to survive.

Fine. Lecture away.

I listened and nodded and huffed in all the right spots. Thing is, I got what he was saying. Rachael is a bit ‘old world’ – complacent. Hasn’t been through as much as some of us. Yet she is trying hard with her re-training, and she has this knack of making you feel special, wanted, important. A small part of me wonders if it will all be revealed as an elaborate ruse, but mostly I just take it at face value. She’s fun and we laugh a lot. I think both Ben and I are surprised at how much we like her.

I didn’t notice when Dep stopped walking. Did you hear that? he asked.

No, what? I asked innocently but straight away my heart started hammering in my chest. Snap.

There it is again!

Probably an animal, I hedged, let’s just keep going.

I haven’t killed one in ages, said Dep, sounding almost wistful, looking towards the noise.

Don’t even think about it, I warned, pushing him along. My heart didn’t stop until we were back at the gates. That was too close.