The funny thing about the whole "end-of-the-world-zombie-apocalypse" happening was that it tended to keep those who were fortunate enough to survive in pretty good shape. [i]Wow, Chris, you've never looked so good! Must be all that running for your life you do![/i] Unfortunately, all of this fitness was worn down with malnutrition, mental instability, and frequent dehydration. Add on thirty pounds of equipment and weapons, and one soon finds out that no amount of cardio could make you invincible. 

Natalie now found herself in an unfortunate situation. Bogged down by the backpack on her shoulders and the heavy assault rifle strapped across her back, she was quickly growing tired. Her breaths came in rapid, ragged gasps as her muscles screamed for oxygen to power them forward. Ignoring the pain and the exhaustion that was quickly setting in, she continued with one foot pounding down in front of the other, hearing the footsteps of the two Runners behind her drawing nearer. She neared the end of the alleyway and took a sharp turn onto the road, nearly falling to the asphalt when she heard a shot ring out shortly after she and her two trailers entered the street. 

[i]'What the HELL was that?!'[/i]

A glance over her shoulder soon revealed that one of the Runners had been disposed of. By whom? She did not know, nor did she have time to think about it as the other zombie pressed forward still, gaining on Natalie's heels as she attempted to weave between the rubble of abandoned cars and trash that littered the street. 

[i]KAPLOW[/i]

Mere moments later, a second crack of a gunshot was heard. The sound of the bullet tearing through the zombie's back never crossed Natalie's mind, because a white hot pain became apparent very quickly in her left leg. The third round of gunfire made Natalie question whether this mystery sniper was targeting the zombies or her, as she soon had to slow her run to a hobble. 

Natalie reaffirmed her grip on the pistol in her hand as she turned around, ready to face whatever may be coming at her head on now that she finally came to a stop. The scene she was met with was a surprising one, and it made her take a step backwards. Both of the Runners that were after her lie dead on the road, and a girl not much older than herself approached, putting one last bullet into the head of the most recently downed zombie. 

As the girl spun around, in what appeared to be an attempt to check and make sure the rest of the horde wasn't hot on the trail of their two faster cousins, Natalie took a look down at her leg. Blood dripped out of a gash that was torn in her pants, about three inches along her calve. It appeared as though the bullet only grazed her as she was running. Lucky her. Still hurt like a bitch though, and without proper dressing it would be susceptible to infection. 

Natalie turned her attention back to the girl just a few yards away from her. This wasn't really the place for introductions or pleasantries, especially with all the ruckus Natalie had just caused, the streets were probably now teeming with dead freaks. Still, the girl had for some reason saved Natalie from the Runners. But trust wasn't easily earned around here.

"Nice shooting," Natalie called out to the girl. "Could use a wee bit of adjustment though," she said, letting a little sarcasm come through after seeing the coast was clear for the moment. It had been months since she had even talked to anyone but herself. "I suppose I should thank you for saving my ass just now," Her eyes caught the sign for the old medical center just up the road, "but I have this bullet wound, you see, and I think I could better thank you after we get out of the street and I get this patched up." She didn't know if the girl trusted her, or if she should trust the girl. But right now, she was a sitting duck in the middle of the road. 

"Name's Natalie, by the way."