George didn't say anything, the cow placidly took the leaf and Shaun resisted the urge to kick it away. Instead he lofted the crutch like stick he was carrying and prodded the cow in the shoulder. It looked at him just as lazily as it chewed and mooed. Shaun blinked. The cow shifted its weight and moved a few steps, forcing Shaun to step back a pace or two or come into too close contact. And it was that subtle movement that let him survey his surroundings to keep all the bovine in his sights when his eyes fell on a distinctly humanoid shape lingering on his peripheral.
Oh, shit.
Shaun swung around and retreated several paces, reaching automatically for his gun--
Except it wasn't there. The city took it, and George hadn't let him buy another one. Armed with a stick then, Shaun held it loosely and watched the figure for signs of attack. Zombies got smarter in packs, they developed an ability to ambush and make coordinated plans and if this was the bait--
Shaun shifted his weight and surveyed the area. He was a skilled weapons master (with any sort of gun and crossbow) and had a lot of knowledge on the use of them that sometimes it was scary. And he had field experience as a trained Irwin.
This isn't life after the Rising, George said. Shaun scowled.
"Not now," he muttered, "cut it with the interjections."
You're the only zombie here, she said, conveying her annoyance.
She was right, of course, which made her more annoying than usual. Shaun swallowed and shook himself down mentally, moving away from the cows and toward the perimeter. Though he did watch the woman with a keen interest, looking for signs of amplification though he knew he and George were the only two infected with Kellis-Amberlee.