Safety had always been an uncertain possibility in a post-apocalyptic world full of flesh-eating zombies. It was even more uncertain for a supply scout who had to go out frequently onto the streets to search for items. North could work with the danger of zombies though. What she couldn’t work with was a loose serial killer. In a world already so full of tragedy and death, how dare some dickhead decide to add to the number by murdering innocent women?
She was growing increasingly frustrated with the progress of the Austin Police Department’s investigation into the crime mostly because there was no progress. It had been two months since the first body was found. The damn bastard could be on the other side of the country by this point. Or maybe he was just sitting back and waiting until he chose his next victim.
He had a type. She was his type.
Maybe he should try to get his hands on her. Then, she’d solve this problem once and for all. It was an irrational thought, but she was angry. She was angry and frustrated, and she wanted justice to be brought to her friends. Thinking about Andrea and thinking about the things she could have done for her or the other two girls – more irrational thoughts. But she couldn’t help it. She had seen all of them the days before their murders. It was hard not to imagine how it could have gone differently if maybe she had done something.
She just didn’t know what.
North had gone out of the hospital early in the morning today. She needed to clear her mind, get some (relatively) fresh air. Being cooped up in that building didn’t help her at all. Maybe she should consider just going off to another shelter. It might be better for her emotionally if not mentally. Her thoughts wouldn’t have to keep floating back to the lives lost. If she had more experience, she would honestly go after the man herself, but she knew that she should let the officers do their jobs.
If they were even doing their jobs.
Brushing aside the bitterness from her thoughts, North dropped a few items into her bag. They were for the kids at the hospital. She liked to bring little things for them to play with, to spend their time on. Unlike her, they had to grow up in a world where playing outside was not only dangerous but not an option. She decided that she would just spend the rest of the day teaching them arts and crafts. That could be fun.
She was zipping up her bag when she heard the voice – feminine, human. Her hand rested on the Makarov hooked to her side as she slowly headed towards the front. When she saw it was another civilian, her grip loosened but didn’t completely release from its hold. It was better to be safe than sorry.
“Hey,” she greeted with a smile, “Just me. I’m North. What’s up?”