S1E16 - Vanessa

"HEY! OVER HERE!"

I hear a voice calling from the alleyway across the street. I see a figure dressed in riot gear that is obviously too big for them. I immediately run towards them, but a few of the faster walkers block my path. I take aim and fire a few shots off, killing a good handful.

[Walkers: 19/50]

The riot geared person starts running away while motioning for me to follow them. I catch up relatively quickly, as they're pretty weighed down. We reach the end of the alley and the figure, which is smaller than me, grabs my hand and takes me to the right. There's a group of 6 walkers ahead of us, so the person speaks with a girlish tone;

"Think you're up to kill a few more? Preferably with that sword of yours?"

I nod my head,

"Yeah. I got this."

We walk forwards slowly. I hear a whipping sound as she expands a collapsible police baton. I unsheathe my sword and dash towards the first walker. I stab it directly under the chin, my new favorite spot.

[Walkers: 20/50]

[New Ability Gained!]

[Sword Fighting 1]

I see that I got the skill, but I don't have time to react just yet. Immediately, I feel a good bit of knowledge filling my mind as I believe I'll find it easier to judge where the blade is, leading to better aim and hopefully less jaw cuts.

I have the chance to test this out immediately, as another walker reaches out for me. I slash to my left and find purchase just below the skull. However, the sword doesn't completely cut through, getting caught on the last bit of viscera. The walker falls to the floor with my sword still stuck in its neck.

I'm in trouble as another walker reaches me before I can pull my knife out. It trips over the body of the other walker, shoving me down to the ground.

"GRAAAAAGHGHGH"

The disgusting gurgling noises the walker makes fills my ears as I notice a hole in its neck. I put my arm up under its chin, trying to keep it away.

"Fucking dammit! Die you piece of shit!"

I take out my knife with my left hand and jam it into the temple of the walker.

[Walkers: 21/50]

As I shove the walker away, I'm greeting by the gloved hand of riot gear girl. I take the hand and am helped up to my feet. I notice two walkers have caved in heads, while the other one is slowly getting up from the ground. I look at her,

"Thanks."

She nods her head in response. I walk forwards and pull my sword from the walker's neck before stomping its skull.

*CRACK!*

*squelch*

Which is not a good idea if you don't like having brains on your shoe.

[Walkers: 22/50]

I walk over to the other Walker, dragging my shoe to get rid of some of the brains on it, and stab it through the mouth.

[Walkers: 23/50]

[410p]

Maybe I should just stab more and cut less. As I pull the sword back, the girl grabs my arm and pulls me to the right. She opens up a door and hurried inside, holding the door open for me. As soon as I get inside, she slams the door and locks it shut. She huffs, trying to catch her breath,

"Haaah… Holy shit… that was close…"

I nod my head and say,

"Yeah it was. Thanks for the rescue."

She takes off her helmet, revealing a tan girl of Latino descent with medium length faded purple hair that turns black at the roots. She holds out her hand,

"You're welcome. I'm Vanessa! It's nice to meet you!"

She gives me a goofy smile. I take her hand and shake it,

"Penny. Pleasure's all mine. So what's got you acting like a guardian angel?"

Vanessa puts her finger up to her lips and motions towards the door. I hear the walkers beginning to pass by. The motions for us to go up the stairs and turns on her flashlight. I see a busted up vending machine and a few garbage bags stuffed in the corner under the stairs. The smell definitely leaves something to be desired, but it's better than the stench of the walking dead.

As we head up the stairs, she speaks in a hushed tone,

"I heard the gunshots and went out to investigate. Of course, I wasn't planning on revealing myself, but when I saw you running into that horde, I couldn't help myself."

I chuckle,

"Heh, good to know there's still SOME good left in the world."

She smiles and strikes a victory pose,

"Indeed! Super V to the rescue!"

She holds that pose for a few seconds before shrinking down and saying,

"Wait, that sounds dirty."

I walk past her and ruffle her hair,

"Dork."

She acts offended,

"Hey! I'll have you know I prefer the term 'nerd'! Well, dork'll do I suppose."

We head up two flights where she leads me to a door that's been propped up.

"Welcome to Castle V!"

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