Chapter 5 (Wanderer)

Chapter 5: Wanderer

Blake Rhodes

Unknown, 2029

About 7 years after outbreak

Miami

Season 3

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"Wake up. Hey, Old Man, wake up!"

I opened my eyes as the harsh beating sun shone and the face of a stranger looked down at me.

"Wake up, I'm not waiting for you forever! You're lucky I saved you from the skin eaters, you'd be dead if it wasn't for me!"They shouted, their tone getting angrier.

"Thanks you're so kind," I grunted out sarcastically as I began to sit up, I scraped my hand on the pavement. "My name's Blake, what's yours?"

"Kingsley Morrison. You smell like shit Blake," she helped me to my feet, "what the hell crawled up in you and died?"

"How old are you, where are your parents?"

"Damn, who the hell do you think you are? You don't ask kids that."

"I'm sorry you just look too young to be alone."

"Who says I'm alone? Maybe I got a whole big group with me and maybe if you try anything they'll kick your ass." Her eyes turned threatening and she took a step towards me.

"I'm not looking for trouble, Kingsley, I'm just looking for my kid."

"I ain't seen no kids around here, only bad folks, kids die around here, you can see 'em, their bodies are in the piles in the streets. People 'round here'll kill a pathetic man like you. And the skin eaters are hungrier than ever."

"How'd you survive here then?"

"That's not your business."

"Please, kid, if you help me I can help you."

"I don't need no help."

"Well you're helping me whether you like it or not." I placed my hand abruptly down onto her shoulder. She jumped slightly at the sudden touch. "You could have just walked past me sleeping on the street but you didn't so that's your fault. You don't have to admit it but you could use the company. Plus, from what you told me it sounds like I'm about the only one in this city who ain't gonna kill you for that fabulous yellow scarf thing you got going on. Don't give me that look, you want a friend and you know it."