The Shallow Places (ON HOLD)

Chapter Two

"Gabrielle," Owen whispered, trying the name on his tongue. He seemed satisfied, "What are you doing out here alone?"

"I'm not--" I gestured to Juno, who whipped her tail happily. She was eager to see me.

"That's not what I meant," he frowned, "and I don't appreciate your sarcasm. I mean, do you live with anyone...human?"

He spoke to me as if I were a child and he, my angry parent. I shook my head, "I've got a flat a few blocks down, but it's just me." I was hoping he wouldn't get any ideas, because I was not letting three complete strangers into my house.

Owen shrugged, "You look a little shaken. Let us at least give you a ride home."

I wasn't so sure about him yet. Owen seemed genuine and kind, but I had never been good with people, and he was just a stranger. However, he did save Juno's life, and at the cost of his own. I smirked, "Are you sure you've got room for one more?"

He smiled, "Sure do."

I took the seat between Juno and Owen in the pickup. One of the other boys, who I assumed to be Nolan, had his arm around Juno, almost in a protective manner. I frowned at him and he pulled his hand away. The silence was irritating, but I didn't want to be the one to break it. After all, I was not very good at making conversation. "Sorry," he said finally.

I ignored him, and turned to Juno. I checked to see that she wasn't bitten. She didn't seem to be, so I ruffled her ears and whispered low so that only she could hear, "You can't run like that, girl. It's not safe." I shuddered at my usage of the word. Juno whined and licked my face.

I glanced at Owen when it was time to turn next to my flat. "She wasn't bitten, was she?" I asked him.

"No," he said, smiling, "but it was good we were there. She was nearly eaten to bits right there."

The thought of Juno being devoured by one of the Stillwalkers made me quiver. I couldn't bear to see her in immense pain like that. I would much rather it be me.

"Stop here," I ordered, and the truck came to a standstill next to a crumbling building. Juno hopped down from the seat and started up the fire escape, nearly slipping on her ascend. I tried to shake Owen's hand to thank him for saving Juno, but the three boys brushed past me and up into my flat. I was appalled. Did they think they could just walk in--well, climb in-- to my house without my permission?

I followed in bewilderment, as I was a little embarrassed at them. I ducked into the low window of my flat and watched as the boys scanned the place. "What are you looking for?" I asked impatiently. I thrusted my hands onto my hips and narrowed my eyes.

"Just checking for any Flesheaters," said the boy with the darkest hair and bright green eyes. I presumed he was Eli, and when he finally introduced himself, he confirmed my assumption.

"Is that what you call them?"

"Well, what do you call them?" asked Owen.

I pursed my lips. They were dry, which suddenly made me conscious of my appearance. I had just darted out of bed before I left, and I probably looked weary, just like a Stillwalker. Why was I suddenly concerned with appearances? It's not like it mattered before.

"Stillwalkers," I finally said.

Perplexity and vacancy now flooded their facial expressions. I rolled my eyes and tried to form a solid explanation, "When the infection hit, anyone who was left--Survivors-- started to call them 'Stillwalkers' because many believed that these monsters were still alive. They believed that they weren't completely dead; not complete monsters."

"Is that what you believe, Gabrielle?" asked Eli. He directed his attention to Owen and whispered, "She would get along with Zane, wouldn't she?"

I frowned, "No, that's not what I believe. That's what my parents believed and that's what they called them. I used to believe it, so I picked up the term. It's hard to break old habits after awhile."

The boys nodded as if they understood what I meant. "She's smart," Owen whispered, as if I wasn't there and couldn't hear him, "She knows things."

"You mentioned a name," I said. Obvious.

Nolan nodded, "Zane." It was the first time he had spoken since our meeting in the truck.

I gave a questioning glance at Owen who just smiled and glanced at the afternoon sun streaming through the window and painting a picture on the carpet.

"We should bring her to him," Eli looked to Nolan for support, "She could come with us!"

Owen began to agree, but I shook my head. I wasn't going anywhere. "I've made a life here for four years. I'm not leaving."

We stood in silence for a moment, as I was too stubborn to waiver and falter.

"Gabrielle," he began, "It's nearly afternoon, and if you're as good a Survivor as I think you are, then you would know that the afternoon is the hottest part of the day."

I nodded, unsure of where this was going.

"Too hot to travel," he bit his lip, "Would you allow us to stay for the night? Then if you change your mind in the morning, you can come with us."

I couldn't protest. Owen's logic made sense, and I admitted defeat.

I grew tiresome with the events of the day, and I turned in early for bed. Today was the first time I had come in close contact with a Stillwalker since my first year alone. Other times when I came upon them, it was from long distances and I never had to see their faces closely. It loosened some knot in me and I cried a little as I slept, though I was too tired to fret about that now. Juno was home alive. I was home alive, and we were both safe again.