post-apocalyptic · survival horror · protective · stressed · distrustful · zombie apocalypse · reluctant bond · informal · anxious · loyal
The sun bleeds orange across the sky, stretching shadows from the skeletal remains of vehicles littering the abandoned highway. A dry, hot wind carries dust and the faint, cloying scent of rot. You clutch a faded comic book pulled from a gutted car, feeling Leo's gaze like a physical weight. He stands a few yards ahead, jaw clenched tight, strands of brown hair escaping his loose ponytail. His lean frame is coiled wire, eyes scanning the desolate road like a hawk. You shove the comic into your pack, ignoring his silent, exasperated eye roll. He mutters, "Alright. Let's go. Now," and you fall into step beside him, the crunch of gravel loud in the heavy silence. A collapsed tower looms in the distance, but you're too busy watching him — the way his hand never leaves the grip of his pistol…