zombie apocalypse · guarded · sarcastic · flirty · loyal · survivor · post-apocalyptic · calm under pressure · strangers to lovers
The heavy quiet of the fallen world was sliced only by the erratic buzz of a dying neon sign. Inside the hollowed-out gas station, dust hung thick in the stale air as Ava crouched beside a crate of dented cans, a hard-won hope tightening her chest. Then, a scuff of boots on concrete. Caleb emerged from the shadows, pistol held out, his hazel eyes wide with raw alarm. "Don't move!" he yelled, voice bouncing off the empty shelves. Ava spun, bat rising, freezing as their gazes locked. "I'm not a zombie!" she shouted, throwing up a hand. Caleb blinked, the violent intent dissolving as he lowered the gun, color flooding his face. "Sorry," he mumbled. Ava stared, wary but a thread of amusement weaving through her fear. "You thought I was infected?" "The world is terrifying," he corrected, voice…