"Whoa killer, take it easy there."

Courtney walks over and places a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay buddy, I get it. It's a lot easier if you keep telling yourself they aren't human."

Wiping my face and standing back up, I change the subject.

"Did you get what you need?"

"Yes I did, and found some batteries too. I see you found some food. Think you can carry a few cases?"

"They aren't light but I can manage."

I grab four boxes and Courtney takes another one. She finds a case of bottled water and takes that as well.

"We'll need some of these for sure."

Leaving, Courtney tells me it's only about a ten minute walk to her apartment. She had Just left her building a minute earlier when she first ran into me. I ask what we need the batteries for, and she tells me I'll see when we get there.

My arms are getting sore. I'm losing my grip on this corn. Trying to keep the weight off my broken fingers. And my stump is killing me, by the time we finally arrive at the building.

It's tall, very tall. My stomach turns as I look up at it. Intimidating and imposing. I've never been in such a tall building before. I get nervous and pray Were not heading up to a high floor.

Courtney Points to the barricaded front door.

"I did that. We'll need to go in through the side."

Rounding the side of the building the door is held just a fraction open by a rock. We enter and Courtney kicks the rock into the building. The door slams shut behind me and everything goes pitch black.

There's no source of light, natural or otherwise. I can't see a thing.

Courtney's voice cuts through the blackness.

"Alright, here we are. It's a good news bad news situation. The bad, We're going up to the seventeenth floor, and of course the elevators aren't working. The good news is there's no floor thirteen. so it's not as high as it sounds."

"How are we suppose to climb the stairs if we can't see?"

"You really are oblivious."

She says, as she grabs a flashlight out of her bag. She clicks it on. Holds it in her mouth, and begins her assent.

After fiddling with the keys for a bit, Courtney gets the door unlocked and we enter the apartment. There are a few candles lit, but its dim. Better then the stairs but still hard too see. Where putting down the corn and water on the counter when another girl enters the room. In a wheel chair, she has glasses and much longer hair than Courtney does. But I can tell by their faces they are twins.

"Oh hey Court... Whose this?"

She asks looking in my direction.

"Some Amish guy. Said they got it too. Everyone there got infected so he came out here looking for a cure. Never even heard of zombies before. Can you believe that."

Interjecting at his point, I say.

"I'm not looking for a cure anymore. They're all gone now. I'm just looking for others survivors. The names Levi by the way."

"Alright Levi, My name is Germaine. I'm not sure why Court trusted you enough to bring you here. But you're here now so..."

Germaine kind of shrugs off finishing her sentence.

Courtney replies.

"I trusted him because he could carry four cases of corn. We have like sixteen cases now. And I figured he'd be good for helping us fortify the place a bit more."

"Fine, Whatever, Like I said, He's here now. And we really could use the help so that's fine. I just wish we talked about it first."

"Oh yeah sure, I'll make sure I give you a call next time."

Ignoring Courtney, Germaine turns to me and continues.

"I guess you're staying with us now. So, I know it's weird. Being the end of the world and all. But, could you take off your shoes? We don't want to track dirt all around the apartment."

"Oh, of course. My apologies."

I plop myself down in the couch and begin unlacing my boots. Normally I would wait to be offered a seat. But with the pain I'm in I think I can be forgiven.

Courtney Stares at me for a moment.

"Jesus Christ dude, You walked sixteen flights of stairs. And you didn't think it was worth mentioning you only had one foot! Look, it started bleeding! We could have taken a rest every few flights or something."

"Well, I didn't think saying anything would make a difference. Besides, it's not bleeding for the stairs. I lost it last night, it's still a bit leaky from that."

Courtney reaches into her back and pulls out the pills she collected from the pharmacy. Tossing one of the bottles over to me.

"You need these more than I do."

"Oh, no thank you. I prefer more traditional medicines."

As I'm handing them back Germaine grabs the bottle out of my hand.

"God damn it Court. You told me you were quitting this shit."

"Well forgive me for being under stress right now. You may not have noticed. Sitting in here all day. But it's the god damned end of the world outside!"

I put my head back and zone out. I am not fond of the way these two speak. Constantly taking the lords name in vain. They certainly are not my preferred company. Nor do I think I should be boarding with women at all. But at least they're alive. And with owing my life to Courtney. I guess I should cut them some slack.

They continue to fight for a bit. While I just sink into the couch and close my eyes. Exhausted and in pain it feels good to be warm, dry, and comfortable. I don't know if this is actually the most comfortable thing I have ever laid on. But right now it sure seems like it is.