I sat down and watched as Nicky balanced a plate on her knees as she started eating. Daniel and Nina hadn't arrived yet. Louise must have taken Nina's threat seriously this time. She hadn't come back and it had been four days already. It almost felt like peace. Well, semi-peace since Nina and Daniel were turning up more often.

I leaned back in my chair, "Hey Nicky?"

She glanced up, "Yeah?"

"At that truck stop, what exactly happened after I blacked out? I remember up until the point where I got shot in the head."

Nicky chewed thoughtfully, "I still can't believe that fight. I didn't know you could move that fast. That one guy had better aim than the others and got you in the head. You kind of just collapsed mid-run. That bastard drew a sword, but Daniel charged in from a window and killed him before he had taken more than a few steps. Daniel killed the last two that were trying to get more weapons."

She paused to sip her water, "He untied us and Hank and Ben went to grab that part we needed from the truck. Turns out that there was a jerrycan of gas in that building. Those two drove back to fix our truck and return. By the time they returned, Daniel and Nina had you laid on a tarp so you were easier to move.

"We traveled to a nearby town with a police station and jail. They weren't sure how long you would remain unconscious and we had all heard rumors about head injuries in sane zombies. Nina spent almost two hours trying to dig those bullets out of you. You woke up the second day, which was a surprise since Nina and Daniel were expecting you to be out for at least four days. You know the rest."

I nodded, "Thanks." I had wondered how they had moved me. A tarp made sense since they could just grab the edges and it would have kept the blood contamination risk to a minimum. I glanced down to see Daniel and Nina approaching the building with their plates.

Several minutes later they came on top of the roof to join us. We talked a bit about things happening in the Stronghold, which wasn't much. Nina's research had slowed down. They had re-infected the ex-zombies since the bodies had been dying and were trying some other possible cures. Most cures either didn't do anything or they killed the zombie once the cure took effect and they were human. There were only a handful of living zombies in the barn at this point.

My patrols had been quiet. I hadn't crossed a single Runner or higher ranked zombie. Daniel had started running the outer boundary more frequently so his scent wall was back, although it wasn't as strong as the first time I had run along it. Nicky had been helping out with various groups, although the kitchen no longer wanted her in any capacity that involved a knife.

Nicky eventually stretched, "So, shall we go see if we can pin the tail on the donkey?"

I nodded and went with Nicky to the archery field, leaving Nina and Daniel to relax on the rooftop. Nicky had not been kidding. Someone had painted a big gray ugly donkey and people would attach a gray ribbon as a 'tail' to their arrow. The ribbon altered the arrow's flight enormously, which made it a challenge.

The wind was blowing in light unpredictable puffs today, which was going to make it really interesting, even for the best shooters. I was looking forward to it, normal shooting was fairly boring since I hit the center constantly.

This was the first group sport that I had enjoyed since becoming a zombie. Everyone in the archery group who wanted to play split into two teams. We took turns with each person only firing one arrow, the group with the most hits won the round. The unpredictable and prankish wind was grabbing the arm-long ribbon and making the arrow hit some odd places.

Nicky teased one of the guys, "It is called pin the tail on the donkey for a reason. You are supposed to aim for its rear end. Last time I checked, a donkey's ears were on its head."

The guy handed her the bow, "Let's see your shot."

"Oh shit. Well, here goes nothing."

I chuckled as Nicky's arrow hit the donkey's hoof. Most people started laughing or snickering. This game wasn't as competitive or serious as some they played. When the wind was like this, we were just here to have fun. Truth be told, I was enjoying myself, as much as I ever could with a group of humans.

Nicky had once commented aloud that I preferred more space than Daniel did and the group had been more than willing to re-adjust their arm's length rule to three times that amount. It did make things easier. Of course, Nicky didn't bother to take her own advice and invaded my personal space without a care.

I watched as the wind caused someone's arrow to completely miss the target. One man sneezed just as he fired and the arrow went way above the target. The next person managed to at least get the arrow in the proper area. Another person sneezed three times before she could even attempt to fire. Her friend passed her a tissue after her shot.

I tested the air, but she just had a cold that was going around and not the sneezing stage of the zombie virus. The wind died down and the next person got the arrow in the proper area.

"Oh look, Mark found Liz."

I looked over to see the mischievous twin walking with Liz as she carried a big plastic bowl. The wind shifted and I could smell freshly baked cookies. Liz approached the group with a smile, "I baked chocolate chip cookies! Everyone can have one!"

Liz was thrilled to share her bounty and everyone was quick to grab the rare treat. Nicky waited with me to avoid the press of people. Liz kept walking as people took their cookie and parted to let her through. The jar only had a handful of cookies by the time she passed through the archery group.

She came toward us and dug in her shirt pocket, "I made Trinity a special cookie." She unwrapped a napkin to reveal a cookie that was a bit larger than the rest, "Look! I made a T on it with chocolate chips!"

I accepted the cookie from Liz, and was surprised to find that I was touched that she had put my initial on it. "Thank you."

Liz beamed at me as she dug into the jar and took a cookie for herself. I bit into the cookie. It was soft and sugary. It was just a bit undercooked, but I had never minded raw cookie dough so it didn't bother me. The cinnamon shaker and allspice had definitely gotten away on whoever was measuring. The spices were quite strong, but went fairly well with the chocolate.

There was lots of chocolate. It had been a very long time since I had eaten chocolate so I quite enjoyed the treat. Liz offered me another one, but I declined since I was pretty full. Our interrupted game started up again. Liz got excited, "Can I play?"

"I am not sure that your bow can shoot that far."

She looked up at me with big eyes, "Can I try?"

I sighed, "Sure." I knew her bow wouldn't fire that far if we attached a ribbon to it. Hopefully she would be happy with a plain arrow.

She came back with her bow and the next person up gestured for her to take the next shot. She took aim with a plain arrow and managed to hit the donkey's leg. It was a crazy luck shot, especially at that range with a child's bow. She cheered before moving back to let the next person go.

My arrow landed just above the donkey's back, which was better than anyone else so far. Liz looked at the arrows, "How come they have ribbon on their arrows?"

Nicky replied, "It is like pin the tail on the donkey, but with arrows. The ribbon makes it much harder though."

Liz looked at Nicky, "Can I try with a ribbon on my turn?"

Nicky gave in easily and tied a ribbon to her arrow. Liz waited patiently for her turn, giggling at some of the really bad shots that the wind grabbed. Her turn came and she took careful aim and fired. Her shoulders drooped down as the ribbon's drag caused the arrow to fall in the dust before even reaching the target.

The person behind her clearly felt bad for her, "Why don't you try again? It is your first time with a ribbon."

Liz nodded and tried again. And again. And again. She was almost in tears since she couldn't get her arrows to the target. I sighed as I came forward, the others parted to give me my space. Liz looked up at me with a devastated expression.

I went down to one knee beside her, "Here. Stand here." I positioned her so her back was against my chest as I held up my larger bow. "Put one hand on the bow, I will hold it, but you have to aim it."

I drew the string, putting my hand beside her head so it would be easier for her to aim. Others were watching in curiosity or surprise that I allowed her so close. "Put your hand on mine, not on the string, otherwise it will hurt you when I release it."

She leaned her head against my hand to get a better aim as she adjusted my aim. "Let me know when." She nodded and adjusted my aim a bit more. Liz leaned against my chest to ensure she was out of the way of the bowstring, "Okay, now."

I ensured that there was no chance of the string touching the child in my arms and released the string. The string twanged as the ribbon made a whistling sound with the speed of its passage. It hit the hindquarters of the donkey. Liz and the others cheered.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

I narrowed my eyes as I glanced over my shoulder with a very low growl. Marissa really had the worst timing possible. She was staring at Liz and me in disbelief before turning an accusing eye on the group around me who had started shifting into a defensive formation around me.

Marissa shook her head, "I don't know why Liz likes you, but stop encouraging her. She is too young to get mixed up in all of this. It wasn't too bad when you kept your distance, but this... this... You are going too far."

One of the men crossed his arms and regarded Marissa in disapproval, "You are free to leave this place any time."

Marissa rounded on him, "I am, but you are holding Liz hostage here just to placate that beast! Liz was put into my care four years ago. Mine! Not yours!"

I snarled lowly as my vision took on a redder hue at her insult. I slowly stood up and turned so I could watch the angry woman easier. She shifted her angry gaze to me, "That is exactly what I am concerned about! You are clearly dangerous. No zombie should be allowed near a child. Why do you hold her here?"

I bared my teeth as my own anger built and my instincts started to rise. My voice had deepened, "Most of my growls are a warning and come to me as naturally as your scowl graces your face. And precisely what have I done to either of you two? Show me the injuries that I have inflicted. Besides, I am not holding her hostage."

Marissa narrowed her eyes as she shook in fury. She was past thinking, she was just mad at this point, "I am leaving tomorrow with Liz and if anyone stops us then I will let it be known that you kidnap children and send them to play with zombies. Liz, come here. Get away from her."

Liz looked close to tears since everyone was angry and she didn't understand why. She listened and went to Marissa, who scooped her up and carried her off in her arms. Liz looked back over Marissa's shoulder sadly before they left the field and were out of sight.

The archery group was around me. The emotions were so strong that they were clearly reflected in their scents. Anger, rage, sadness, defiance, a need to defend, and more. One man slowly walked toward me and came closer than any of the others had in days. I turned my head toward him as an acknowledgement of his presence.

The man sighed, "We have been preventing Liz from leaving. It is your call though, should we let them go?"

Anger still clouded my mind, but I knew the answer for this question. I nodded, "Let them go. She will simply cause problems otherwise."

He nodded with a sad expression, "Alright. I will let the guards know. Hopefully Liz will return on her own one day." He turned and left the field.

After the confrontation with Marissa, no one had any heart left for the game. We all put our bows away and scattered in various directions. Nicky was heading for another shower and I decided to start my patrol early. My anger hadn't completely faded and I was certain that a few less trees were going to be standing by dawn.

The guard tossed me the walkie talkie without coming down from his post. I let myself out and headed toward the forest. I planned to pass the border that Daniel ran before providing my rage an outlet. The downside was that the long trip gave my temper plenty of time to percolate like a cloud of propane just waiting for a match.

Once I was out of sight, I picked up my pace to a run as I unsuccessfully tried to leave unflattering and vexing thoughts behind. I never once harmed them. I never wanted to be Liz's guardian, the child only came by in the evening, if she even came by at all.

My instincts didn't care that I wouldn't see Liz again. Even my human heart hadn't been that close to her to be overly affected, but my human mind recognized the insults. My instincts didn't do well with insults and that fired it up. A human had shouted and insulted me, so my instincts wanted to show her where her place on the totem pole really was. My heart and mind were human though, so I was able to resist that impulse.

She called me a beast... I snarled at the memory of that insult, as if she had any idea what kind of beast a feral zombie truly was. My anger was making my head start to hurt from its intensity. I am beginning to wish that I had let those four zombies bite them before intervening.

That thought was a vengeful knee jerk reaction and I knew it. I also had no desire to be the main caretaker of two kids while I tried to locate a Stronghold. The implication that I couldn't keep threats at bay rankled more than anything else.

I crossed the scent wall that Daniel had unintentionally created with his boundary checks. I could let loose a bit out here with no one the wiser and there was no chance of harming anyone. My instincts were running as high as my temper and the sun hadn't even set yet.

I spotted a dead standing tree and jumped forward to kick it with a fierce kick. The tree trunk hadn't been much thicker than my arm and it easily snapped before toppling to the ground. My speed had already taken me well out of range of the falling tree and I was already heading toward another dead tree. I let my temper loose on the hapless trees.

I eventually paused to breathe as I stood at the top of a hill. I had toppled well over a dozen trees and shredded a few others. My anger had subsided. The sun was approaching the horizon so I decided to go back and actually start patrolling instead of venting my temper. I was a long way away from Daniel's boundary, but I could still pick up its scent faintly from here.