don't touch

The sound of blood squelching not far in the distance caught her attention, and she went to investigate, only to find Michael standing over the still corpse. The silence caused her to lower her knife, but only slightly. “Turn it on then,” she urged, a little impatiently.

He nodded and pulled the box open with some difficulty, feeling the inside for the switch and pulling the handle. The generators emitted a loud hum as the bulbs slowly brightened, flooding the room with light. “There it’s done.” He said blinking his eyes and adjusting to the new brightness.

Her eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness, and she could make out the shadows of a few large generators. Which meant there had to be a switch box on the wall somewhere, right? She walked along the perimeter of the room, eventually spotting it in the east corner, but as she approached it, the louder the groans grew.

With a sigh he quickened his pace and followed the sound of the groans,  reaching the switch box before her with his knife held tightly in his hand. The zombie emerged from behind the nearest generator, but Michael was ready. He swiftly sidestepped as it lunged at him and pushed it to the ground before stabbing the blade into the back of it’s head. “I think that’s the only one here.” He said, turning to the box.

She shook off his hand yet again, turning the corner then into a larger room, now upset herself. “Then shut up if you don’t want to get killed.”

He sighed and lowered his hand, cautiously following the small fading light. Making her mad was a mistake. Being alone with an angry Ellie was much scarier than being in a cold dark basement with any undead. He kept his mouth shut and his footsteps echoed through the room.

His words and obviously upset tone caused her to sigh with annoyance. “So you get to tease all the time, but when I do it, you get pissed off…” she muttered under her breath, shaking his hand off of her shoulder as she did and walked a little bit ahead. 

“Stay close, it’s too dark to be separated.” He whispered quickly reaching his hand out and grabbing the collar of his jacket, pulling her back. “And I’m not pissed off, this place just makes me really uncomfortable.”

“I can’t fucking see anything and its making me uncomfortable, I'm not scared” He grumbled, his hand hovering over the hunting knife hidden under his waistband. The small light flickered slightly and Michael’s grip on her shoulder tightened. “If this light dies so do we.”

With a small roll of her eyes, she scoffed but the small moment of happiness was ruined for Ellie when the same group off in the corner began making an even bigger ruckus. What they were up to, Ellie had no idea, but she eyed them from the spot on the couch. “God, they’re lucky no one’s made a complaint yet.”

He turned his attention to the small group and laughed quietly. “What do they think they’re doing? Fighting is pointless here, its not like it’ll make the storm go away or anything.” 

“Necklace?” She questioned, a little confused. After remembering that she never took it off, she chuckled. “Oh, yeah. It was too meaningful and pretty to take off, so I guess I forgot it was there since I was so used to it.”

He put an arm around her shoulders. “It looks beautiful on you.” He whispered into her ear before placing a soft kiss to her cheek.

“What are you doing?” She questioned softly, patting the space beside her. “Come here.”

He stood and brushed as much dust as possible off the couch, sitting next to her and leaning against her shoulder. “You’re still wearing the necklace?” He asked, pointing to the thin silver chain on her neck.

A soft huff escapes her lips as she shakes his hand off of her, sitting on one of the dusty couches, quickly scanning the lobby before looking up at him with a frown. “You enjoy making it hard to be mad at you, don’t you?”

“It’s also one of my favourite past time y’know.” He said taking a seat on the cold floor at her feet.

She wasn’t really angry, and nearly giggled shyly at his words, but she bit her tongue to stop herself and keep her act, crossing her arms with a scoff. “It’s a shame I’m angry at you, then.”

“Nah, I change my mind. You’re always cute, shortie.” He said playfully sticking his tongue out at her like a child and patting the top of her head.

She looked up at him again, slightly startled from his deep voice behind her. “Nothing. Not yet, anyway.” After one last glimpse at the group, she continued walking around the walls of the lobby with a soft sigh.

He nodded and continued shuffling behind her, looking over his shoulder once in a while to check on the group. “You know you’re pretty cute when you’re angry.” He teased, gently poking the back of her neck.

“Tch, fine. I’ll just be an asshole to you from now on,” she shoots a glare at him as she walks off, leaving a mental note for herself to keep an eye on a group of rogues making a fuss on the corner of the room.

He chuckled and shook his head, looking up at the noise and hesitantly following her towards the commotion. “What’s going on?”

“And hopefully never again..” She whispered quietly, leaning on the tip of her toes to press her lips to his cheek. With a shy giggle, she pulled back, letting go of her hand to start walking the perimeter of the lobby.

He smiled brightly as her lips touched his face. “Oh god, that was so cheesy it hurt.” He teased, wincing and playfully clutching his chest.

Loosely lacing her fingers around his, she exits the room and into the corridor leading to the lobby, sighing as her eyes scan the room, people at every corner, all evidently tired. “Honestly, I have no idea,” she sighed, her free hand resting on the 10mm auto tucked under the waistband of her pants.

He followed her into the crowded room, a long sigh escaping from his lips. “At least I’m not spending the holiday alone this year.” He mumbled, lightly squeezing her hand.

“Luckily, I’m used to you being annoying by now,” she mumbled with a click of her tongue, wiggling out of his arms as she stood. “Come on, I have a shift in the lobby that I probably shouldn’t be late for.”

“Alright alright. Lead the way, working girl.” He chuckled, standing and gesturing towards the lobby. “How long is this shift going to be?”

“Probably making sure no one tries to steal, fight, or kill each other,” she shrugs, placing a gentle kiss on the top of his head before playfully rolling her eyes. “So now I’m going to be cold, claustrophobic, and annoyed? Great.”

He nods, snaking an arm around her waist. “I’ll try not to be too annoying, but I won’t make any promises.” He says, a smile spreading across his face.