Ruby sighed, scratching her back with the barrel of her sawed-off. The days were growing longer as she remained trapped in the small cottage. Surrounding her were the risen dead, the only noise she'd heard for weeks now were their low gurgling and growling but there were too many for her to slip through. Food had begun to grow low and she had to limit herself to eating every second day to try to make it last but the reserves were still dwindling down to a very concerning level. She would have to leave at some point to scavenge for food. And maybe bullets. But how? The crowd seemed to consistently gain new 'followers' and the sound was deafening. Ruby heard it in her sleep, she heard it in her waking day, she was surrounded in all ways. The sun began to drift behind the horizon, bathing all in an amber glow. Looking out from the second story bedroom window, Ruby watched the dead mill around aimlessly. They knew there was someone in the cottage but had given up trying to get in. Ruby had made it near impenetrable. Darkness would have to be her ally tonight, there was no way she could take down one of those things in the daylight. She had to be quick, quiet and unseen. Night had arrived and the moon was missing, it had become thinner and thinner over the month. That would make it easier, there would be nothing to cast light on her now. Grabbing her hunting knife, Ruby made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. There were one or two of those things out there, gnashing their teeth and growling at each other when they came too close. She moved the blockades she had made and unlocked the door silently, pausing when the dead heads would lift at any slight noise. Ruby almost held her breath the whole time, her palms began to sweat at the thought of what she was going to do. The dead were pacing and she noted that one of them always went around the side of the house before doubling back like it was searching for something so she had to wait still. It was killing her, the walls in this place were driving her insane. Finally, the second man had slipped around the corner and Ruby opened the door quickly. She grabbed the dead by his slimy arm and before his growl could alert any of the others she stuck her blade into its soft skull. It's jaw went slack but before she could drag it back inside she felt the barrel of another gun pressed against her back. "Please, I have no food or resources." Ruby said quietly, keeping completely still but aware that the other dead man was due back any moment. "There's another one of these things that is about to circle back, come inside and I will give you what I have but please, we have to be quick." She spoke in a low, melodic voice giving urgency to their timing. She could hear the shuffling growing closer with each moment.
