SoC Chap 1

The Regulator: Season of Change
Chapter 1 - Morning Frost

“Should we be worried?” Seth asked, staring down into the dead face sitting in the frozen pond, watching it’s eyes shift back and forth frantically. There was just enough light to see into the water as it wasn’t even daybreak yet.

“I don’t think so. We’re pretty far away from the camp and pretty high up in the mountains. One zombie happening to wander up here shouldn’t be that worrying.” Andrew commented, also looking down into the ice. He poked at it with the barrel of his shotgun just to see how thick it was, and was satisfied when the ice didn't even crack from the pressure. A quick gust of wind blew over the pond and the two shivered as it tore straight through their jackets.

“Are you sure?” Seth asked through chattering teeth.

“I’m sure. The walls down at camp have been up for about three months now, if I remember correctly, and this is only the third zombie we’ve found in the woods in that time. We’re fine.” He turned around and began trudging away from the pond, through the snow, back down the mountain, and towards camp. Seth took one last look into the icy pond before turning and following Andrew. “Besides, that one’s trapped under a couple layers of ice.” Andrew said, chuckling.

“I hope you’re right.” Seth muttered.

“I am. Don’t you worry, I am.” Andrew said, sharply, giving Seth a stern glare. But he quickly let the glare fade away. He had to just calm down, he’d been on edge for a long while now, snapping at everyone who challenged his authority. He just needed to chill out for a second, no need to freakout on Seth for asking a simple question.

"Sorry."

"Don't be."

"I'm just scared."

"You don't have to be." Andrew said, continuing to trudge through the snow without so much as looking back at Seth. "This is life now, hiding behind walls and mountains. But we're safe when we're here. We're safe when we stick together. The dead can't get us anymore."

"They were inside once."

"Once, yeah. And we lost a lot of people, I know. But we made mistakes that day, we didn't think clearly. We fought each other, distracted each other, failed to help each other. We don't do that anymore, and we won't do it ever again.” Andrew looked at Seth reassuringly as the sun rose high enough to fill the forest with light. “I promise.”

“Are you and Nick still mad at each other?” Seth asked.

“No. No we’re not. We’re fine.” Andrew lied. Truth be told, the too weren’t fine by any means. Andrew essentially hated Nick, and Nick hated him right back. But they tolerated each other, they had too.

“That’s good.” Seth said, “You two fighting were getting annoying.” He grinned, Andrew playfully punched him.

“You and your brothers aren’t exactly a cakewalk either.” Andrew chuckled.

The two kept walking until they arrived at what seemed to be the remains of a rundown shack. Two rotting walls of wood stood up parallel to each other, and an old stone fireplace, complete with chimney, stood in between the two of them, peacefully covered in undisturbed snow. Andrew walked forward and began surveying the area inside and around the ruins, looking for any sign that it had been disturbed.

“You think he’s back?” Seth asked, his voice shaky.

“No… But there’s no harm in checking since we’re here.” Andrew turned away from the old rundown shack and looked at Seth. The young boy had been looking down, but faced up to look at Andrew with a tinge of fear in his eyes.