THE GIRL I USE TO BE {DERRICK}

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie entered the bar. It was designated as a safe haven for anyone daring to travel the streets. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a red shirt. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and a few shorter strands hung loose against her cheeks. She had a gun holster strapped to her thigh. She never left home without it.

Even though she was a human, like most, they carried some guns on them. You never knew when an Animater would suddenly appear. Shooting them in the head was the only way to stop them. She hated doing that, but it was either her or them.

Marnie slid onto a bar stool and ordered a club soda. She wasn't much for drinking. When the bartender brought her soda, she sipped it thought fully, watching anyone who entered. So far a majority were survivors. The bar was well secured, with alarms and special window tints that let you see out but no one could see in. So if a Animater walked by, the wouldn't be able to see inside that there were humans there and alive. The owner did a good job in securing this place. Marnie sighed. She was a bit lonely since the apocalypse. her entire family was gone. Not that she cared about her ex boyfriend being the jerk he was abusing her, but her mom and dad, people she loved. She just sat there, deep in thought

[derrick]

Derrick had been wandering around town since dawn, taking aim at any Animater in his way. It was what he prided in; taking down the zombie species that were taking over the world. It was risky buisness but it was all the twenty-seven year old had to live for. Becoming a hunter wasn't but it came very natural to him. Watching them go down one by one gave him hope that maybe some day this apocalypse would come to an end but it was a doubtful accusation. What warm and uplifting feelings Derrick once had were left behind back on his small farm in Texas. It was there when his fate had been decided. It was now survival of the fittest and he would travel across lands to find something worth living.

It had been a few weeks since Derrick arrived in Cemetery Gates and he hadn't planned on staying this long. He wanted to continue his travels, alone and unharmed but it seemed like everyone in this town needed saving. Each day he would run into someone that was hysterical and needed his help. It was in ways annoying but he never turned down the opprotunity to take an Animater down. Many would thank him and offer a place to stay but he was quick to move on. Forming bonds would only keep him there longer.

After several hoursof hunting, Derrick retreated to a local bar for some refreshments. He scanned the area before walking three the doors, knowing this place was fairly secure. He shoved his Beretta handgun back in its holster along his waist and fixed the strap of his bow across his shoulders. Being a hunter, it was a hassle to carry around weapons which was why he settled with two handguns and bow. He was a master at using them and they were all he needed.

He sat himself two seats away from a blonde woman at the bar. He took a moment to scan her over and then turned his attention to the bar tender. "I'll take a Budweiser." Derrick commented before running a hand threw his sandy blonde hair. He brushed off some dirt from his jeans and glanced back at the woman. He noticed the gun at her hip and smirked slightly. "You know how to use that?"

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie glanced at the young man beside her. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Would you like a demonstration?" She asked smoothly.

Her tone was light, but she couldn't stand sexist males. Though she was probably judging this guy a little too early. She tilted her head to the side at him.

"Doing some hunting?" she asked him taking another sip of her club soda.

She knew of the 'hunters' out there that hunted the Animated. It was a dirty job but she knew that someone had to do it. While she wasn't a hunter, she carried around the gun for protection. You never know what's lurking out there. She just wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

"I'm Marnie by the way. What's your name?" She implied of him curiously.

He was good looking that was for sure. Marnie absentmindedly tucked a few strands of blond hair behind her ear as she waited for him to reply. The bartender came by and asked her if she wanted another one. She nodded in thanks.

"Thank God this is a safe haven huh?" She asked as the bartender brought her second club soda.

[derrick]

Derrick tilted his head slightly at her comment as his beer was placed before him. There was some clear hostility due to his accusation. He wasn't necessarily sexist but before the apocalypse he did believe that woman had a place in the world. They belonged in house taking care of children while they cooked and cleaned. It was old fashioned but the way he was raised and back in his home town there had been many woman willing to do just that. Unfortunately his town was no longer there and the world was being inhabited by zombies. Nothing would be the same and that would just have to be something he'd get use to. Even if that meant having to see women carry around weapons. In all honesty, they needed it but Derrick had always been one to believe that men were required to be protectors. Maybe this woman didn't have one around to do just that. "As long as I'm not target practice." He smirked slightly as he took a swig of his drink. The liquid was refreshing after a long day.

"Every day until they are all gone." Derrick admitted to hunting. It was his job now. To make sure the living dead would become extinct. He promised himself he wouldn't stop until they were all gone or until there was a cure. He knew he wouldn't get all of them but he knew there were other hunters that prided on the same things he did. "Marnie...I'm Derrick." He offered nothing more than a simple glance. Exchanging names was the first step to forming a bond, shaking her hand would only give that idea his approval. When he had no more family left, Derrick made it a habit of distancing himself from surviving people. The last thing he wanted was for another person close to him to be taken away.

He eyed the blonde as she spoke again. It was clear she was a state of loneliness and needed someone to talk to. He understand what that felt like. It's something he was overcome by when the last of his family had died but it didn't take long for him to overcome it. "Yea. It's nice for now. It'd be nicer if roaming the streets was safe." He added as he turned his stool towards her. "You from here?" Derrick tool another swig of his beer, eyes locked on her. She was beautiful to say the least. She was clean enough to assume she had a place near by to retreat to. Along his journey he mostly took shelter in abandoned houses that he scouted first and barricaded before resting his eyes.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie grinned at his comment about not being target practice. She shook her head.

"I promise" she grinned and nodded.

"I understand. I've had to kill a few Animated. You sometimes forget they're not people anymore" her tone held sadness to it. She finished her club soda and turned to him so she could give him his undivided attention.

"Yeah. I live nearby. My neighborhood isn't that over run with Animated. It's a gated community so nothing can get in and nothing can get out without a password into the gates" She said. "What about you? Live nearby?" She implied of him.

He was clean too which meant he too had a good home to go to. Marnie reached up and tucked a few strands of blond hair behind her ear as she regarded him.

Things were not the same, and she wondered if the Radicals had any idea on how to improve things. She felt a shiver run up her spine

"Have you bumped into any radicals?" She asked in a low voice her hazel brown eyes catching the sunlight, making them appear amberish.

[derrick]

"Good." Derrick offered a soft grin as she promised. Of course, it wouldn't have been the first time he had been shot at before. When hunting, a lot of untouched humans with little weaponery experience had mistaken him for a Animater. Being dirty and having battle wounds would lead many to the assumption from far away, which is why the twenty-seven year old took to cleaning himself as much as possible. The last thing the world needed was an injured hunter. Or worse, a dead one. "Can't let what they use to be get in the way...first sign of weakness. They will kill you within an instant." There was no doubts she knew that but there were still some humans that has something against killing the infected species. He knew once their heart stopped they weren't human anymore. Derrick his primal instincts and he knew that killing them was for the better.

"Well that's fortunate." He chuckled slightly as he finished off his beer. Who knew that one of man's greatest inventions would be gated communities. "You're lucky." He commented towards Marnie as he ordered another beer. "Nah. Just passing threw..." Derrick shurgged as he answered her question, his southern accent sounding here and there. It was a bit of an understatement because if had been 'just passing threw' then he would have already been gone.

"If I had, they would definitely hear it from me." He perked an eyebrow as she mentioned the Radicals. They were a group of humans and paranormals that were trying to find a solution to the apocalypse. "The right thing for them to do is to be out here fighting for their lives with us." Derrick was a bit judgemental towards the Radicals. Surely there were a few actually trying to do something but it was clear that nothing was set and stone. Animaters were still wandering around killing people. It was obvious the Radicals had no idea what to do. "Have you?" His curiosity was risen as the topic was brought up.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie hesitated.

"You could say that" She said slowly. She pretended her nails were suddenly interesting. "My boyfriend was one. He didn't like the fact that I didn't see things his way. He made sure that he expressed his views in certain 'ways' and that I knew what they were. If persuasion wasn't enough he'd hit me" Marnie said surprised that she had no tears left to cry.

"He was killed by an Animator 2 years ago" Marnie said. " I can't say that I wish he wasn't" She replied looking at Derrick, hoping she didn't sound like a cold hearted bitch. In all reality she wasn't...but she was tired of being someone's door mat and being hurt.

She managed a small smile.

"I hope I don't sound like a cold hearted bitch" she said watching Derrick closely.

She actually cared what Derrick thought of her. Why she didn't know. She sighed and looked absentmindedly out the window. The afternoon sun was starting to disappear behind the clouds. Darkness was creeping in now. She turned back to Derrick.

"Well, do you have a place to stay the night?" she asked him curiously. "If not you could stay with me. I have a guest house you could use"

[derrick]

Derrick kept his eyes on the blonde next to him as she spoke. This was the second step to forming a bond with someone. Sharing personal stories. It may not have been a specific event but it was a look into her past. Even though he wouldn't share much into his own history, Derrick couldn't help but think about his own family. There wasn't many problems within the Renshaw family but there had been a few times where he witnessed his father being rough with his mom. It wasn't his buisness to get in to but there was immediate harm to the woman who gave birth to him then he would have stepped in. Despite his views on gender roles, domestic abuse wasn't something he messed around with. He had no tolerance for it. He wasn't surprised that Marnie thought that way about her ex-boyfriend.

"No not at all. He's lucky I wasn't around to see it." Not that he would have ever have known the woman before the apocalypse but if it had witnessed any woman being abused Derrick wouldn't hesitate to take action. Sometimes some people deserved to die. It was a harsh reality but if people weren't given consequences for their actions then there would be no good in the world. Then again, there didn't seem to be much of that at the moment either.

"Nah, I'll manage." He responded to her question. It was nothing against her but anyone that he met along the was way had their offers turned down. After his brother-in-law died the twenty-seven year old preferred to be alone. "But it is getting dark." Derrick added as he followed her eyes to the two sided windows, built so they could see out but no one would see in. "Ill follow you home. Just so I know you are safe." He directed as he finished off his second beer. Despite his hesitance to get close with anyone he wasn't going to allow her to be by herself in the dark.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie nodded smiling.

"That sounds nice thanks. I kinda didn't want to walk home alone tonight" She said and paid the bartender for her club sodas. She stepped outside.

She walked alongside Derrick, just enjoying his company. The sun had vanished completely now. Darkness had settled over the town. A full moon hung in the midnight blue sky. Only a few stars twinkled merrily. She glanced up at Derrick. She lightly bumped her shoulder with his.

"I thought chivalry was dead" she teased him lightly.

It was a nice feeling, having someone walk her home. They were about a block away from her home now. The streets were so eerie now it was too silent. There used to be car alarms going off, dogs barking and people just walking along waving at her as she passed. Now, it was dead, excuse the pun.

As Marnie neared a alley way, a dark shadow moved and began approaching them. She froze. It was a Re-Animator. Marnie's heart began pounding in her chest. Her breathing sped up as she realized it was her ex boyfriend. Sam. She was frozen to the point of not being able to react. Sam's milk white dead eyes spied her and he let out a inhuman snarl. He back handed her sending her flying. The back of her head hit the brick wall as she slid down in a heap. She saw through blurry vision Sam approaching her. This was it. She was going to be killed by her ex. Blackness began encroaching in her vision as she blacked out completely.

[derrick]

Derrick paid the bartender for his drinks and followed suit as Marnie headed out of the building. His eyes scouted the streets despite the lack of electricity that use to light them. This was the most vulnerable time for humans against the Animaters but they walked his company seemed very calm. Especially as she nudged his shoulders. "Chivalry will make its come back. Especially after all this mess." Derrick smirked slightly as he peered at her. His mother had taught him how to treat a lady. She always said that women were more important because without no one would exist and she was right. He always tried to bea gentleman but with the world coming to an end, finding his soul mate wasnt a high priority of his. He had opprotunities before the apocalypse had occurred but for some reason he held back. His family came first and at the time he hasn't been ready to leave them. As of the moment, he had none of them anymore. He had no one and he wasn't sure how long that would last.

Derrick had been in deep thought and unattentive as the Animater appeared. The snarl was what signaled it's prescence and before he could react, Marnie was across the alley and passed out. Without hesitation he pulled the bow from his shoulder and loaded it with an arrow. As the living dead approached the unconscious woman, Derrick aimed and fired at the head. As the arrow peirced threw the skull the Animater stopped in its tracks and buckled over onto the cement. "Dammnit." He mumbled to himself as the bow retreated to his back. His choice of weapon was safer for their current setting. A gun would have alarmed more Animaters. Silent but deadly was the best way.

"Marnie!" Derrick hurried to her side. "Come on wake up!" He checked her pulse to make sure she was only unconscious before looking around. He made sure nothing else was about to sneak up on them before retrieving his arrow from the body that laid five feet away from them. Wasting ammunition wasn't an option. Once situated he placed one arm behind the woman's head and one under her legs. He headed in the direction that she was going as he carried her in his arms. "Come on Marnie. I need you to wake up." He shuffled her weight in his arms slightly as he wondered which house was her. There would be no way he could tell unless she told him. A clue would even help. It was better than nothing.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie had the vague sensation of being carried. She opened her eyes and looked up into the face of Derrick.

"305 Benton" She choked out before the grogginess took her over again.

She didn't know how long she was carried and surely Derrick was getting tired carrying her.

The next time she came to, she was lying down on a couch. A cool rag was placed across her forehead and her skull felt like someone set a bunch of M80s off in her head. She moaned and raised a hand to her forehead.

"Ow. Where am I?" she asked groggily, slowly sitting up. The room swayed before her in a nauseating way. She swallowed, hoping she wouldn't vomit. It took her a moment to register that she was at home. Her eyes quickly surveyed the house and she spied Derrick. Seeing him, she remembered everything that had gone down in the alleyway.

Tears formed in her eyes as she buried her face into her hands and sobbed.

Her ex boyfriend, as much as he was a bastard, did care about her on some level. Now, there was no one left alive to care about her. Plus, the narrow escape only sent fear trickling down her spine in realization just how dangerous this world was now. She raised her eyes to Derrick.

"Thank you for saving me" She said her voice thick and shaky. Tears still streamed down her cheeks. "Seeing him was a big shock. Everyone that ever cared about me is gone" She said as fresh tears swelled.

[derrick]

Derrick was thankful for a small moment of conciousness. Just enought to get an address and figure out where he was going. He followed the house numbers until he came upon 305. He supported Marnie with one had as he opened the front door. Carrying her wasn't a problem. He was quite built which was needed for a hunter. If you didn't have the physical stamina you wouldn't survive. He pushed the back of the door with his foot until it closed before placing Marnie on the couch. He pulled off his bow and laid it against a near by wall. He then retreated to the kitchen where he searched for a rag that he moistened underneath the fosset. Derrick placed himself beside the couch and knelt down over the woman. He pushed back some of her blonde locks before placing the rag across her forehead. She would eventually come to.

The twenty-seven year old retreated back to the kitchen where he helped himself to a glass of water. The alcohol was pulsing threw his veins, not so much that it was affecting him but enough to make him realize that it wasn't good for his health. He stood in silence for a moment, retracing the last half of his day, wondering where it had gone wrong. Never had Derrick allowed himself to become so sidetracked. It only caused damaged and he now understood why traveling alone was best for him. He glanced over at Marnie as she lay motionless, knowing he was now responisble for her until she was better. It was because of the emotions and consquences that led him to be lonely. He didn't want to feel the hurt he once had all over again.

He watched as she slowly started to come to and began to sit up. "You're home but you shouldn't get up." Derrick walked slowly towards her, hesitant to get close because by saving her life he was only digging deeper into this bond, this relationship, or whatever you wanted to call it. Whatever it was, he wasn't use to it, especially as tears began to roll down her face. This was completely unexpected and it caught him off gaurd. Derrick wasn't really sure what to do. "I was just at the right place at the right time." He didn't understand her sudden burst of emotion until she spoke again. Until she spoke of her ex.

"Marnie he wasn't human. He would have killed you." Maybe his method of reassurance wasn't the best but it was true. Given the circumstances he came closer and sat beside her on the couch.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie watched him as he came closer and sat down beside her on the couch.

She offered a weak smile.

"I know" she said quietly. "I guess I'm just scared to get close to someone because they could be gone like that"

She snapped her fingers.

"But on the other hand, you only live once and even now, you need to get close to people" she said softly. She gently wound her arm around his and gave his arm an affectionate squeeze with her cheek pressing against his upper arm.

"I'm sorry I'm being deep" she apologized as she sheepishly let go of his arm. "Sorry again i'm just an affectionate person"

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, knowing her makeup and mascara were ruined. She grabbed a tissue off the coffee table and wiped her makeup off, leaving her natural look open.

"You're welcomed to stay" she offered. "There's a bedroom upstairs which is the guest one" She watched him and waited.

Whatever they had, a relationship/friendship, Marnie liked it. From the moment they met, Marnie knew that he was a good guy. That was something rare now. She knew he probably would never fall for her, but at least they had some kind of relationship. Marnie went to stand, but felt the room give way and she dropped back down on the couch, raising a hand to her forehead.

"I think I will be sleeping here the night. The bedrooms all set up with fresh sheets and whatnot. Maybe in a bit I can hobble to my room" She offered him a smile and waited.

[derrick]

Derrick felt as though he was holding his breath as Marnie spoke. He knew exactly how she felt. He knew what it was like to lose everyone in his life. He knew what it felt like to be lonely. He knew what it felt like to be needed. He knew felt the same way as she did but didn't know how to express it. He learned to suppress it after so long. Now it was as if he was detached from all of his emotions. At times he wanted someone around but he continued to draw to the same conclusions. Forming bonds with anyone was too risky. It wasn't worth losing someone over. It wasn't worth hurting again. At least that's what he believed.

Derrick slowly let out the air he had been holding as she wrapped her arms around his. Despite the tensing of his muscles, her touch was very comforting. Something he wouldn't admit of course. "I can see that." He offered a reassuring smile as he cleared his throat. "I understand." He admitted knowing that she was under a state of distress and need to let out her feelings. What woman didn't? I was just who they were. Derrick watched as Marnie retreated her arm and began to wipe away all her makeup. She was very beautiful even without it on. Sometimes he never really understood why woman found it a necessity. He was the type to like natural women. It was after all how they were meant to be but commenting on her choices of lifestyle, even if it was makeup, wasn't his doing.

"I should stay. Just to make sure you are okay." He nodded to offer. If she hadn't been in the state she was in, Derrick would be out the door within minutes. He knew the risk of staying. He could sense feelings starting to form. This had been the longest he had spent with anyone other than his family. "Here, let me help you to your room." Derrick wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled hers over his shoulder. His fingers formed to her side as he helped her up. He guided her down the hallway to where he assumed her bedroom was since she mentioned the guest one was upstairs. He helped her to the bed and stood before her as she sat. "I-um...Do you mind if I take a shower?" Since it was her house he felt it was courtesy to ask.

[Marnie O'Malley]

Marnie allowed him to help her to her room. She sat on the bed, still slightly dazed but when he asked if he could go shower, she nodded. She motioned to the closet

"I still have some of Sam's things there if you want them" She said.

She shut her eyes briefly and opened them again. She was feeling a bit better but still wobbly.

"The bathrooms down the hall, first door on the left" She said.

Once he'd left, Marnie stripped of her clothes and pulled on a soft terry cloth robe. She tied the waist in a bow, but the neckline was slightly open, not enough to expose anything just give the hint.

Marnie left her room and headed down the hallway to the second bathroom on the floor. As she neared one of the doorways, she felt herself get wobbly again and her vision blurred again. She hoped that she didn't have anything seriously wrong and it was nothing but a minor concussion, but she grabbed the door handle and threw open the door. She blinked a few times and her vision cleared. Her hand flew up to her mouth. She'd walked in on Derrick in the shower.

"Oh Dear God! I'm so sorry!" she said as she quickly averted her eyes and began backing out of the bathroom. She knew that there was heat creeping into her cheeks at this point as she gripped the door handle tightly as she continued to step slowly back out into the hallway. Embarrassment was an understatement, even though secretly she liked what she'd seen. That only made her blush even more