WATCH ME BURN{HARLEY}

[Sam Myers]

Luke walked on the wooden pier, stopping at one of the larger docks. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain white tee shirt. Strapped diagonally across his back was his rifle holster, a Marlin 336. It was his best friend. He never went anywhere without it. He stood on the dock, watching the waves gently bob against the wooden stakes.

There were a few boats tied to their docks. Luke turned his blue eyes onto them. Some of them were large yachts, expensive and they were just sitting abandoned now. It was sad. The world as they once knew it was no more. He wondered if it would ever go back that way again. The sad truth was probably not.

Luke never left Emma alone very long. Even though he had trained her to use a gun, he still liked making sure she was safe and sound. Luke had a smaller pistol strapped to his upper thigh incase his Marlin ran out of ammo. Thankfully though, they had plent of it for now. But he shuddered to think what would happen when the day came that they ran out. If that was the case, Luke would grab Emma and steal one of these boats, setting sail hoping to find a place un inhabited completely. They could live off the land etcetera.

For now, life was hard, but managable. Luke crossed his arms over his chest and watched a few sea gulls squawk and dive bomb the ocean surface for fish lost in his own thoughts

[harley]

The lean figure slid lithely over the shoreline. The sand squirmed between her toes, the water ever so gently brushing her bare feet. Her blonde hair fell in rolling cascades to about mid back. Her blue eyes shined, only dulled by the water's own aquamarine tint. It had been a long, lonely few years. She'd come into human contact, what? Once? Twice maybe? Compared to the hundreds that used to mill through the streets daily, bustling about busily, having seen only two in three years was terrifying. Having been sheltered nearly her entire life, Harley had little to go off of.. And these people. Some of them were strange.. There were differences about them that made them kind of scary to encounter..

Speaking of which.. Harley glanced up cautiously. A figure loomed on the docks before her. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked, sending liquid fire bolting through her veins, nerves screaming for her to run-- get out. But he was so handsome. She couldn't just.. just walk away from something like this. And if he was human? Maybe he was kind. Throbbing for human contact, Harley slowly stalked up behind him. She hid easily, her small frame not noticeable. She was quite as a mouse as she studied him, now close enough to smell the musky sent of male. But something made her nervous, that prickling sensation rushed back, demanding her attention. Again she ignored it, and slid out from her hiding spot.

"Hello?" She looked at him sharply, scrutinizing him. Something wasn't right.. she could feel it. Stupid human instincts.. She got a better look at him and sucked in a breath appreciatively. "Well, hello handsome.." She muttered under her breath, not sure if he could hear her and not really caring. She looked at him quietly, awaiting some kind of signal, some kind of movement that would send the cue to her body- to either stay and appreciate the handsome man(was he?) before her, or get the heck out of dodge.

[Sam Myers]

Luke's senses tingled as he turned, arm poised to grab his rifle, but paused mid reach when he realized it was a woman. Relaxing, Luke broke into a grin.

"Hello. I'm Luke" he said softly. "What's your name?"

Luke let his posture relax completely. He studied her and pushed his glasses up onto his nose.

"Er, thank you for that compliment" he said his lip twitching. He'd heard her say 'hello handsome' behind. That should've been a clue that she wasn't a Animater, but you never knew. That 'virus' could mutate. Whose to say it wouldn't or couldn't? No one knew exactly what the stuff was compiled of. Luke smiled at her.

"Enjoying the lovely scenery here huh? Sometimes you can forget about what state the world is in and just admire the normal things" Luke said sighing.

"Do you have any one?" Luke implied of her gently, meaning if she had any family that survived. Luke wondered what Emma was doing now. His lip twitched.Probably listening to her IPOD he shook his head affectionately and returned his eyes onto the young woman. She was very pretty. Luke felt the warm sunlight hit his back, and his hair. Luke had the early stubble of a beard, which he realized he should've shaved a bit more this morning, but he was so intent on getting some fresh air. He remained , waiting patiently for the woman to respond.

[harley]

Harley smiled as he began speaking normally. Her nerves flooded away and her anxiety flowed back with the tide. His voice was warm, welcoming, and had a sense of protection to it. So maybe her fear was just human idiocy and he was completely normal and very, very cute? She nodded subconciously and agreed with herself. Definitely cute. No doubt about it. A spark lit in her eye. "Luke.." She rolled the name off her tongue, liking the taste of it. ".. I like it." She grinned sweetly. "I'm Harley." She smiled at him warmly, not quite sure if she should shake his hand.

She should of been embarrassed that he'd heard her comment, but oddly she wasn't. He deserved to hear. She looked at him semi-sheepishly. "Well.. you are handsome." She smirked smartly but sweetly. She wasn't kidding. Silently now, Harley awkwardly crossed her arms over her chest, glancing down. She was a light blue thin long sleeve shirt that was smudged with dirt and smelled like ocean spray. Her jeans were ragged and in poor shape. That's one she got for being alone. With nothing at all. Nothing. She was pretty sure she even had a leaf or two in her hair, just to add emphasis to the jungle girl look she wasn't going for.

"What state the world was in.." She frowned, embarrassed by her lack of knowledge. "Uh, yeah.. Enjoying the normal stuff." She nodded with a fake smile. She had little wisdom of how the world was before this. Being confined to a windowless room sucked in that very way. What was normal here? Was anything normal? The ocean maybe? Probably not even that.

Have anyone? Her mind flickered to her maniac mother for a split second. The mother she'd left so quickly, without a second though. She frowned and glanced at the ground. "No, no, not anyone." She shook her head. "Didn't have anyone before all.. this." She kicked a foot out. "Just me!" She added vibrantly to boost the mood quickly. Thats when her foot which she had kicked out landed on a small stone. It dug into the fleshy bottom of her foot and tore through her creamy skin. Yelping in pain, Harley leaped- the wrong direction to evade the pebble. Did you catch that? Wrong direction.

Harley broke the surface, gasping. No way? Had she really just fallen off the dock? She scrambled out of the water and back onto the dock. A chill washed through her softly and Harley hugged herself. Clothes sticking like a second skin, hair in soaked strings around her face and down her back, Harley was the picture of humiliation. Embarrassment flooded her face and her chilled cheeks warmed red. Awkwardly, she stumbled forward to shake Luke's hand, to apologize and run away to cry to herself. But no, it got better. She tripped once again. Falling straight into the stranger. She gasped, finding her wet, cold body pressed against his. She quickly shoved away.

"I- I- I'm so sorry." She stuttered, backing away, more carefully now. "I'm sorry." And Harley turned to run.

[Sam Myers]

Luke nodded in sympathy.

He watched as she yelped in pain and went to dodge in the wrong direction. He went to grab her but she'd fallen off the dock. Luke quickly dropped to his hands and knees to extend his hand down to help her up but thankfully she managed to scramble back up. Luke stood up and she ended up tripping a second time, this time she'd landed in Luke's arms. She pushed away looking embarrassed and then ran after she apologized.

Luke looked after her with surprise, but then tore after her.

"Hey wait! It's ok!" He called after her as his gun gently bounced against his back as he ran. Thankfully the damn thing's safety was on at this point otherwise he would've blown his ass off at some point had the trigger been hit.

Luke had managed to catch up with her. He gently and lightly grabed her elbow, and turned her around. He looked at her.

"Why'd you run?" he asked gasping for breath. "There was no need to be embarrassed. Heck, there were times when I ended up falling in a trash can. It's the honest truth" he said holding his hand up as if swearing. He grinned at her.

"Besides, it's nice to meet you Harley" he added. "Wanna take a walk with me?" he asked her and waited for her response.

His blue eyes twinkled behind his glasses as they caught the sunlight. Luke never made fun of anyone if they had embarrassing situations. Heck he had some plenty of times.

[harley]

Harley was spun around as he caught up with her. Tears burned behind her eyes. She blinked them away hurriedly so as to not look absolutely humiliated. Only one escaped, falling down her cheek with a grim smile on her face. The liquid diamond trailed down her skin, leaving a clean line. She was filthy now. An inaudible groan echoed through her body as she wiped it away quickly, leaving another dirty smudge on her long sleeves. Quickly, she scrubbed her face clean with her sleeves, frowning at the dirt that now coated the light blue.

He began speaking and she wasn't really listening to him until she heard trash can. Then she laughed. "Yeah.. at least you didn't fall in a trash can in front of a really cute guy, like me." She smiled slyly, but still with less confidence than she'd had. She watched him quietly for a second, running a hand through her damp, light blonde hair. Her turquoise eyes gleamed with tears that hadn't been shed. She looked down at the ground suddenly, afraid he'd see just how embarrassed she really was. Why'd he have to be so cute? Dang it..

Nice to meet her? Hah he was a hoot! She smiled softly, a little warmer now. "Wonderful to meet you, too, Luke." She grinned happily. Harley wasn't one to stay upset for long. He requested a walk. Surprised, she looked up at him sharply, confused. "Walk?" She stood momentarily dumbfounded. "With me?" Shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "Oh.. ok!" She frowned at her own lack of understanding. Then smiled again. "I'd love to."

[Sam Myers]

Luke grinned at her glad that she was ok now. Luke carefully walked along the endless stretch of dock that lined the harbor. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he walked along side Harley, occasionally his shoulder bumping hers. Luke turned to her.

"The world certainly has changed. I'm grateful that I didn't take the vaccine, though I was supposed to come back the next day. Thankfully I didn't." Luke said to her.

"What about you? If you don't want to talk about it it's ok I understand" He said quickly.

Some people really didn't want to talk about the past or rather how they ended up here. The memories of how life used to be were too painful for them. He wasn't sure if she was one of those people.

Luke gestured to the gun behind his back.

"This is my safety net. I don't go anywhere without it" he said to her noticing no weapons on her. "Don't you use anything to protect yourself from the Animaterd?" he wondered.

Now a days, most people did carry guns or machete's at some point. Sad, but it was how the world was now.

[harley]

Harley stayed quiet, walking silently. An electric shock burst through her veins every time their shoulders brushed. Was she imagining things or was there really an electricity exploding in their contact? Good God, she was going insane! She wasn't sure if he meant to keep brushing by her, but he did so frequently. She kind of liked it. It was a reassuring touch, something so alive. She hadn't felt alive in ages. It also wasn't so bad, being that he was, once again, very cute. She couldn't drop that fact.

They walked quietly. And slowly, he started speaking. Vaccine? What was he talking about? Not wanting to sound like a clueless little girl, Harley stayed quiet and listened, hoping for some clue as to what had happened. He finished and it was obviously her time to speak. She thought for a second, planning each word carefully. ”I never knew about the vaccine. No one mentioned it around me.” She left out that fact that there never was anyone around her. ”So I guess it was never an option for me.” She left it at that, hoping her answer was good enough.

He reached for his gun now, and Harley flinched away from him instinctively. Guns. She didn't like guns. Didn't mind the sight of them, but the moment they were in hand, they became powerful weapons of pain and torture. She knew. She'd seen it. Felt it. Thankfully, he didn't pick it up, just motioned to it. Safety net? How could something so.. so horrible be someone's safety blanket? Someone's safe haven? It would certainly never be hers! She frowned as he commented about her lack of firepower, or self defense whatsoever.

Animated? What was that? Was that what these shells of people were called me? She frowned deeper. ”I've never owned a gun.. or knife. I guess I've just stayed hidden. It's easy when you've been hidden so-” She dropped off. She'd gotten way to comfortable. She hadn't meant to bring up her past. Her eyes fell downward. ”I've just avoided contact I guess. I gave up today. I needed to be out. Feel real again..” She trailed off, looking at him and hoping he'd missed her slipped up comment. Self-consciously, Harley pulled her sleeves down further, tugging the hem of her shirt down as well, knowing the scars were not visible, but feeling as if they were anyway.

[Sam Myers]

Luke saw her flinch and smiled at her.

"I know. I used to hate guns myself. But now, you need a weapon" Luke said. "A re-animated is a zombie. Not the zombies that are normal, but the ones that have no emotions left and just kill for fun" Luke explained.

He looked at her surprised that no one talked about the new V4 Flu vaccine, but then again some people hadn't really heard of it so...

Luke looked at her.

"Do you have somewhere to stay? You could come and stay with me of course. If you wouldn't mind my 14 year old niece staying with me. Her parents were killed a month before the apocalypse" Luke asked her searching her face. He began liking her a lot, and wondered how she'd felt toward him. He'd forgotten what it was like to have female company or been with a female in a long time. Emma was a female yes, but not in the way he was talking about.

Luke studied her, hoping that she wouldn't mind Emma. Emma came with him. She was technically like his daughter right now.

He smiled at her waiting patiently

[harley]

Harley shook her head. "I don't.. not like guns." She said slightly defensively, tone low. "I hate them." She added with a glare at the rifle slung over his shoulder. She clenched her fists and hugged herself tightly, a shiver running through her with the slight breeze. She was still completely soaked, and with the sun setting it wasn't safe, as well as it was getting colder.

Come stay with him!? Harley nearly choked, looking at him wide-eyed. She'd never had more than a bedroom, and here this stranger she'd just met was offering for her to stay with him. Excitement overwhelmed her and she nodded enthusiastically. "I-I'd love too! I really would, that's so kind of you, I can't thank-" She paused slowly. "I mean.. Uh.. You really don't have to do this.." She trailed off again.

She looked at him, containing her excitement until it overflowed. Then she spun on her toes, and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!" On instinct she went to kiss him, full on the lips, but halted herself immediately. Was she an idiot!? She stared at him, inches from his face. It felt so nice to be so close to another person. She carefully began unlacing her arms from around his neck.

[Sam Myers]

Luke grinned as she threw her arms around him and hugged him. Luke let his arms slowly encircle her, leaning into her embrace. He was glad that she had accepted his offer.

Luke gently pressed his face into her hair and held her. Even though they'd just met, Luke felt connected to her, as though he'd known her his whole life.

She began untangling her arms from around him and their faces were inches apart. Luke gently reached up and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. He gently placed a hand on the side of her face, moving his face closer to hers. His lips just barely grazing hers when he cleared his throat and pulled back embarrassed.

"I'm sorry" he apologized quickly. "I shouldn't take advantage of you like that. Come on we can head back to my house" he said and began leading the way back toward his house. Emma was off with some of her friends whom she'd met. So the house would be fairly quiet. Luke turned to look at Harley.

"Do you have a change of clothes?" He asked her. "If not I have a bunch of stuff that would fit you"

He lowered his eyes to the ground.

"They were once my wife's" Luke said quietly. "She had gotten the vaccine and turned. She's one of them. She's dead" Luke said raising his eyes to Harleys. He knew she could see the pain in them. He also realized he was starting to fall for her, but he was scared. He waited for her to suddenly balk out of his offer, hearing that he had once been married, but that was 4 years ago. He wouldn't blame her if she had.

"I understand if you don't want to stay with me," he said.

[harley]

Harley's eyes widened in utter surprise as he brushed his lips every so lightly against hers. An overwhelming fire exploded into her system. Adrenaline coursed powerfully through her veins, lighting her nerves on fire, and sending wild messages through her brain and vibrating from her toes to her finger tips. A small intake of air gave way to finally clearing her head of this beautiful fog, and allowed thoughts to once again roll through her mind.

He'd kissed her! Eyes gleaming, Harley looked at him brightly. She'd never been kissed before.. that's what happens when you're locked alone in your room for seventeen years. He quickly started stumbling over his words, attempting to explain himself and apologizing relentlessly. Harley didn't really listen. She shook her head-- fast enough to give her whiplash. "Luke, Luke.." She began giddily. "Please don't apologize.. I- I wanted you to!" She laughed slowly, however immediately quieting her voice, realizing that being noisy probably wasn't smart.

She regarded him slowly as they walked, staying close to his side. Probably a little closer than 'just friends' should. A change of clothes! Hah! She wished.. "No.. I have nothing but this.." She motioned to her body slowly, once again pulling down her sleeves absentmindedly. A bunch of stuff that would fit her? She eyed him. She was NOT the size of a fourteen year old, unfortunately, so she momentarily walked confused before her spoke again.

Terror rippled through her as he mentioned his wife. But- but- but-- he'd kissed her?! What was going on?! Harley scooted away sharply, eying him with a renewed caution. He began to explain, telling about her death. Her two deaths. Harley looked at the ground, scoffing. That was terrible.. She'd never been close enough to anyone to feel heartbroken. She couldn't even imagine losing someone so special..

Not stay with him because of this? Yeah right.. "Luke.. Unfortunately you're stuck with me. Despite the fact that I want to go with you, you're the only place I can go." She looked at him then carefully reached out and took his hand. She squeezed it softly then let go. "I'm so sorry, Luke. I can't even imagine.." Carefully, she placed one hand behind his neck and stood on her tip toes, lifting her lips to his cautiously, but strongly.

[Sam Myers]

Luke nodded relieved that she didn't feel off about it. He began leading her back to his house. Emma was out on her own so he had some time to himself.

He unlocked the door and led her into his two story victorian style house. Inside the decor was more victorian and old fashioned, but comfortable and cozy. He flopped down on the couch and stretched.

"Make yourself at home" He smiled at her. "There's some food in the fridge and tater chips on the counter"

He wasn't that hungry now but he figured she probably was. He lounged and grabbed the TV remote. He glanced up at Harley.

"If you want to take a shower and unwind, the bathrooms on the first floor second door the left. I never use that bathroom that was Laura's, so some of her things are still in there nice and clean" Luke called to Harley.

Though it was still a bit painful, Luke new that the time had come to move on. Harley was sweet and seemed to genuinely like him. Plus he missed being with a woman it was a long time.

[harley]

The house was so-- so beautiful! She'd never seen a thing like it! It was of a different era, a different, more glorious time all together! It's roof was high and mighty, the wood irresistible mahogany and the walls a someone comforting light color. The furniture was the stuff of movies! Like those clawed-feet bath tubs! In utter awe, Harley took in the house. It was immaculate in its cleanliness, which added only more richness to its raw victorian beauty.

He began to speak and she looked at him out of the corner of her eye, still taking everything in. The only time she'd seen a real house outside of her bedroom, was when she'd bolted from the room at seventeen and taken a mere glance around her prison before abandoning it, happy, and well on her way to what she thought would be freedom. She'd been wrong. It was hell on Earth.. Maybe she'd seen two houses, if apartments counted. That's where she stashed away for a long year or two. She hadn't kept count. This house, this so beautiful house was Heaven. It was an Eden in this lifeless world.

She'd barley heard him, but the first thing that hit her was a shower. It'd been so long.. She quietly, and slowly, still admiring the house, made her way to the master bathroom with a breakable caution. A large tub/shower combo welcomed her. She nearly stumbled to the knobs, twisting the one labeled 'H' frantically. The water spilled from the shower head fast, already surprisingly hot. She was shocked at how quick she had shed the filthy clothing and had doused herself in gloriously hot water. She leaned her head back, letting out a moan of enjoyment, relaxing against the steady pound of hot water.

Nearly an hour later, shampooed, soaped, and slightly dried, Harley searched quietly through the drawers that looked the most undisturbed. Having guessed right, she carefully sorted through things, leaving shirts and jeans and shorts and other pieces of clothing neatly folded. That's when she came across this The temptation was irresistible. Carefully, pulling out the bra and panties, as well as sheer slip, all of which still had a tag on, Harley stood, fully(or not so much) dressed in the lacy ensemble. She stood in the bedroom and looked at herself in the mirror, looking back at the beautiful reflection staring back at her.

The black and egg shell off white suited her well. Her blue eyes gleamed beautifully against the glow of revitalized porcelain skin, and her semi-dry blonde hair rolled in simple waves over her shoulders and down her back. Then she cringed. The twin long scars went from her shoulder to the middle of her palm on each hand. Quickly, she hugged herself, pulling tight the sheer slip, conscious of the fleshy stripes lining her once flawless back. She closed her eyes tightly, mind flashing to the small moon shaped scar on her flat tummy. Too many memories. It was hard to see past the scars, now..

[Sam Myers]

Luke got up a few moments later, hearing the house silent. Concerned, he entered the bedroom and stopped, seeing Harley standing in front of the mirror in the lingerie. He swallowed, causing his Adams apple to bob slightly. She was beautiful.

He'd also spied her scars. Luke cautiously approached her as though approaching a feral animal.

"Harley? What happened?" He asked quietly and he stopped behind her and folded his arms ove his chest. It was just a relaxing pose for him. His blue eyes studied her face in the mirror reflection. Regardless of those scars she was beautiful to him. He stood patiently, letting her speak. He wouldn't interrupt her.

He knew that most of the people here today had rough starts and lives after the V4 vaccine went AWOL. Some more than others. Luke never judged anyone. They all had to do what they did to survive. Hell, if it came down to it, Luke would kill anyone to ensure Emma and Harley were safe. He liked Harley very much, feelings that hadn't been there for a long time since Laura. It was a bit scary, feeling all the same familiar feelings and sensations, but he welcomed them as he watched Harley