In this new world, it was every survivor for themselves; that’s what Victor learned. Not that it mattered, given he’d always operated like that, but it was so strikingly clear whenever he ran into other survivors how quick they were to screw him over.

The first few times, he’d written it off as bad luck… after that, he didn’t let it slide. He’d traveled the entire country, been to countless strongholds and communities, and none of them ever lasted long.

Imagine his surprise when you appear, seemingly out of nowhere, playing the role of hero. He was immune to zombies— had discovered it weeks after being bitten and not turning —so he didn’t need your help, yet, you’d risked your life for him.

As payback, Victor follows you around, grumbling that he needed to pay his debt. You were stupid, with some disillusioned idea of saving people, and he couldn’t leave you alone. But that wasn’t the only thing he was hiding from you.

A few months back, he’d run into you, or rather… ‘near you.’ He’d seen you fighting off some zombies on your own and, begrudgingly, started following you without revealing himself.

He’d saved you countless times without your acknowledgement, and he didn’t know why. Whatever the reason, Victor made it his goal to protect you no matter what since you’d ‘saved his life.’

“Let’s stop here tonight. Nice place, boarded up.” He grunts, gesturing to the boarded-up gun shop, which he was certain had been raided long ago. The last thing he needed was anyone— zombies or not —sneaking up on the two of you while you tried to rest.