Chapter 9
A week after the mass vaccination of all the residents of Sanctuary, the day dawns clear and cloudless. Light winds keep the mid-spring day balmy. The wonderful weather appears to be a good sign for this very important day.
This day is the day of the impending Summit that Dad and Ma have been planning since Harry told them of the Commonwealth threat. Zoey has only ever heard the names of the people that lead their fellow communities and trade partners. Gregory, of Hilltop. Ezekiel of The Kingdom (she secretly thinks it's a dumb name because out of all the names they could have chosen, it had to be something utterly unoriginal. The Kingdom. Pfft). The last is George of Shirewilt Estates.
While Zoey never met any of them, she knows how the other communities were found. Hilltop was an evac and emergency shelter location set up when the breakout first appeared in Washington. Dad found old signs basically pointing the way. When they found Hilltop (Dad said it was more obvious than a bad toupee), he set some Saviors to watch it while he returned to talk to Lucille. Both Ma and Dad ended up going back to talk to the leader of Hilltop. A deal was brokered in a mere hour and then, they were allies. Some of the Hilltop residents actually relocated to Sanctuary to be full Saviors instead of patrolling the route between and around their communities. Likewise, a few people had been somewhat unhappy in Sanctuary - mainly workers - so they took the chance to relocate to Hilltop. Most notably, Doctor Carson as Sanctuary didn't have a doctor. His brother remained in Hilltop to be their doctor.
It just so happened that Hilltop already had an agreement of some kind with another community in the area. Gregory got one of his men to show them to the - ugh, The Kingdom, such a lame name - and introduce them to the leader, Ezekiel. It took a while for Ezekiel to agree to the deal, for what reason, Zoey has no clue but in the end, a deal was made. Unlike Hilltop, The Kingdom refuses to have people relocate, for what reason Zoey never figured out and they prefer to guard their own roads. Their trades were another story; until then, food was either packaged or not, so it didn't leave much room for nutrition most of the time. The - Zoey's not calling that anymore, it's stupid - TK has the space for growing things in more abundance than Sanctuary would ever be able to manage. They made a different deal with Ezekiel that he ended up accepting. Ma and Dad never did say what the deal was but Zoey can figure out easily that the abundance of fresh produce is the result of that deal.
Shirewilt, on the other hand, is a bit more of a mystery. All she knows is that Dad went further south than he intended and found them. What happened in between, she never asked, more focused on the next neighbourhood to plant her symbols.
She kind of regrets that now because all three leaders will be here soon. She was going to ask Dad about them but he was always too busy to stop a moment to talk. While Zoey understands why he's so busy and unable to spare that moment, it also makes her feel a little forgotten. Zoey would have spoken to Ma about it but it slipped her mind each time she'd come back home to find Harry engrossed in another film.
The joy of sharing all these movies with Harry has yet to fade and Zoey hopes it never will. They remind her of their home in the basement, where she began to really feel loved and cared for by adults that were so different from her mom and dad. She loved that hour and a half in the evening watching a single movie as a treat. Power had been a real issue back then but not now.
Now Zoey can binge watch.
Though, as much as she loved the five day vacation from the stress of reality during an apocalypse, Zoey is happy it's done. Don’t get her wrong, she adored spending so much uninterrupted time with Harry but it only ended up highlighting all the changes he had undergone. First and foremost, the mumbling is gone. Why doesn't he mumble anymore? Zoey misses his mumbling so much and it kind of breaks her heart. She loved his mumbling and now she doesn't know what he's thinking. The most obvious culprit of the lack of mumbling is the thick band of scar tissue around his neck that he always keeps hidden under a patterned handkerchief. How it fits in, Zoey doesn't know but somehow it does. Something was put on her brother's neck; something that was painful enough to scar that badly. But what would make such a strange shape?
His overall gaunt appearance is self explanatory. It royally pisses her off, so she tries not to think about it while subtly feeding Harry the specially prepared snacks Ma made for his dietary needs. It's actually funny but Harry eats anything while watching a movie and often doesn't realize it.
While she can handle the lack of mumbling and his worrying skinniness and the scar he never shows to anyone, Zoey cannot handle how often he flinches. Every raised voice, every tense moment – even when nothing is happening, he seems to expect something bad. It's agonizing to see the stark difference between the brother she remembers to the one of now.
It's bittersweet.
Another thing Zoey has noticed, outside of her Harry Watching, is Ma's rather new, unbridled happiness in everything she does. She's constantly humming and smiling and way more affectionate than Zoey is used to. It's been nice to have all that positivity in the air - it felt like the world never fell. For a short time, Zoey didn't think about Biters at all. It was strangely freeing.
However, all good things come to an end.
She felt antsy this morning and decided some fresh air will help clear it. Zoey leans against the railing and thinks she knows why she feels this way but even so, it's hard to calm down. Today is the day. Harry is with Doctor Carson to get one final check over. Her brother seems shades healthier than before and looks far less haunted. She's positive the Doctor will give him a better bill of health. The food Ma prepared for and fed Harry has helped him gain some much needed weight, filling out his face and limbs. He looks less like a skeleton, at least, which is an improvement. Hopefully he’ll continue to get better and maybe he’ll even regain his mumbling.
I miss his mumbling, Zoey sighs to herself.
Today is the day wherein three important people are coming to Sanctuary. They will be told what Harry told them, given a vaccination and then a new alliance will be made under a united banner. Zoey's overheard Ma and Dad talking about how TK will be the hardest to convince. The success of the alliance requires TK's agreement, basically because Hilltop will likely follow their lead. So that means Zoey can't tell Ezekiel how dumb the name of his community is.
It's a real bummer.
If the alliance is formed, Harry will have to travel to the other communities to vaccinate them and that is the crux of Zoey's stress.
Harry has to leave Sanctuary - where he is arguably the safest and least likely to disappear - to expose his abilities to probably hundreds of people. His plan is stupid and really dumb - but they don't really have a better one.
Zoey spies Sirius entering the front gate. The man is strange, even after taking time to get to know him. He likes jokes and teasing a little too much and acts like a child when he's not on duty. It's weird for an adult to be so… childish, Zoey didn't like him at first. Her Dad doesn't count, he's at least normal most of the time. However, Zoey has become at least used to Sirius’ antics, so she's grown reluctantly fond of him instead. He really does make Harry happy. Zoey can actually tell how much Harry relaxes when Sirius is nearby and she's also witnessed how much comfort her brother draws from Sirius’ presence.
Zoey doesn't know why Dad doesn't trust Sirius. She remembers his reasoning but none of it makes sense to her; it was like he was grasping at straws, honestly.
Zoey rests her head on her arm on the railing as she watches Harry's apparent Godfather walk across the grounds. The weird man stops by Jan at the intake desk, leaning onto the counter and tilting his head. Zoey is high enough that she can't see his expression but Jan leans over the counter to get closer to Sirius and she starts playing with her hair. Zoey watches them talk for a moment before rolling her eyes and disengaging from the obvious flirting.
Zoey decides she's procrastinated enough. She needs a shower, her hair needs to be braided and she needs to get into some clean, proper clothes. She’s been putting it off because of her restlessness but she can’t justify it any longer. Just as she's about to push away from the railing, her attention is caught by Darren and his dad talking almost directly below. Of course she can't hear what they’re saying but
Dennis seems aggressive and demanding, jabbing a finger into Darren's shoulder hard enough to move him. Darren ducks his head. Dennis lays a much more gentle hand on Darren's shoulder and then leaves. Zoey frowns in concern at the interaction. She'll ask Darren if he's okay later. She hasn't had a chance to meet up and hang with him since they found Harry. It makes her feel a little guilty for having basically abandoned their friendship for over a week.
Are you guys dating or something?
Zoey flushes and jerks away from the railing, shaking her head vehemently. She's not going there right now. She has to get ready. Despite that, Zoey can't help glancing back down to where Darren had been talking to his dad. He's gone now.
Zoey twists her lips uncertainly but resolutely heads back inside.
—
Zoey finds washing her hair makes it worse unless it's really dirty. Before everything, her dad used three different bottles on her hair after her baths. Back then, she didn't know why but enjoyed it nonetheless. When he died, Zia didn't do any of the things he did for Zoey's hair and it ended up becoming an unhappy mess. It's not much better now without those bottles - whatever they were - but Ma taught her how to care for her hair even with how little they have. Now, she only washes her hair when it's needed.
The shower is barely five minutes long and she dresses in the outfit Ma put together for her. Since something like this hasn't happened before, both Ma and Dad want the family to look presentable for the Summit. It's nothing fancy, not like the clothes her old teachers would wear but they are clean and don't smell. The shirt is red and long sleeved, which doesn't look weird on her because she's always wearing long sleeved shirts to hide her scar. It's just in a style Zoey isn't used to. The pants feel like jeans but they are black and don't look like jeans. Zoey fingers the material, liking how it feels.
“Zo?” Ma calls out.
Zoey starts at the unexpected call but answers, “In here!”
She walks out just as Ma appears, wearing an outfit Zoey's never seen her wear. A long, grey, loose shirt and brown pants. She looks like she means business.
“What's taking so long?” Ma asks, her voice a bit tight. “Everything alright?”
“Sorry Ma,” Zoey mumbles as Ma guides her out of the hall. “I got distracted.”
Ma thins her lips but says, “Well, you're ready now, yes?”
Zoey shrugs and motions to her wild hair.
Ma looks over Zoey's curls critically, reaching out to move some thick locks around. Then, she grabs Zoey's head with both hands and kisses her forehead dramatically, “It's perfect, let's go!”
Zoey huffs an amused, “Maaaa…” as she allows herself to be directed out the door.
“No time! No time!” Ma responds a little breathily, a burp coming up that makes Zoey giggle. Ma excuses herself, smiling at Zoey's laugh at her expense. “Yeah, yeah, let's go, sweetie.”
Ma lifts her arm and Zoey tucks herself under it, leaning into the older woman's side contentedly. They walk all the way down like that, side by side, soaking in each other's comfort all the way. It was certainly grounding for Zoey, her nerves about the whole situation settling for now. Ma seems more relaxed as well, her smile becoming more genuine.
Harry and Sirius stand next to one another, the older keeping his eyes sharp on their surroundings. Sirius winks at Zoey when their eyes meet and then he nods at Ma respectfully, “Morning!”
Harry looks at them and visibly relaxes. Zoey gives Ma one more squeeze before running toward her brother. She skids to a stop right next to him and chirps, “How'd it go?”
Harry smiles at her exuberance, “The good Doctor has cleared me.” Just as Zoey begins to wonder if he's telling the truth - she's never had reason to doubt him before - Sirius elbows Harry lightly. Harry gives his Godfather a sullen look but reluctantly admits, “I'm not supposed to overextend myself-”
“And eat lots!” Sirius crows, grinning belligerently at his Godson.
“And eat plenty,” Harry finishes with fond amusement, nodding along. “I don't think I need to worry about that part, honestly.” Zoey figures he means Ma feeding him constantly but Harry pulls out several snacks from his pocket.
Ma starts giggling, “They found you, hm?”
Who did? Who was looking for-
Harry nods with a lopsided smile, “Yeah, already had five of them come up since I got here. I guess everyone knows. I really wish they wouldn't waste their points on me, though.”
Oh. Zoey takes a look around and finds every nearby resident sneaking glances at Harry. It makes something in her stomach tighten, just like it had back at the Quarry. Thankfully, she doesn't see any calculating looks but it does little to comfort her. She needs to be vigilant because there is no damn way anyone is going to be getting to Harry now that Zoey can actually defend him.
“Do you think we have time before they get here?” Harry asks Ma, drawing Zoey's attention back.
“Time for what?” Ma questions in response.
“Well…” he glances over his shoulder. Zoey leans over to look, seeing Tina tending to the gardens. Zoey feels bad for her. It can't be easy living with her condition and it's strict reliance on a finite medicine. Harry continues as he turns back, “I want to try healing her. Her and that lady with the broken leg. Margo?”
Zoey pulls back from her lean. At the same time, Tina glances at Harry's back and Zoey catches a myriad of expressions on her face before the older girl is hidden from sight.
Ma's face turns conflicted. Zoey feels the same and it's clear that Tina is experiencing her own. Even though Zoey doesn't think Harry should be doing any heavy healing, she also really wants Tina to stop being jabbed by a needle. Tina hides her bruises but sometimes her shirt rides up. Zoey tries her best not to look at them.
“Harry should be fine,” Sirius pipes up, placing both hands on Harry's shoulders. He gently moves Harry’s shoulders back and forth alternately in a fond gesture. “He's had a big breakfast, courtesy of the cook for today and he has all those nifty snacks that I'm sure he'll be willing to share - I mean,” Sirius backtracks at Ma's unimpressed glower. “I'm sure he'd be willing to dig in when he's feeling peckish, right Harry?”
Harry sends Zoey a flat, suffering face as he replies in an utterly droll tone, “That was smooth.”
Zoey bursts out into laughter. Ma's trying really hard not to smile but it's plain to see that she finds their shenanigans just as amusing as Zoey does. Sirius just wiggles Harry’s shoulders in revenge.
“I suppose,” Ma says slowly. Then amends firmly, “If you start becoming strained, stop. Okay?”
Harry's huff has a smile in it as he replies, “Yeah, alright. I'm going to go talk to her.”
Harry turns, Sirius’ hands falling away. As Harry makes his way over to Tina, Zoey tries to follow. Ma quickly intervenes by placing her arm over Zoey's shoulders, halting her in her tracks. Sirius winks as he meanders after Harry.
“Hey,” Zoey doesn't whine as she turns to look at her Ma. “Why did you-?”
“Sweetie, I think you should just let Sirius do that. Stay with me, hm?” Ma answers in That Tone. It didn't take Zoey long to start hearing That Tone that her bio Dad used to use.
“But Ma…” Zoey looks back at Harry, seeing him speaking to a visibly shaking Tina. Whether it's what he's offering or her condition rearing up, Zoey can't tell. Tina's nod is small and fluttering, her bottom lip screwing up even as she tries to keep her emotions in check. Zoey can see the hope written on every part of her face. The sight is heart wrenching for Zoey and an awakening, as she doesn't think she's ever seen Tina be so emotional. She's usually so… content and cheerful, if a bit absent. Did Zoey even know her friend at all?
Zoey feels a rock in her throat. It stings. She looks away, suddenly feeling like she's intruding on a private moment. Her protests die as quickly as they came.
Ma hums, pulling Zoey away from the scene and towards the gates.
“Do you trust Sirius, Ma?” Zoey blurts out of nowhere, just realizing they left Harry alone with Sirius. Dad was adamant that shouldn't happen but Ma just walked away like it’s nothing.
“Hm? Of course I do,” Ma replies, sounding taken aback. Zoey stops, seeing her Dad and wanting to talk about this before he knows they’re there. Ma stops as well, her arm slowly falling away only to gently grasp Zoey's elbow. She asks, “What's wrong?”
“How do you trust him, Ma? Dad said not to. You don't even know him!” Zoey protests halfheartedly, wondering what her Ma will say. Will she try to make excuses?
Ma straightens in relief, “Oh my, you had me worried there. Honey, I don't completely trust him, okay? That's not what this is.”
That just confuses Zoey, “What? What is it, then?”
Ma sighs as she glances at Sirius standing just behind Harry, “One day, you will see what I see when I look at them.”
Zoey frowns and looks at them but, obviously, can't see anything. What’s Ma talking about?
Ma shakes her head, “You see a stranger standing behind your brother but I see a protector guarding the only thing that matters to him. Sirius will do everything he can to protect Harry and that is what I trust.”
Zoey takes another look but concludes that only her Ma can see it. However, Zoey decides to give Sirius more credit and stop being so suspicious of him. She really likes his jokes anyway and finds it incredibly amusing when he teases Harry.
“I guess so,” Zoey just says neutrally with a shrug. She casts her gaze up the road to the point it merges with the distant bush line. “How long do you think they're gonna be?”
“Negan told me they called in an hour ago saying they’re leaving. Shirewilt has yet to check in, as far as I know.”
“Man,” Zoey says, shaking her head. “They must have had to wake up at the a-” she side-eyes her Ma, who stares forward serenely. Zoey adjusts her language filter, cowed by the close call. “-bsolute crack of dawn to drive here.”
Ma smirks down at her, “Nice save.”
Caught, yet pleased, Zoey just grins, “Thanks!”
Zoey hears a sharp, loud gasp. She looks just in time to witness Tina hug the guts out of Harry. Zoey giggles at Harry's hands hanging awkwardly in the air as he bears the embrace. Sirius is laughing and absolutely not helping Harry with his predicament. Zoey's giggles grow, finding the fact that Harry has someone picking on him for once so funny.
“Oh, I'm so happy he could heal her,” Ma says, grinning at the scene. Sirius has finally stepped forward to help Harry dislodge the very grateful Tina. “It's wonderful to have that new lease on life.”
Zoey eyes Ma's profile, knowing she meant Harry curing her cancer before it could kill her. Zoey turns her mind away. She doesn't like thinking about that.
Tina examines the spot on her belly for the ever present bruising and completely lights up when she finds only smooth skin. Zoey can just barely catch her profuse gratitude but utterly misses Harry's calm rebuttal. Tina tears up, wiping one cheek before trying to hug Harry again. Harry is quick to step away and Sirius is right there to intervene but Tina quickly retreats, looking sheepish. Then, she smiles widely and leaves in a hurry.
Harry says something to Sirius. Zoey watches the older man nod and then follows Harry back toward the building.
“Harry must be fine,” Ma says with a note of relief.
“That or he's hiding it again,” Zoey replies petulantly. They still haven't talked about it and it's beginning to eat at her. Typically Harry talks about these things right away and it's beginning to bother her on why he hasn't yet. Should she bring it up? Has he forgotten about it?
Ma nudges her, drawing Zoey's attention, “No, I think we got through to him. He's been better about everything since and he's actually allowing himself to slow down. He knows there's a line now. Let's just trust him not to step over it.”
Ma always has weird sayings and this one is no different, “Step on what now?”
Ma just smiles, “Never mind, sweetie. It shouldn't be much longer now for Ezekiel and Mister Berkeley to arrive.”
“Why do you call him that?” Zoey asks curiously. What did Gregory do for Ma to call him that?
Ma looks down at Zoey and says in a firm tone, “So I don't call him something worse. Don't ever be alone with him and don't believe a word he says. He's a slimy piece of shit.”
Zoey's jaw drops in her shock. Her Ma rarely has a mean word to say about anyone - other than Dad when he's being cheeky to piss Ma off - and hearing her say that is just very surprising.
“Do you understand, Zoey?”
Zoey starts out of her reverie and nods quickly, “Yes, Ma. I will.”
Ma softens, “Good girl. Do you know what a misogynist is?”
That's a word? Zoey thinks incredulously as she shakes her head.
“A misogynist is someone who has a great, personal dislike of women,” Ma explains. Zoey pulls a face at the revelation that there's a word for something like that. What the hell? Ma nods, probably knowing what Zoey is thinking. “The only person he's going to listen to is Negan and it's aggravating because my dear husband doesn't have a diplomatic bone in his body.” Ma sounds so put off by that.
“Maybe he'll listen to Harry? Or Sirius?” Zoey suggests halfheartedly.
“He'll give them an ear but he's too much of a pompous bastard to give them any due,” Ma answers in an exasperated tone. “I wish it was that young man coming, honestly. He was very nice to talk to.”
“Who?” Zoey asks.
“Oh, I think his name is… Paul? He says his friends call him Jesus.”
“Jesus? Really?” Zoey laughs.
Ma grins, “They are really accurate with the nickname, actually. He looks… eerily similar to the picture of Jesus Christ my Mom had on her wall.”
“Wait-” Zoey remembers the pictures Abuela had in her room she shared with two other ladies. One was baby Jesus Christ with his mother Mary and the other was just Jesus Christ. Ma's saying Paul looks like that? “No way!”
Ma nods with amusement and pops out, “Yep! Very handsome young man. A few years older than Harry, I think.”
“Huh…” Zoey ponders. Now she kind of wants to meet this Paul-that-looks-like-Jesus.
Time passes slowly from then on. Zoey isn't sure how many slow minutes have dragged by but eventually, Harry and Sirius come meandering back to where Zoey and Ma are waiting. Zoey spots them because she's been keeping an eye on the building and sees Sirius wink at Jan at the intake desk. Zoey rolls her eyes.
“Harry's back,” Zoey mumbles to Ma.
Ma half turns, immediately smiling at the approaching duo. “How did it go?”
“Margo's leg wasn't healing properly,” Harry replies, sounding put off. “I healed it fine but…”
Ma immediately becomes grim and attentive, “What is it?”
Zoey hates the minute flinch Harry makes as he replies, “I think her husband has been abusing her.”
“What makes you say that?” Ma says in a quiet, serious tone. Zoey wonders as well because the last time a man abused his wife, Dad made sure he learned his lesson. Dad does not put up with that crap in Sanctuary.
“I just-” Harry flinches again and then sighs. “I mentioned before that I gain a sort of… knowledge when I look at people. That's how I knew about your…” Harry gestures at Ma and she nods after a moment, placing a hand on her stomach as if to hide it. Zoey figures Harry must mean her cancer. “Well, um… Margo…”
“Harry had to heal a lot more than a broken leg,” Sirius fills in after Harry glances at him. “All the damage is hidden under clothes and since she broke her leg, she's been staying in their room, so nobody has suspected anything.”
Zoey feels shell-shocked at that. Darren's Mom? Dennis has been abusing his wife? Has Dennis been hurting Darren, too? Suddenly, Zoey remembers seeing Dennis and Darren talking this morning. She remembers how aggressive Dennis was towards Darren before he left. Darren is her friend… surely he would tell her if he was being hurt? She knows she hasn’t been around lately but this doesn’t sound recent.
“Thank you for telling me,” Ma says calmly. “Please don't tell Negan until I have a chance to speak to Margo. I want to make sure it's nothing else before we set my husband loose on Dennis.”
Harry frowns but nods anyway. He doesn't know what rules are in place regarding abusers, so Zoey pipes up, “If he is, Dad will teach him a lesson. The last guy ended up with a broken hand!”
Harry perks up a little at that and looks at Ma to ask, “Is that true?”
“Oh, is that what happened to Troy's hand?” Sirius asks thoughtfully.
Harry frowns again, “He was one of the people I was considering approaching to heal. His hand doesn't work very well, he didn't let it heal correctly. Now I'm conflicted.”
Sirius shrugs, “It seems like the lesson sunk in. I saw him with his wife, I didn't notice anything.”
Ma hums, “Well, I'll talk to Gina as well. If he really is better, then I don't see why you shouldn't heal his hand. He's already been warned about what will happen to him if he does it again.”
Harry looks at Zoey inquiringly and she supplies, “We drop you off in the city with nothing. Figure it's better than outright murdering people.”
Sirius laughs, “Not much of a difference. That's a death sentence for most people. No weapon or supplies, in the middle of the dead arse city?”
Ma smiles serenely. Zoey suddenly feels chills down her spine as Ma says, “Then they should have learned their lesson.”
Harry flinches, recoiling a little. Zoey catches how Ma's serene face falls. The atmosphere becomes awkward and stilted in a moment.
The single clang of the warning bell distracts everyone's attention to the gate. Beyond and up the road comes a truck approaching Sanctuary. In the dust behind it, a minivan follows. Dad seems to recognize them because he begins barking orders.
“They're here,” Ma says, now tense. “Let's go.”
The gates slide open smoothly, allowing the now slow vehicles to pull in. A Savior directs them to park in a specific spot. As soon as the truck stops and turns off, Zoey sucks in a sharp, shocked breath.
“Are you bloody serious?” Sirius asks ironically.
Ma sighs in exasperation, “Damn it, Ezekiel… he wasn't supposed to bring her.”
Zoey can't say anything. Several emotions fight for supremacy as a real life tiger jumps out of the bed of the truck. A black man with dreadlocks is holding a comically small chain that's connected around the tiger's neck. The hairs stand up on the back of Zoey’s neck and arms; she knows he wouldn't be able to hold the tiger if the tiger didn't want him to.
“For the love of-why does he have a tiger?” Harry asks, sounding affronted.
Zoey watches Dad hesitantly step closer to the man and his tiger but jumps when the tiger hisses at him. Zoey could admit that was pretty funny but she can't laugh because she's too amazed at seeing a real tiger, holy shit!
Zoey never imagined seeing a real tiger! She's read about them but it was so long ago that she can't remember what the book said about them. Regardless, there's not supposed to be tigers in America, so how did this man get one? And why hadn't he been eaten yet? Is the tiger friendly?
Can she pet it?!
“No, Zo. Don't even think about it,” Harry dashes her hopes so accurately, she wonders if he can secretly read minds. Surely that's why he always seems to know she's lying.
“I didn't say anything!” Zoey protests.
“I can see it all over your face. You are not allowed to pet the wild animal.”
Ma shakes her head, “Yeah, no, that's why I didn't want him bringing her.”
“Hey!” Zoey catches on then and whirls on Ma, feeling hurt. “You knew and didn't tell me? How come?!” Ma gives Zoey a Look and the teen feels offended just at the sight of it. “Hey! That's not fair! I wouldn't have wanted to go! I was looking for Harry!”
“Probably,” Ma allows with a shrug. “But I shouldn't have to remind you of the first few times you went out and found dogs.”
Zoey scowls. They're never going to let her live that down. Before the cold really settled in, Zoey found a dog that seemed friendly but very skinny. She felt bad for it and tried to approach it but it got really aggressive. It tried to attack her and it was only her reflexes that saved her from a bite. She got to high ground and hit the dog a few times with her crowbar until it finally went away. The second time, Zoey really thought the dog was friendly but it ended up chasing her. Luckily, a Biter had tried to grab her but missed and fell on the dog instead. Zoey then made her escape. The last time she was out with Dad and a large dog tried to attack them. Dad whipped out his gun and shot so fast, the dog's body slowed to a halt at their feet.
That's when they were getting desperate for food. They ate that dog that night. Since then, Zoey has avoided animals in general. It just wasn’t worth it.
“Rude,” Zoey says with a pout.
“I love you, sweetie,” Ma says in a sweet tone, smiling mischievously.
Zoey pouts harder. She's tempted to try to pet the tiger anyway, just to show them. Something catches her attention out of the corner of her eye. She looks just in time to see Chris, one of the Saviors, reach out to pet the tiger. Zoey jumps when the tiger whips around to snap at the hand, just barely missing as Chris jumps back with his hand to his chest. Dad scolds him profusely.
Okay, maybe not, Zoey decides.