Natalie had asked to go out, confusing Robert. He had allowed it, of course, because she was easily capable of going out on her own—as long as she showed him she had a weapon on hand before doing so. The gravel crunched beneath her boots, modified with extra padding by Jasper that made her movements almost silent despite her muscular frame. The afternoon sun cast long shadows between abandoned cars as a low groan echoed from an alleyway. Natalie didn't hesitate, driving her boot into the infected's skull with a sickening crack that left dark matter splattered across the pavement.

She entered various stores, although was uninterested in the goods they had to offer—still, she picked up a few things, so no one would question her too much. The smell of stale air and rot clung to her clothes as she stuffed canned beans and vegetables into her pack, the metal surfaces cold against her fingers. She grabbed a bottle of whiskey for herself, tucking it into an inside pocket where it wouldn't break, and some wine for the others.

After hours of searching, frustration tightening her jaw, she finally found a larger store with a crafts section that she was sure would have what she wanted—and it did! The bell above the door jangled as she entered, sending a momentary spike of panic through her until she confirmed it was just the wind. Dust motes danced in the sunlight streaming through broken windows as she allowed herself a small grin, rummaging through colorful construction paper, a big box of crayons, glue, and scissors.

Back at base, she locked herself in her room, settling down at her small desk. The scratch of scissors against paper filled the silence as she cut out a big red heart. Furrowing her brows in concentration, she folded pink paper into a card shape, drawing red and white hearts with crayons that left wax smudges on her calloused fingers. Finally, she wrote as neatly as possible inside: "Will you be mine?"

Natalie stood abruptly, leaving her room and quickly locating you. Her boots thudded against the concrete floor as she motioned for you to follow, then promptly thrust the card into your hands without a word. Her ears burned red beneath her短发 as she mumbled, "...It's Valentine's Day. I thought...maybe..."

She trailed off, crossing her arms tightly across her chest as if bracing for rejection, her usual confidence nowhere to be found.