curious eyes divert to the map under the girl’s hand, obviously tracking the places they had been and needed to go to. if there was anyone who knew they would eventually have to venture out further to find the supplies they would need, it was penelope. “ i was never really a chocolate lover. fruity candy or nothing for me. but i hope you’re right. i would love to get my hands on even just a single gusher. ”  though she makes a mental note about reese’s cups, pinning the thought inside of her mind that it would be something penny would enjoy. who knows, maybe she would come across a package. returning her focus back to penny, it’s not soon before she’s taking a seat next to her, exhaling a sigh as she does. “ got any place special marked on that map of yours ? ” she wasn’t sure if the other girl could sense the uneasiness in her voice, deciding to not fret about it too much—though she undoubtedly would for the rest of the night. “ places we went to today were picked clean, aside from a few cans of food. ” she was sure getting tired of finding cans of tuna. but it was food nonetheless. “ but other than that, nothing too special. ”

from the way that there wasn’t even that many marked lines on the map that was given to her, one could state that she was almost about done. there hadn’t been many locations that had been ventured into yet, they’d get there though. yet, as the runners fleeted from their home base everyday, penelope only crossed her digits that they wouldn’t run into another group for she was the least ready to depart from this place. huffing a breath, the side of her hand beginning to cramp from pressing down on the marker too hard; it wasn’t exactly long until another presence had entered her vicinity. hearing the voice initially, immediately deciding that harlowe was someone the brunette could tolerate for the time being. setting the marker down upon the glossy paper, rotating her hand to wither out the cramp as a small smirk settled upon her mouth. “ the only candy worthing finding is reese’s cups, the peanut buttery chocolate bastards are the only thing’s worth being devoured. “  her voice strong, as her eyeline shifted towards the other. “ m’sure there’s a box out there, sitting in dust n’ just waiting specifically for you, “  penelope stated, giving her a onceover before returning her attention to the map.

it had been years since harlowe had seen the other girl, so imagine her surprise when she was greeted by the familiar blonde when stumbling across the army base. when she’s looking over at her, fingers nervously flit with the loose ends of her t-shirt, a deep sigh exhaling from between her lips. the day had left her with only a few minor cuts and bruises—mostly due to her own clumsiness. but still she’s nodding with a hallow laugh, “ the zombie had know idea who they were messing with, let me tell you. ”

❝ hey. ❞ having being done inspecting most cuts like the real doctor-by-default she is, salem has found a seat next to a stray survivor & exhaled a greeting at them.  ❝ heard you kicked ass today. ❞ 

she should be asleep. well and truly passed out, readying her body for the run she was supposed to go on the next day. instead, she’s on the ground, back against the wall, eyes peering up to the night sky. tomorrow would be filled with stress and the uneasy feeling something would go terribly wrong at any moment. they were having to go further away from the base to find supplies due to the lack of medicine and food they had at the moment. nostalgia grabbed tightly at her bones, reminding her that this was her life now. she was no longer a junior in college, getting high with friends and music under the same stars. but she wasn’t able to dwell any further, the sound of footsteps approaching her quickly replacing any thought within her mind. it didn’t take her long to distinguish the footsteps were that of actual human and not a walker before her body is relaxing against the wall once more. “ how about you don’t sneak up on me in the middle of the night and just, i don’t know, say hello ? ”

with aching feet, harlowe quietly makes her way throughout the base. the day’s scavenging had clearly been an absolute bust—backpack only holding a few cans of food she was able to grab. it was obvious to her that they needed to venture even further away from the base to find essentials they were running low on. it worried her but she wasn’t exactly ready to admit that to anyone else. letting out an exasperated sigh from her lungs, it was easy for her to spot the raven-haired girl in the distance. after their fatigue fueled talk, the two had become close and even though harlowe wasn’t exactly looking to make friends, it was nice to have one—— one that didn’t annoy her after all, fucking lincoln. she pushes the thought away with a roll of the eyes, peering down at the girl that was now in front of her. “ you know the worst thing about this supply runner job ? finding candy that is expired. ” she could think of an entire list of even worse things but decides not to. “ found an entire box of gushers today that expired almost a year ago. that’s the real tragedy of today if you ask me. fuck the zombies. i want a box of gushers, dammit. ”

things had been quiet around the outsides of the base lately, which was eerily strange but more than enthralling, less to deal with. or so the lookouts had proclaimed at every check in, insisting that nobody nor anything would stumble across this place. however, one thought differently seemingly it was a small dot on the state map of kansas. penelope, an individual that normally kept to herself, whom was drawing on a piece of paper of the trails and or towns that the supply runners had been to — - lost track of time. yet, merely instead of jumbling herself into a mess, the brunette decided to stay put. 

omg im late posting this, as ALWAYS but hi hello im salt (or clarissa, whatever works for you idc) and imma just get on w/ telling you about bitchbaby harlowe bc im too awkward to say anything else ! :D

before the outbreak: she was attending usc (university of southern california) majoring in political science, she had always known she wanted to end up in politics due to her argumentative nature and there was always something that drew her in about them. UH , she grew up in seattle w/o a mother bc she left when harlowe was around three and her dad took on both the role of mom and dad n tbh he did a great job of it. they didn’t have much but it was enough and harlowe was happy.

after: harlowe has no idea if her dad is alive, dead or worse a zombie but she assumes the worst and it’s kind of turned her into a bitter bitch :/ she was obvs quite bitchy before but she it was never out of meanness (friendly arguing is what she would call it :P) but now she’s just bitter towards everyone. she’s also a bit reckless as a supply runner. in moments where she should be quiet and let the zombies be, she’s just not and it sometimes put her in risk but she can’t rlly be bothered to care bc :/ they’re all gon die at some point amirite ?!

anywayay, that wasn’t much but you get the gist of her, she’s just a bitter bitch that loves to argue about pretty much .. anything .

you and I both know we were never ‘just friends’, there was nothing platonic about the way my hands would shake for days after you’d touched them.

HE.

My father used to say, “Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu