Chapter 2: Meet Fina

Angela walked down the deserted street, her senses on high alert. She had been walking for hours, and her feet were starting to ache. As she turned a corner, she spotted a small convenience store. The sign above the door read "Sam's Market." Angela's eyes lit up with hope. She hadn't eaten in hours, and the thought of finding food and water was a welcome relief. She cautiously pushed open the door and stepped inside. The store was dimly lit, but Angela's eyes quickly adjusted. The shelves were mostly bare, but she spotted a few cans of food and a bottle of water on the counter. As she approached the counter, she noticed a young woman sitting on the floor, rummaging through a bag. The woman looked up, and their eyes met. Angela felt a jolt of surprise. The woman was pretty, with long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes. She had a smattering of freckles across her nose and a small scar above her left eyebrow. Angela couldn't help but stare. The woman smiled, and Angela felt a flutter in her chest. "Hey, I'm Fina," she said, holding out her hand. Angela took it, feeling a spark of electricity as their palms touched. "I'm Angela," she replied, trying to sound casual. Fina stood up, brushing off her pants. "Nice to meet you, Angela. I was just looking for some supplies." Angela nodded, feeling a little shy. "Me too. I could use some food and water." Fina smiled. "Looks like we both got here at the same time. Maybe we can help each other out." Angela nodded, and together they started to gather what little supplies were left in the store. As they worked, Angela couldn't help but steal glances at Fina. She was friendly and easy to talk to, and Angela found herself feeling more and more at ease. As they finished up, Fina turned to Angela and said, "You know, I was thinking of heading out to find a safer place. This town is getting pretty sketchy." Angela nodded, feeling a surge of agreement. "I was thinking the same thing. I've been walking for hours, and I haven't seen anyone else." Fina smiled. "Well, it's nice to have some company. Want to travel together for a bit?" Angela hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should trust this stranger. But there was something about Fina that put her at ease. "Yeah, sure," she said finally. "That would be great." Fina grinned, and Angela felt a flutter in her chest. "Awesome. Let's get out of here." Together, they left the store, stepping out into the bright sunlight. Angela squinted, feeling a little overwhelmed. But with Fina by her side, she felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in hours. As they walked, Angela couldn't help but notice the way Fina moved, her long strides eating up the ground. She felt a pang of attraction, but quickly pushed it aside. They were just traveling together, after all. No need to get complicated. But as they walked, Angela found herself feeling more and more comfortable around Fina. They chatted easily, exchanging stories and jokes. Angela laughed, feeling a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in days. As the sun started to set, casting a golden glow over the deserted streets, Angela realized that she was actually having fun. She glanced over at Fina, who was smiling at her. "Hey, thanks for traveling with me," Fina said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's nice to have some company." Angela smiled back, feeling a sense of connection. "No problem," she said. "It's nice to have someone to watch my back." Fina nodded, her expression serious. "We'll watch each other's backs, okay?" Angela nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards this stranger. "Okay." As they continued to walk, Angela couldn't help but wonder what the future held. But for now, she was just happy to have Fina by her side.