**Chapter 4: Unexpected Encounter**

As Angela turned the corner of the abandoned gas station, she spotted a figure huddled beside a stack of crates. The woman looked up, and their eyes met. Angela's hand instinctively went to the bat slung over her shoulder. The woman's eyes widened, and she slowly stood up, her hands raised in a calming gesture. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you," the woman said, her voice soft and gentle. Angela's grip on the bat didn't waver, but she didn't attack either. There was something about the woman's tone that put her at ease. Maybe it was the kindness in her eyes or the way she seemed to genuinely not want to fight. The woman took a step closer, and Angela could see that she was young, probably around her own age. She had a smudge of dirt on her cheek and a scrape above her eyebrow, but she looked otherwise unharmed. "My name is Fina," the woman said, her eyes locked on Angela's. "What's yours?" "I'm Angela," she replied, slowly lowering the bat. "What are you doing here?" Fina shrugged, wincing as she moved her shoulder. "Just passing through. I was looking for a place to rest and maybe find some supplies." Angela nodded, her gaze drifting to Fina's leg. It was covered in a makeshift bandage, and Angela could see that it was stained with blood. "You're hurt," Angela said, taking a step closer. Fina nodded, her face pale. "Yeah, I got caught by a few walkers earlier. Nothing too serious, but it's been a long day." Angela's expression softened, and she lowered the bat to her side. "Come on, let me take a look." Fina hesitated for a moment before nodding. Angela gently pulled off the bandage and examined the wound. It was deep, but it didn't look infected. "You're lucky," Angela said, handing Fina the bandage back. "This could've been a lot worse." Fina smiled weakly. "Thanks. I'm just glad to have found a place to rest." As they stood there, Angela realized that she hadn't seen another human being in days. She had almost given up hope of finding anyone else alive. "So, what brings you here?" Fina asked, breaking the silence. Angela shrugged. "Just trying to survive, I guess. I've been on my own for a while now." Fina nodded sympathetically. "I know how that is. It's not easy, but we make do, right?" Angela smiled, feeling a spark of connection with this stranger. "Yeah, we do." As they talked, Angela found herself relaxing around Fina. She didn't know why, but there was something about this woman that put her at ease. "Hey, do you want to grab some water and rest for a bit?" Angela asked, gesturing to a nearby cooler. Fina's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing. Thanks." As they sat down to drink and rest, Angela couldn't help but notice the way Fina's eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. It was a small thing, but it made Angela feel a flutter in her chest. She pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the present moment. They were two survivors, taking a break and enjoying each other's company. That was all. For now, that was enough.