Chapter 1

"Jake?"

"Grace?"

"Hey, nice to meet you!"

"I got here a few minutes early. I hope you don't mind, but I ordered you a coffee. I promise I'm not the kind of man who orders for a woman. I remembered your coffee order from our chats, and it's really busy, so…"

"Thank you, Jake, that was thoughtful," Grace assured him.

"I haven't been to this cafe before, but I hear only good things," Jake said.

"It's actually one of my favourites, so I was pleased when you chose it. So I take it you don't live downtown?"

"No, I'm a few neighbourhoods over, but not far," Jake replied.

"I noticed your helmet, did you bike here?"

"I did. I got rid of my car, I hope that's not a deal breaker?" Jake asked, worry creasing his brow.

"Not at all. I don't blame you, not after that attack two years ago, when all the cars went crazy."

"Yeah, I was driving at the time, and my car tried to drive me off a cliff. "

"No," she gasped.

"I jumped out in time, obviously, but I've since sworn off modern cars. I have a pre-computer chip junk car that I am slowly trying to restore and bring back to life. It won't get me far, but it will get me around town. It's going to take forever. I'm learning as I go," he explained.

"Tell me more about it?" she asked enthusiastically.

As Jake talked about his car and the steps he had been taking to restore it, Grace took this time to do a proper once-over.

Okay, he's good-looking—tall, blonde, light eyes, and strong hands. There is something kind of sexy about a man who wears glasses. But his eyes haven't drifted lower than my face. I mean, I guess that's good. Respectable and all that.

Grace had worn one of her "first date" sundresses. The length was conservative and flowy, but the pale blue dress had a neckline that said, "I'm a respectable woman, but I also want you to notice my incredible rack."

She listened intently, or at least she hoped it looked that way, nodding and smiling at all the right moments as he explained what he has done so far and his upcoming plans for his car. She didn't know anything about cars. They didn't interest her, and neither did his story, even if what he was doing was smart.

He chuckled at some remark he made about matching paint to the colour of zombie guts, so she giggled with him. It was then she noticed his eyes travel quickly to her breasts, then back to her eyes.

There it is , she thought in relief.

"Enough about me, did you walk here?" Jake asked.

"I did. I work and live downtown. It's convenient and, you know, slightly safer."

"I honestly don't know how people survive in the suburbs, or on the outskirts," Jake said .

"Well, they don't, do they?" Grace replied

They both shared a laugh before Jake continued.

"Every time the earth opens up, it's in the suburbs. I don't get the appeal of staying."

"I guess, people value yards over security," Grace added.

"I guess. Though downtown has its moments," he offered.

"Oh my goodness, right? Last month when that demon opened a hole on 5th."

"Why are they taking so long to fill it in? It's such a hazard."

"Not to mention an eye sore. I can see that hole from my office window. That street used to be so pretty," Grace said.

"What is it you do again?" Jake asked.

"I'm in advertising and PR at Still Standing Inc."

"Yes, that's right. Have you worked on anything I would've seen?"

"Maybe. The city is my biggest client. We're constantly trying to bring in tourists and new residents."

"Oh shit, that's rough."

"Yeah, it is. I basically lie for a living, trying to make Hell's Gate look, not only normal, but desirable. It's pointless though, people hear the rumours about this place, and whether they believe the stories or not, most people avoid this city like the plague. But we have a great dental plan," she shrugged. "And you work in IT?"

"Yes, it's boring, I know."

"Honestly, I think it's great. Who doesn't want to be friends with someone who knows about computers? I know how to use them, but I don't understand all the jargon and what it means," she said, smiling reassuringly at him.

A loud siren started wailing throughout the city.

"Ugh, now? Please tell me you brought one?" Jake sighed.

"I never leave home without it," Grace answered, holding up her full-faced gas mask .

The city had many distinct sirens that could sound off at any moment, each indicating a different threat. This siren indicated gas masks were needed.

"I wonder what it is this time," Jake asked, looking around after securing his full-faced mask.

"Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't last long like last time," Grace replied, as she adjusted her straps, ensuring a tight fit.

"Agreed. Wearing a mask for three days was torture."

"Yes, but better than turning into a zombie though," she snickered.

"Haha, so true," Jake said as he started to lift his coffee to his masked-covered mouth.

They both noticed him doing this and burst into giggles.

"Can I get you two anything else today?" the server asked, interrupting their laughing fit.

"I need to get back to work," Jake said apologetically.

"Oh, no worries, me too," Grace assured him.

"Just the bill please," Jake said to the server, but then noticed their attention was focused on the window beside them.

Jake and Grace both followed their gaze and saw a man on the street just outside their window, screaming in agony as his skin melted off his body and his organs fell to the ground.

"That's too bad," the server sighed. "They were a great tipper."

"So the body-melting fog is back," Grace observed.

"I'll never understand why anyone would leave home without a mask," Jake added. "Hopefully we get the rain that was promised to wash it away quickly."

"Mmmmm," all three hummed in unison.

The server took Jake's money and walked away.

"You didn't have to get mine," Grace said as they stood to leave .

"It was my pleasure, plus, I invited you, so…" he trailed off shyly.

"Well, thank you," Grace said awkwardly, extending her hand for a handshake.

Jake took it but held it gently instead of shaking it.

"Can I call on you again?" Jake asked.

"I'd like that," Grace replied.

"Great, I'll text you later, unless my fingers melt off," he joked, wiggling his fingers in front of him.

"There's voice to text, no excuses," Grace laughed as she walked away.

Shit , she thought, was that too forward? No excuses? I sound like a stage-five clinger. He laughed though. Honestly, I would say that went rather well, Grace thought, as she walked back to her office.

A satisfied smile played on her lips as she avoided piles of human remains that littered the sidewalk.