Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night
Chapter 133: Establishing Ties to New Reno

Zane helped bring Garth into the building which Angelica used to heal people in. And by help I mean he simply kept a watchful vigil with his weapon on standby in case Garth or any of his deputies tried to act up.

More than once, someone had tried something they shouldn't have when undergoing the healing process and was straight up shot in the head by Zane. Rumors of these incidents had spread, and by now, most people in the region understood the rules and procedures that were required to be healed by Angelica.

Garth was laid down on a bed, where Zane demanded payment. All the while Angelica began to glow green, an aura of healing surrounded her, and a calming scent of the spring rain spread across the immediate area. Somewhat distracting the deputies while Zane spoke to them.

"Your boy has been shot in the gut, and will require a Tier II healing spell to not only restore his hp, but to also heal his wounds and remove the projectile. That will cost you either ten blood crystals, or one Tier II blood crystal. The choice is up to you…"

Ten blood crystals would have been an insane amount for medical expenses if this were a mere two months ago. But as the awakened survivors of New Reno increased in level and ability, they were able to harvest more blood crystals than before.

Because of this, ten blood crystals, while a sizeable payment, were nothing that would cost someone their life savings, unlike before. The deputies knew the price that Zane would demand of them when they came here and thus they reached into a pouch and pulled out a small green spherical crystal which they handed to Zane, all while cursing beneath their breath.

"You'll get your pound of flesh…. But Garth better be good as new, or I demand my money back!"

Zane scoffed. Clearly, these people had not seen Angelica's healing powers in action. In fact no more than a second later, Garth made a full recovery, even the blood he had lost had been fully restored, making him look at himself in shock.

It was only now that he could see clearly that he recognized who Angelica was. And was quick to speak about it without regard to the sensitivity of the subject.

"You… I know you… You're that slave that was brought in a few months ago?"

Angelica felt deeply traumatized upon hearing this and looked the other way, she did not like to think about her time in captivity, but a lot of people did recognize her from those days, as she was flaunted for days by the slavers at the Safe Zone in order to up the price of her purchase.

When Zane saw that Angelica was uncomfortable, he grabbed Garth by the arm, and dragged him to his feet, demanding that he and his deputies leave Gravestone with a particularly stern look on his face.

"Alright, that's enough. Unless you and your crew have any other business here, it's time to go. We don't take kindly to strangers around these parts…"

Garth also recognized Zane when he saw him. After all, he had let Zane in and only a few hours later there was a double homicide, where Zane and the girls by his side were no longer to be found. He was quick to resist against Zane, but Zane's grip was far too strong, forcing him to his knees in agony when Zane applied pressure.

"You… You were there the day that couple were murdered! We never found any traces of who did it. Don't tell me it was you?"

Zane instantly knew who Garth was talking about and frowned. After all, he had only visited New Reno once back when it was still called the Safe Zone, and on that day, there were indeed two murders committed by none other than himself.

But Zane did not admit to this. Many supplies that Gravestone needed came from the wandering caravans that made their way from New Reno, and if those supplies were cut off, it would be a bitch and the half to replace a new supply chain. Thus, Zane feigned ignorance as he dragged Garth and his deputies out of Angelica's clinic.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I visited New Reno once back when it was still called the Safe Zone, stayed there for several hours where I picked up Angelica, and then left immediately afterward. If some idiots got themselves killed, we had nothing to do with it. As I said before, if you have no other business here, then get the hell out."

Garth was tossed into the streets of Gravestone, where its denizens looked on in shock. Zane was always rather unfriendly to strangers. And only those Angelica used her powers on to get a glimpse of their true nature, and whether or not they were lying was usually permitted.

But in some instances like these, where someone was injured, they might be allowed in without this verification process. In those instances, Zane was always especially rude to these strangers due to a lack of trust in their intentions.

Of course, Garth understood this sentiment. It was a brave new world, and most people couldn't be trusted. He had soon all too much of humanity's cruelty and self-destructive nature, and thus even though he was being forced out of Gravestone, he respected Zane's determination to keep his community safe.

Thus he tipped his hat to Zane and forgave him, making it clear to his deputies that he did not want to cause any trouble.

"I understand, I am sorry if I offended you stranger… I admire your sense of protection to folks here in Gravestone, and I just want you to know that your caravans are more than welcome to travel to New Reno when you get the chance. We'll be on our way. After all, we're not looking for any trouble. Have a blessed day…"

Zane's curiosity was piqued when he heard the way that Garth spoke. If memory serves correctly, the man acted fairly normally in the past. Yet now he was dressed like a cowboy, albeit with some modern tactical gear, and spoke as if he was in a western.

Clearly the man was committed to the part, and thus Zane just shook his head as Garth and his deputies walked out of Gravestone's gates, and back to their vehicle. Once they had taken off and were no longer in sight, Zane was about to go check on Angelica when he heard some chatter over the radio.

"Zane, I hope you can hear this. We've got stalkers on our tails, and we're coming your way!"

Zane's eyes immediately opened wide as he heard this. Until now, he had never actually fought any stalkers. Nor had they proven to be violent. But things were changing. The local Horde King had once more lost her muscle in the form of abominations, and most of the tier II undead she had under her command were wiped out.

Hell, half of her horde had been destroyed by Zane and the residents of Gravestone this past month.

Clearly she had been provoked by the Second Strike Team's attacks and thus had sent her Stalkers to take them out. With this in mind, Zane sighed heavily, as he hit a nearby button at his sentry post, sending out an alarm across Gravestone, warning everyone who was not combat capable to flee to the bunker.

Zane then looked out into the distance and saw the up-armored HuNovelFireee containing the second strike team heading straight for Gravestone's gates. And behind it were the Stalkers, who were not far behind.

With this in mind, Zane aimed down the optic of his anti-material rifle, and rested the appropriate mil dot onto one of the Stalker's heads. Where he spoke a single word before squeezing the trigger.

"Boom…"