"Breathe and take a step." Johnny's motto through most of his life. The Afghan Hound teen has not had a good life. Coming from a low income/big family, he was left so many times in the dust. Middle child and all. Everyone running around and too busy for him or even knowing he was there, even though he was growing up, some acknowledgment would have been appreciated. He did get a job at the mall's coffee shop with plans of moving out and going out on his own, though still nervous about that thought. He was nice with everyone which a few took as a weakness and made fun of him for not fighting back for himself but he brushed it off and ignored them and sometimes went into his own world that seemed better than the one he was currently living in.

And then...there was no turning away from reality. Slowly but surely, the dead attacked customer and employee alike. Some of the security guards and armed shoppers took them out, not helped by those who panicked, looted, trashed and forced open doors, and left a few beasts behind. Johnny just hid in the coffee shop and tried to text his family, but likely they were going through the same crisis and weren't thinking of him. He hoped they all were okay, but didn't think it matter if he tried getting home anytime soon. Not that he wanted to go back.

After two days, the mall seemed secure enough to set it up more, arguments to let others in or go out to look for help, and look for supplies. Johnny wasn't needed most of the time so he wondered the mall out of boredom, lost in his thoughts of anything when he heard sounds coming from the sporting goods store. He curiosity almost got his head bashed in by a beagle girl. She later apologized realising he wasn't a threat. Despite the harsh meeting, the two sort of clicked. Out of anyone of the mall, she was willing to talk to him and open a little to what was going on, looking for exit doors around the building, supplies and easy ways around the city. She explained she was from Canada and with her dad and he got her there for her safety. He helped her out and she helped him with advice, work and what was going on outside. He even got her a coffee.

She could tell he was hurting a bit and they talked about their families and situation. She told him there always a chance for some love and acceptance if he couldn't find it in his own family and vice versa and he can be there for himself now if he wanted. Even gave advice about protection like a leather jacket and a spear to stab the stinkers at a distance with. But then she had to leave and find her dad. She came back with his bloody beanie. Johnny knew what happened when others assumed she did the deed. And they recoiled in fear when she screamed and trashed the store. Johnny comforted her and stayed with her that night, but awoke the next morning to find that she left with some of his stuff and with out a word.

The other survivors chastised him for talking to the "psycho" and he quickly turned and gave them a dirty, anger filled look that shut them up quickly. After that, he knew what he was going to do. After a bit of gathering, he had a leather jacket on, a pole with a knife heavily duck taped at the end and a backpack filled with what he needed. he paused right outside the doors of "The Barkery" as he began shaking at the thought of leaving a safe place into a dangerous world, his tail tucked between his legs and not sure if he could really do this. But....breathe and take a step. He did. And another and another. He wasn't going back home, he wasn't turning back. He can take care of himself, like always. He can make it out there, he'll help those he can and somehow, find Billie and help her. If he can find her again. Somehow, he knew he could. And he knew he'll find a new family for himself too.