I slowly make my way out of the bushes, peering cautiously around me as I limp towards a tree slightly farther away than my original hiding spot in the bushes. Though it is night time and the darkness would make it very difficult for anyone to see me, I am cautious not to make a sound, fearing that I would break the eerie silence surrounding me and alert someone to my presence. As I approach the tree, I do a 360 to make sure no one is watching me, and then hoist myself onto a branch. I climb from branch to branch, stopping at a nook made by two branches partway up the tree. It is perfect; I would be able to relax without falling out of the tree. I take off my backpack and the rifle slung across my back. I settle them in a fork in another branch that is just in my reach. I quietly sit myself down on the branch, but can't help myself from letting out a low hiss when the rough bark scratches against my already red and swollen ankle. I close my eyes and relax, trying to keep my mind off the pain.
I had chosen the spot well; it was close enough to the back of the medical centre that I would be able to get supplies and escape back into the forest quickly. The tree allowed me to see the delivery docks through the foliage, but no one could see me from directly below. I had been observing this medical centre for three days now and I knew the schedule by heart. The delivery truck would come just a bit after sunrise, and then the guy would go inside to alert the people that he was bringing in a shipment before coming back outside to unload the boxes. This gave me a window of about 5 minutes to get into the truck, stuff all the medicine I could into my worn out backpack and then run away as fast as I could so that by the time they found out things were missing, I would be well on my way towards another city. Though I had done this numerous times before, I was extremely nervous because this was my first time doing it injured. Usually, I would get medicine only because my stash ran out. Unfortunately, I twisted my ankle yesterday and it is no red, swollen and hurts like crazy. I really needed some No Pain and Shrink. I was concerned because instead of my usually fast running, I was now reduced to limping, so I could get caught very easily now.
To calm my nerves and for a little boost of luck, I decided to pray. I know, I know, it is kind of crazy to still believe in God with the whole "aliens taking over the world" thing still happening which virtually obliterated the entire human race. But, after being completely alone for almost three years, it was kind of nice to have someplace to go when I die and someone to talk to at night. I prayed every night, though it never sounded like a prayer. I've always found it awkward to ask people of authority for things, so all my prayers sounded like I was asking a friend for a favour or something. I prayed about the normal stuff, like thank you for my rifle, how's grandma doing up there, please keep me away from the body-snatchers. Then I would always conclude with my wish to find other humans. I knew there had to be some out there somewhere, but during my past three years of surviving, I had never seen or talked to another real human, and human company is something I've always craved. It was my dream to talk to another human being within this nightmare we now call life. So, here I go…
Hey there Lord,
How's it going? I just want to ask a little favour. Pretty, pretty please let this all go okay. And as always, could you find some time in your busy life to will a human to cross my path? That would be awesome.
Love, Kimberley
There, I now felt a little better. Okay, now I can just lie back, relax, take a deep breath… Ick. Do I really smell that bad? I try to remember when the last time I had a bath was. I look at the skin on my arms. It once had been a beautiful pale peach, but was now a light tan colour from dirt and the sun. I run a hand through my dirty-blonde hair. It feels greasy and grimy, but that's the best I can do because I usually only bathe when I happen upon a stream. I finger the jade pendant hanging from my neck. My mother had given it to me for my 9th birthday.
"To match your beautiful eyes," she had said. When was the last time I had looked at a mirror and gazed into my eyes that are the exact colour of that jade pendant? I think it was three months or so ago when I had decided to use the bathroom of one of the houses I had raided.
I am pulled from my thoughts when my sensitive ears pick up the sound of gravel crunching under tires. Funny, I think, the delivery truck shouldn't be coming for another few hours. I quickly looked up at the sky through the foliage, the moon still high in the sky. Definitely not the delivery truck. I lean forward on the branch, the moonlight allowing me to only make out the outline of a small car approaching without the head lights on. I watch as four figures come out of the car, each turning on a flashlight. With the added light, I can now see that two of the people are huge and have quite a bulky build. Another one is of medium stature and the last is quite petite. I can hear them whispering to each other but can't totally make out the words. I lean closer.
"Where is it?"
"It should be right over there."
"Come on, let's hurry up. Kyle's waiting in the truck and we all know just how patient he is"
I wonder why they're acting so secret. Aren't these things supposed never be up to bad stuff? Are they what I think they are? I am now getting pretty excited. Could they be..?
I watch as one of the flashlights pass the face of the smaller one illuminating her milky white face, golden hair and silver eyes that reflect the light. Well there goes that hope. The flashlight continues on until it illuminates the side of a storage unit and the word Cryotanks.
"I found it!" The people then open the door of the storage tank and then proceed to unload these things that look like pet carriers and load them into their car.
I shift my weight to try and get a better look. Then, everything seems to go in slow motion. I feel it as my right hand slips from the branch and I start to fall downwards. I try to reach for the branch where my things are resting but only manage to grab onto one of the straps of my backpack which is now falling with me. I can see the ground rushing towards my face. I try to position my body so that I land on my feet and I succeed. But stupid me forgot about the whole twisted ankle thing. Though I wasn't that high up, it was a nasty fall and I cry out in my pain as my damaged ankle takes most of the force and I collapse into a heap on the ground with my hand still clutching the strap my backpack.
