"Here we are."
They came to a stop in a small clearing. There were about seven tents in the campsite, forming a circle around the campfire. Angelina watched Greg and Johnny heft the deer carcass over to the opposite side, where a blood-stained chopping block was waiting. Eric grinned at her.
"We're eatin' good tonight, Angel."
She kept quiet, trying to remain cool and collected. However, her stomach betrayed her, growling ravenously. Eric laughed, ruffling her hair. He walked over to one of the other men, one of the few in the campsite.
"Where's Dave?" he asked. "We have a guest."
"He's out checking the traps with the rest of the guys." the other man replied. He was eyeing Angel strangely. "Who's the kid?"
"This is Angel. She's tired and hungry, and she's our guest." Eric said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Angelina was uncomfortable; she was getting strange looks from more than one of men in the camp. Eric gestured towards the chairs by the fire.
"Well, go warm up. I'll be over here if you need anything."
Angelina obeyed; there was nothing else for her to do. It was comforting to sit next to the flames, especially since she wasn't very good at starting fires on her own. She took off her backpack, setting it in her lap. She went through it, looking at her supplies. She had a blanket, two changes of clothes, and many, many bracelets and necklaces. Angelina chose a woven leather bracelet with light blue accents, and added it to the two others already on her wrist. She pulled out a water bottle, looking at it with a sour face when she saw how much was left. She put it back in her backpack, looking around the camp. All the men, five of them in all, were all working hard on something.
"Thirsty?"
Eric was holding out a water bottle. Angelina took it, drinking without hesitation. Thirst quenched, she looked up at him. He grinned broadly at her, ruffling her hair again. She creased her brow, trying to smooth it back out. Someone called out to him. Eric turned, greeting them cheerfully and walking away. Angelina pondered her situation. She seemed to be the only kid in the group; she didn't see any women either. She felt tense, their campsite didn't seem very safe. They had a series of ropes, with cans strung on them, which stood as a warning in case of Deadies. The tents were also situated very close together, as close as they could get without touching the walls. There were a couple of cars on the other side, near where they were working on the deer. Angelina cringed as Greg brought the hatchet down again and again, hearing the crunch of bone and flesh as it was severed from the body. Blood was splattered across his shirt, and both he and Johnny were wearing thick gloves as they worked.
"So this is the kid, huh?"
Angelina was standing in a flash, startled at the sudden voice so close to her. An older man, with a thick brown beard, was standing behind her chair with Eric. He straightened the collar of his plaid shirt. He held out his hand.
"My name is Dave. I'm very pleased to meet you."
Angelina took it, looking from him to Eric suspiciously. After giving her hand a firm squeeze, Dave turned to Eric.
"If she's going to stay here, you are to be solely responsible for her." Dave said very seriously. "And I sincerely hope she can pull her weight."
Eric nodded, as did Angelina. She feared this man a little; he seemed dark, much darker than the friendly Eric. Dave clapped his hands together.
"Alright. Now how is that deer coming along? I'm sure we're all starving."
Dinner was the best Angelina could remember having. A hunk of deer leg was roasting on a makeshift spit over the fire, and they had laid much of it out to dry on Dave's orders. It melted in her mouth, burning her tongue as she ate. The men swapped stories, laughing and chatting. It seemed as though they had not had so much to eat in a long while. Angelina remained quiet, devouring her meal. It was only when Eric handed her a canteen of cold water did she speak again.
"Why are you doing all this for me?" she asked. A shadow fell of the man's face, the smile vanishing from his eyes. Eric ran a hand across his face, putting on a wry grin.
"I dunno really." he said, shrugging. "You just remind me of my daughter, I guess."
Angelina stopped eating. It was suddenly much quieter in in the campsite; she could hear crickets in the distance. Everyone was looking down; Andy clapped a hand on Eric's shoulder, giving him a little shake.
"She was younger than you, only seven." Eric continued. His eyes sparkled in the firelight. "Long, wavy blonde hair; the bluest eyes you ever saw. She had a smart mouth too, she got that from me. We, uh, lost her mom when it first broke out, the infection I mean. Went to the hospital and never came back. I didn't wanna tell her, I tried so hard. And my brother-in-law, her damn uncle…"
His voice trailed off in anger. Angelina opened her mouth, but he went on.
"He took her from me. Him and his damn wife. Took my little girl. Just took her! Didn't say anything to me, nothin'. Just a note, taped to my fridge. They were takin' her to the National Guard, where it was safe. Thought I was delusional, waitin' for my wife to come home. They didn't realize I wasn't doin' it for me. She needed me to, needed me to wait for Mommy. And they took her from me. From my house!"
He paused again, shaking his head. He pulled a flask from the innards of his jacket, taking a swig. No one said anything,everyone seemed to be lost in their own painful memories. Angelina saw tears spilling from Eric's eyes.
"I just..I just pray she's out there somewhere. I hope she's brushing her teeth at night. I hope she's eating everyday, and that she doesn't feel sad. I hope to God, if there is still a God, that she's got that teddy bear, and that she holds it close, and remembers that Daddy's comin', and that I love her."
He fell silent, burying his face in his hands. Angelina poked at her food, feeling like crying herself. Eric looked up, and upon seeing her face, gave her a playful shove.
"I'm sorry. Don't be upset. C'mon, let's get you to bed."
Angelina followed him to a tent a little further back from the unzipped it, gesturing inside.
"You can sleep in my tent. I'll be outside, don't worry. Nothin's gonna get you on my watch." He winked, and then left her alone inside the tent, zipping it shut after him. Angelina hugged her backpack, feeling very lonely inside the big tent. She took off her shoes and her jacket, crawled inside the sleeping bag, and began to drift into an uneasy sleep.