Chapter 3: Trying to avoid You

Kmart is in the media van talking to Mikey. "You're really cool Mikey, how did you do that?" Kmart asked, and was amazed with Mikey' skills in computers.

"When I was younger, computer was my favorite subject in our school. I like to do some computer-related stuff." Mikey replied. Kmart is still looking at Mikey who is busy typing. Then Kmart spotted Alice and Claire from the screen, leading the team back in convoy from their "scavenging thing." Both women are laughing, as if they had a good time. Mikey looked at Kmart as her face saddened.

"Hey buddy, are you okay?" Mikey was confused. Kmart's eyes are still pinned at the screen where Claire an Alice is. Mikey looked at it, too.

"Kmart? Why are you looking at them?" Mikey asked, frowning.

"Oh nothing. So, where were we before?" Kmart looked at Mikey.

"We were just talking about computers, actually." Mikey replied, still confused.

That night, Claire, Alice, Carlos, Mikey, Kmart and LJ sat in the campfire. They are chatting about their funny moments before. Kmart is just watching them especially Claire and Alice who sat together. Carlos looked at Kmart.

"Kmart, do you have something to share?" Carlos asked. Kmart's mind is lost in space. "Kmart?"

"Hey, what?" Kmart asked. Her mind was back in reality. Claire frowned, worried about Kmart's behavior lately.

"Are you alright, Kmart?" the redhead asked, and was concerned about Kmart.

"Yes, I'm fine." Kmart replied, looking at Claire.

"So, do you have something to share about your funny moments before?" Carlos asked the young girl again.

"Well, I have a big sister named Lily. She always protects me. She's always there for me, like nothing could break us apart. We always hanged out anywhere. She never left me. We were happy until this crap happened. And I miss her a lot." Kmart bowed down her head as she finished her story. She can feel few pair of eyes focused on her. Sure she missed her big sister a lot, but what made her tell them that, she didn't know why. On the other hand, Claire doesn't know why, but Kmart's story struck her a lot.

"Hey I have to go." Kmart finally said as no one spoke. All of them composed their posture as they recovered from Kmart's story. "I'm a little sleepy now." Kmart smiled. Kmart stood up and headed for the Hummer. The others were left at the campfire, confused.

"Do you think she's okay?" Alice asked them.

"I think she's a little bit lonely." LJ replied.

"Claire, I think you should follow her." Carlos said. Claire just nodded as she stood up and headed for the Hummer.

Claire found Kmart preparing to go to sleep. "Hey" Kmart saw Claire smiling at her.

"Hey Claire." Kmart frowned. Claire got inside the Hummer and sat beside Kmart.

"Getting ready for sleep, huh?" Claire looked at Kmart. "Come here" Claire held Kmart in her arms. "I'll tight you up." Kmart was shocked, she didn't expect this. But she's glad and felt safe in Claire's arms, now that she really needed her.

"What's up with you?" Kmart asked. A little confused.

"No, what's up with you" You're so edgy lately." Claire said, concerned.

"I'm not." Kmart replied as she closed her eyes.

"Oh yes you are little dear. Come on; tell me what your problem is." Claire kissed Kmart's head.

"I don't have a problem. It's just that…" Kmart wasn't able to finish her sentence. A memory of Claire and Alice having fun flashed in her mind. She felt jealous, jealous from the attention Claire is giving Alice now. She missed Claire really. They had less time together now. Reasons: sometimes Claire is busy checking the status of the convoy and doing her daily routines. And sometimes Claire is with Alice, talking and having fun. Tears welled Kmart's eyes, but she's hiding it from Claire so the leader won't ask why. She just bit her lower lip and closed her eyes once again.

"It's just that what?" asked Claire, still holding Kmart in her arms. She knew Kmart needed her right now.

"I'm just tired." was Kmart's only reply. Kmart buried her face on Claire's body. She couldn't contain it anymore as her tears finally rolled down her cheeks. She wept in silence so Claire wouldn't hear. But Claire knew Kmart is crying. She felt tears on her clothe, but she decided not to ask and just let Kmart cry in her until she falls asleep.

That night, Claire dreamt about Kmart being captured again by the man in the chopper. But, like in her previous dream, she couldn't do anything about it. She was just left down the fucking dessert, crying and screaming Kmart's name. Claire woke from that dream. Her eyes are searching where Kmart is. She found her at the back seat, curled up and deep in sleep. She didn't understand why that dream of her of Kmart kept on repeating. Then she thought what if it's true? What if Kmart was really going to be captured by that "someone"? What if they will take Kmart away from her? She shook her head from the thought. But her dreams felt so real. Claire looked at Kmart and smiled as she remembered the first day they've met in K-mart, where she saved her. Then she realized that she wasn't able to sleep anymore, so she sat in the front seat of the Hummer and waited for the night to pass.

Claire got out the Hummer before the sun has risen. The desert is so quiet as she continued to walk. She found Alice at the other side doing some exercise. She decided to go to Alice.

"Doing some exercise in the morning, huh? Alice turned to look to where the voice came from. She found Alice smiling at her, so she smiled back, too. Alice stopped doing her work.

"Just my daily routine." Alice

"To maintain your shape?" Claire teased.

"Sorta. And to keep my strength up." Alice retorted.

"For those bitches." Claire finished. Alice just stared at her.

"Sorry for the word." Claire quickly said. Alice smiled.

"I'm used to it. They're really as fucking as hell." Then both women chuckled.

Alice noticed that there are dark circles under Claire's blue eyes. Maybe she didn't sleep last night, she thought.

"You didn't sleep last night, did you?" the blonde asked Claire.

"Yeah. I just had this bad dream again." Claire replied, looking away from Alice' stare.

"What dream?" Alice sat on the rock near her, while Claire sat in front of her.

"Kmart being captured." Claire replied silently.

"Again?" Alice frowned at Claire.

"Yes. I don't know why. But it felt so real." Claire sighed.

"Claire, it's just a dream so don't mind it." Alice said.

"But it kept on repeating. How can you explain that?" the two fell silent but interrupted instantly by Carlos.

"Good morning ladies. Too early for a meeting, huh?" Carlos smiled at them.

"We were just chatting." Alice said quickly.

"Chatting about what?" Carlos asked.

"I need to be going. See you two around." Claire got up and walked away. Carlos' brows furrowed.

"Did I say something wrong?" Carlos was confused.

"No. she just had a bad dream." Alice replied.

It's already nine in the morning when Kmart woke up. She found Alice at the back seat who is busy cleaning her blades.

"Good morning." Kmart greeted Alice.

"Good morning Kmart. Did you sleep well last night?" the older woman asked.

"Yeah." Kmart replied.

"Do you want me to get you some breakfast?" Alice asked, sounding concerned.

"Uhmmm. No. I can manage to get it myself." replied Kmart.

"No. I'll get it." With that, Alice stood up and got off the Hummer. Kmart was left, confused.

"What's happening to her?" she said to herself.

Kmart saw Claire coming. She got off the Hummer to greet Claire.

"Good morning Claire." Kmart smiled.

"Good morning 'lil sis" Claire greeted and handed Kmart a canned juice.

"What's this?" the blonde asked.

"Orange juice. Well Alice told me that you are already awake. So I decided to bring you this." Claire stated. Kmart is still confused on the way the two older women are acting today.

"What's happening with you two?" Kmart raised her eyebrows.

"Wha? I used to this before, right?" Claire asked.

"Yeah. But why is Alice getting my breakfast?" the young girl asked.

"I don't know. Oh well, I need to be going now. I still have some things to attend to. See you around, K." Claire said then walked away from Claire.

Claire kept on dreaming about Kmart being taken away from her for three consecutive rights. And now she's starting to worry about Kmart's safety. So, to be sure that Kmart is safe, she stayed awake every night, having only two hours of a sleep. On the other hand, Alice noticed Claire being drowsy and groggy every day. She knows the redhead doesn't get enough sleep during the nights. Claire is driving the Hummer but can't keep her focus on the road because of lack of sleep. All she wanna do right now is to sleep. Alice noticed Claire's hands are trembling.

"Claire, stop the car" Alice said. Claire looked at Alice from the front mirror.

"Why? Do you have some business to do?" the redhead asked.

"Just stop the car!" Alice ordered. Claire stopped the car. Alice got off the Hummer and walked to Claire's side. She opened the door of the Hummer in front.

"Let's switch places. I'll drive the Hummer and you take some sleep." Alice said. Claire's brow rose. Then Carlos radioed Claire.

"Claire?" Carlos said from the other line. Alice got the walkie talkie and answered it.

"Yes Carlos?" Alice asked.

"Why did you stop? What's happening?" Carlos sounded concerned.

"Claire and I will switch places. Claire needs some rest." Alice responded.

"Okay." Carlos replied. Alice turned back to Claire.

"Why aren't you moving? Do I have to knock you off before you get out of there?" Alice asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Fine." Claire retorted and went to the backseat. On the other hand, she's glad that Alice offered to drive the Hummer. She really needed to get some sleep now that she always stays awake during the nights. Claire fell asleep easily. While, Alice focused herself on driving.

"Alice?" the young girl said.

"Yes Kmart? Do you need something?" Alice asked without looking at Kmart.

"No. I just wanna ask. Is Claire okay?" Kmart asked and looked at sleeping Claire.

"Yes she's fine. She just needs some rest." Alice said and smiled at Kmart.

With that, Kmart felt jealous towards Alice. Why does Alice have to know everything about what's happening to Claire right now? Why is she close to Claire? And why is she taking my place? the young girl thought to herself. Kmart didn't notice that she had been staring at Alice for a minute. That's why Alice got confused.

"Kmart, are you okay?" Alice asked the teen.

"Ah….oh yeah. I'm fine." Kmart replied then turned to look outside.

"Do you have something to say?" Alice was concerned.

"Nothing."