Once we got back into town from the reactors we had to search the town for a vehicle that worked, or at least one that had some gas that we could take. However, it was becoming evident the more we searched that the thought of making it back to our truck was getting more and more distant.
"Now that's more like it," I heard Doc say down the street from the car that 10k and I were currently searching for anything and everything. Hopping out of the car and looking to Doc I saw the he had managed to get a Chevrolet Suburban to start up as Warren dropped the hood, dusting off her hands.
"Come on now guys, let's pile in," Warren said as she jumped into the driver seat, Doc moving over to the passenger seat. 10k and I both ran over, opening the back door, the two of us threw our few weapons in before we jumped in. Sitting in the very back row, Murphy and Cassandra were sitting in front of us, Doc and Warren in the front seats.
As we pulled out of the town I noticed we were going a different way then the truck. I immediately looked out the window then pushed my way almost over the seat, in-between Cassandra and Murphy.
"Umm," I said laughing slightly nervous, "Isn't the truck the other way?"
"We don't have time to go back for it," Warren said turning around momentarily turning around then back to the road, "We have a truck that runs, that's good enough for me."
"But what about all my weapons? I left my entire bag back there, my bow, my arrows," I said pleading with Warren to turn around, but she wouldn't hear of it. Saying that it was too risky to turn around now and that while we had been looking through cars she had gotten a call from Citizen Z giving her coordinates and telling her that we needed to head there asap. I slumped back, sitting next to 10k, sad that I would never get to see those weapons again. I had worked hard to get those weapons and keep ahold of them, my bow being the most precious of them all.
"Maybe you'll find another bow," 10k said quietly beside me.
"I hope so, I can't be letting you get all the credit for sniping Z's," I said smiling at him, knowing that he was trying his best to cheer me up.
…
We had been driving for a while now, 10k standing up with the sunroof open so he could be on watch for Z's. I was leaned up against the window, watching as the world went by quickly. I had no idea where we were, nothing but flat land all around us, the occasional wood and barbwire fence passing by.
"I need to pee," my brother announced as we passed yet another large rock on the side of the road.
"Well, you can hold it," I said not looking away from the window.
"No, he is probably right, we should stretch our legs and take a quick break," Warren said as she slowed down, coming to a stop at a fence. 10k ducked down as I opened the back hatch, the both of us getting out of the car and stretching. Looking down at myself I realized I looked pretty rough. The crop top I was wearing was still covered in blood, my jeans sporting new holes and blood stains that weren't there the last time I noticed. Shrugging it off for now I turned and leaning against the bumper with 10k watching as the others go their separate ways to either walk or pee. However it wasn't long until all of a sudden we heard someone yell. Running around the car we both saw Cassandra on the ground clutching her leg.
"Cassandra, are you alright?" I asked as I ran up to her. Looking down at her I noticed the gash she had in her leg, covered in blood, "What happened?"
"Part of the fence had fallen and I didn't see it," she said as she grabbed ahold of my arms as I helped her up. 10k was quick to her other side as we both walked her to the back of the SUV, sitting her in the back so she could stretch out her leg.
"What happened?" Warren asked as the rest of the group made their way back to the car as well. Cassandra recapped the story again for the others as 10k sat in the back with her, my brother and I in the middle row. Quickly pulling out the bandana I had in my bag I handed it to 10k, him taking it to tie around her thigh to help stop the bleeding. We were quickly on the road again, a little pep in our step now that we had an emergency.
…
About another hour later we had finally made it to the building that Citizen Z had mentioned, him giving us more instructions on where we needed to go next. He told Warren about a man named Chester and how he would help us in our mission. I had to admit I was excited to meet someone new, someone who was actually living.
Walking through the maze of hallways I was wondering if we would ever get to the right room. Cassandra and 10k behind me as he had to help her walk, her leg slowly getting worse and infected. I had out my revolver, not knowing what lurked around the corner. As Warren stopped at the end of the hall to keep her data and make sure we were going to right way I saw a door to my right. Pushing the door opened I looked around before walking in fully.
"Where are you going?" 10k asked quietly him and Cassandra both turning to me.
"I'm just looking, I'll just be a minute," I said as I shut the door behind me before anyone could protest. The room was in tatters, desks overturned and papers everywhere. The filing cabinet looked like it had been pushed to the side at one point to block the door. Placing my gun on my thigh I looked through the room, trying to get a feel of where we were. However, everything I looked at I could read, no distinct markings or logos on anything. Not finding anything worth taking I deciding to make my way back to the group.
Walking out the door I noticed the group had moved on, 10k and Cassandra walking around the corner right before disappearing. Jogging back up to them 10k turned and looked at me as the group came to another stop.
"Stop right there," Warren said as her and Doc held up their guns to the new people. Almost immediately we all realized it was Mack and Addy.
"It's the damn wonder twins," Murphy said as he got a flashlight to the face. Everyone instantly dropped their guns walking up to the two. Everyone smiled as Mack and Addy walked up to the group, Addy coming around to hug everyone.
"I'm so glad you guys are ok," I said as I walked up to Addy as I gave her a quick but tight hug. She was almost like a sister to me, and I was glad her and Mack were still alive.
"Citizen Z send you guys?" Mack asked as he stood next to me after giving me a light hug.
"Yea, he told us there was food and somebody named Chester who could help us out," Cassandra said as she managed to stand on her own for a minute.
"Yea, he told us that too, but we are starting to have our doubts," Mack said as his eyes bounced around us all.
"Okay, well he should be, guess what, right down there," Warren said pointing just down the hall, "Let's hit it." We all quickly followed behind her, Addy quickly walking up to the front of the group as Mack hung behind a little. 10k was quick at Cassandra's side again as he helped her walk down the hall, Mack and I close behind them.
"Hey, hey," Mack said as he grabbed my arm, holding me behind the group slightly, "What happened to her?" He nodded his head towards Cassandra.
"She got her leg caught on a piece of barbed wire," I explained as we slowly caught up with the rest of the group, "Now it's all infected." Mack nodded his head as he got in line behind everyone else. By the time we had caught up Warren was knocking on what I assumed was the door she had been looking for. As she opened the door and we all piled in I saw what looked like a man sitting in an office chair. However, he looked to be dead.
"Looks like we found Chester," Addy said as she walked into the room, "Hello, Chester." She stood next to him looking down at his body in the chair before she took out her bat, beating Chester in the head until he was unrecognizable. Walking in and standing in-between Mack and 10k I watched the scene unfold in front of me. I could tell something was wrong with her. She didn't act like this before we all got separated and it was surprising to see her like this. Looking over to Mack he looked like he was tired and not at all shocked by her new behavior.
"Somebody got up on the wrong side of the apocalypse," Murphy said to Warren as the whole group turned and stared at Addy.
"What happened to you guys out there?" I asked Mack as I leaned over to him. He looked down at the ground before he answered me.
"She's working through some stuff?" he said quietly, "You know how things can catch up with you." I nodded my head knowing what he was talking about. Being alone for as long as I was before I met up with anyone I had my moments where I was on the brink of a break down. The night I had met Hayley was the night I went on a rampage, killing anything and everything in sight after killing over half a bottle of rum.
"Chester?" we all heard behind us. Turning around and expecting someone to be behind us, I turned around to an empty room, "You got them yet? You have my team yet?" Listening closer it seemed like the voice I was hearing was in another room, almost like it was on a TV or something. Looking around to the rest of the group I followed Mack and Warren as they walked into the other room.
"Warren, Addy, guys?" he said excitedly from the TV above us, "Hey, hey, up here!" As we piled into the room I stood next to 10k and the wall, "It's your old pal, Citizen Z. Oh, it's everyone, hi! Addy, looking gorgeous as always." Looking over to Addy she smiled at him as Mack almost seemed to get defensive, "You must be Mack. Huh, thought you'd be taller."
"Thought you'd be old enough to shave," Mack said trying to challenge the man.
"Alright boys, put the rulers away," I joked as the two men tried to size each other up, even over a computer screen. Finally looking up to the screen I noticed who I was standing in front of, kind of.
"Simon?" I asked out loud pushing my way to the front of the group, grabbing the attention of the man on the screen.
"Raven, oh my God is that really you?" he asked excitedly looking down at me, "Oh man, I haven't seen you since we ha…"
"Had that class together," I interrupted and finished for him. He gave me a confused look before deciding it better to just play along.
"Yea, yea that class," he said before moving on to the next person in the group. I looked away, everyone looking at me confused as well, but none of them saying anything, "Hey Murphy, squeeze in so I can see you." However, once Murphy moved over next to me to be in view of the camera I saw Citizen Z's smile fade, but he quickly caught himself, "Looking good, uh, sir. Anyways, guess what guys, I have good news. California is back, they are alive and well, or at least most of them. But they are getting ready and the dream is alive, all thanks to yours truly. That's good news, right?"
"Good news would be a package of Oreos and a couple gallons of milk," 10k said from his spot behind me, leaning against the wall.
"Oh, right, down the same hall, second door on the right," he said as he seemed to be scanning the screen looking at something before his attention came back to us, "Should be everything you need. Hopefully even some Nilla Wafers." Citizen Z smiled at me, remembering that they were always my favorite cookie. I snapped my fingers pointing at him as I winked, following the rest of the group out the door. However, once I got out into the other room my brother was staring at me, and he didn't look happy. Quickly I grabbed 10k's arm, dragging him down the hall with me to find the food Citizen Z had mentioned I wanted to get away from the prying eyes of my brother.
….
Once we filled our bags full once again, resting momentarily, we decided it was time to get a move on. I knew we needed to get my brother to California soon, he was starting to change and I didn't think it was for the better, if it was possible he was getting worse.
Once in the truck, 10k and I threw in the bags we had and sat in our usual places. I was leaned up against the window again, my legs out stretched in front of me, 10k standing looking out the sunroof again. I had almost willed myself to sleep when all of a sudden, a rancid smell hit me like a brick wall. Pulling my jacket up over my nose I looked to everyone, trying to find out who the culprit was. But i should have known it was my brother, seeing him nearly shove his entire hand into a can, shoving his mouth full of its contents. Watching him I quickly ducked under the headrest of the seat in front of me, knowing that that smell would probably be enough for me to puke right then and there.
"Whoa, Warren, slow up here will ya," Doc said as she slowed down slightly. Looking to out my window I saw the zombie remains of what looked to be a little boy. It made me sad seeing him there, that innocent little boy laying there.
"It's just a kid," I said sadly as we finally drove past him.
"It's not a kid, it's zombie roadkill," Murphy said like it was nothing. I turned from the window to look at him. I couldn't believe that he would say something like that. Actually i could, it was Murphy after all.
As we kept driving we passed a road sign, Salt Lake City 251 miles, and another little boy.
"Another little boy," I said as I crawled to the other window to get a better look.
"Not anymore," Murphy said. The only thing i could do was roll my eyes at him. I learned early in our childhood there wasn't much to be done about what would come out of his mouth sometimes.
"Stop," Addy said finally speaking up from her seat in front of me, "Warren, stop, he is just a boy, stop!" Warren nearly had to slam on the breaks, Addy jumping out before the truck had even come to a full stop. I watched from my window as Addy walked up to the zombie boy, raising her bat above her head to give him mercy only to freeze last second.
"What happened?" I asked looking to Mack next to me, "Why did she freeze?"
"I don't know," he said looking like he was about to start panicking. However, his panic quickly boiled over as he stood, pushing his way through the sunroof yelling for her. Luckily that seemed to pull her back to reality as she quickly brought her bat down, giving the Z mercy. Warren jumped out of the truck, walking over to Addy, making sure she was ok, but I knew better, she was far from ok.
…..
"Heads up, we got a live one," Warren said as we drove down the road. It had been a while since the last little boy and I was glad we managed to find this boy in time.
"Another sad kid in a weird flowered shirt," Doc said as he leaned forward trying to get a better look.
"I got this one," Warren said as she jumped out of the truck again, walking over to the boy. We all watched her through the windows trying to reason with the boy, finally being able to get him into the truck.
"Hey, man," Mack said as the boy sat in the seat in front of him. I smiled at the boy as he smiled back at me, everyone giving him hellos and smiling as well.
We drove for a long while before we made it to anything that reassembled a town or that people even lived there.
"Turn left then it's just up here," the little boy said as we made it up to a gravel road. Looking around out my window it didn't even look like anyone lived within miles of the place.
"Is anyone even home?" I asked as we passed an old rusted sign that said, 'NO TRESPASSING.'
"Doesn't look like it," Mack said next to me as we leaned forward to see what was happening in front of us. As we came to a stop we all looked around then to Warren for answers and a plan.
"Mack, you want to check it out?" She finally said.
"Yea," he answered her as he hopped out the back door, raising it up.
"Keep an eye on him," I said tugging lightly on 10k's pant leg. He looked down at me and nodded his head as I went back to watching the events unfold outside. However, out of nowhere people began showing up on the top of the cliff.
"Get back in the truck," one of the women yelled. Looking around I saw several women, all of them having guns aimed at Mack, "You're not welcome here."
…..
"Hold on, hold on," Mack said as he looked around to the women around him, placing his gun away, hands high in the air, "We're friendly, we just…" he started but was interrupted by a bullet colliding into the ground just inches from his feet, "Stop! Stop! It's fine, just listen to me for a second. We have…." once again another bullet hit the ground, merely inches from him.
"Cassandra, open the door for him," I nearly yelled.
"I thought you said they were friendly Sam," Mack said obviously irritated by the gunfire. Warren finally decided it was time for her to take matters into her own hands, jumping out of the car.
"Don't shoot, please," she said as she walked in front of the truck, "We have your boy, we have Sam." Waving over to the group Sam quickly got out of the truck, adjusting his backpack.
"Hold your fire," I heard a woman yell as I got out of the back of the truck and walked over to Mack, making sure he was ok, "Open the gate." As the gates opened I watched as an elderly woman walked out, flanked by other younger women closer to my age. They all had guns except for the woman who Sam called Helen. Sam tried his best to fight for us as he told her all we wanted was some food and water. She smiled down at him as she rested a hand on his shoulder but I could tell someone was a little off, almost like she was either surprised to see him or really didn't want to see him. As little Sam ran off, Doc managed to get Cassandra out of the truck and walked over to the group standing in front of Helen.
"Thank you for bringing him back," she said flatly, "Sometimes our kids get cabin fever and decide to go exploring." I stepped forward about to tell her I didn't believe her bull but Mack rested a hand on my shoulder and shook his head telling me to keep my cool.
"What happened to your leg?" Helen asked as she noticed the blood on Cassandra's pants.
"It's infected," Cassandra explained leaning on Doc again.
"Oh, that could be dangerous," Helen said as she seemed to only talk to the women in our group.
"Yea, it could," I said with an air of sarcasm as she glanced my way, my arms crossed against my chest.
"We can help you," Helen said ignoring my snide comment, "You have arrived at the Sister of Mercy."
"Anytime now," Murphy yelled as he opened his door and leaned out.
"You don't have to stay," Helen said as she eyeballed my brother.
"Actually, yes he does," Warren said as she turned from my brother back to Helen as she took a deep breath, "We're a team."
"You are?" Helen asked laughing to herself lightly.
"Yes," I yelled to her again, over her attitude.
"Well, team or not, you'll need to split up. Women and children only here," she announced. I knew I must have looked shocked as I looked around to our group. Was this lady actually crazy? Yes, yes, was the answer to that, "You can go in with your friend but your men must stay here, outside the wall. We will give you 24 hours, you can rest and eat then you will have to leave us." Looking around to the group I had decided I was staying outside this wall.
"That's very kind of you," Warren said as she decided that was best for Cassandra, "And you are?"
"Helen," she said as she took Warren's outstretched hand. After introductions Addy walked over, taking Cassandra from Doc as he walked back over to the truck to join the few of us who were staying behind.
"Addy," Mack said distressed as he walked up closer to them, Warren turning around to him.
"It's ok, I've got her," Warren said trying to reassure him the best she could before she turned and walked through the gates. Helen then turned and looked at us once again.
"Aren't you coming?" Helen asked as she looked right at me.
"I'd rather not," I said as I took a step back closer to the truck with my arms still over my chest. Helen didn't push any farther, only stared at me as she smirked and turned to her group as the gates shut behind her.
…..
"Well, this just blows," Doc said as we walked back to the truck as 10k jumped out of the back, walking over to stand in between Mack and me.
"I agree, but now we have 24 hours to burn," I said as I leaned against the truck.
"Why didn't you go?" Mack asked me as him and Doc started getting out rope and a couple tarps.
"Are you kidding me? I could smell the crazy cult leader on the lady even this far away," I joked getting a chuckle from Mack, "Here let me help." I walked over to one end of the tarp as I held it high above my head as I shut it in the door as Doc tied the other end to two sticks they found, making a jerry-built tent. Standing back and inspecting the work that we just did Doc clapped a hand on my shoulder telling me him and I made a good team. I laughed at him as Murphy came up behind me complaining, again.
"These women give me the creeps," he said as I turned around and looked up at him, "And that blonde one keeps looking at me." I peaked around him as I looking in the direction he had just come from to see the back of a blonde woman as she turned to walk away from us.
"Don't get down on yourself like that man," Doc said as he walked over to my brother, "You are a perfect hunk of man meat and don't you ever forget it." I couldn't help the belly laughter that escaped me. Looking over to Murphy and the annoyed look on his face I couldn't help but nearly double over in laughter.
"Don't quit your day job," Murphy mumbled under his breath as he turned and walked away from us to a tent that Mack had just made, originally for all of us to sleep in tonight.
"Is there really all women in there?" 10k asked walking up to us, his cheeks a little red from embarrassment.
"Enjoy your imagination kid," Doc said smiling at him, "That's probably all you're going to get, unless of course you keep kissing on Raven like you have been." Doc looked between the two of us with a smile on his face, 10k so embarrassed he just turned and walked away.
"Did I miss something important?" Mack asked as he leaned against the truck looking at Doc and myself.
"Just because he got one out of me doesn't mean the next will be that easy," I joked glancing over my shoulder to the sniper as he absent mindedly kicked around a rock. But who was kidding, I knew if that ever happened again I wasn't going to argue.
"Well, am I going to get an explanation?" Mack asked looking between Doc and me with his eyebrows raised.
"I'll let you handle this one," I said to Doc as I made my escape to the back of the truck to hide away for the moment. I took a deep breath as I decided to take out my weapons, doing an inventory now that I didn't have my weapons bag.
Laying out each knife from my boots along with the knife from my belt loop, my ax, Bretta and revolver I had them all spread out looking them over. I was impressed with the eight weapons I had, although I missed my bow most of all. I huffed, pushing away the thought of someone going through my weapons bag right now. I looked down at myself finally getting a break to see what kind of shape I was in. My hair was a tangled mess as I decided to just throw it in a messy bun, my jeans sporting rips and stains I hadn't seen before. Looking to my shoulder it was still caked in blood, deciding it was time to change my crop top. I looked around and made sure no one could see me as I quickly stripped out of my top, grabbing the first shirt in my bag that my hand landed on. Luckily with this heat it was my favorite grey tank. Slipping it on I noticed how much weight I must have lost since the apocalypse started since the sleeves hung down farther than normal, the sides of my bra noticeable. Shrugging off the thought I put on my army jacket and rolled up the sleeves, placing all my knives back in my combat boots and my belt loop. Guns and ax back in their homes as well as I walked around back to the front of the truck seeing the blonde that Murphy had been talking about earlier holding what looked like pie.
"...and those eyes," she was finishing when I walked up. I didn't know what she wanted or who she was looking for but all I cared about was the pie she was holding.
"10k hold my calls, wake me up after the apocalypse," Murphy said as he crawled into the makeshift tent. Looking to my right I saw my brother disappear, as the blonde woman looked towards him as well.
"I'm going to go give him a piece of this," she said as she shoved one of the plates of pie into Doc's arms as she quickly walked away. I watched her as she made her way passed 10k and to the tent that Murphy just crawled into.
"Beat it kid," Murphy said making 10k walk back to the truck, standing next to me. Watching for only a moment longer as the blonde lady crawled into the tent too I knew what was about to happen and I really didn't want to see or hear any of that.
"Ok, how about some pie," I said taking the plate from Doc, trying my best to pull away from the scene that was about to unfold, "I think I have some spoons somewhere."
"You guys go ahead," Doc said as he turned to walk the other way.
"Where are you going?" Mack asked turning to Doc as 10k and headed to the tailgate to start chowing down, just out of earshot from Doc.
Climbing into the back of the truck once again I sat with my back to the middle seats as 10k sat on the edge of the tailgate. Holding my hand out to him he knew what I was asking for as he handed me my bag, digging through it for something that at least resembled a utensil. Finally finding some spoons as Mack walked around the corner I handed the both of them one as Mack plopped down on the tailgate.
"Oh my Lord," I said as I finally shoveled a spoonful into my mouth. Getting grunts of agreement from the boys in front of me we sat in silence enjoying the food. However, it was short lived when Doc came running around the corner.
"We got to burn this joint guys, time to motor," Doc said as he came around the corner of the truck.
"What did you see?" Mack asked as he sat down his spoon. Seeing the two men distracted I took my opportunity to get a spoon full of pie, listening to Doc.
"Zombie bear," he said nervously. Before we had enough time to process what he had just told us we heard what sounded like a car coming from the gate.
"Someone is coming," I said as I turned and looked over the seat I was leaning on. Turning to watch the two Jeeps as they drove by I noticed Addy and Warren in the back of the second car. Confused myself, I turned and look at Mack as he leaned on his legs as we watched them drive away.
"They wouldn't just leave us would they?" Doc asked as he turned back to us.
"No," Mack said almost like he was trying to convince himself more than us, "Addy doesn't go anywhere without me."
"Well she just did," I said as I laid my hand on Mack's shoulder. He nodded his head at me and I knew he was trying to figure out what was going on. I quickly grabbed my bag going through it trying to find another spoon to give to Doc. He gladly accepted it as Mack finally seemed to come back to us as he turned back to the pie.
"So what do you guys think about the Citizen Z guy?" Mack asked as he finished the pie and leaned against the frame of the truck.
"What I want to know is how you know him," Doc said pointing his spoon at me. I stopped chewing the piece I had in my mouth and looked around at the three men sitting and standing around me.
"We, umm," I stuttered trying to think, "We had a class together in college before the apocalypse." They all stared at me like they didn't believe me, "What?"
"You're lying," 10k said from my left. I turned and looked at him before looking to Mack and Doc as well.
"Ok, fine," I said giving up, setting down my spoon in the pan, "We did know each other from before everything. And technically we did have a class together together, until we got kicked out of the college altogether."
"Why did you get kicked out?" Mack asked as he shoveled more food into his mouth.
"Let's just say the Board of Education doesn't like it when you hack their system," I said with a smile as I took another bite of pie, "But more importantly the Pentagon especially doesn't like it. When we hacked into the Board of Education we noticed an email that seemed odd, almost like it was out of place, talking about what to do with the students and faculty in case of a biological outbreak. He couldn't stop thinking about it, so we decided one of us would hack into the CDC the other into the Pentagon."
"What happened?" Mack asked as he finally sat back putting down his spoon and crossing his arms, "Why did he end up with the government and not you?"
"He took the fall for me," I said looking down, I was never happy that he did that, "When we were sitting in jail he told them it was all him and his lawyer managed to get them to cut a deal. They seemed desperate for help, but after that I never heard from him. Although with the apocalypse starting almost right after hearing from anyone was nearly impossible."
Just when Mack looked like he was going to ask another question we heard someone coming down the road again. Looking up we all noticed the same jeeps from earlier plus some motorcycles. As the second jeep drove by it stopped next to the truck as Warren jumped out the back, walking up to us all.
"We've got to get out of here," Warren said as she came to a stop in front of Doc.
"Yea, I know," he said with an air of sarcasm, "I saw the bear."
"That's not the problem," she said trying to reel us into reality.
"If a zombie bear isn't the problem then what is?" I asked completely shocked that Warren didn't even seemed bothered by that fact. However I realized what the problem was when Warren glanced over to Mack, it was Addy.
"I need to see her," he said as he stood with his hands in his pockets.
"She is in a weird place Mack," Warren said trying to warn him, "I've been there, it won't be easy getting her back."
"Doesn't matter," he said shaking his head, "I need to see her."
Warren took a deep breath as she looked around at all of us, trying to figure out our next move.
"Pack up and be ready to leave," she finally told us as she focused in on Mack again, "And I will do my best to get her out but you may have a decision to make."
After that Warren made her way back into the gate. We all watched her leave until the gate behind her closed once again. After a second of deciding what to do, Mack and Doc got out of the back of the truck and made their way to the front, breaking down the small fort we had put together. I decided I might as well get out and help when I felt a hand snake around my upper arm. Turning around to face 10k he drew his hand back, clutching the gun across his chest nervously.
"I'm glad everything happened the way it did, that you're here and not where Citizen Z is," he said quietly, but with intensity. Smiling at him, knowing he wanted to say more I walked closer him, my hands clasped behind my back, so close that we were nearly touching, a piece of paper barely thin enough to fit in between us. Looking up at his face, I could tell he was nervous but stood his ground nonetheless. Getting on my tippy toes, my forehead still just barely reaching his nose, I smirked at him, kissing his cheek.
"Me too," I said smiling at him as he smiled down at me as well, his face a nice shade of red. On that, I turned and made my way to Mack and Doc, leaving 10k standing there in shock.
…..
We had packed up most of the equipment by now as I handed Mack another blanket to stow in the back of the truck. Doc was pulling up the poles from the tent we had put up, 10k standing guard behind me, leaning against the truck.
"Addy?" I heard 10k say as I quickly turned around, seeing Addy walk up. She had a smile on her face as she said hi, but I could tell something was off.
"Hey," Mack said excitedly as he ran from the back of the truck to the front.
"Umm, can we talk somewhere," she asked Mack as he came to a stop in front of her. He nodded his head as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to the rest of us before following Addy. Looking back at 10k for a moment the both of us had the same look, this wasn't going to end well. 10k slid his gun from his chest to across his back as he helped us with the last few things we had to pack up.
"Well," I said as I stood under the back door of the truck, Doc throwing in the last bag we had, "I think that's the last of it."
"All we have left is that tent that your brother is in," he said as he turned and walked around the side of the truck to 10k, "Where is Murphy, he is in the tent we need."
"He is still in it with that girl," 10k said as I came around the corner as well, joining the group.
"She's still in there?" I asked, my voice a little louder than usual as I crossed my arms and looked to the tent. Doc huffed and shook his head as he stomped over to the tent, more courage than I had, afraid of what I would have seen if I opened that tent. Finally making the woman leave, we packed up the tent as Mack came walking back to the group. He was obviously distressed and I knew it must have ended badly with Addy.
"Come on Ray," 10k said as he came up behind me, "We need to go the gate to pick up the others." I turned to him as I nodded my head, following behind him into the back of the truck as we all piled in.
As we drove the short distant to the gate I saw the same blonde woman again except this time she was being held hostage by a man covered in blood, a gun held to her head. Doc backed up the truck as close as he could but before he even stopped the truck Mack jumped out walking up to the man covered in blood, shooting him in the head without even a second thought. Watching the scene unfold in front of me I watched out the back window, 10k standing next to me, looking out the sunroof again. I saw the gates open as Mack asked if Addy was coming. Warren and Cassandra quickly made their way out of the gate, over Helen and her cult. Once I saw Addy I saw Mack almost freeze. As she walked closer to him I could see the tears in her eyes and the pain that was plastered across her face. It broke my heart watching the two of them saying goodbye, although I knew for Mack it wouldn't be goodbye.
Addy quickly turned her back to him however, the pain just too much for her to bare. However, Mack was ready for that when he ran after her, yelling for her. That was until a gunshot rang out as Mack hit the ground covering his shoulder.
"Oh my God," I said frantically as I tried to open the back latch.
"No, wait," 10k said as he jumped down, grabbing my hand and resting his other hand on my lower back, "Don't open the door just yet." Watching the scene unfold I watched as Warren went back for Mack, picking him up off the ground bringing him back to the truck.
Driving as fast as he could Doc made sure we were a good distance away, not slowing for anything. Getting tossed around in the back as Doc floored it, I crashed into 10k, him grabbing me and trying to get us stablized.
"Stop the car," Mack said looking around almost confused, sweating and obviously in pain.
"What? No, keep driving," Warren arguing as she told Doc to not stop for anything. However, before anyone could stop him, Mack threw open the door, jumping out of the truck.
"Mack!" we all yelled as he hit the ground, Doc slamming on the brakes. Warren was quick to jump out, grabbing Mack trying to calm him down, only for him to hold her at gunpoint. 10k and I watched through the window, bullets still buzzing by the truck from Helen's women. i watched, tears threatening to spill over as I watched Mack lower his gun, running into the bushes, back to Addy.
"Come on," Doc yelled as he got out of the truck momentarily, coaxing Warren to get back to the truck as soon as possible. Shaking her head, Warren came back, jumping into the back seat. I turned away from the window, looking at the group that I now had. Doc and Murphy up front, Cassandra and Warren in the middle. Warren staring out the window with a blank expression, Cassandra's leg draped over the seats, still in need of healing. I leaned against the back door of the truck, fighting back the tears now that we lost Mack and Addy once again. Despite that, I felt comforting presence, 10k sitting next to me as he scooted closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I rested my head on his shoulder as he placed his hand on the side of my head, pushing my hair behind my ear gently.
Butterfly, butterfly, happy all day. Butterfly, butterfly, fly fly away. Three little butterflies looking at flew away and then there were two. Two little butterflies soaking up the sun. One flew away and then there was one. One little butterfly stayed all along. It flew away and then they were gone.