15.- I'll always be happy because you found me
"We really can't stay, Lori? There's still a lot of food.
"I know, Linky. But if we don't leave now, we won't be able to do it later. Is better to go out now. We are already fine, and the really heavy rains haven't yet arrived.
The boy didn't argue: he knew that Lori was right. It was only a month before the most severe rains will begin. They were in early August. With luck, they would be reaching the highlands of West Virginia before the weather worsened. If they didn't leave now, Lori felt that they wouldn't survive. After loading the cart to the top, there were provisions for a maximum of three weeks. That wouldn't help to resist until the end of the rainy season.
"Besides" Lori said. "After the rains, the cold weather will arrive in less than a month. And believe me: we won't going to be outdoors, when the cold season begins.
Lincoln shivered. That happened to him once. It was less an hour, and was about to die. He survived only because the Mcbrides found him.
Actually, they were ready. They were in the house for two weeks, and didn't remain idle. They washed and repaired all their clothes, reinforced it with plastics and waterproof fabric; checked all the packaging of their supplies, and replaced the wheels of the supermarket cart. Everything was ready to continue in the rain. The only thing that could stop them were major water loggings; but now that the road was uphill, they would no suffer so much for that.
Lori and Lincoln left the house with a full cart. The morning of departure, they went under a soft drizzle that hours later became a heavy downpour. Lori estimated that their provisions would last one month at best, so they would have to be very attentive for replace them as soon as they had a chance. Their diet would consist of very little more than canned fruits, vegetables, tuna cans and vitamin pills; but they had already used to eating the same, all time.
It was better to eat always the same that not to eat at all.
The first days, everything seemed fine. It was seldom that they were able to walk more than eight miles across heavy rains, wood fragments, waterlogging, and rotten asphalt. But in despite of these difficulties, that zone was much less razed and looted. On average, every five days they found an abandoned house with some useful provisions, or in conditions so that they could spend the night under cover. They never found enough: just a few cans of food, sugar, canned jars, or completely dried vegetables. In one house, they found water treatment pills to replenish their supply and use rainwater. On another chance, they found some powders to prepare soda; and Lincoln knew the simple pleasure of drinking colored and flavored water.
After a month, rains decreased; and one day, they saw in the distance the contours of the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mountains.
Lori knew they were still very far from Spruce Knob; but the fact of seeing the mountains filled her with courage and hope. They stopped for a moment, and the girl explained to Lincoln that the place they were looking for was on those mountains.
The boy knew it, but only now that Lori spoke about it could see it as an actual possibility; although they were still very far from their destination.
"I know that Spruce Knob is far away, Lori. But I don't know ... It's like I can touch it. We're going to make it, don't we?
Lori wanted to say yes, but something inside prevented her. As they went, they needed at least three months to reach it. The rains decreased, but the cold was increasing. With very good luck, the first snowfall would begin in a month and a half; and as they climbed the mountains, the cold would increase, and it could snow even earlier.
Lori sighed. She couldn't help thinking that brought Lincoln to die in those lands, so far from the place where he was born and lived.
She hugged him by the shoulder, and pressed him tightly against her.
"We need to try until the end, Linky. We'll do our best... I promise.
The boy looked at the troubled face of the girl, and perceived her emotions instantly. Then, he did something that surprised her a lot: hugged her by the neck, and gave her an intense kiss on the cheek.
The girl felt deeply moved. It was the first time that Lincoln kissed her on his own initiative, and the sweetness of the feeling surprised her. Lori's face changed of color, and turned in deep red.
She was ashamed that Lincoln saw her like that; but the boy was still hugging her very tightly.
"Lori, don't worry about me. I know the truth as well as you. Maybe we can't do it. We have everything against us, but... Well… I don't know how to explain it. Let me tell you in this way: I was about to die many times. Many people have rescued me, including you. I think... I should have been dead long time ago...
Lincoln stopped for a moment, fighting against the tears that threatened to come out of his eyes. Lori felt as her heart was breaking. She crouched down to the child, and took him by the shoulders.
"Linky... Please, don't say that...
The boy interrupted her, putting a finger on her lips.
"Yes, Lori! It's true! I'm alive only because wonderful people like you have rescued and helped me. Please, listen to me: I want you to know that, whatever happens, I'll always be happy because you found me. I am so happy, because you convinced me to make this trip. At least, I knew more about the world... And the most wonderful thing was that I met you, Lori.
The girl put a hand on her mouth; it was impossible to hold back her tears. It had been a long time since anyone moved her that way. The boy was smiling, although tears run down his face.
For God's sake! The kid looked so cute! The young woman couldn't help it and kissed Lincoln, making full contact with his lips.
It was a chaste, non-passionate kiss; but it was loaded with feelings. The same feelings that both had had for very special people in their lives. Their mouths lose contact, but the kiss soon became a very tight and intense hug.
There was nothing more to say: they knew very well what they need to do. Now that they're fully aware of the bond that had created between them, they'll continue the trip together, whatever the obstacles and the final result.
It didn't matter if they succeeded, or if they would end up side by side; with their bones riding at the side of the road.