The roads to Atlanta were treacherous. On numerous occasions Molly had to swerve the truck in order to avoid any sort of collision. The amount of abandoned cars that sat in the middle of the roads didn't help either. Despite the circumstances the two were subjected to, Molly was determined for Jacob to stay as unobvious as one three-year-old could get. However, she knew just how easy it was for him to adjust and pick up on emotions much quicker than some adults could.
Thankfully for her, Jacob had fallen asleep during the journey. Though she liked to think it was because of boredom, Molly knew he had most likely been lulled to sleep due to the steady rumble of the long, cobbled road she had driven down. She had watched him fight the urge to sleep for a number of minutes before he sighed deeply and his eyes slid closed, contentment being the only thing she could see on his face.
Shortly after beginning the journey to Atlanta, Molly had checked the outdated radio for any broadcasts that could possibly convince her to turn the truck around and seek out the somewhat safe place she called home. However, due to just how outdated the truck radio was, it had cut off into a low static as soon as she had driven out of her small town. With no other option than to continue with her original plan, Molly had continued in the direction she had never before been in.
It was just outside Atlanta that Molly realised it would be almost impossible for her to make it to the supposed refugee centre that night. The sun had already begun to set, leaving a warm orange glow to the sky as her truck came to a stop behind a much smaller car. From where her truck had stopped, Molly could clearly see Atlanta in all its glory. Though she had never been into the city, she had seen pictures in magazines and heard of people talking about it. However, she cursed under her breath at the sight that lay before her. Not only was the road gridlocked, but she could see just how long the traffic was along the road that lead into the city. It looked as though it would go on forever.
Looking around at the cars that sat unmoving in front of her, Molly noticed that almost all of them were shut off as the occupants stood around their cars or sat in them looking anxious and annoyed. Knowing that she'd need as much gas as her truck had to offer, Molly twisted the key and let the engine fall silent. With a deep sigh, she folded her arms across her chest and situated herself in her seat so that she was slightly more comfortable. She wasn't sure on just how long she'd have to wait, but she hoped it wouldn't be too long.
Molly wasn't to sure how long she sat there, watching the cars and the people stood around panic. The sun had long since gone down, leaving the area dark apart from the select few who had decided to leave their cars running. However, she noticed instantly that a slight hint of confusion fell over the faces of many as almost everyone turned to look at something beyond her truck. Furrowing her brows and twisting in her seat, Molly narrowed her eyes, trying to locate just what it was that had everyone so hooked.
Before she could even take a breath, a pack of helicopters had flown overhead, making the truck rumble slightly as she spun back around and watched as they flew straight for the city. Just as she was wondering if they had been reinforcement, the city erupted in balls of light, followed by several explosions. She could do nothing but stare in horror as the city was bombed in front of her eyes.
She watched the city burn in silence for a few minutes, listening to the riots that began to break out between the people stood around. It took a while for them to calm themselves and for some to get into their cars and turn around. Molly shook her head, trying to rid herself of the shock as she glanced down at Jacob who was still sleeping peacefully. It took her a good half an hour to compose herself before she sighed and turned the key, letting the engine roar to life.
Just as she had shrugged her coat of and covered Jacob with it, a series of knocks erupted on her window as her head whipped in the direction, raising a brow at the man who had caused her sudden panic. Glancing around quickly, Molly tilted her body and began to unwind the window, raising her brow once more as if to ask him what it was he wanted.
"Didn't mean to frighten you, Miss." He said quietly upon noticing the sleeping toddler. "Officer Shane Walsh." He greeted, holding his hand out as Molly took it hesitantly, shaking his hand but didn't reply. She looked him up and down and took in his appearance frown his dark hair to his dark eyes. "I, uh... Well, I've been talking to the people who hasn't left yet about a little camp that's been set up. Nothing official or anything. I can't tell you how many people are there, I've just come from the camp." He muttered, beginning to feel as though he was bothering the woman. "I saw the bombing and just thought it'd be a good idea to pitch a tent for the night until a plan is in place... Of course, if you have an-"
"Er, where is... It?" Molly asked, her voice just as quiet. "This camp I mean."
Shane grinned brightly as he twisted his body, pointing towards the trees beside the road. "Just on the other side of those trees, it's a quarter mile drive, give or take. You can't miss it if you drive that way." He motioned of towards the right.
Muttering a quick thank you, she watched as Shane nodded and moved away from her truck and towards the cars behind her. Once she was sure he had left, she let the panic that had been building inside her drop and closed the window once again. Juggling her options for a minute, Molly began to wonder just what the best one to be was. Though she'd feel safer and slightly less anxious in the safety of her own home, she knew that it would be a bad idea to drive in the dark after seeing the city bombed. For all she knew, her own small town had been bombed just like it.
Shifting her truck into gear, Molly turned the wheel and let the truck roll off the road and onto the green grass beside it. Instantly, she found a narrow dirt road that followed the directions the officer had given her. Molly began to drive along it at a steady speed, trying to insure she didn't hit anyone that was walking up it. A good few times she had almost hit someone who seemed to have no clue that vehicles could use the dirt road too.
The drive was quiet and short. Like Shane had said, it was hard to miss. Though the darkness of the night sky had over taken that of the sun, Molly could see the tents that had been pitched and a lone R.V that seemed to take centre stage. She opted for avoiding the part of the small, man made campsite that seemed to be packed with people and turned off in the opposite direction. She drove slowly for a few minutes before letting the truck roll to a stop. Molly reversed the car a few feet from a set of trees before she shut the engine of once more.
From where she had parked, Molly had a clear view of the whole camp but had still picked a spot in which she wouldn't have to bother anyone. She watched two children play a game of chess by a fire for a few moments, trying to prepare herself for the task of putting up her tent that lie ahead. It was odd to see a campsite so overcome with people who looked as though all they wanted was answers to some sort of question.
With a shake of her head and a quick glance to ensure Jacob was still asleep, Molly pushed the door open and left the truck, pulling the keys from the ignition and slipping them into her pocket as she did so. Instantly, she was met with a cold breeze that was happily welcomed after the heat she had endured during the day.
Closing her door behind her, Molly made her way to the bed of the truck and pulled back a large case that held all the camping gear she owned. A combination lock was what kept thieves at bay. Twisting the buttons in the direction she needed, Molly let the lock click before she released it and let it fall from the case. Just as she began to open the box, she felt eyes on her back. Opting for avoiding any possible eye-contact with anyone she did not know, Molly continued on with her task.
When the tent was finally put up it looked somewhat dishevelled. The ropes that should have been tight had plenty of give in them and the bottom should have been pulled out more when she had pegged it. Molly wasn't satisfied at all. She had been camping on numerous occasions as a child and had never in her life pitched a tent quiet as badly as she had done in this moment. She knew it was due to the time of day she was pitching it and not being able to see very well didn't help. Molly spun around and compared it to the other tents that were around. She couldn't help but snort as she looked at the neat, magazine looking tents compared to her wrinkled, flappy, sad looking one. Her tent almost looked like some bony animal that had died in the forest long ago leaving nothing but the skin and bones behind. Molly shook her head, deciding that the tent would be perfectly fine for the night. She could fix it in the morning when she had the comfort of an actual light source.
Just as she was leaving the tent after laying two sleeping bags down, Molly noticed someone making their way towards her. She tried to avoid eye contact, hoping they were looking for a family member or something. "Don't come this way... Don't... Annnd, he's coming this way." She muttered under her breath and forced a small smile on her face in order to hide the slight anxiety she was feeling.
"Hey, sorry to bother you." The male spoke, smiling brightly at Molly, despite the circumstances. "I just thought I'd introduce myself... So that if you needed anything, you'd know who to call... I guess?" Molly surveyed his appearance, noticing he was of some sort of Asian descent. He also looked as though he was around her own age, perhaps slightly younger going by the babyish nature to his face. "I'm Glenn, Glenn Rhee."
"Molly." She muttered, brushing some hair from her face as she raised a brow at Glenn, asking him without speaking if there was anything else he needed. "No last name?" Glenn asked, laughing lightly as he took a look around. "Are you alone?"
"James. Molly James... My boy's in the truck." Molly told him, nodding towards it. She began to feel slightly anxious as she watched Glenn take a few steps back and look through the window, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of such a young child.
"Wow..." Glenn muttered, shaking his head slightly as he looked back at Molly with wide eyes. "I think he takes the record for the youngest I've seen... How, er, old is he? If you don't mind me asking."
"Three." She said, folding her arms across her chest, a defence mechanism she had picked up on at a young age. "He's three."
"Cool, uh... Age." The two stood in front of each other in and awkward silence as Molly tried her best to come up with anything that she could say that would force him to leave. However, having never been very good at confrontations, she fell blank. Molly often wondered how she had managed to get a job in a diner when she hated the company of people she didn't know. "Your tent... I know it's dark, had trouble putting mine up as well... If you need any help with it, I can lend a hand."
"No, It's fine." Molly muttered, turning back to wince at the ugly looking tent. "I'll fix it tomorrow."
"I can give you a hand!" Glenn grinned, his smile falling at the look of apprehension on Molly's face. "Or one of the others can... If you need it?"
"I know how to pitch a tent." Molly defended, feeling slightly triggered by the words he spoke.
"I never mea-I just thou-" Glenn cut himself off, shaking his head as he offered an apologetic smile. "I was just being nice."
"Right... Well, thanks." Molly said, smiling slightly. "If I need help, I'll ask." She told him, knowing if she needed help, she wouldn't be asking. "Now, uh... Not to be rude but I'd like to get him out of that truck and into the tent... He's been in there most of the evening."
"Oh, yeah, cool." Glenn nodded, clapping his hands as he spun around. "Bye, Molly."
She stood still and waited for him to leave, watching him as he did so. As soon as he was a good distance away, Molly sighed and shook her head. She knew that it wasn't a time for being anti-social but couldn't find it within her to shake it. With a final glance around, Molly made her way to the passenger side door and pulled it open.
Pulling her coat from his form, Molly unbuckled the seat belts and lifted Jacob from his seat, letting his head rest on her shoulder as his arms instinctively went around her shoulders. Pushing the door closed with her hip, she began to make her way toward the tent and into it as she felt eyes on her back once more. Molly sighed as she put Jacob into the sleeping bag she had lined with numerous blankets, before zipping one side up and smiling softly down at the toddler.
With a final glance outside, Molly slid half her body out in order to press the button on her keys that would lock her truck before she slipped back inside and slid her shoes off, leaving them by the tent opening. Once she had ridden herself of her coat as well, Molly zipping the tent shut and shuffled to her own sleeping bag before she climbed in and zipped it up. With one final sigh and a glance at Jacob's sleeping face, Molly let her arm fall over her face and closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come quickly.