Orange sunlight filled the sky. Morning came and she was feeling better. Unzipping the bag, the cool air brushed her bare skin. Wrapping the blanket around her, then slipping her shoes on, she went looking for a spot to pee. Finding a spot and finishing, something caught her attention. Walking towards, she realized it was a tent.
"They may not be friendly," she thought.
With caution in her movements, she headed back to the campsite.
Seeing the sleeping bag empty, "Where is he?" she thought.
Hearing footsteps heading towards her, she froze. Relief came when Rath appeared. Laughter escaped from her lips.
"What?" he asked.
She couldn't explain the sight of Rath, who had proven to be a terror to others, in his with his untied boots on and duster covering how this was humorous to her.
Biting her lower lip, "I find a tent."
"And is that why you have the giggles?"
"Rath, an explanation for me laughing," she remarked, "wouldn't satisfy your curiosity."
Thinking her comment over, "Really did find a tent?" he commented.
She shook her head yes.
Slipping his boots off, "Fine, get dress," grabbing his pants, "This doesn't let you off from laughing."
Getting dressed, "Lets go," he said.
"Wait," she replied.
"Why?"
"This is why," kissing his right cheek.
Touching his cheek, "What's that for?"
"Thanks," she remarked, "Now, lets check out that tent."
Leading him to the tent, their ears detected buzzing coming from the tent.
"Ready?" he asked as she held the crossbow.
"Yes."
Slowly he unzipped the entrance. Quickly she covered her nose as a stench filtered from the tent. Disgust was on Rath's face as his head went into the tent.
"A dead woman."
"How?"
"Look's like she choked to death."
Pulling his head out, walked a few feet down wind from the tent and sat down staring at his feet.
She walked towards him and stood in front of him and stared at him.
Looking up at her, "Well?" he asked.
"Well what?"
Pointing over his shoulder towards the tent, "The body?"
"Could we bury it?"
"Yes," he remarked, "if it makes you feel better."
"It does."
"Then get the shovel."
She did. When she got back, Rath had removed the supports and used the tent as a shroud.
He dug a shallow grave. Flopping the body into the grave, it was covered up.
"Any last words?" asked Rath.
"I didn't know her like you didn't know her," she commented.
"Fine," he said staring at the grave, "God, with your wicked sense of humor, you may find forgiveness for the bastard who let this corpse. Even if she did die alone this doesn't hid the fact you hate me," turning headed back to camp.
Kate followed him back without an explanation to his comments.
The campfire was built up to boil water in a coffee pot.
As the water was heating up, "Where are we going?" she asked.
Putting noodles into the pot, "North. Why?"
"I understand leaving New York, but…"
Stirring the noodles, "But you have a better direction."
"Yes, Nebraska."
Pulling the pot from the fire, "Why?" retrieving two metal mugs.
"There maybe survivors at Hemingford Home, Nebraska?"
Dumping the noodles into the mugs, he handed a mug to Kate.
"Fine," putting a forkful of noodles into his mouth.
Twirling noodles with her fork, "Why, north."
"Don't want to go west."
Not wanting to press the issue, since she did get her way, she put the fork of noodles into her mouth.
"These noodles are plain."
"Of course, they are."
"Where's the seasoning?"
"You drank it last night."