Sophia was ragged, exhausted, dirty, and scared. Although, she wouldn't admit to the last one. It was non-stop running on their parts, it had been two days. Sophia shivered, pulling more blanket around her shoulders. This was the first time they had stopped since they left. Two hours ago, Bella had found a working car, and managed to get it running. Now driven to an empty parking lot, they could see everything around them for quite a distance, no way for humans or zombies to surprise them.
Sophia was on watch. Murmuring reassurances to herself, the girl pet Royal, who was cleaning his feathers. Ren said that Royal was probably a girl, all things considered, but in her mind, he was still Royal, the annoying bird, and definitely a boy.
She still had her knives thankfully, but when they took count of what they managed to grab, Sophia wouldn't admit she cried at the horrible situation. They had forgotten the shotgun. Now down to only the pistol, the older teen probably felt helpless, even if Bella didn't even look worried. She was tucked up in the drivers seat, passed out. Ren was in the passenger's seat, the siblings had similar mannerisms while asleep. Both slept with their right arm under their face, back up. Sophia sat in the back, Royal and his nest under the back window on the ledge.
Switching from looking east, south, west, east again, then north, she kept an eye on the horizon. The moment anything may happen, she would tell Bella and get them out of there.
"How are your eggs doing?" Whispering quietly to Royal, she pet the owl. He had forgiven her for snatching his nest. Black eyes looked back at her, twisting his head to the side as if asking her the question. "Bella and Ren will be okay. We all will be. We'll find a new home." She had no idea where they were now. It had ben a mad dash since the windmill, just running.
"Hey, Sophia. Go ahead and sleep, I'll keep watch for now." She suddenly found Bella looking at her, her soft eyes, and a sad smile.
"It's okay, you still need more sleep. I'm fine." The teen laughed at Sophia's response, shaking her head.
"No need silly. You need your rest too. I'll wake up Ren soon anyways, and he can watch. Just get some sleep, you need your rest." Nodding slowly, the blonde girl leaned back, taking a deep breath, trying to force herself to relax. If she was allowed to sleep, then she would need it.
***Sophia***
Quiet. Silence.
There was nothing to hear. Sophia hoped that was a good sign. They had come across an old farmhouse. The house was painted an old evergreen color, a swing on the porch. There was a tire swing on the big old willow tree in the front lawn. An overgrown path lead into the forest behind the house. There was a light rain, something that would most likely turn to a storm soon.
Knocking on the door. One. Two. Three. Nothing. No sounds, no noises, no sign of life or un-dead. Looking to Bella for permission, the older teen nodded while holding up her pistol, ready to back her up. Holding securely onto the knife in her hand, Sophia threw the door open.
Nothing. Inside it was silent, and what you might expect in a house pre-apocalypse. A few pairs of shoes laid at the front door on a mat, the living room was well loved, blankets and board games were everywhere. A dog bed sat in the corner. Ren walked in first, ready to shoot.
Passing the living room, next was a kitchen, which had already been cleaned out by survivors or the original family. Nice china plates still sat on the shelves. A couple photographs were scattered on the walls, bragging about the pristine five person family. They were probably really happy before all of this.
After making sure the bathroom and the pantry were empty, it allowed for the trio to ascend the stairs. Passing more photos, and even a framed diploma, they made it to the second floor. This was where all the bedrooms were, and they hit the jackpot.
"No way Ren. Look at these." Sophia grinned, holding up clean clothes, ones that certainly could fit the young boy. He grinned, ear from ear, snatching all the clothes from Sophia before pushing her out of the room.
"Gotta get changed." He winked before slamming the door. Rolling her eyes, she went to where Bella was. The older girl was fiddling with a leather jacket, trying to get it zipped. As Sophia walked in, Bella smiled and gestured for Sophia to come closer.
"Here, you'll look even tougher with this on." It fit much easier on Sophia, and it was a little baggy. "Leather is great, hard for zombies to bite through. Here, always keep it on, keep you protected." Sophia shrugged the clothes on, before she suddenly had three different shirts thrown at her. "Ren! Better get yourself ready! We're having a fashion show!" Bella suddenly shouted, grinning.
"You are so on!" Ren shouted back, a giggle in his voice.
Two hours later, Sophia had forgotten about all the shit outside, including what had now changed to a thunder storm, instead was much more preoccupied listening to the siblings squabble. Bella had her brother in a headlock, rubbing her knuckles over his head, laughing as he complained loudly.
"Okay, okay! I give up!" He laughed, trying to wiggle free. "Rainbow Dash was the best My Little Pony, and Cinderella could have done better!" He yelled, and he was released.
"Well, at least you know something." Bella laughed, turning to Sophia. "Hmmm. And… cats or dogs Soph?" Her eyes went wide, oh no way. She was not going to be pulled into this. Ren's hair was already more of a disaster than normal, she didn't need her hair turning out like that.
"Can I stay impartial?" Holding her hands up, trying to convey the best symbol of peace she could manage, although it probably wasn't necessary judging by what Ren said next.
"Both are awful. Owls are the best." And he shot off, Bella hot on his heels. What happened next… it happened much too quickly that Sophia would only be able to digest it in dreams.
Ren threw open a door, trying to escape his sister, and, a zombie fell onto him. Sophia remembered hearing her own scream, but frozen to the spot. Three zombies emerged from the door, which Sophia thought they had checked. Ren was already loosing the battle of keeping the one off of him, when the others nearly fell on top of him.
Bella charged at them, shooting one in the head, while checking the others with her shoulder, they all fell to the ground. Another gunshot. Ren managed to push the zombie off of himself, before sticking a knife in its eye. Another gunshot.
Quiet. Silence.
Then blood was rushing to her ears. Ren stood up on shaky legs. Bella emerged from the doorway, smiling at the kids. Her left hand was holding onto her shoulder, which was bleeding profusely.
She and Ren were crying, throwing themselves at Bella. Sophia's height barely reached her shoulder, and buried her head in Bella's good side. Ren was sobbing, squeezing his sister.
"Hey. Hey. It's going to be okay." Bella whispered. she placed a kiss on Ren's head, and then Sophia's. Her amber eyes glistening with a fierce bravery that made Sophia sob harder. "You guys are so strong. You'll be fine." Warm hands ran through Sophia's hair, and she nuzzled into the girl who smelled faintly of lavandar. "I was cursed anyways. Bound to happen at some point. I didn't want to tell you Ren. But… this gun is cursed. You have to promise me, you'll never use a gun." Bella began. "You too Sophia. Our mom. She wasn't killed by walkers. She was killed by her own gun, her own hand. It's time this gun was near used again."
Sophia didn't process the words, the horror still lingering in her stomach, but Ren only cried harder.
"It's fine Bells, you'll be okay." Ren croaked out, but he only received another kiss to the top of his head. A small silver bracelet was removed from Bella's wrist, to be placed on Ren's.
"I won't be okay. We all know that." She still had a brave look on her face, a few tears didn't stop that from being true. "But, you have to know, this wasn't your fault, or Sophia's fault. It's just the world we live in now. You have to promise me to be strong enough to survive. This is how you both survive." Bella spoke gently, her face was beginning to grow pale. Another tear dropped.
Quiet. Silence.
"I have to go do something important, but, I'll see you both again one day. Until then, go chase the sun. Don't let this stupid thunderstorm get you down, because, I find peace in the rain, and I hope, one day, when I see you again, you will too." She breathed, and Sophia refused to let go, only crying harder. "I will miss you two so much. I love you both. But please, let me do this." Slowly, Ren pulled Sophia back from their sister. Sobs tearing through their chests. The black haired girl had a gun in hand and walked to the back door.
"I love you Bella." Ren whispered, and Sophia could only mutter a me too through the tears. Bella looked back at them, still having that stupid smile on her face.
"One day, it won't be like this anymore." And she was gone. The door shut, and Ren and Sophia clutched to each other. Crying softly.
Quiet. Silence.
They didn't want to admit it when they heard the gun shot, they would never admit that they jumped, or cried themselves to sleep that night. Because, one day, they wanted it to be true, that it wouldn't be like this anymore. Maybe it would be quiet, peaceful. And maybe, Bella would be with them again.