"So, Alice, when are we leaving for sunny California?" I asked as we were out walking. After what happened yesterday, I decided she and Edward needed to know their way around.
She shrugged. "We'll know when."
I was showing them various routes to all of my 'spots' when we heard loud cursing and movement. I'm pretty certain we all froze. After all, I hadn't seen anyone for two years until two days ago, and Edward and Alice have only been with each other for a few months before that. And now we're hearing another person? Maybe there are more survivors than I thought.
Edward reacted first. He started toward the voice, which was definitely masculine, and reminded me of the South. Alice and I followed in a daze. I only drew my gun out of habit.
We found a tall youth who was staring intently at a map. He didn't even notice us.
Alice walked right up to him. "You've kept me waiting." she stated accusingly.
"Sorry." he replied after a moment's hesitation. "I didn't realize I was expected."
Suddenly, Alice's visions made a lot more sense.
"I'm Jasper Whitlock." he continued. "I'm healthy."
"I'm Alice." she smiled up at him. I shook my head with a small smile. It looked like someone was crushing on the new boy.
"I'm Bella, and this is Edward. Where are you from? And why do you have a map?" I mean, that was the most random item to have.
"I'm from Texas. And the map is to help get to California."
"Really?" Edward exclaimed. "Then the campus survived? It's still there? The people are still there and alive?"
Jasper shrugged. "Last I heard, yeah. About five of us still had a radio about a year and a half ago. Messages were relayed that it was still safe and everyone was still there."
Edward seemed relieved.
I rolled my eyes. "Alright. Let's go back to the shelter. We'll come up with a plan to get there once we figure out where here is, okay?"
Alice nodded. "Yeah, that's it exactly." She grabbed Jasper's hand and began dragging him back, Edward and I falling into step behind them.
"How old do you think he is?" I asked.
"I'd say fifteen." he paused. "Alice has it bad."
"Real bad." I replied. "Did you have family at the campus? Or friends? I don't mean to pry..."
"My cousin and his wife. They planned on sticking it out."
"This is so weird." I said, mostly to myself.
"What is?"
"All this. After what happened at the beginning..." I took a few breaths. "Maybe I'll tell you the whole story one day. But now, I've met three people in just as many days. It's...strange."
Edward shook his head. "No. It's not. I don't think this is strange at all. I do think that this is...something too good for words. I actually feel hopeful." He gave me a wide, crooked smile that made me weak at the knees. "There may actually still be something worthwhile."
"Yeah." I watched as Alice stumbled and Jasper caught her arm to steady her. "Maybe there is."
Yay for Jasper! My updates during the week may not be everyday anymore. I'm going to have a lot of work since it's the end of the quater, but I have two 4-day weekends coming up where I should be able to do a lot of work on this!