Alice silently gathered firewood beside Slade, nearby the house whose roof they'd camped on. It was Slade's idea to sleep on the roof, an idea which impressed Alice in ingenuity. He wasn't very talkative, and after what happened to Adam, neither was she. They'd already set up their sleeping bags, and ate, but Slade insisted they pack some wood branches into his backpack for future campfires, given the fact that he'd predicted it would rain soon. He was analytic and intelligent about everything, keeping a stable mind no matter the circumstances, something she admired.
It wasn't long until they went to sleep, curled up on the flat roof of the house inside their sleeping bags. However, Alice quickly found it difficult to fall asleep, turning occasionally. Slade didn't seem to care much about sleep, simply looking up at the stars.
"Why'd you do it," Asked Alice eventually, turning to look at the sky as well, "Anyways?"
"Do what?" Replied Slade, without breaking his focus upwards.
"You know, come back for me."
It took him a moment to respond.
"You were my best chance of finding my brother. It was mostly survival."
"Mostly?"
Alice turned to him. No response.
"So," Said Alice, changing the subject, "Where'd you learn to do stuff like that? You start fires better than anyone I've ever met, and you don't look older than 14."
"Well, for one," Replied Slade, "I'm 13. Secondly, I learned most of what I know from my dad. Plus, I used to own a knife collection when I was a kid, I've always been interested in that sort of thing."
"You dad sounds like a good parent."
"Well, he wasn't."
Slade's answer was vague, and Alice decided to not pry on the subject. Over time, awkward silence once again fell upon the two, as they continued to gaze upwards.
[It's interesting how, before the outbreak, a thirteen year old would've never gotten along with someone over three years older; yet afterwards, age made no difference. Race made no difference. We were all survivors, not much else matters nowadays. Perhaps that's the one good thing that came from all of this.]
"You know," He said, "It's kind of interesting. How before all of this, you'd never be able to see stars like this in a city sky. Too many lights, too many people."
Alice nodded in agreement.
"When you really think about it," He added, "Mankind plagued this planet long before mutants did."
"Maybe it's time the planet took control of things for a while." Agreed Alice.
"In a way," Said Slade, "This outbreak is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"I'm guessing things weren't so good for you before?"
"Not exactly."
"Before the outbreak," She said, "I was content, sort of. I had less than most people, but that was more than enough for me. I had less to lose than most people."
"I had nothing to lose."
[Slade was the vaguest person I ever met. It was obvious that his brother was the only one he really trusted. Or perhaps he was that way with everyone.]
"So," Continued Slade, a few moments later, "You and Riley. You're dating, right?"
"What?" Replied Alice, surprised, "No."
"Oh. Kind of got the impression."
"And why is that?"
Slade shrugged. "You guys seem similar, guess it made sense to me."
"Hm."
"You like him," Guessed Slade, "Don't you?"
"Um...I guess."
[Slade still had that somewhat immature attitude of a 13 year old, yet was more mature than most adults at times. An odd combination.]
"So," She said, "What's your plan once you find your brother? Are you leaving the group?"
"Maybe...it depends, I guess."
"On what?"
He shrugged again. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. That is, if our asses don't get shot by then."
"...Well," He concluded after a few moments of silence, "Good night."
"'Night."
After their conversation, she fell asleep easier than usual, despite the ever-present moaning of nearby mutants, some of which had noticed them on the roof, and were clawing at the wall below. Despite all that was happening, it was a peaceful night.
Slade was right. Alice was awoken the next morning by droplets of rain falling on her face. It was raining, just as he'd predicted. She had little time to get up, quickly gathering her things. She yawned, as her and Slade ventured into the forest, having assembled their things.
They covered ground quickly, occasionally bombarded by rain that the tree branches failed to block. Eventually they stopped to rest, sitting down beneath a particularly dense patch of branches. Slade stayed standing.
"Just saying," Advised Slade, "You'll get your energy back faster if you rest while standing."
Alice, having come to take his advice constantly, stood.
"I'm not even going to bother asking where you learned that." Replied Alice, catching her breath.
"It's an old hiking trick."
Alice smiled, but his face abruptly turned serious. He put his finger to his mouth, crouching low.
"We've got a problem." He whispered, pointing directly in front of them, motioning Alice to stay low.
It only took a moment for her to recognize the faces nearby. Holly. Wren. Lenny. Oddly enough, there were others. At least nine others. They were obviously looking for something, or someone.
"C'mon." Whispered Slade, signaling her to follow him.
The two survivors quickly stalked through the forest, in the opposite direction of Holly's group.
"Man," Commented Slade softly, "They really want you back."
"Where did the others come from?" Asked Alice, "I counted at least nine others. Ones I've never seen before."
"Doesn't matter where they came from, the point is they're after us."
Lana adjusted her backpack strap, her shoulders aching from the weight. At this point, there was little that her and the others could do but hope. There was not guarantee that Alice, Adam, and Slade were still alive, much less nearby. Some of the others, mainly Morales, wanted to leave them behind, and keep moving towards Safe Haven. After everything Alice had done for her, she wasn't willing to leave her behind, and neither were Dick or Riley.
They were camped by a small stream in the forest, and she was busy keeping watch with Riley. He seemed distracted, fiddling with his gun, and staring into the forest.
"You really think we'll find them?" Asked Lana, without making eye contact.
"...Yeah," He replied, turning to her, "I think so."
"You know...we might find something you don't want to find."
"Yeah. I know."
"You miss her, don't you?"
"...Yeah, I guess I do."
"I'm sure she'll turn up."
"Yeah," Nodded Riley, "...Maybe."
Lily was worried. She was getting headaches and quickly finding herself exhausted, and the others were on the verge of noticing her pregnancy. She wasn't quite sure why she didn't want to tell the others, but the idea of them knowing scared her. At least until they find somewhere safe, where her baby could be safe. Then again, where is safe?
Dick came over, and sat down on the log next to her. His eyes were dark, and his exhausted demeanor wasn't encouraging. His face was drained of color, and his hair was now messily parted on the left.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah," She replied, breathing heavily, "I think so."
"You been drinking enough water? You don't want to get de-"
"No, it's not that. I'm fine."
"Um, okay. Let me know if you need anything." Dick stood up, and walked away. She knew that he was on to her. She was tired of lying. Or maybe she was just plain tired.
Jacob did his best to remain calm, doing his best to avoid the others. His brother was missing. He was surrounded by strangers. He wasn't sure if he could trust these people.
But, he did his best to hide it, helping out around camp. As he helped nail tent stakes into the ground with Leo, Leo suddenly spoke up, startling him.
"You're that kid's brother," Said Leo, "Right? The one Alice and Dick brought back from the forest?"
"Yeah..." Replied Jacob awkwardly, "That's me."
"You got a name?"
"No." Jacob grinned at his own sarcasm, beginning to feel more comfortable. Leo was amused. "Actually, my name's Jacob. What's yours?"
"I'm Leo." They shook hands.
"You guys are going to find my brother," Asked Jacob, catching Leo off guard, "Right?"
"Yeah, of course. Your brother's tough, he'll be fine."
"Yeah...I know. It's just weird not having him here."
"I understand feeling out of place more than anyone else. I see where you're coming from. Now, go get me a water bottle from Riley, will you, buddy?"
"Mhm!" Jacob nodded, feeling mature and useful. Maybe being with these people wasn't as bad as he thought. As long as Slade came back soon, of course.
Riley was caught off-guard by the sound of footsteps nearby. Quick-footed and silent ones. He recognized them afar off, and nearly yelled to them in excitement. Alice and Slade.
Lana quickly saw them as well, and they called out to them in unison.
"ALICE!"
Alice was in Riley's arms in seconds, hugging him tightly. Slade ran past them, and went to find his brother.
"Where's Adam?" Asked Riley, pulling away from the embrace.
"...Dead." Alice didn't want to continue talking on the subject, and immediately ran to see the others.
"We need to leave...now." She added sternly, as she ran to talk to Dick.
Author's Note:
1) Sorry it took so long for me to post this chapter, I've been preoccupied with Author's Arena(my forum contest).
2) I always appreciate reviews.
Reader-made OC's:
Leo - Created by Grimrephr
Chapter 16, "Amid The Ruins" Preview/Synopsis: Alice's group is on the verge of reaching Safe Haven, but things turn in directions unexpected.
