Song Suggestion: Till The Stars Fall From The Sky - Piano Cover by LONG MAN (YouTube)
I open my eyes to sound of tapping of rain on the metal roof as well as the whisel of the wind through the small hole in a broken window.
My bones ache with every movement and I can't even find the strength to do more than tighten the thin blanket around myself. I pull my knees up to my chest for added warmth but then I wince and I blink away the tears. Another gust of wind shakes the the small shack.
I blink more as I remember what got me here. This time I can't stop the tears. Everything hurts.
I survey my surroundings. Its difficult to see in the dim light. But I'm still too weak to move. The bruises just now becoming visible, most a deep purple, but others almost black.
Three feet from where I lie a bucket collects water, drop by drop, from a a hole in the roof. Strange how something as strong as metal could have such a small round hole in the middle.
It was a long walk, back to this place. Riley explained that this used to be some kind of store house, abandoned long before she found it. Now it's serves as a home.
I huddle in the corner on dark green tarp with a blanket wrapped tightly around me. It's rough and itchy against my skin. When we finally made it here, Riley draped it around my shoulders. Then shortly after that she told me she would be right back and with that she left me alone.
That was hours ago.
Another gust of wind erupts and I find myself pulling the blanket over my head. If only to feel safer.
I wince again from the sudden pain and shed more tears and shiver in the cold.
Then I here a sudden splash and a loud bang againt the door. I can't see who or what it is. I just cover my eyes hoping it'll be painless.
Another loud bang and then there's a gentle touch on my head, slowly pulling away the itchiy fabric, revealing a beautiul sight.
"Hey," she whispers.
"You came back."
"I promised you I would."
I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"You said you would be right back."
"I'm right here."
"What took you so long?"
"It doesn't matter now, but look."
Riley slings a dark backpack off her shoulder, something I haven't noticed until now. I don't miss that she winces in doing so, but before I can ask I she unzips the bag and reveals not one but two loafs of bread and all thoughts other than my steadily watering mouth and my briused hungry stomach disappear.
"I had to get us some dinner," she says. "It took me longer than I expected, but I also had to check some traps and I got us a few squirrels and a full grown rabbit."
And instantly I regret thinking that Riley abandoned me. We're both alone out here, in a run down storage house, in the middle of the wilderness. And from the way Riley composes herself, as if this is normal. She's been alone a lot longer than I have.
Perhaps we can be alone together.