40: Hungry Like The Wolf

"Nice car," Riley patted the hood. Working with her that day would have been easy if I didn't want to turn her into a meal the whole time. We barely spoke, and a part of me liked that. What was there to really say? 'Hey, the world sucks now, doesn't it?' 'Yeah, totally blows.' Would have been pointless. Instead we just cleared the buildings of anything needed, ate a lunch where I tried my best to hide my disgust, and filled up the Chevelle with gas and our new supplies. Occasionally I'd catch her studying me, but I didn't mind in the least. Hell, I was doing the same. That was the nature of things now, and all it meant was that she knew what she was doing. Every single move she made told me the same thing; she understood this new world.

"Thanks," I put the bike back on its rack and threw the tarp inside. "Room for one more, if you're interested?"

Riley stood outside for a very long time then, looking at the town, and down at her small bag of goods that had been stuffed to the brim. For a minute I thought she would say no and we'd part ways, but she didn't. She just opened the door and took her seat with a nod. When I turned the key and the motor purred I thought I saw a bit of that smile on her face. When I turned on the stereo there was no doubt it was there. She nodded once more as I flipped a U-turn and headed back the way I came. It was time to find the old group, and now I had a bit of help.

-o0o-

My weeks with Riley had this weird way about them.

Moments, mainly the ones when I was hungry, dragged on for what felt like lifetimes. On the eighth day we were together we had stopped in a town I'd looked over on my initial route. At first I was excited to see something new for a change, but that didn't last long. We'd only just got there when a swarm accosted us, making us duck into a nearby house. I don't know exactly what happened, but she must've cut herself on some glass or something because suddenly all I could smell was her. Just a hunk of delicious meat, waiting to be devoured. I remember distinctly that I dug my fingernails into my hand, attempting to distract me. When that didn't work I turned to her, sloppily wrapping her hand in a bit of cloth, and forced out a few words, "Bandages in car. Go fix yourself up. I can handle them." Again she studied me, but only for a second before nodding and heading out the back of the house.

Other times it felt like everything swept by in a fast-forward. We'd be focused on the task at hand. We kept to basic conversation. Turn here. Go here. Stop here. Look over there. Nothing superfluous, just what was necessary to survive. Whenever I took the lead she'd look at me for a long time before deciding whether or not to do what I said, so most of the time I'd let her take the lead. It was easier that way. I was in no position to be the leader anyway. The hunger that I experienced when she was around had been made me weak. Weak, but human. I was thankful though; the small amount of communication made for short hours.

"What are you looking for?" she looked at me as I surveyed a convenience store. That had to have been the longest sentence she'd spoken aloud since I'd met her.

"Whadya mean?" I grabbed a Hershey's bar from the counter and choked down a bite.

"Everywhere we go," she grabbed a candy bar of her own, not taking her eyes off of me, "you do that same scan."

I took another bite, "Just looking for supplies."

She walked past me and started rummaging, "Bullshit." I cocked my head to the side as she looked back at me, still studying, "Three fucking weeks, just say it."

"I don't know what you…"

She grabbed one of her knives and held it to the skin on her forearm, "Say it or I'll have to test that self control of yours."

"I have no idea wh…" I stopped as the blade pierced the skin. The smell. It was too much. I fell against the counter as my stomach turned over. "Please," I pulled the towel from my back pocket and held it against my nose.

"I'm not heading into whatever ambush you have planned," she grabbed the towel from my hand.

"Please, no," I desperately reached for it just as the chocolate bar made a reappearance.

"I've seen the map, don't deny it."

I shook my head, "It's not what you think," I spit up more bile. Only if I need to. Only if I need to. "I'm trying to find old friends."

"To ambush me?"

I shook my head again, trying to calm myself. Only if I need to. Only if I need to, "No."

"Why?" When I didn't answer she squeezed a few drops of her blood on me.

"Please don't," I whimpered before finally spitting out my answer, "I just miss them." She stepped away and covered her wound with my towel. I took a deep breath, fighting the hunger, "I just want to see them again, make sure they're okay." I straightened myself up, regaining control.

"How many?"

"Ten last time I saw them, might be eleven now." She gave me a look that I figured was confusion, "One of the women was pregnant." She was quiet for a few minutes, "I made a promise to Carl, a little boy, that I'd track them down."

Something hit her then, "You're Annie?"

I let out a weakened laugh, "Yeah, we've gone over that already?"

"But you're THE Annie." There was no way she didn't catch the look of hope on my face. "Do they know about your problem?"

I shook my head, "Happened just after they left."

"I might be able to point you in the right direction." Did she know something? Something about the group? Did she know where they were? I looked over at her, trying to read her. Trying to catch a glimpse of what she was thinking. "I'll tell you what I know," she pointed to the vomit, "But we have to address this first."

"I'll find a mop," I stepped over the mess before her hand stopped me.

"No, I mean your problem."

I'd made it a point to never stare into her eyes. But that was before. That was when I was keeping my secret. When I looked into them there was so much I didn't understand, "You're going to try to help me?" She nodded, turning back to the shelves. "Why?"

She shrugged, "Why not?"

Hope you liked this one! Again, mad props to LivinJgrl123 for creating Riley! A big thank you for reading. Please review with your thoughts/etc. As you all know the more reviews I get, and the lengthier the reviews, the more I write. :) So keep 'em coming and I'll keep on typing. Hope you all enjoyed this one!