Author's Note: Whew! I am SO sorry for the delay in updates. It's been a rough month. I found out my husband is deploying, and then I ended up going through a break-up with a girl that I deeply loved. I could blame the brief hiatus on a multitude of things, but the real reason is lack of motivation and a rough spot in life. However, I'm feeling back to normal and so ready to continue this story. I hope you still find it of interest, and I hope you can forgive me for making you wait! Enjoy! :)

PLEASE READ: I ended up completely rewriting chapter fifteen. Saying "I love you", didn't feel right just yet. I would like Molly and Daryl to progress into something more before I introduce those feelings. So, for now, it's only extreme lust. I hope you are pleased with that decision.

.::.

Refugee

Chapter Fifteen

"Love lost, such a cost,
Give me things
that don't get lost.
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Rolling home to you."

-"Old Man" by Neil Young

I awoke late the next morning feeling like a bag a smashed assholes. 11:27am.

I squeezed my head between the rough palms of my hands, desperately trying to relieve an excruciating migraine. After a moment, I realized I was wasting my time and figured I might as well start the day. I stumbled to the bathroom and pilfered through my hangover drawer, pulled out a bottle of Advil and immediately popped it into my dry mouth. Afterward, I washed it down with a sip of water from the tap.

A minute later, I cracked open a fresh beer (my personal favorite cure for a hangover) and made my way to the front door to check on my brother.

Merle was still passed out right where he had fallen. "Ay, wake up." I prodded him.

To my surprise, his eyes sprung open and he lifted up his head to check his surroundings. After only a moment, he lay right back down. "The hell am I doin' outside?" He brought both hands to his temple and squeezed, tryin' to ease his own nasty headache, I guessed.

"Drunk ass swung at me last night and I ended up pushin' ya down the damn steps."

"And yah just lemme stay out here?" He pushed himself to his feet and stumbled slightly backwards but quickly caught his balance.

"Wa'nt too happy with ya. Tried ta get ya inside but you was bein' stubborn as a damn mule, like always."

His bright hazel eyes lowered on my split lip. "I, uh," He brushed himself free from the blades of wet grass and small pebbles. "Sure don't remember none of it."

"You pushed Molly last night too. Oughtta apologize to 'er."

"Ain't no real man apologizes to a woman. She inside?"

I spat on the ground and wiped my mouth. "Nah. She went home last night. She was upset."

"'Coz a me?"

"Nah. Ain't you."

"She mad 'coz you ain't given 'er no dick yet. Hell, I can't even blame the girl. You slow as a damn sloth."

"Hush yer mouth or I'll put ya right back ta sleep."

Merle curved his lips into a half-frown and ended up pattin' my back. One a those rare moments when he just lets me be. Guess he could tell I was a little upset about the situation."

"Go buy the girl some damn flowers and tell 'er yer sorry."

"Thought you said it ain't right fer a man to apologize to a woman." I stepped on my cigarette to put it out.

"Yeah, but you a pussy. Go 'head. You see Katie's ass in that dress last night?" He whistled. "Looked so damn good I wanted ta cry. Where she at, by the way?"

"Her n Jimmy took off last night before you turned into the Hulk."

"Lucky bastard." He wiped the sweat from his brow as we walked up my front steps and into the house. "You heard from his sorry ass yet? I'm headin' out soon. Needs ta get his ass here if he wants a ride."

"Wouldn't worry 'bout him." I responded, collecting the red cups littered all over the counter and tossing them into a nearly full trash bag while Merle rolled up his Twister board.

"Damn if we didn't 'bout kill that bottle!" Merle exclaimed, picking up the bottle of moonshine.

"Mostly you."

"Surprised my sorry ass woke up this mornin'."

.::.

I shot a quick glance at a clock on the wall in the living room. 1:01pm. Merle had left close to an hour ago and I had been cleanin' the place up with a serious quickness. I had even opened up the windows to let in a little bit a fresh air. Maybe it'll make me feel better.

But not really. I was still feelin' like the world's biggest asshole and I had no idea how to fix it. I finished washin' the last dish and turned the faucet off, making my way to the bathroom for a quick shower.

The warm water pressure on my back was exactly what I needed after such a long night. I lathered the shampoo in my overgrown locks and reveled in the scent of cleanliness.I wiped the steam from the mirror and noticed my foggy reflection, but quickly lowered my eyes to the counter.

.::.

I plopped down in my recliner with a tall glass a Dr. Pepper and my favorite Sunday snack- a BLT and small bag of chips. I grabbed the the remote resting on the arm of the chair and flipped the television on. The pretty blonde news anchor, Emily James, was the first thing to appear on the screen before me.

"We have some shocking and difficult news to bring you this afternoon, but first we would like to warn you that this story may not be suitable for small children. You may have seen the recent footage of the vicious attacks around Atlanta and the surrounding areas lately and today we have footage of yet another attack caught on camera. Again, we advise you to remove your children from the room."

What I saw...what I heard, left me in absolute shock.

I nearly dropped my sandwich when I watched the footage of several men and women, just like the man I had seen the day before, attacking an elderly woman on the ground. I watched as several people tried to come to her aid before they too become victims themselves and were savagely ripped apart, limb by limb.

My heart felt as though it stopped. I had never seen anything so violent and horrific in my entire life. This shit is happenin' in my city.

A few seconds later, Emily returned on the screen. "We have been told that this problem is growing considerably more out of hand and several cases are being reported nationwide on a daily basis. Initially, it was thought that the attackers were using bath salts-the drug that you may recall being responsible for six violent deaths reported last year. However, the CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has now issued a statement warning our country of a very serious threat. They recommend to steer clear of anyone acting with suspicious behavior. You are advised to stock up on as many household items, including food, water, and sanitary, as possible and avoid leaving your home at all costs. This is not a test. It seems as though this entire nation is in very serious trouble and it's best not to take any chances. We will bring you more information as soon as possible. Please stay tuned and keep yourselves safe."