Forsaken Dreams

XXIX

It's hard to believe that just a few days ago.. I was alone, cold, and pitiful. Believing that there was no one else but me. How it was forgotten what another living human looked, sounded, and felt like. And now, here I am in the flesh lying next to another person. Seth.

If I'd known that there was two people in the next city a year ago, or even two years ago when this whole apocalypse started, I would have booked myself over here in a flash. But then again, I didn't feel so alone at the time because it was all still new to me.

I'm realizing now that I'm not so alone anymore, I'm no longer cold as I sleep, and I no longer believe I'm pitiful. I saved this man's life. Well, he saved his own as well, but I helped. And that counts for something.

I'm surrounded by darkness and piercing air, as Seth and I share each others' warmth, his arm holding my body to him as if I'd roll away.

I won't Seth. I won't.

I close my eyes reeling in the scent of him. It's musky, like grass and sweat. But I didn't mind. I shift a little, trying to get more comfortable but the wooden floor creaks and I stop. I don't want to wake him up. He's had a hard day. I should be tired, exhausted even but I cant help but think about Kip. I missed him. After awhile, I gave up thought of any way of getting him back to me. So I simply closed my eyes and let sleep in.

The following morning I found myself alone. I reached over the hard floor to wake Seth up but there was nothing there.

"Seth?" I said fully awake now.

I stand up now, looking around the back room. When I don't see him, I step inside the store.

"Seth?" I say again.

No response. I gulp. And my mind swarms with questions.

Did he leave me?

Without saying anything?

Why?

I shake my head. That's...okay. I can handle myself. I have this far. I go down one the isles in search of food. I might not get another chance like this, so I won't take it for granted. As I search, I come across chips, candy, pastries, gum, and cigarettes behind the back wall. Nothing really nutritional. I stick my tongue out in disgust. I guess this bag of chips is going to have to do.

I grab a bag of sour cream and onion chips. Grabbing a handful, I chew. I study the bag, and I laugh to myself. Buying a bag half of chips and half of air back during the peaceful days is something I surely don't miss. I always thought it was a rip-off. But I guess not for the companies that own it. I sigh and look at the time on my wristwatch. I better get going.

I throw the empty bag of chips aside, and grab my backpack in the back room, hoisting the straps over my shoulders.

"Going somewhere?"

I turn to see Seth standing by the doorway leading to the rest of the store.

"W-what?" I manage to say. "I thought you left. I.."

"I know...I'm sorry." He comes in and drops a duffle bag on the floor.

"What's in there?" I ask.

He looks at me intently, and he smiles. "Do you want to see?" I nod.

He starts unzipping the zipper, and puts his hand inside. A solid black gun is in his hand when he takes it out. I kneel on the floor, my eyes glued to the gun.

"It's a PDW-57," he says smiling at it. "I got more in here, different kinds."

"Where'd you get them?" I look up from the gun at him.

"Found a nearby police station."

"And you were okay? You know..." I didn't say anything else. He knew what I was talking about.

He looks down at what's left of his arm. "I'm here aren't I? Don't worry, it was quiet."

"Really?"

"Yes." He licks his lips. "And the reason I didn't wake you is because I didn't want anything happening to you."

Rage boils inside me. "I can take care of myself. I'm still here aren't I? It's been two years."

"Trust me, I know how long it's been." He shifts and sits down on the floor next to me, dropping the gun back in the bag. "I just... didn't want to lose you. Not after I just found you. You know how long it's been since I've seen another living person?"

I nod. "It's been awhile for me too. I thought everyone was dead." I sigh. "I guess I was wrong. There are survivors out there."

"I guess we're going to just have to find them." I tell him.

"We will... right after this." He gets up and walks into the store, leaving me sitting there.

"Uh, okay." I say to no one.

He walks back in a few minutes later with bags upon bags of chips. He drops them and leaves again, coming back with a case of bottled water.

"We eat, drink, and then we go. Deal?"

"Deal." I say, suddenly having a deja vu moment.

He nods and starts gulping water down.

"Hey, slow down Seth."

He throws the empty bottle in the corner of the room, and turns to smile at me. "Worried?"

"Very much so. Don't want your tombstone to say 'Drowned by Drinking too much Water' or 'Choked to Death' do you?"

"Ah, don't worry. I'm fine. I was just thirsty."

"Still, you could take it easy."

He stares at me and he sighs loudly. I smile knowing I've won.