They Walk

Chapter Forty Four

The following morning quiet voices stir me into wakefulness, and everything that happened the night before comes crashing back into me. Claire’s mother Barb had found her while we were having dinner, and while I thought I was handling not finding my own parents well, seeing her sent me over the edge. Don’t get me wrong I’m happy that Claire and her mother are reunited; it’s just overwhelming to have it prancing before your eyes. Somewhere between the hugs and tears, I had to have Gabe get me out of there, and they didn’t seem to mind. In fact before we fled, Claire tells us she is going to be sleeping with her mother and not near us, so we shouldn’t worry if she doesn’t come back.

I only smile and nod, and act like everything is fine and perfect.

Somehow Gabe had managed to get me back to my cot, and I don’t really remember walking to it, let alone through the Stadium filled with people. My head is pounding now, and my entire body feels like is shaking. When he gets me to lie down and caress my cheek gently, I realize that I’m crying and this only makes me cry even harder until I’m sobbing into his arms.

He climbs into my small cot, and he wraps his body around me.

If it was any other moment, I might have blushed over being so close to one another, but at this moment I let him hold me while I sobbed. I think he might have been saying soft words of reassurance to me, but all I could hear was the roaring of my own ears as everything I’ve been through played before my eyes. Eventually though, the sobs subsided and my body stopped shaking, and all I was left with was a hollow feeling and a throbbing headache.

Gabe didn’t leave or let me go though, and sometime after that I fell into a dreamless sleep.

Now as I try to not wake up, the voices that woke me get a little louder and I know that they are Gabe and Noah. From the way their voices carry, I think they might be sitting on Gabs cot that is right behind my own. I’m facing the opposite direction, and I open my eyes and watch the little girls from yesterday sleep on either side of their mother, as I listen in to what they are saying.

“After I left yesterday, I had quite the conversation with the Captain. Apparently he is the second in command, the Mayor is still alive and running the place.” Noah tries to say softly.

“Serious? That’s lucky. Did he say anything about another location or anything?” Gabe asks.

“He mostly went off about how most of his new recruits have to go out into the city and scavenge for supplies every couple of days. Not many return either and I had to turn him down before he asked me to go.”

“Is that how they have all the stuff here? I thought they might have brought them over at the beginning.” Gabe says in a whisper, like he’s shocked.

“Yeah well, they weren’t that lucky I suppose. He did tell me about the second location, but it’s not good news I’m afraid.”

I hold my breath in anticipation as I wait for Noah to continue about the second location. If my parents aren’t here, then they have to be at the other place. I really hope what he has to say isn’t bad, but from the way he says bad news like it leaves a bitter taste on his tongue; I know it won’t be good.

“They have been working together with the survivors at Bates College, and communicating with a CB radio. But they lost communication with them yesterday, and any recon soldiers haven’t returned.” He says in a rush.

There is another pause where I’m relearning to breathe, before Gabe responds.

“That could mean anything though Noah. Even if the place got overrun, there are so many outbuildings where people can run too.”

“I know that, but the Captain doesn’t agree and won’t be sending out a search party. He’s still been in contact with other bases throughout New England though.” He says as I hear the shifting of his clothes, and I guess that he might be leaning his elbows on his knees.

“In contact, what does that even mean?” Gabe asks in a raised voice full of disbelief.

One of the girls across from me stirs in her sleep, and there is a pause in the conversation, where I know they are waiting to make sure they are not overheard. When Noah continues, he’s talking more softly, so much where I have to strain to hear them.

“It means Gabriel, that we are not the only State where this is happening. It’s all across the US, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. We might be stuck here for a while, if nothing changes.”

“How can something like this just happen and spread so fast?” Gabe says in a quiet shock.

I know how he feels; it just doesn’t want to make any sense in my mind. But it’s only a close second on my thoughts though, since I can’t stop thinking about Bates College. What if my parents are there right now, trapped and hiding waiting for help to come that never will. I know deep down I have to do something, or I really will lose them forever.

While they sit there in silence, I slowly roll over to face them with a yawn.

They both look up in alarm, when I’m completely turned over. I just give them a sleepy yawn and try not to let on that I heard anything they said.

“Hi guys, who’s hungry?” I say with a wide yawn, as I sit up on the cot.

Noah gives me a small smile, while Gabe grins full out and comes to sit beside me.

“Morning beautiful, you finally slept all night.” He says softly as he wraps me in a hug, that leaves me breathless.

Now I actually smile for real, and enjoy the feeling of being in Gabe’s strong arms.

I know then that before I go tearing out the front doors after my parents, I have to include him in on it. After all, he is my rock and after everything he is the one thing I can’t lose. And I’m going to be damn sure to hold on to him as tightly as I can.

No matter of what gets in my way.