With how fast everything spread, most were focused on trying to save lives or trying to survive themselves, especially when people started going crazy, looting and killing.
When half of our base died, a few of us headed off into the mountains. Used our skills to stay alive. Until there were only three of us left.
My eyes travel down to my forearm.
“Been thinking about her too.” Rex offers me a weak smile. “Think that’s why Colt ultimately went his own way.”
I rake my gloved hand through my hair. “He’ll die hating me. Still can’t believe I missed that shot.”
“Rising’s just a pipe dream, a goddamn fantasy at this point. All we’ve been doing is fighting, dying, or barely surviving.”
Ain’t that the truth. Not that there are any winners in war. Too many demons follow you home.
Rex picks up one of the ARs. “Should teach Devon how to shoot. You have enough bullets for some training?”
I nod. Besides food and medical supplies, I always make sure to grab what bullets I can. “Teach Cal too.”
“Can he fight?”
“No.” Though he did pretty well when he launched himself across the table at Devon that one day. Didn’t think my little fawn had it in him. “Maybe if it was a bar fight.”
“Miss those.”
“Me too.”
As we open some of the containers, my heart feels fuller. Cal didn’t run when he woke up. He was still out of sorts and a bit sore, but Rex helped out, then talked to both of us. Seems Cal easily falls into subspace. Just something I gotta pay attention to.
We also went through aftercare.
Then they talked among themselves too. Cal seemed more confident, like answers were given to questions he had.
Afterwards, the two boys decided to go into town. Cal has some stuff he stored at his childhood home he wanted to get. Plus, Devon wanted to see where Cal grew up.
Rex clears his throat. “Mind if Devon and I stay through the winter?”
“Was hoping you would. Like having you around. It’ll be like old times.”
He snorts. “You’ll lose a fuckin’ hand if it’s like old times.”
“Eh, Devon’s coming around to me.”
After sorting through some weapons, we grab extra ammo to bring down to the house, then put everything back in place, making sure the cache is hidden once again.
We take our time trekking back, reminiscing about times before the damn virus wiped out most of the people on the planet, talking about some of the crazy ass missions we had, some of the dumb shit we used to do.
“Wonder what those two would be doing if the world was the same, like it used to be?”
Rex stiffens. “Don’t care to think about it.”
That’s right. Devon’s dad had been some sort of monster. But Cal . . . he would’ve had a good life. Would’ve gone to college for sure.
We’re barely at the property fence when a gunshot echoes through the air, freezing me where I stand.
It’s from a good distance away, which means it’s from town.
Rex looks at me as we race toward the house. “They take the shotgun?”
“No.”
