This Isn't the Zombie Apocalypse

29. Everyone's Like, Nah

Denton wasn't very smiley about Darell's decision.

I understood why Denton would be upset, of course, but I guess I didn't understand a sibling bond, as I grew up without one. See, Denton was quite furious. His face was turning a violent shade of red, cheeks puffed out, and he was waving his arms about wildly as he shouted at Darell for suddenly deciding to leave.

Points for Darell: He stayed relatively calm. Just teared up a smidgen.

All in all, it was an extremely emotional roller-coaster for the siblings; but Darell was adamant about leaving, and Denton was stuck on staying together at the gas station. "We visit people!" Denton had shouted. "The town! Emily! What else do you need?"

Then there had been some more shouting about needing to live life a little bit, and staying safe so Darell could still be alive to live life a little bit, and how people were dying anyway—and, yeah, all that stuff.

I was packing my meager belongings the entire screaming match, and after a while I tapped my wrist behind Denton's back to show Darell that time was running out.

Also, I definitely told Calvin that Darell was probably going to come along because I totally took his opinion on the matter. Proof: In reply, Calvin had raised his eyebrows, frowned at the arguing siblings, sighed, and shrugged.

After ages had passed and we had lost vital time, Darell stormed away and began furiously packing his belongings. Tears were welling in his eyes and he was sniffling like crazy, but eventually he walked up to me and asked what else he needed besides the obvious. Hovering behind Darell, Denton was glaring at me like I was the bane of his existence for convincing Darell to leave—which I didn't do, sort of—and looking ready to murder. I avoided Denton's gaze and told Darell, "Maybe some provisions, although Calvin and I have some extra. Water bottles for sure. Um... hey, do you guys have any Germ-X? Calvin insists. Doctor and all."

Darell grunted some semblance of an answer that I couldn't understand and went to pack some more. He grabbed things at random as he walked through the store, and Denton was practically stepping on his heels the entire time. There was a strained silence; the tension between the two was palpable.

Andrea and Hunter, who had been hiding out in the back, suddenly popped up beside me. "Are they through fighting?" Andrea asked, eyeing the siblings.

I gave a single-shouldered shrug. "If by that you mean there's no more shouting, then yeah. If you mean they have finally come to a compromise, then no, definitely not."

Hunter squinted suspiciously at me. "You mean Darell still wants to leave?"

"Is that such a bad thing?" I raised a challenging eyebrow at him.

Hunter crossed his arms and growled. "It's dangerous out there."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Well, isn't that obvious." When Andrea made a step forward and Hunter began to uncross his arms, I added, "Trust me, I know—probably even better than you guys. I lived out there, and while I don't know what it's like everywhere, what I have seen isn't good."

Andrea's voice was soft, but a dangerous hint underlined her words. "Even so, you're still taking him with you."

"Why am I getting all the bad rep? Calvin agreed. Darell wants to go. How am I the bad guy here?"

"It was your idea. Darell wouldn't suddenly decide to leave." Eyes blazing, Andrea poked me threateningly in the chest. She looked tired, emotionally drained; her hair was frizzy and tangled, and small amounts of makeup were smudged across her face like she had been crying. Maybe she would miss Darell like Denton. Maybe she didn't want Darell to go just as much.