UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Low on Rations

Time skip to after breakfast~

(Cooper's POV)

My brother and I are sitting in our tent discussing what we would teach Noah and Lexi the following morning.

"Well that's what I want to teach Lexi... what do you want to teach Noah?" I question while spinning a knife in my hands.

"Man... I don't even know. Took us hours for him to hit the target once. Maybe I should back track to easier stuff."

I shrug. "Not too easy, though. Wouldn't want this training to be for nothing."

Suddenly, someone unzips our tent. Delores.

"Hey y'all. Sorry for the intrusion but we have some.. not so good news." She starts. We both shift and focus our attention to her. "We are low on rations, like... really low. All we have left are a few water bottles but even that isn't enough for tonight."

I think for a second. We could go on a supplies run before it gets too dark. It seems to be about noon now.

"I can go on a supply run with Jasper." I say while standing up. "We could probably check out the other stores in that small town we found Lexi and Noah in."

"Actually, can I stay here? I want to train more with Noah, considering we barely did anything today. Also I hate supply runs, especially with you." Jasper says while standing up. "Every time we go together it's always 'no you can't take that with us' this and 'that'll just hold us back' that."

I scoff. The little punk was a bit harsh.

"You could take Lexi though. She's older and probably knows more about useful things than me." I think about that for a second. I come to an agreement.

"Yeah, whatever. I'll take Lexi with me." I turn to Delores. "We'll be back before dark."

I step out of the tent and take a look at some things we would need. Obviously food is the priority. Mrs. Buckingham's baby will probably need more baby formula. We could get more clothes too.

I stay in my thoughts before I feel a tap on my shoulder.

I turn to see Lexi.

"Delores tells me I'm going on a supply run with you?" She asks. I nod while looking back to the junkyard of people.

"We will take the car for this trip. We need a lot more than usual this time." Lexi nods at that.

We make our way to the barbed wire fence and I pry it open. We walk up to the only car alongside the three motorcycles that belong to Delores, Harold, and I.

I open the driver's side door and get in. Lexi gets in the passenger seat.

I start the car and check the gas, just in case we didn't have enough. When I see that we are at a full tank, I back up and start driving down the road.

(Jasper's POV)

I watch as my brother and Lexi drive down the road and out of sight. Even though my brother is as tough as a nail, I still worry he may not come back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Noah playing with a little red headed toddler. I think they are blowing bubbles or something. Blowing bubbles? Really? We're in an apocalypse! He could be like... I don't know... knife throwing right now?

I walk up to them. "Hey Noah, we should train some more. We didn't do much this morning and I think we should make up for it." I say as he twirls around the toddler and laughs. His face turns a bit embarrassed as he sets the little girl down.

"Oh um.. yeah sure that'll be fine, just let me finish up here."

I simply nod and go to sit on a chair. I wait for about five minutes before Noah comes up to me and lets me know that he's ready.

We walk in silence for a bit until we reach the top of the hill. "S-so what other training are we gonna be doing other than throwing knives?" He says. I think for a second.

"I think we should try hand on hand combat. It's more simple than what we were doing before." I shrug. I've always loved this fighting style because I was the best at it. Whenever my brother and I would train, I would occasionally be able to pin him despite his stronger build.

"Simpler? So this is because I could barley hit the target?" He stares at his feet, embarrassed.

"Well... yeah. Throwing knives weren't working. I mean, your sister got down combat. You can too."

An audible gulp escapes his mouth, obviously nervous. I roll my eyes, this time less harshly. "Okay c'mon. It's not as bad as it sounds. It's my personal favorite. We can go slow at first if that will put you at ease." I pinch the bridge of my nose.

He sighs. "Alright."

(Lexi's POV)

We park in front of a small grocery store and hop out of the car. Cooper walks up to me and hands me a large knife. "Just in case." He says.

A/N- This chapter was sort of just a filler chapter. More will happen in the next though!!