Requiem

Chapter Fifteen:

I wake up slowly, mind dazedly floundering about - trying to remember how exactly my eyes are supposed to open. It takes me a couple of moments, but I am finally able to rip my eyes open. I realize why the action is so hard; too much crying. 

I think when my tears dried they turned into some sort of superglue. 

Rubbing at my eyes, I carefully climb to my feet. My hands lower to my sides and I look around, slowly. A small black mound of black ashes is all that’s left of the fire from last night and Sebastian snoozes softly against a tree. 

My heart leap with fear; what if a zombie attacked last night? We could have been zombie-food! 

But before I can start to plot against him, my stomach growls loudly and I am reminded of our situation. We’re both tired and hungry and dehydrated. It’s not his fault. Crap, even I slept. So I shouldn’t complain.  

I stare at him for a few moments. I should probably go over and make sure he’s not dead. My shoes are so ratty and torn, I fear they’re about to disintegrate soon. I take each step carefully and squat down beside Sebastian. “Hey, wake up.” I say softly, shaking his shoulder. 

He stiffens, one eye popping open. “What?” 

An eyebrow lifting to merge with my hairline, I straighten up and fold my arms across my chest. “It’s time to start walking again.” I say before pressing my lips into a grim line. 

Sebastian blinks, eyes slowly shifting around the area behind me. He lets out an incoherent grumble and stands elegantly, brushing his hands off. Rolling his shoulders to work all the kinks out, he steps around me and starts walking. I roll my eyes and twist around to follow him.  

For a few long, antagonizing moments, I stare silently at his back and mull over my thoughts. And then, with a sudden surge of bravery and a hard swallow of pride, I tap his shoulder shakily, “S-Sebastian?” 

He blinks. 

We stop walking and he turns to face me, expression indifferent. But I can see it, the minute amount of concern swirling around inside his eyes. After taking another deep breath, I duck my head and whisper, “Thank you.” 

Sebastian stares at me silently. Quickly, I chance a small glance up, eyes widening when I see the same inside-melting warmth inside his eyes again from the night before. He scoffs softly, lips twitching up in amusement. “The great Scarlett is saying thanks? I never thought I’d see the day.” 

My head ducks again and I close my eyes, “Yeah, I guess.” 

“Hey,” My head snaps up and Sebastian taps the side of his finger against beneath my chin playfully, “You’re welcome.” 

We continue walking for several more hours, before the effects of malnourishment begin to kick into overdrive. I slide down against a tree, stomach growling painfully, and clutch at it in hopes of soothing the never ending ache. Sebastian shakes his head at my obvious display of weakness and plops down onto the ground, rubbing his head in his hands before drifting back into his thoughts.