The Day the World Ended

Chapter 20

We started off immediately after finding the note. It was at least ten in the morning and the brisk autumn air stung our faces and made our noses numb.

"Ash," Lynn nagged, "I'm cold!"

I squeezed her hand, "Well we don't have any blankets hunny..."

"Yes we do," piped up Joe, "I grabbed some from the house before we left. I also got a scarf. Didn't think we'd need it, being that there's only one." He took off his bag and opened it. After finding the scarf he handed it to Lynn and we continued on our way.

We rounded a corner and reached and intersection. Stopping mid stride, Daryl turned to me, "Where did the note say to go?"

I took it out of my pocket and read it, "Doesn't say. All it says is that they're ten miles down the road. Is there a town nearby?"

Everyone shrugged and I rubbed my forehead as Daryl looked down each road, "Well," he started unsurely, "I guess we could split up if we really weren't sure."

I objected immediately, "No, Daryl it's not safe enough. Especially with a kid and a dog in this cold. I say we stick together. Maybe there's a sign up ahead. Let's just go straight."

He sighed, "Fine. But what if it's one of those roads?"

"We can always come back."

"Ok. Let's go then."

We all nodded and started down the road. Lynn was shivering, and I felt bad. We should really consider staying somewhere until autumn and winter passes. It gets too cold in the mornings and at night. But, it was a good idea to try and find a good enough place before the entire day was freezing, so I didn't object. Misty and Joe seemed to agree. Misty shot me annoyed looks every few minuets when Lynn fussed about the cold. Joe was getting agitated as well, he didn't like the repeating, "Ash! I'm cold," in his ear for ten miles.

I looked at him as he shot me an angry glance and shrugged. It wasn't my fault she was whining, I gave her everything I could to keep her warm. I even risked it and gave her a lit candle to hold.

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As three in the afternoon neared, Lynn was no longer complaining about being cold, but was now complaining about being tired of walking. I glanced over at Joe to see his face getting red with anger, and I put a hand on his shoulder to calm him. Misty watched me and did the same. Daryl grumbled to himself in the front, and Lila kept stopping to itch.

We had probably only walked a mile or two, and Lynn and Lila were already driving everyone nuts.

"Ash, please!"

"Lynn, shut up!" Joe snapped as he kicked a rock across the road.

She stopped and looked up at me questioningly, and I just shrugged. I kinda praised Joe for finally snapping, but I wished he did it better. It was mean, telling her to shut up like that, but at least he got the point across.

Daryl stopped abruptly, "Shh, stop and go into the bushes. I see something."

We all looked at each other and then I grabbed Lynn's hand and dashed into the bushes along with everyone else. There, we sat and watched as Daryl put a hand on his gun. A truck drove up and stopped in front of him.

The window rolled down to reveal a man, about forty two or so, with a blonde beard and mustache, looked down at Daryl. "So," he started slowly, "What is a little boy like you doing out here all alone in the shittiest time in the world?"

Daryl tightened his grip on his gun and replied coldly, "I ain't no 'little boy' and I'm completely fine."

The man laughed and opened his door, hopping down, he towered over Daryl, "Well, obviously you ain't alone, boy. Where's your group?"

"I told you before, I ain't got one."

The man didn't reply, but started heading towards us. Lila whimpered, giving us away. He pushed aside the bushes and smiled, "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Ain't your group I suppose."

Daryl pulled out his gun and aimed it at the man as he pulled us out one by one by the arm. He was scared, I could see it in his eyes. "Leave them be!"

The man looked at all of us and put a hand on Misty's shoulder, "Get in the truck." Misty looked up at him as if asking if he was talking to her, and he shoved her forward, "Get in! Now!"

She shuffled forward as he pushed her into the front passenger seat, and I ran over to them, "Let her go, asshole!"

He grabbed my arm and I dropped Lila's leash in shock as he also shoved me into the truck. Misty held onto me tightly as Daryl walked over and pointed the gun and the man's face.

He laughed and looked at the gun, "You ain't gonna shoot me, little boy."

Daryl smirked and started to pull the trigger, "Wanna bet?"

Eyes widened now, the man went to grab his own gun, "Now, you ain't gotta do..."

Daryl had gotten tired of his game and shot him through the temple. He looked in the back of the truck, "Are yall ok?"

We nodded and Daryl grabbed everyone else and hurried into the truck. Now, we had a faster way, to get to "L".

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The night was freezing, and the moon still shone bright in the sky, illuminating the ground. Lynn had fallen asleep on Misty's lap, and Lila was laying in the truck bed asleep. Misty was dozing off, and so was Joe. Daryl had been silent the entire time we were in here, and it worried me. We were probably six miles in. And we were already getting anxious.

"Daryl," I whispered.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I sighed, "I hope we get there soon."

"We're almost there, baby, don't worry."

I smiled, and looked out the window. The stars danced in the sky, and that's the last thing I saw before I fell asleep.