DESOLATION.

i/iii.

𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡; 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎

 

    During the night, Five spent most of his time sorting through his items. It wasn't difficult, and it gave him just enough things to do to avoid some shut eye—and to ultimately keep an eye out on the girl sleeping on the couch. Her face is squished against the armrest, breathing balanced and slowed. Five wonders how she could sleep so peacefully in a stranger's home where every threat and danger could claw at her especially with her being so vulnerable.

   It made him tick for a bit, but he ignored it as he tried to gather anything from the walkie-talkies he managed to get. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, there was nothing. Not even Keechie could be heard on the other end, and that man is usually ranting about some prophet and other...cult dealings.

   Five didn't know when exactly the lines in the walkie-talkies blurred together, or when his vision blackened, but it did and he didn't know exactly just how long he was sleeping until he heard the first chirp of the birds outside the window. He jolts awake, eyes wide and head still adjusting to the sudden change. 

   The early sign of morning peeks through the boarded up windows, sunlight peeking through the slits as he squints his eyes. Recalling the events from yesterday, he snaps his head to the figure on the couch—well, supposed figure on the couch because by the time he had turned his eyes to where the girl was supposed to be, she's gone.

   His heart starts to race, and he stumbles up as he glances around. Nothing. There's no sign of life. Even the place where she laid didn't have any remnants of the life that laid before it. As if she just disappeared out of thin air. He cards his fingers through his hair, face turning into a scowl as he starts to look through his items. 

   "Shit, shit, shit—" 

    His items are intact. The food are still there—water too and a whole lot more of his important items. Nothing was out of place. Even the useless trinkets around the house remained where they were hours before. But where the fuck could she be? Where did she go? 

    And damn it. He hates how silent that girl is. How come he didn't wake up? He's always been a light sleeper. Any sudden noise and he snaps awake almost immediately. How was she able to be that silent that he didn't even notice she was awake?

    He walked over to the barricaded door. Not even a slight indication of a fingerprint showcased itself on the old wood. That means she must've used the windows, then. But which one? 

    Five starts to pace around the house, checking even the unused fridge just to check if she really is gone. But even as he peeked through every door, and down to the hidden corners of the house, no sign of the girl is present. She really is gone.

   A dry chuckles leaves his lips.

    He doesn't know how to feel about this. His whole predicament. Some part of him is thankful the peculiar girl is gone, but another part of him is troubled. It's almost suspicious. How she was desperate to follow him only to leave the very next day.

    And why didn't she take anything? Not even a single can of food. A bottle of water. Not even clothes. He turns back around to the living room, head still reeling. He couldn't help but chuckle again. Maybe he scared her away? He shakes his head at the ridiculous thought. He admits he was looking forward to really witness just what she can do, but oh well. It must be his lucky day, then?