Night Bird

Chapter 1: Peachy

“Oohhff.” I let out an embarrassing sound as my shin hit something resting on the ground.

Pain overwhelmed me for a second, as tears brimmed in my eyes. I stopped and sat on the ground. Gently pulling my pant leg upwards, I glanced at my shin, only to find a cut the size of the Grand Canyon. Okay, so maybe I was being a little over dramatic, it wasn’t really that big, but it was big enough, that there was a considerable amount of blood. A wave of dizziness and nausea washed over me.

Shit, shit, shit... I silently chanted over and over again in my head. I was never a fan of blood. Or anything medical for that matter. The thought made me want to puke and huddle in a corner for the rest of my life. I found myself pulling my pant leg down, and hoping it wasn’t that serious of an injury. Before dizzily trekking onwards.

Where was I going?  You see, I am not quite sure myself. I just wanted to find a group of nice people who had a stable form of “civilization” brewing. You see the world had become a mess. Without a definite leader after a series of unpredictable and unsustainable wars. Everyone was pretty much left to fend for their own. I was not shocked by the decrease in population at all. As the rate of crime had skyrocketed. Leaving the only safe time to travel or do anything of importance after sunset and before sunrise.

You see, finding a group of people to reside and survive with was of utmost importance. The first step in surviving. You’d never last on your own. But the only way you were ever let into a civilization, was if you were useful. With some sort of talent or connection. Of course I was cursed with being absolutely average. I didn’t have any useful talents or skills. No connections, considering I had no idea who my parents were. Basically, I was fucked.

I had been turned down by people so many times, I knew not to keep my hopes up. I’d probably be an outcast forever. Roaming the streets, eating whatever I could get a hold of. Until I died some horrible death. I wasn’t upset or terrified as I used to be. I had just learned to live with it, and cherish the good moments. Not that there really were any.

I saw the sun beginning to peek above the hills in the east. Sighing, I searched for a place to hide and sleep until nightfall. I decided on a smaller abandoned ranch house. I made my way into the home and was glad to find it empty. I wandered until I found a small door, which looked like it lead to some sort of basement. I headed down the rickety stairs and into the dank dark cave that was the basement.

It was just enough light coming through the crack or the door, that I was able to survey my surroundings.  Someone had obviously camped out here for a while. There were a bunch of empty cans of food and bottles of what appeared to be beer. A coat of dust surrounded them, so I figured they were long gone. I grabbed a towel and attempted to de-dust it enough so I could have some sort of comfort.

Then I wandered over to the cans and found one unopened. I searched around until I found a rusty old pocket knife sitting next to some of the empty cans. It took a while, but I finally managed to penetrate the can. I slowly opened it, and was relieved to find the food was in okay condition. It appeared to be peaches.

I dug in without hesitation, and it was probably one of the best things I’ve had in a while. I found myself drifting to sleep easily, content with my surroundings and meal. Afterall, sleep had become my new favorite hobby.

“What the hell!” I heard someone yell, as I jolted awake, scrambling to get myself together.

“What is it?” I heard a male voice question as foot steps began approaching the basement door from upstairs.

Shit! I found myself thinking once again as I ran into the nearest corner and attempted to hide behind some boxes. My breathing was ragged as I heard the door squeak open and the stairs creaking as someone sprinted down the stairs. I could barely make out a male figure standing in the middle of the basement. He was holding something, but I couldn’t quite tell what.

“Who the fuck is in here? I’ll shoot you if you don’t come out right now!” He yelled, as I attempted to calm my breathing.

It was a gun. He was holding an actual gun, and threatening to shoot me. My mind went into overdrive, and I felt myself begin to panic.

“I’m fucking serious!” He roared, as he began to search around.

“Wait!” I cried out hoarsely, holding my hands in the air as an act of surrender.

I walked out of my hiding spot and slowly began to approach. I was surprised to find he didn’t all that much older than me. But he sure had a mouth to him.

“Go upstairs.” He ordered, stepping behind me, not bothering to lower the gun.

I slowly made my way up the stairs, with the lunatic following me close behind with the dreadful gun.

‘What’d you find?’ Another male voice asked as I was ushered to the top of the stairs.

“Its just some girl.” The male behind me laughed, as I we entered the ground floor.

I was surprised to see the other man was younger too, this one was perhaps even younger than me.

“Who are you?” The older one asked, still aiming the gun.
“W-woah!” I held up my hands in defense.

“Aiden, calm down. She’s bleeding.” The younger one said, with a look of concern.

“That doesn’t mean she isn’t dangerous!” Aiden protested, but he lowered the gun.

“Do you mind telling us who you're are?” The younger one asked calmly.

“I don’t really know.” I admitted, causing them both to give me a suspicious look.

“What the hell do you mean you don’t know?” Aiden asked, growing impatient.

“I don’t know my real name. I don’t know my family.” I sighed, causing the younger one’s gaze to soften.

“Well I am going to call you Scarlett, for no reason really. Just because you look like a Scarlet.” The younger one decided with a smile.  

“You're an idiot.” Aiden muttered.

“I am not a dog.” I protested.

“Enough of this bullshit!” Aiden interrupted, “Who’s with you?”

“No one, I am on my own. I was looking for a group to stay with. I can help out with anything you need me too.” I offered.

“Ugh, we don’t have time for this..” Aiden muttered, turning to the younger one.

“I think we should give her a chance.” The younger one offered, giving me a smile.

“I’m Elijah, and its nice to meet you.” He grinned, stopping to kiss my hand. “And this here, is my asshole of an older brother. Sorry about him, he’s always this way.”

I grinned at his kindness, and nodded.

“Look Elijah, we can’t just trust anyone. Anyways, she’s small, and scrawny. What would she even be able to do? Besides, I don’t think she’s exceptionally attractive, she’ll be of no use in the romantic department.” Aiden sighed, giving Elijah a look.

Those words hit me hard emotionally. I felt tears brimming, but I pushed myself to stay strong.

“Just give her a chance.” Elijah sighed.

“Why?” Aiden groaned.

“Please?”  I asked, breaking into the conversation and drawing both of their attention.

“Come on Aiden, people have been dropping like flies back at camp.” Elijah persuaded.

I had never felt such appreciation as I did when Elijah attempted to persuade his brother. What Aiden had said was true, I wasn’t exactly useful. Elijah didn’t even know me, he didn’t for sure know that I was trustworthy. Yet here he was, fighting for me.

“Give her a chance.” Elijah repeated.

I could almost feel the tension moving throughout the air between the two. Aiden looked fairly annoyed, but he knew his brother was far from giving in.

“Fine, lets go.” Aiden replied after a moment of silence.