luna mortimer-smith had long learned not to trust anyone, staying in the middle of the woods as to avoid any contact with the dead or any other humans.
one evening, she'd gone out to check her hunting traps like usual. little did she realize, thoug...
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"So what's your plan?" Luna looked up from the rabbit she was skinning. It had been a week since Carl had woken up, two weeks since he'd arrived. It was strange, now having someone to talk to, but Luna found herself not minding it too much. Carl was a year older than she was, but they'd both been in the same grade when the world ended. He was from Georgia, though he pestered her with questions about what life in California was like before she was sent to Virginia. He could be a little annoying at times, but Luna liked him enough.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I mean, forever." He shrugged. "Do you just wanna stay here, grow old and die? All alone?" Luna thought for a moment.
"I mean, I guess." She nodded. "Wouldn't be too bad, would it? I've had a pretty nice life since I found this place. Much better than before, I'll tell you that much. Being out there, on the road...I don't want that. It's not my life, I can't do it." He nodded lightly. "What about you?"
"I wanna go find my dad." He said resolutely. "And my group. Then find a place, like the prison, and fortify it. Make it a home. Then, grow old and die." She chuckled. "I'd feel bad, though."
"Why?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Because I know that you'd be out here, alone." He said. "It wouldn't feel right."
"Well you don't have to worry about me." She shook her head, beginning to skin her rabbit again. "I like being alone, Carl. Besides, you could always come visit." He chuckled.
"You wouldn't come with me?" This made her look up again.
"Do you want me to?" He shrugged.
"Sure." He nodded. "My group, we were all about helping people. And I wouldn't feel right not helping you."
"Trust me, Carl." She laughed, standing up with the rabbit pelt in her hands. "I don't need any help."
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"What are you doing?" Carl asked as Luna walked out of her room, heading towards the back door. She stopped, her hand wrapped around the handle.
"Going for a swim." She said. "The sun won't be setting for a few more hours, and I already went out and checked the traps. Figured it'd be a nice way to spend the evening." She pulled the door open. "You're welcome to join me." She walked down to the edge of the lake and quickly pulled off her clothes, wadding out into the cool water. After a few minutes, she'd swum out into the lake far enough that her feet couldn't touch the ground anymore. She'd just begun to float on her back when she heard the back door shut. Carl walked out, freezing when he saw her.
"Are you gonna join me, or what?" She called out, looking over at him.
"Uh-I don't—" He stuttered over his words. She pushed herself back down, her body resubmerged as she looked at him. "I don't have anything to swim in!" She laughed.
"Carl, the world ended." She said. "You don't need a swimsuit."
"But...you're here." She laughed again.
"Oh grow up, Carl." She moved to float on her back once again, smiling lightly at the warmth of the sun. "Just come out here, it's nice! And the sun won't be up forever!" After a few minutes, she felt ripples along her side so she turned, seeing Carl swimming out towards her. "Finally."
"Shut up." He huffed. "So, what do you do out here?" He asked.
"Float." She answered. "Tan a little. It's just relaxing, you know?" She turned her head straight again, shutting her eyes. "Try it." She heard a little splashing, felt a few ripples, and then Carl sighed. "Nice, isn't it?"
"Sure." He said. "Kinda boring, though."
"Would you rather be doing this or fighting for your life?" She snorted. "I like boring now. Boring means I'm not about to get eaten alive."
