Into The Darkness

Chapter Twenty

The summer days started slipping by faster and faster. Some days were just blurs to me, I've been struggling with the things I've done. Most nights I don't sleep and when I do I have nightmares. Alex tries to talk to me about things, but I feel like talking about it will only make it worse. So I just bottle it all up. Alex expresses his concerns about me to me often but I just tell him not to worry. Even though sometimes I worry myself, most days I just feel numb.

Since the leaves have started to change color, we have all stepped into high gear to get ready for winter. We've been canning most of our harvest and stocked up on firewood. The plan is to cut firewood until we just can't anymore because I'm not freezing like last winter.

"Earth to June." Alex called, startling me out of my thoughts.

I looked at him, "Huh? Sorry I was just thinking."

"I was just telling you I finished our bug out bags. Some are by the door, but I put a lot of supplies in the car too."

"Okay, good idea. Now hopefully we don't have to use them."

Alex sat next to me and pulled my chin so I was facing him. He gave me a quick kiss on the lips then smiled at me. "I love you, June."

"I love you too." I really do, he's the only reason I haven't fallen completely apart. He wrapped his arms around me tight and kissed my head. Even though it only lasts a few seconds, when Alex hugs me I feel like everything is okay. Like everything is normal... Just for a second.

Sandy came into the living room interrupting my momentary peace by coughing wildly.

"You alright?" Alex asked.

"I think she got the flu from Frank." Paul said, coming in behind her. Frank had the flu for about two weeks now and hasn't been able to kick it. Alex got up to help them find more medicine, so I decided to go outside.

I refueled the chainsaw and was sharpening the Axe when I looked up to see everyone coming outside. Everyone but Sandy and Frank. They were dressed in jackets and gloves, today was a lot colder than yesterday.

"I told them we need to cut more firewood today." Alex said, taking the chainsaw from me.

"Great." I said, grabbing the axe. Doing chores really helps keep my head clear.

We had only been working for an hour when Holly started to complain. She is always griping about the work she does, even though we all do it. She acts like it kills her to do any physical labor and It drives me insane. It doesn't help that she and I don't get along. Just hearing her whine grinds on my nerves.

"It's too cold." She groaned for the hundredth time.

"Get over it, we are all cold." I snapped.

"Seriously guys, don't start arguing again." Alex groaned. Holly and I have been butting heads so much lately that everyone has witnessed it. I can't help it though, she's incredibly lazy, and when she has to do something she makes sure everyone around her knows that she doesn't want to do it. It's very annoying, but I shut up for Alex's sake. Until I heard her mouth something quietly.

"What was that?" I asked her.

"None of your damn business." Holly snapped.

I stepped towards her, "Keep on mouthing."

Alex quickly stepped between us, "Knock it the hell off you two." Holly rolled her eyes, but stepped away.

Once we were done we stacked more firewood by the front porch and went inside. I went to check on Sandy and Frank, but when I opened the door, Sandy was sobbing. Paul came in behind me, and rushed over to Frank. Once he looked up at me I knew what happened, Frank passed away. The flu was too much for his body to handle. I turned around to go find Alex to tell him what happened.