Wakedea

8: Ransom

It wasn't long before Rogue noticed how much time I was spending with Gab. "You told her huh?" She came behind me when Gab went up to get her food. To that, I nodded.

"Well brother, it's time we try to get you talking." she laughed, "You know damn well you need to talk with that girl."

The months flew by, it seemed, we were becoming a tighter-knit crew. The only one who suspected Gab and I was Rogue. No one else saw me sneaking into her area to listen to her talk. To kiss her. Rogue approached me again asking about learning to talk and she laughed.

I laughed with her. Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as I remember. I just had to do it right? I'll be back in a few days. Rogue and I are going to clear some houses, Cig asked us. I wrote to her. She looked sad but nodded, she gave me a hug and I left. Pest walked over to her and immediately knew it had happened.

Rogue and I walked to the camp in the strip. It was quite a way, but we could grab some beneficial stuff while we were there. The first night was a hot one. It dragged on, I missed her already, the only peace I had was that maybe we were both looking up at the sky at this moment. I had a long few days ahead of me.

The morning sun came up hotter than ever. The walk then began to the strip yet again. In six hours, we would be there. The walk seemed longer than usual, but we made it there before the heat of the day. We took the rest of the day to scavenge in the abandoned mall that was primarily underground. The loot was great, we needed to come here more. I took the liberty of grabbing a nice melee weapon for Gaunt too while we were out. The Crew had really gotten to like her and she mentioned she had a hell of a bow when she was home before it was destroyed by the Frenzies. I picked one out and snagged some arrows too. She'd have to make her own eventually, but this would do.

Rogue was scouring the stores for more, she also picked out some gear and clothing for Gaunt. We didn't think she probably wanted to wear plain clothes anymore. She changed the first chance she got, but she deserved some armor now. We found a leather bow strap for her back and some leather holds for her legs to store weapons if she wished. She once mentioned she couldn't and didn't want to shoot anything so we accommodated. She packed a few throwing knives for her as well. She went to check another store and once it was cleared I drifted away from her a bit. I was on a mission.

I looked up and down the mall for one thing. The jewelry store. Dumb I know, what is the point of that in the fucking apocalypse? Well, one Pest asked me to pick a little something up for Gaunt, and I did. I picked something out for Gab as well. Pest had a hell of a surprise for Gaunt.

I hid both in my pocket closest to my heart to bring both jewelry pieces good vibes and shit. I found Rogue and she didn't even know I left the store she was in. "How the hell did you  not hear me calling?" I shrugged and to that she laughed. She was showing me all the items she scored, and we packed up a few more heavy-duty tents too for the newcomers to Haven. We then saw more we could scavenge. We loaded up on food storage items, reusable ice packs, canteens, and found it easier to fill and pull wagons. We've started collecting them amongst the camps because they are so goddamn helpful.

We then left and went back to camp, and I was so tired I finally slept the first time since I had left Gab. We woke up and headed out. The walk was uneventful and hit the next camp leaving a few small things there for the next travelers. We rested and moved on when the sun came.

I saw her. She ran to me, I spun her in the air. I had missed her so much that I wanted everyone to know. And they sure as hell did. Cig smiled at us and held up a canteen and took a swig. "I'll be damned." he laughed. "Opposites do attract huh?" he coughed loud and full, he wasn't doing well. He refused us to treat him either. Doc begged him, but "I know when it's my time boy, let me go when I go." he'd tell us.

"Pest is looking for you," She told me. I nodded and found him in his tent.

"Ransom, you could have told me man." he sighed. Oh shit.

My eyes widened, "I'm just messing with you man, I'm happy for you." he laughed while my shoulders started relaxing from their tense state. "Did you happen to find anything for me?"

I handed him the jewelry he requested and he smiled at me. "Thanks, bro." huh, he's never once called me that. I trusted it was okay to show him what I brought home for Gab. He smiled. "She'll love it."

I needed time to give it to her, just like Pest had a plan for his. "If you need help, just holler." I nodded and wrote Thank you, I got weapons and some new clothes for Gaunt as well. That made him smile and followed me to show them to her.

Gaunt was jumping for joy trying on her new equipment and armor. She went straight to the 'shooting range' with the bow in hand. Pest followed. Go get her bro.

I spent the rest of the night listening to Gab tell me about everything that had happened in camp while I was gone. I decided to give her something I scavenged for her. Someday, the one in my pocket will go to her, but today was a different day. I opened my backpack and wrote in my notebook. I know it's not the same, but at least they'll never die on you. I grabbed out some fake roses that I found in the mall. She started to cry. I panicked and wrote, I'm sorry, it was for the story of Honey Bee, Right?

"This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." She smiled, " I love them."

I smiled back relieved. She loved them. And I sure as hell loved her.