Apocalypse Now

Chapter 22: A Bad Day Out

So there's quite a bit to cover in this next chapter, hope everyone is enjoying it so far.
Couldn't resist updating, quite like how this chapter turned out.

I woke groggily the next morning, not surprised I woke alone. The space next to me was cold, he had been gone a while. He either didn't want people to ask questions to why he was sleeping in the same room as me or he was still angry or he too was trying to distance himself from me. I was pretty sure it was a mixture of all three. It was exhausting trying to figure out what was going on between us. If there was anything. This is where I start to over analyse the situation, again. I wish he would pick one way or another so I can just know, put my mind at ease. I don't know if he even realised he had my mind in such a spin

But he was right about me sleeping better when he was there. No nightmares. I wouldn't mention it to him as he would be very smug about being right.

I groaned loudly as I rolled over to lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling. I hated mornings. I never was a morning person, was always a night owl. Didn't matter if I had work the next morning, I would stay awake to some ridiculous hour, have a few hours sleep then arrive grumpy at work. Now instead of work it was walkers. At least now I can take my grumpiness out on the walkers, as killing a co-worker was pretty frowned upon. That made me smile, a simple stupid joke that only I would find funny.

I pulled the blankets back and pushed myself out of bed. The morning air almost making me want to get back into bed. I grabbed my clothes, getting dressed and then laced up my boots. I packed my bag up and grabbed my bow and machete on the way out.

It sounded like mostly everyone was up and I once again was the last one to emerge. I wondered how late they had let me sleep today. I hoped it wasn't the afternoon, that hadn't worked out too well last time. I shuddered at the memory.

Lori was at the table with Carl with a book in front of him. Must be his school work again. Poor kid. Surely maths problems could take a back seat for now. But he wasn't my kid, so I wasn't about to tell her how to raise him. She would go all mother-hen on me and chew me out about it. So I kept those opinions to myself.

“Morning” I smiled.

“Morning. Not long missed breakfast. We saved you some porridge” she said pointing to the counter. I smiled and helped myself, sitting opposite from Carl.

“So what's the homework today kid?” I ask before taking a mouthful of porridge.

He sighs before looking up. “Algebra” he says frowning.

Maths, just as I thought. I remember having the same look with that subject at his age. “It may not seem important now but trust me, you'll use it more than ya think later on” I say giving him a wink. He smiled before ducking his head and staring intently at the book again. Lori smiled warmly at me, with a look that say thank you I think. It may have been a little bit of a lie, I couldn't see much use for algebra at the end of the world. Surely weapon training would be more educational nowadays? And again, this is where I keep my mouth shut.

I finished my breakfast and quickly rinsing out the bowl, leaving it on the dish rack to dry. I picked up my bow from the back of the chair, slinging it over my shoulder and headed outside. It was overcast today, a slight chill in the air from the wind, letting us know winter was on its way. Just another day in the apocalypse.