Re-ans

Re-ans Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Sniper

Luke stopped walking when he noticed Jess do the same out of the corner of his eye. He turned in time to see her lean heavily into a tree beside her. He gave a short whistle to get the other's attention before heading to her side.

"Jess, what's wrong?" She shook her head, putting her hand on his arm just as Denis reached their side.

"You okay Jess?" Luke looked up, the others had formed a perimeter around them, keeping watch for anything that might approach.

"I'm alright, I just got a little dizzy."

"Alissa can you come here a second?" Luke called a little louder than he would have liked. They'd seen quite a few re-ans that morning in their trek through the woods. They'd managed to sneak past them for the most part, but he didn't know how much longer their luck would hold out.

"You okay Jess?" She asked when she reached her side. Jess just shook her head. Luke put a hand on her cheek.

"I'll be right back." He kissed her forehead before pulling Denis off to the side.

"She's starving." He said with a sigh, they all were. "How are we on food?" They'd been rationing heavily for the last few days. Denis sighed and took off toward Tavish.

"Tav, hand me the supply bag." Tavish lowered his gun long enough to sling the bag off his shoulders.

"Jess alright?"

"I think she will be, but not for much longer if we don't get some food in her." Luke said with concern. Denis unzipped the bag.

"We have a box of crackers left, a little jerky, and two cans of, whatever the hell that is, and that's all we have." Luke sighed. They had to do something soon, but it wasn't his call to make. Though instinct wanted him to take charge, he didn't trust that he wouldn't do something stupid. He still didn't trust his instincts. Dennis handed him two sleeves of crackers. "Pass these out for lunch, we'll..." He sighed. "Let everyone know after a short rest we'll be heading back toward the road. See if we can't find a house or something." Luke nodded and headed over to Jess and Alissa.

"We're gonna head back toward the road after we all rest a minute, see if we can't find some more food." He handed them each a handful of crackers and kissed Jess on the cheek. "Will you stay with her for a few more minutes while I go let the others know what's happening?"

"I don't mind."

"I'm fine really." Jess said with a sigh. He wouldn't have believed her even if she hadn't slumped immediately back into the tree when she tried to stand on her own. She was weak, they all were. His own stomach cramped painfully at the smell of the crackers in his hands. He sighed as he passed out their meager rations. The old him would have just told the others he'd eaten and divided his share amongst them. But he knew he needed the calories or he'd end up just like Jess soon. Gavin looked down at the offering and sighed.

"We aren't going to make it much longer like this." He said accepting the food, he spared a quick glance toward Jess and Alissa.

"I know, we're heading back toward civilization after we rest, look for more food."

"Good, maybe that will even mean decent shelter for the night." He nodded in understanding and patted his cousin on the shoulder. When he'd finished passing out the crackers he went over to stand next to Jess. He wanted to sit down at the base of the tree, but he honestly didn't know if he'd have the strength to get back to his feet if he did. The break was over too quickly for his liking.

"Everyone form a circle around Luke and Jess." Denis called out barely above a whisper. Everyone fell into formation. Meredith and Levi were to their right, Gavin and Alissa to their left. Denis was in front, and Tavish was covering their rear. Jess started to protest again but finally just went silent. He had one arm around her back leading her, he didn't have enough strength to carry her.