Zuflucht

6

"We're gonna have to leave Colorado." I muttered while counting everything. It's been about a week and I'm due to go looking for more stuff. I haven't admitted to Ash but it's getting harder and harder to find supplies. With that and the idea that more infected are getting closer, getting away from here seems only rational.

"Would we get hurt if we leave?" She asked while looking around in thought.

"We will if we don't." She sighed as she sat down on the makeshift bed

"You said it's been seven years. So, if anything shouldn't they start dying off?" She looked up at me with curiosity as I thought about where we could go. It probably isn't smart to be a woman traveling with a seven year old girl during times like this.

"Sweetie let me explain something to you. You know how they like to hurt humans when they are hangry right?" She nodded as her large orbs stared into mine.

"Well if there aren't any humans around to find then they move on to the next best thing: animals. Now that they are scarce they scavage for whatever is left...us."

"Mama, why do they hurt us? What have we done?" I held my hands out as an invitation to hold her which she accepted. She crawled and straddled my lap while placing her cheek onto my shoulder.

"I don't know baby. What I do know for sure is you don't deserve any of this. That's why you will make it to safety and you will survive this." She was quiet for a minute before she spoke again.

"I think you're right. I think we should travel farther to safety." She yawned as she snuggled into a more comfortable position.

"What makes you say that now?" I asked with a small smile. She yawned once again.

"Because you've gotten us this far. Why should I question what my mama feels is right?" She spoke while her eyes closed. My smile grew as I gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"You're too smart for your age..." I breathed out softly as I tightened my hold on her. My own strive to make it through this evil world is because of her. If I lost her for any reason... I'd lose myself.

Five days later~

"Got everything?" I asked as I grabbed the heaviest bag full of canned foods. Ashanti nodded and grunted as she dragged a duffel bag behind her. I took it for her and easily placed it on my right shoulder on top of my backpack strap.

"Go roll up the sleeping bags while I take these to the car, honey." She nodded and did as told while I began to climb up the ladder and out into the gloomy world we call home.
Luckily for us I managed to find a vehicle that had gas and a working engine. I didn't know a whole lot about cars since shortly after me learning to drive the world turned upside down. As long as it goes and can get us away from here I'm gonna use it.

"Can we go now?" Ash grumbled impatiently. A part of me feels the main reason she wants to go is to get out and see other parts of the world. Then again, if I lived in a hidden tornado shelter all my life I probably would too.

"Grab that lantern for me and stand by the ladder. I need to get one more thing." I walked into a far corner of the room where a small table with drawers sat alone with dust and cobwebs decorating it. Pulling on the handle of a drawer, a shiny steel pistol lay rested in an old cigar box. I gripped the handle firmly and placed it in my belt loop before Ash could see then made my way back over to her.

"Let me go first so I can make sure everything is clear." After we made it up and put the rest of everything in the backseat I got in the driver's seat while Ash got into the passenger side then we left.

"Where are we going?" Ashanti was currently eating some canned cherries and had a little bit of the glaze on her cheeks.

"I'm not sure yet. We are headed east right now."

"What's east?" She placed the finished item into the cupholder attached to her door.
I couldn't help but worry about where would we go. I don't exactly have a plan at the moment so I'm kinda just winging it.

"I-uh, I don't know just yet. Right now we are just getting far away from here and to somewhere we can sleep before it gets too late."

It was quiet for a good minute and I thought Ashanti was asleep before she spoke up.

"What do I do if one of those things gets close to me." I couldn't help but notice the way she was playing with her hands and looking out of the window.
That very question is something I ask myself every day and something I fear every breathing second.

I'll stop at nothing to make sure my little girl is safe...

"You don't have to worry about that Ash." I watched abandoned cars go by as we continued down the deserted highway.

"As long as I'm breathing I'll make sure that won't happen."

My answer must have been content to her because she didn't pick up the subject any after that. The only sound was the low hum of the car and eventually the snores of Ashanti once she had fallen asleep.

How am I gonna pull this off?