Zuflucht

13

Curt~

My body had had enough and I ended up taking a small nap in the front seat. I awoke to the sound of Milly barking heavily which caught my attention.
Once my vision was clear enough I looked out the window to see the same woman from earlier standing by Milly's door. Behind her was the same vehicle she had driven off in with smoke pouring out from the hood.

She noticed I was awake and stopped hitting her palms against the window once she realized she had my attention.

Well lookie here...
I thought in sarcasm

I took my time rolling down the tinted window carelessly as the pain from my shoulder woke me up more than I was. I wiped my tired face with my hands before looking at her.

"You know, it's not safe sleeping out in the open like this." Her strong voice spoke. I couldn't help but be angry from her leaving like she did, then coming back with advice.

"What do you want." I muttered as a statement rather than a question.

"Look, I don't have a ride. This place is filled with infected and bandits and I need to get out of here."

I chuckled cold heartily.

"No. You may not get a ride." I repeated like she did earlier when I asked for the aid kit.

"Please, I have no other options."
I shook my head.

"Nope." I could just imagine my mother scolding me for treating a woman such a way.

"I-I have a seven year old daughter with me. I've got to get her out of here." She started to get frantic once she realized I wasn't going to change my mind.

"That's not my problem." I shrugged my shoulders, although I regretted it once the pain shot through the one with the bullet.

"I don't need the extra baggage."

"Extra baggage?" She repeated with attitude lacing her voice. She sighed before looking around in determination.

"Okay look. What-what if I let you use the kit for your wound in exchange for a ride." I looked forward while thinking hard. Riding with two other people puts me at risk even more than I already am, not to mention they could significantly slow me down.

I sighed harshly before making up my mind.

"Alright. You and your daughter can come but y'all stay in the back." Relief immediately swept across her face before she turned around to go get I'm assuming her daughter and whatever items they need.

This is gonna be a long ride...

Fiona's POV

"C'mon, get your stuff we've got a ride." I told Ashanti as I began picking up the bags we packed for the trip. I made some adjustments and carried even less items than I did before, only wanting to carry anything involving food or items of importance.
Ashanti followed suit and did the same, but made sure to keep her plush toy regardless if it's not an important item.

"Can we trust him?" She asked while side eyeing the work truck.

"Right now we don't have a choice. It's either take a chance with him or jeopardize our lives walking around looking for a ride." I zipped up the last bag and threw it over my shoulder.

"I'll make sure to patch you up when we get in the truck." I stated while shutting the back door.

"Got everything?" Ash nodded while shutting the passenger side and began walking next to me towards the truck. She hesitated a little bit as we got closer before holding onto my hands to soothe herself.

The man's dog growled at us as we climbed in before he sternly told her to calm down.

"Where you headed?" He asked while putting the large truck into drive. I couldn't help but crinkle my nose from the same urine stench from earlier.

"Uh, were not exactly sure yet. Just trying to get out of Kansas right now."

"Well I'm headed to New York. I'll drop you anywhere between then. Just don't get in my way." I nodded although he couldn't see it. It was quiet and awkward for about an hour before Ashanti spoke up.

"What's that smell?" She asked with light disgust. I give the girl credit she's got balls. I'd been thinking the same thing the whole time but didn't wanna seem rude; I know he's been smelling it too.

"Ash that's not polite." I mumbled although he decided to answer anyways.

"You know how they can smell you right?" He glanced at her through the rearview mirror and watched as she nodded.

"Well, I spray myself down with something that irritates their sense of smell." Ash looked around in confusion.

"So...you use pee?" She asked blantly and watched as he nodded.

"Yeah, well coyote urine anyways." Ashanti muttered a small "oh" before the ride had become silent once again. If I had to be honest I'd say I was shocked at how open my daughter could be to strangers. For her to grow up in a hidden tornado shelter all her life she sure could hold a decent conversation.

"Ouch." Mumbled Ash as I finished up her wound with some gauze. It was a flesh wound yet it bled a lot. Luckily the kit had items all the way from needle and thread to ointment and tweezers.

"There, all done." I spoke softly and began packing everything away. I didn't notice the dark orbs in the rearview mirror soften from realization over why I needed the kit.
Ashanti analyzed the wound before placing her arm down and yawning.

"Someone's sleepy." My voice was quiet, almost to a whisper. She shook her head no, yet leaned her head on my shoulder as her eyelids grew heavy.
Within a few minutes she was peacefully snoring, shortly relieved of the horrors of the world.