Zuflucht

18

"Can we trust him?" I whispered while Ashanti sat in my lap in the passenger side. Curt looked back at Richard in the rearview mirror who was currently tense from Milly sharply watching him and growling every so often.

"No way to tell really." He flicked his eyes down to the gas gauge that looked as low as it could be. Gas is extremely scarce now days and we don't have no where near as much as we should to get away from this part of the world.
I couldn't help the anxious feeling that started to pool into my chest from worry, and I already knew Curt was trying not to show any concern himself.

"C-could you maybe tell your dog to get back a little?" Stuttered Richard with light nervous laughter. Slobber from Milly was now starting to drip from her baring teeth and onto his already dirty clothes.

Curt barely glanced at the rearview mirror before once again remaining in his spot behind the wheel quietly. He looked to be debating Richard's request and after a few minutes, demanded the rottweiler lightly to back up off of the older male.

"Uh, thanks." He replied with light disgust as he began trying to wipe the slimy substance off. I noticed Ash look at the scene in the backseat and cringe her nose in disgust also before quickly turning back around and watching the road ahead.

"So, where you folks headed exactly?" Asked the oldest male. His thick country accent was the first thing I always noticed everytime he spoke.

No one said a word which made me look over at Curtis. In reality, I had no idea where Ashanti and I were going, but I could understand why Curt wouldn't want to just go around telling anyone where he was headed. It's too dangerous now to let some things be heard.

"We're going to New York!" Shouted Ashanti without a care in the world. She seemed almost excited and it killed me to have to take that away.

"Actually honey, we don't know what's gonna happen or where we're gonna go." I held her in my arms lightly, yet securely as she turned around with much less excitement.

"So... we're not going to New York?" As much as I wanted to say yes, I couldn't help but find New York to be one of the most dangerous places to go during an apocalypse. It's more than likely way too crowded with infected and most of everything has already been probably stolen or ransacked.

"Probably not baby. We'll find somewhere even better to go. How about that?" Although she nodded and agreed, the sadness never left her eyes as she looked back up at me and smiled softly for a brief moment.

"What's happening?" Asked Richard on full alert as the truck started sputtering. Curt lightly cursed before he began to slow down and pull over to the side of the highway.
Everyone was on edge by the time the vehicle came to a complete stop. Ash looked up at me with confusion while Richard was doing the same with Curt from the backseat.

"We're out of gas." Curt's deep voice broke the silence. He sighed harshly while leaning back in his seat, already knowing what was to come.

"What do we do." I asked, already trying to form a plan to get us back on the road.

"We'll have to walk won't we." Richard answered for him, complain evident in his voice.
Curt thought about it before he finally flicked his dark brown orbs into mine and nodded softly.

"Yeah." His husky voice cracked lightly from the dry, hot air that consumed us.

"I'm gonna walk." He took his pistol out and began checking for bullet cartridges.

"You're gonna walk? What about us?" He looked around at the three of us and opened his mouth to speak although nothing came out.

"Look, I don't know how far the next working vehicle will be or when gas will be available. It's too dangerous for all of us to go."

"The hell it is, in not stayin' here." Richard informed.

"What if there's too many and you all can't keep up?" Curt looked at all of us in the eyes before leaning back into his seat and looking ahead at the road.

"I just feel like there's a greater chance for us all if I go alone."

"And you think there's one if we have to fend for ourselves in the middle of nowhere?" I finally spoke up while slightly tightening my grip on Ash. Curt sighed and started to massage his temples from frustration.

"He doesn't want us to slow him down right?" Ashanti asked softly while looking up at me then over at him. He looked back at her before his eyes softened, an inner battle of decisions going on in his head. After a few seconds, I noticed him clench his teeth before he finally decided.

"Alright fine. Everyone pack up your things." He sighed softly before he opened the heavy truck door and stepped out while the rest of us did the same. Before Richard could fully get out, Milly came zooming by after Curt which made the older male almost trip.

"Hey!" He yelled out in anger which obviously did nothing. She didn't stop until she was right behind Curt's boots.

"Damn dog." The older male muttered.

"Here baby take this." I gave Ash her plushie and her mini backpack while I carried the much heavier one. There was still a whole duffel bag that needed to be carried and with all the weight I'm carrying now I couldn't even make it a mile with that added to it.

"Hey old man!" I shouted which earned his attention.

"Old? Excuse me, Missy? " I couldn't help but smile at Ash who was laughing at the scene in front of her.
Richard had his hands on his hips while he looked at me like I was crazy.

"I'll have you know I'm in the best shape of my life." He muttered while making his way over.

"How about you make yourself useful." I swung the heavy duffel bag into his chest which almost knocked the air out of him before he barely managed to catch it.

"Well damn lady you got to give me a heads up." I ignored his statement and made sure Ash was ready as well as myself.

"Where the hell are we anyways." Richard complained towards Curt whom looked to be at peace while leaned against the truck with his eyes closed and head tilted towards the sky.

"Route forty, almost in Colombia."

"We're going to Columbia?!" Ash said excitedly. I couldn't help but smile at her innocence.

"Not the Colombia you're thinking of baby." I corrected amusingly.
She replied a simple "oh" before looking down at Milly who was lightly panting behind Curt's legs.

"How far will we have to walk?" Curt looked ahead at the horizon before shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully if we're close enough we can just find a vehicle or siphon some gas." He wiped the sweat from his forehead before motioning his head towards the gun in my belt loop.

"You got enough bullets to last?"

"Enough rounds to get us to Illinois."

"Good, I'm starting to run on fumes." He put his own pistol in his holster before taking a few steps out into the open highway. All that could be heard was the occasional breeze and a bird or two that just so happened to be flying by.

"Don't try anything with my bag old man." I muttered to Richard which earned a scoff.

"Trust me I don't want your damn bag." Sarcasm laced his voice and I only found myself rolling my eyes at him.

"Everybody ready?" Curt called out while looking back at us. I walked ahead with Ash while Richard followed not too far behind.

"Yeah, I think so." I said while nodding as he flicked his gaze over at me, then at Richard.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Richard shrugged his shoulder casually as he answered.

"Alright." He breathed in and out deeply.

"Let's start moving."