Zuflucht

20

Curt's POV

We walked until it began to get dark and luckily found a small shop in an old town to rest in. By the time we were settled, everyone was tired and sore and nothing but sleep sounded good at the moment.

"I don't think I could walk anymore after today." Grumbled Richard as he sat down on an old stool. He began massaging his sore legs while stretching them out every so often to try and relieve the pain.

"Better figure out what you're gonna do tomorrow then. We don't have much time." I said while sliding my heavy backpack off of my shoulders and onto the carpeted floor.

"Why can't we just rest for a day. Y'all move too much for me." He mumbled under his breath even though I heard it.

"Do any of these still work?" Ashanti asked her mother as she flipped through the multiple CD's that were lined up on the shelves.

"They should; just have to find a radio that works." Fiona replied.

"Woah, what about these?" Ashanti was now standing over by the wall behind the cash register which had multiple music records hanging up.

"I heard one of these when I was a little girl. I honestly don't know that much about them." Fiona picked up one of the records and analyzed it, spinning it around in her hands a couple of times.

"Maybe if we're lucky we can find a record player."

"Whatchu know about a record player?" Richard's heavily country accent butted in.

"What does it matter what I know?" I couldn't help but try not to laugh as Fiona gave Richard one of those 'don't try me' type of looks.

"Maybe you do know a little somethin' about them." He laughed uneasily before standing up and walking around the music store.

"Here girl." I called Milly over and gave her some water. She greedily lapped it up before laying down on her stomach beside my sitting form.

"Where are you going?" Asked Fiona once she noticed Richard walking into one of the back rooms.

"To find something to do, duh?" He sassily walked into the room; not sparing a glance before muttering something about being treated like a kid. Fiona rolled her eyes before making her way towards me and sitting down only a few feet away.

"Will we have to walk again tomorrow?" Her daughter asked. You could already tell the young girl was dreading her answer as her mother solemnly nodded.

"It seems to look that way. I'm sorry honey I know your legs are hurting. How about you get some sleep, hm?" Ashanti looked down before nodding slowly and leaning against Fiona for support before closing her eyes. It only took a few minutes before the little girls'soft snores illuminated the room.

"You should get some rest yourself y'know." Fiona looked caught off guard by this and as much as it looked like she wanted to, she still shook her head no.

"I'm gonna stay up a while. We don't know how safe this place is. The glass can only keep them back so much."

"I planned on staying up myself actually. Everyone will need their energy for tomorrow."

"Yeah, including you." I went to open my mouth but found I couldn't argue back with her logic. After all she was right.

"How about we take turns. You can sleep for a few hours and I'll watch and vise versa." Her dark orbs flicked into my own as she decided on my proposal. Although she tried to hide it, she still didn't trust me and I didn't blame her for it.

"I'll lay down and rest for now; I don't know if I'll be able to sleep immediately. " I nodded and scooted closer to the CD rack next to me to lean on for support.
Meanwhile, Fiona somehow eased her daughter's head off of her shoulder and onto one of the bags they brought; gently making sure Ashanti was as comfortable as possible on the floor before laying down next to her. The air was thick with humidity and the only sounds that could be heard were Ashanti's small snores and Richard rummaging through who knows what in another room.