Zuflucht

23

"Let's try over there."
Richard pointed into the distance at a small town with a radio tower. His other hand shielded the sun away from his eyes as he looked back at Curt for confirmation.

"Sound good to you?" Curt's dark orbs met mine as he asked for my input.

There's probably infected there...

"Y'all are positive you heard a broadcast, so we really need to get a better signal. Let's do it." Both the older and younger male nodded in sync.

"Ash, you stay close to me."

"My legs hurt." She whined out and stayed in her spot rather than moving on. Her small face looked to be in pain and she looked to be on the verge of tears.

I don't think I can carry her...

"The town's right there, sweetie. Can you try just for a few more minutes?" She shook her head in protest and didn't dare move an inch. I didn't realize how long she had held us up before I heard Curt's deep voice call out a few meters away; his tall figure making its way towards us a few seconds later. Richard chose to stay in his spot up ahead and watch from afar instead.

"Everything alright?" He asked while adjusting the strap on his old, black backpack. His eyes flicked from mine down to Ash's.

"Yeah, we're fi-"

"My legs hurt too much to walk. Why can't we just find somewhere to hide?" She cried out in protest which shocked me more than anything.

Ash never complains or usually doesn't make anything complicated.

"How about this," Curt thought after a few seconds of analyzing the situation.

"How about I carry her the rest of the way until we can take a break." I bit my lip anxiously as I debated his idea.
I trust he won't do anything to get us killed, but I don't know if that's such a good idea with how fast the infected can be.

"I don't know if that's such a smart idea..." I trailed. Ash once again whined out in protest and this time sat down on the hard concrete.

"Honey, wh-"

"No!" She demanded. I breathed in and out deeply so I could try and calm down; already feeling myself become frustrated.

"Would you let me carry you?" Curt bent down to her level and asked her with his voice softer than usual. Ash stayed quiet for a second and looked up into his deep orbs before she barely nodded. I felt bad at the thought of him having to carry her with his weight already added on.

"What about your bag?" I rationalized. He was already one step ahead of me as he slid it off of his shoulders and let his dark brown eyes flick to mine before going back to her.

"I'll only carry you if your mom says I can." Both pairs of eyes looked up and met mine; only Ash's holding desperation.

"I...I just..." I didn't wanna give in. The idea of Ash not being by my side worried me; anything could happen.

"I promise I'll protect her. It'll just be until we get to the station." Curt looked at me with an amount of seriousness I had never seen. His eyes were so dark they looked black, and twinkled the reflection of the blazing sun.

"What's the holdup?" Richard's voice echoed from afar.

I breathed in deeply before nodding. "Fine, but you protect her with your life. She's all I have left." I couldn't help as my words came out snappy and firm, but felt no guilt as he looked me in my eyes and nodded. I needed to know my daughter was going to be safe...

"Here, hop on." He turned around in his crouched position and waited for Ash to hop on before lifting her up piggy back style.

"Are you sure you can handle everything?" I checked just in case as I watched him carry his heavy looking bag only by his hand. Although his task looked painful, he made it look easy as he effortlessly carried her forwards with me trailing along.

Is it wrong of me to be upset with Ash...

"Don't worry about me, I can handle it." Although his words were bland like usual, his eyes looked at me with sincerity and an emotion I couldn't quite describe.
A part of me felt guilty for forcing her to walk more than she could handle. In all fairness she's only seven and she's been in hiding her whole life; hardly ever having to walk more than a few yards before being stopped by a cement wall. I shouldn't have been pushing her too hard.

I wish I could be stronger for her...

"About time." Richard chimed as we finally caught up with him.

"What happened?" For reasons I don't know of no one spoke, it was like everyone was mentally tired and just ready for some sort of hope or answers.

"Well fine then..." He muttered to himself once he realized no one was gonna reply.

As we walked, I couldn't help but think about the encounter that had happened just moments ago. My mind kept drifting off to how Ash acted and how he...talked to her.

It's like he was a completely different person...

"Think we could maybe eat something when we get to the tower?" Richard inquired as he rubbed his stomach while walking.

"Are you gonna help us risk our lives to go get some more?" I snapped back. We've all gotta make our own food last as long as possible.

"I just might." He replied sarcastically. I chose to roll my eyes and continue walking with my mouth shut for the remainder of the walk, my mind still continuing to drift off.

I couldn't hope but pray that something good was going to come out of this; some type of answer could be out there or someone could be calling out.

I'm just so sick of running and hiding. I just want to feel...safe...