Blend (on hold)

chapter nine- remembering

I was right, we are always safe the first night in a new place. I woke up the next morning, or I think it is the next morning, feeling pretty well rested. Thirsty and hungry, but well rested. Cooper is still asleep, but Danni is awake. I groan and roll over on the ground. My neck and back hurt from sleeping on the hard floor and I wince when I move my head.

“Sleeping pains?” Danni croaks. She’s trying to be sarcastic, but it doesn’t work with her lack of water and dry mouth, it comes out all wrong.

I just nod. I pull the orange out of my pocket. It is slightly smooshed, but not bad. Danni hobbles over and takes it from me. I grab her leg and pinch her. She half-screams and drops the orange. I catch it before it can hit the ground. I cradle it close to my chest.

“Can we eat it?” She asks.

I nod. “We should wake up Cooper first though.”

I do a speed roll over to him and slam into his side. He wakes up with a start and looks around.

I want to laugh, but my dry throat doesn't allow it, so all that comes out is a hack sounding thing.

Danni, already having peeled the orange, walks over and splits it into thirds. She hands each of us a part. Then starts eating hers.

“Shouldn’t we save some of it?” I ask.

Danni shrugs.

“Lets hope we find something soon.” Her voice already sounds better after eating something. The orange is good because it has the juice that is a little like water, even if its not exactly like it, it is wet and parches my thirst, or some of it. Danni sighs with relief.

“So delicious.” She moans.

I laugh, and it sounds actually human this time.

“We’re going to keep walking today.” Danni announces proudly.

Cooper and I both groan, but don’t protest.

Danni glares at us.

“You know that it is the right thing to do.”

We nod. My hand unintentionally reaches for the money in my pocket. It’s still there. I want more than anything to make it somewhere, I don’t know, fun maybe. Well, fun might not be the right word, but somewhere where we don’t have to hide or pretend to be something we’re not. I just want to be a normal person again. Go to the movies and stay up late eating candy and talking. What life used to be like, Before the zombies came. I know that my life will never to back to normal. I’ve changed dramatically in the past year and a half, almost two years. I know that means that I have to keep walking. Keep moving forward.

I stand up and do some stretches. My muscles groan, but eventually obey.

“How far do you think we’ll have to walk today?” I ask.

Danni shrugs.

“Probably for a couple hours. I don’t think that we should walk for another day. That nearly killed me.”

I nod. “I totally agree.”

Danni rolls her eyes.

Cooper stands up.

“Well, lets get going, before night falls. Its much harder to find things in the dark. I know this by experience.” He says

“Speaking of experience, did you have to eat brains an intestines before you joined us?” I wonder out loud.

He nods, then groans.

“I know, it sucks doesn’t it, but that is what I survived off of. I figured that we should just at least try the cow in case we couldn’t find any other food for a few more days. It might hold us over, even if it tastes like shit.”