Embrace The Madness: Cataclysm

19. Petrichor

[day 177]

Seamus sat alone in his bedroom. He was on the bed, facing away from the door. In his hands, he held a picture of his wife in her younger years. The picture was a bright and vibrant beach with his wife stood in the middle, wearing a peach sundress with flowers dotted around it.
He couldn't find it within himself to smile, though he felt a sense of comfort within him.

Downstairs, Hadiza was just about dozing off in an armchair, listening to the ticking of the clock.

Frank let out a sigh as he sipped his coffee, he looked down at Marco, who was drawing various symbols and words in graffiti style. It all seemed alien to Frank, so he just raised his eyebrows above his tired eyes.

"Do you think they'll teach me how to drive?" Marco asked.

"You'll have to reach the pedals first" Frank smirked.

Suddenly, though gradually, the rumbling of a vehicle filled the air, a rare sound for them.
Frank could already hear Seamus clambering above him. He put down the mug, patted Marco on the shoulder for reassurance and went to the window. He peeked through the curtains just enough so he couldn't be seen, for he feared the worst.

Squinting his eyes, and clutching his gun, he made out a large white van, which carefully avoided the mud on the road. Frank didn't recognise the vehicle, which made his hair stand up.
He noticed a woman in the passenger seat, her feet were up on the dashboard. When he looked to the side, he saw a familiar face.
Though he wasn't fully relieved, he was still unsure who the woman was.

"They're back" Marco whispered to Hadiza, tapping her shoulder.

She rubbed her eyes as she escaped from her slumber, looking over at Frank who had his hand on the door handle.

"Seems we've got visitors" his grumpy mood had returned.

"You're sure this is fine?" Asked Diana, lowering her feet as the van pulled up outside the house.

"It was always bound to happen" came Jude's muffled voice from in the back.

"Just... let me do the talking, please," Patrick wiped his moist forehead with the back of his hand, "come meet everyone."

"New friends?" Frank asked, gun in hand.

"We helped them out, they agreed to do the same" Patrick got in between them, preventing any conflict from occurring.

"Excuse me? Hi, hello!" Jude rushed out from behind the van, waving around a white cloth above his head.

Frank had a look of complete dismay, utterly baffled, but he didn't let his guard down.

"Uhh, this is... Jude" Patrick turned so that everyone got a good look.

"Ahh, like the saint!" Hadiza exclaimed, approaching behind Frank, who turned his head slightly, loosening his grip on the gun.

"Finally! Someone gets it," he had a wide grin on his face, clenching his fists with joy, "oh, my apologies, miss..?"

"Hadiza"

"Such a beautiful name!" Jude gasped, "are you religious?"

"Oh no, not particularly, though I did do religious studies in college."

"Noah, come here son, I need you for something"

Everyone fell silent at Seamus' voice.
Patrick glanced to the side, Rose stood to his right, her fingers tapping on her legs. Oliver stood to his left, his arms crossed.
Patrick caught Frank's eyes, it seemed he caught on quickly. He felt cold again.