Dust in the Wind

Chapter 3

Streets of Childhood

"Ez..." Aqil looked over at her as she kept herself busy with reloading. She had almost finished reloading the thousand rounds they had in the last week of taking time off. "How are you doing?"

"Fine." She answered automatically, not even thinking of an honest answer.

"Ez. Come one. Actually think about it for more than a second."

She took a deep breath and moved in her chair to face Aqil. "It's scary. I'm scared." She quietly muttered. "This kid, whoever they are, they're making me realize I've got something to worry about other than myself. Now I've got another being to care for-to live for. I've barely cared since the outbreak," she wrapped her arms around herself, "but now I guess I've got to."

"It'll be alright, Ez. Things won't be easy, but we can figure it out like we always have." Aqil tried to reassure her but knew he didn't have the words to make her feel better.

"I need some time to think. I'm gonna take the bike out for a drive." She stood up from the chair and walked to the door, not hearing anything Aqil said to try and stop her. She pulled the old dirt bike they had fixed up from the garage, praying it'd turn on. Once she got it running, she left their little compound and drove to their old neighborhood. To her parent's sterile and empty house and to the neighboring house she had grown up in.

She pulled into the driveway and got off the bike, walking up to the front door she had already broken into. Anytime she needed to think, she'd come here, which meant Aqil would come sooner or later to pick her up and talk.

Ezra walked up the stairs and into their old room, looking at the poster-lined walls. She ran her hand along them before sitting on her old bed and taking a deep breath. Before too long, Aqil showed up, sitting down next to her in silence.

Eventually, Ezra spoke up. "This baby is going to change everything, and I'm not sure I can do it."

"It doesn't have to, Ezra." He placed his hand on top of hers. "You don't have to keep the child. Abortion is an option, or I'm sure one of Roan's rich friends would adopt an infected baby." He paused, waiting for her to speak, but when she didn't, he spoke again. "No matter what you choose, I'll be here for you."

"I know." She looked up at him. "Thank you."

----
First Taste of The Good Life

"Ez!" Liza, one of the girls staying with Ezra's family, yelled out from the other room. "Some old guy is here asking for you."

Ezra jumped up from her bed, looking down at herself to make sure she looked decent before going out to greet them. She already knew it was Cohen, as she had given him her address, so she wasn't surprised when he was the one standing in the doorway.

"Don't yell that, Liza." Ezra harshly whispered to her as she walked by to greet Cohen. "Hey." She casually leaned on the doorway.

"I've got a job for you if you're free."

"I don't have work until later." She shrugged. "I'm free."

"Grab a backpack if you have one." He nodded inside. She quickly walked past the kids that were still home and hungry for some drama and into their room to grab her backpack before returning to him. "Come on." He motioned for her to follow. She turned back to the other kids and glared, warning them not to tell of this moment to the parents or else.

"What're we doing?" Ezra finally asked once they were on the elevator headed down.

"I know a guy who makes food tickets."