Zuflucht

35

What now?

I thought, looking at the trashed truck we were using. All of us were covered in blood and most of us needed rest severely so we didn't have many options.

"Everyone grab your weapons and any ammo from the bodies" Curt commanded as he went to inspect the trucks. I picked up my revolver and as many bullets as I could before making my way towards the spotlight coming from the large truck.

I walked around until I was facing the back doors that were wide open, and heard Richard call out before he followed along.

"You don't know what or who could be in here." He rationalized while bracing his gun ready to shoot at anything that might jump out.
I rolled my eyes and gripped the handle before opening up the large door.

"What the hell!" I revolted in disgust as a putrid smell wafted from inside. I held my breath instantly, and couldn't help but pinch my nose.

"That's definitely ripe." Richard muttered, also knocked back by the odor.
The bright moonlight was the only light available, but it wasn't hard to recognize the multiple bodies hanging on meat hooks. My stomach churned at the table of chopped up human meat also occupying the room, and I immediately felt the taste of bile in the back of my throat. No longer wanted to be in there, I hopped out; heading for the damaged truck.

"How bad is it?" I asked Curt who was busy digging glass out of the seats. I immediately noticed his bruised face and bloody nose, along with multiple laceration and bruises on his arms and under his heavily ripped shirt.
He leaned up and against the truck for support, sighing out heavily.

"Radiator got busted during the shoot out. I was able to patch it but it won't hold long. There's two flats and to top it off most of the windows are busted." He sighed as he stopped brushing the glass and sat down in his seat tiredly.

"So what do we do?" I asked while shifting my weight to my hip and wiping some of the blood that had collected from my nose.
Curt shrugged while looking off into the distance, exhaustion evident in his form.

"We could try and patch everything up, but it would take hours trying to search these vehicles looking for the right tires and everything..." He glanced towards the semi with the now moved spotlight. Richard seemed to be inside looking at and everything.

"...or we could just take that one." His eyes met mine again, although this time his orbs quickly scanned my bruised form.

"Maybe the truck. I'm sure your nose wouldn't wanna feel the wrath of what's inside the trunk." A short breath of amusement left his nose as he leaned into the seat for support. I couldn't help but notice that he was showing an express different from being serious all the time. Humor looked... I guess you could say good on him.

"If I even could smell right now. My nose is so busted I don't even wanna breath through it right now." This time it was me who lightly laughed as I agreed with him, knowing exactly how he felt.
"You could say that again." He agreed before a wave of silence swept over us.

He looked off into the distance of the dark water below before sighing and getting up to look for something in the truck. The moon illuminated the rips and tears on his once clean white shirt, as well as the severe bruising underneath. I myself probably looked like a walking zombie at the moment.
Seconds later he settled back into the front seat, the small travel sized medical kit in his hands extended towards me. He didn't say anything; just nodded once for me to go ahead.

"Thanks, but you sh-" He shut his eyes and shook his head to stop me, and once again extended his hand and nodded at me to go ahead.

"Thanks." I accepted, and gratefully took it. I walked around and opened up the passenger side door before plopping down exhausted. Opening up the contents, I began working on my wounds the best I could with the limited supplies.
I couldn't help but feel the dark mysterious orbs on me as I dabbed under my nose with the antiseptic wipe.

"You know you really handled yourself well out there. Not a lot of women these days take men head on and fight like that." I shrugged and sighed softly, feeling the pain creep up more and more from the fight as the last bits of adrenaline cascaded

"What choice do I have? Women these days have to fight to survive. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her and I both alive. Keeping her safe is my number one priority." I glanced over at Ash who was hugging her plush to her chest, standing and looking at the water next to Milly. I couldn't help the tug I felt in my chest from how worried I was for her minutes ago. All it takes is a second for her to be taken away from me and I refuse to let that happen. Still, it made me weak inside to know that I can't do it alone.

"You're doing a hell of a job. She's in good hands." Curt's deep voice filled the quiet car as I looked into his dark eyes. Even with only the moonlight showing, I could see more in them than he wanted show. They didn't look cold or stern like usual, but with an emotion I couldn't describe. I didn't realize how long we had both been staring, until Richard had tapped the hood of the truck getting Curt's attention.

"The truck looks pretty good. It has gas, everything's workin', and the tires are in good condition. Have to unhook the trailer it's connected to though." Curt nodded before making his way out of the busted truck we had been sitting in. It wasn't hard to tell that, just like the rest of us, he was in heavy pain. The only one who seemed okay was Ash. Physical pain anyways...

"Alright then everyone load up. You, help me unhitch the trailer." He nodded at Richard as they both made their way towards the large semi while I made my way towards Ash. She was looking over the edge of the water, the wind gently blowing her hair away from her face and behind her shoulders.

"Hey." I smiled as I walked up and placed my arm around her shoulders. I looked off at the view that seemed to catch her attention, and noticed the dark water rippling from the wind. The moonlight made it mesmerizing, and I felt myself being hypnotized by it's beauty. I looked back into Ash's eyes as she looked up into mine, noticing the dark bags under her doe eyes.

"Mama..." She trailed, her voice small and soft. I hummed for her to continue.

"Do you think we'll make it to New York?" She was once again facing the scenery while holding her plush close to her chest.
I thought about what she said and chose my words carefully. Ash is smart, and she knows what I'm supposed to say. What any mother is supposed to tell their child in that situation.

"No matter what happens I'm gonna get us there. You'll always be safe; I promise." I rubbed her shoulder as she sighed and squeezed her plush close, internally praying that everything will be okay.

"Now c'mon," I patted her on the back gently. "Let's get our stuff in the truck. We're taking theirs." She nodded and called out to Milly before making her way to the smaller truck and grabbed the few spare items she owned. I followed her and did the same, trying to keep peace in mind as my thoughts tried to take over...

This chapter will more than likely have mistake since it's not edited!! Please be nice and comment and vote!! Enjoy ~