When I Die

Ch.23

Perry

I watched as Sam's face filled with different emotions. I could tell that she was confused. Maybe about my survival? Maybe about my arm? Or maybe about the fact that we were both thousands of miles away from home, and somehow - some way, we both ended up in a broken down home with weapons drawn. 

"Perry, I can't believe you're alive." Sam breathed a sigh of relief but kept her gun trained on me. 

"It's nice to see you too, but can you maybe uhm," I nodded at the gun, "Oh! Shit, Im sorry Per." Sam lowered her gun and I followed suit with my arm. 

Sam and I were childhood best friends. There was never a dull moment with us, actually there was never a quiet moment with us. Whenever the two of us got together, it was always a riot. Sam was a wonderful singer and I was great picking music. 

If you looked at the two of us standing in this hallway, though, you'd never guess that we were once inseparable. 

"Wow, Im at a bit of a loss for words," My long lost friend chuckled, "You're the last person I thought I'd see today." She smiled at me, but for the first time I couldn't reciprocate it. 

I think Sam noticed the tension as she began to look around,"So uhm, do you live here?" she asked hesitantly. 

"Did you see that beaten down hatchback out front?" I asked and she nodded, "That's home sweet home."

"Houses are overrated anyway." Sam shrugged and I smiled. That was such a Sam thing to say. 

We stood in the hallway for what felt like a century, just asking simple questions. Neither of us wanted to give up any important details. I suppose the apocolapyse has trained us both well.

The girl who I was once trusted with my life, I can no longer trust. Especially after I watched her tear our home apart. The bloody sneakers and blood curdling screams will forever haunt me. 

"We have a doctor," Sam's eyes were locked on my missing limb. I moved my arm behind my back, "Im fine, it's healed."

"Im sure, but he could maybe fit you for a prosthetic. I know he's done it for others." Sam didn't look at me with pity. Then again, she never did. Not now, and not when I was the poor 'amish' girl with the weirdo parents. 

Before I could respond, a loud gunshot sounded from outside.  

Sam didn't hesitate to spring into action, within seconds she was down the stairs and out the broken front door. 

I chased after her, If her people had hurt Keith, there would be no salvaging our friendship. 

I followed her out of the house and onto the creaky front porch. The strong smell of copper left a pit in my stomach. 

"Fogwise, respond. This is an order." Sam was looking around frantically, shouting into her radio. There was nothing except for static on the other end.

"Sam?" I called her name but she was too panicked to hear me. I took a few slow steps back towards the house, Keith would be nearby. Especially if he heard the gunshot.

I searched all over the house for him, he was nowhere to be found. 

This is fine, don't panic Perry. He's fine. He probably heard the gunshot and went to scout it out. 

"Perry," I jumped at Sam's voice.

"Hey. Did you find who you were looking for?" I asked, keeping my hand on the handle of my knife. 

"No, I didn't. But I have a feeling you'll help me find him." Sam raised her rifle.