When I Die

Ch.24

Perry

I stared down the barrel of Sam's rifle, "Sam- Put the gun down." I tightened my grip on the handle of my knife.

The lack of trust seemed to be mutual between us. We weren't the same two girls cutting class in the bathroom anymore. The world wasn't so simple anymore. 

"Perry, I'm glad you're okay. But, you don't know me anymore and I don't know you." The look in Sam's eyes was something I'd never seen. She looked at me as if I was a threat.  I nodded in agreement, she was spot on. We didn't know each other anymore. 

My sweet Sam would've never touch a fire arm, yet here she is now, with an assault rifle loaded and aimed right at my chest. 

"You're right, but it doesn't have to be this way. I can help you and we can go our separate ways." I raised my hand to show her that I meant no harm.

"No, Im sorry. Slowly take out the knife and toss it away from you." Sam kept her eyes on me, monitoring my every move.

I prayed Keith wasn't nearby, otherwise one of them is going to end up either hurt or dead. Reluctantly, I slowly slid the knife out of its sheathe and tossed it onto the very dead grass between us.

"Do you have any other weapons?" Sam's finger twitched on the trigger. I shook my head, I couldn't use that many weapons nowadays, so there was no point in having them.

She slid the rifle onto her back and grabbed a knife from her boot. Apparently knives were a common accessories among us girls. 

Sam held the knife outwards as she approached me, "Im just going to check, don't do anything stupid, Perry." 

I held my breath as she patted me down. Times like this, I wish I had two arms. 

After a minute, Sam sighed a breath of relief and stood in front of me. 

"You weren't alone, So if I had to guess, whoever you are with, has my partner. You're going to take me to them." I stared into Sam's loveless eyes. Once, a long time ago, she looked at me with admiration. Times change.

"Im sorry, Sam." I whispered. She looked back at me with confusion. Without hesitating, I bashed my head into her face. She went stumbling back and I raced for my knife. 

Sam steady herself, blood rushing from her nose. I made a break for the house, it'd be harder for her to have an easy shot indoors. 

"Perry, I really wish you wouldn't have done that!" I heard Sam scream as I ran through the doorless front entrance. 

It was cloudy out, but the inside of the house was still lit up. I needed to find a dark room. It's where id have the advantage.

---

Keith

I couldn't help but grin at the lifeless body leaning up agains the wall. This prick had been hunting us, and he almost succeeded at making Perry and I his prey. Almost.

I wiped the blood from my nose, the bastard put up one hell of a fight. My nose was probably broken, but it'd heal. This guy was wearing the same uniform as the asssholes who broke into the compound. There must be a home base or at least a camp nearby. There's no way they'd travel hundreds of miles just to loot a crappy neighborhood.

They were looking for something, or someone. I hope Perry stayed hidden, there was another with him. We need to relocate, and we need to do it fast.

I checked the guy's vest and pockets for anything that could be helpful. All I came up with was a picture of a baby and a pack of smokes. I really hope the baby isn't his, I may be a terrible person, but I never want to be responsible for ruining a family. I left both behind, Perry would kill me If I smoked.