Never Close Your Eyes

The Collector 🔒 (S2/E8)

|| Chapter Thirty-Six ||

In (Year of Your Birth), Pierce Howell released the first make of 'Rosie-Mae's' out to the public, which grew popularity within weeks of availability. Children of all ages found the features and functions of Rosie May to be irresistible. Background stories and tv shows encouraged the growth of the children's toy, unlocking doors never thought possible for a simple, realistic doll. With Rosie-Mae in the arms of a child, their parents never heard a peep out of them. No one guessed who the baby doll's features were based on but there was no relevance to finding the reference; it (the doll) was merely a popular toy, who promised peace to family households and soon became a face of value everywhere.
• •
Four days later

It's been a rough week since Burrsville, and I've healed pretty well in the throat department. My neck bruises have diminished pretty much but I'm sensitive to the touch.

Now, I'm not one to complain all time, but with the lack of cities and houses being down the roads we follow, it's becoming difficult to loot.

The houses we do find seem to have already been scratched at. The vehicle we had left Burrsville in had broke down two days ago from the lack of gas. As to not waste time or ruin our shoes, we settled for a low-riding car that had zero roof attached.

I'm not complaining about the roof, because it helps with my anxiety of being closed in. The side piece that split the driver window from the window behind the driver wasn't even there, but the passenger had theirs.

Which was all odd but never questioned. If it worked, it worked; no need to be too picky in the apocalypse. At this time, we all stood around the parked vehicle—that should've been trashed instead of fixed up enough to run for a hotter minute.

It runs rough and drives even rougher. Warren stood at the hood of her temporary project with Vasquez beside her, arms crossed and face stoned as if Medusa had made eye contact with him.

I sat on top of the hood, right above the passenger's tire with 10K beside me, hands spread out on the hood we turned into a makeshift table.

Addy and Doc stood on the opposite end of the passenger, facing the same woods as me. I wanted to sit beside 10K while we did inventory, but I also wanted to keep an eye on the tree line.

I've got a bad feeling about this place, but I can't put my tongue on it so I'll use artificial reassurance on it for a small amount of sedation on the urge to get everyone and keep going.

Murphy was napping in the very back of the vehicle with his feet propped on top of the door, his hat lowered to protect his eyelids from the sun beading down against his sight.

Everyone had their most valuables laid out on the metal table as the two leaders examined all opportunities we provided as a group. Which wasn't many, but hey! We're breathing.

That makes some magic happen. I crossed my arms over my chest, swinging my legs in boredom to make the time tick by faster. Keen eyes stayed focus on the perfect cover for enemies approaching while my ears pinned on the conversation playing out behind me.

"Flashlight. No batteries." Doc begun and finished his list of lack of tools and his tool, "Half a bottle of aspirin."

At one point, he had a bag filled with medicine we had to sort out and guess what was what. That was a mess to do but I learned plenty on drugs.