Fever Dream Red

33

We walked along the undiscovered beach for a little while, until we came across a stone bridge across the mouth of the river. We crossed it tenderly, gazing with wonder at the pure water moving underneath out feet.

We then carried on for what seemed like an age. Up on the cliff we could see a road. Presumably it was the one we had travelled up on. We hoped it was.

As we walked along the sand, we also saw the corpses of beach huts lost forever by time. The paint on them had long since chipped away, and even the wood was rotting. It had been wethered away by water and weather: who could blame it for breaking down?

A small while after that we saw some stairs up to the road. We wondered about going up there, but decided against it. If we did, it would be incredibly easy for Nick to find us. Thankfully, the road was entirely on the coast. That was how I remembered it, anyway.

It took us a long, long while to get to the causeway, and by the time we did, it was dark and the tide was way up. The water was dancing in spite of us on the very same spot we wanted to walk on.

In part I was glad. My feet were aching, willing to be relieved. It hurt just to stand. I was flustered and hungry and partly annoyed and worried. A slice of lemon cake could've really come in handy at that moment.

We seeked shelter in an abandoned car. It was dirty and manky and perhaps had a few rats or bugs squealing around in there, but it was the only thing we had.

Each one of us kept watch, one at a time. Sunny woke me up in the dead of the night to do my shift. I sat there, the silent sleepers at my feet. Every sound, every gale of wind, every bird, everything, I heard. Anything could've been Nick. I lived in the constant fear of seeing his face, or worse, being on the receiving end of one of his guns.

That night the nerves ate away at the appetite I had. When I wasn't nervous or scared, I was reconsidering my life choices. What had led me, a fifteen-year-old, to be sat in a crappy car in the dead of night keeping watch for psychotic men on power trips?

In a way I felt angry. I had to do this because my childhood had been robbed from me. The appcalypse had given me freedom, but also taken away my innocence. It was every man for himself, but I was fifteen. I couldn't fend for myself, I was sure. But I had to, I supposed.

I had always felt angry. It had built up in me my whole life. It kept me warm like a mother's love.

My whole life I had been unlucky. Nothing had changed.

Overall, I was glad when my watch was over, and I could shake Skye awake and force them to take over the torture.

I laid awake for a while afterwards, though. I was laid in the passenger seat, with my eyes closed, feigning peace. In reality I was listening carefully for Skye's ragged breathing, just to know I wasn't alone.

I could be spiteful all I wanted in my head, but I couldn't out loud. It wasn't fair. The people I now knew had had life way poorer than mine. I couldn't complain, but how I wished I could.

The morning came slow and steady, the night fading away like a blow of smoke.

Alfie peered out at the causeway and decided we should move before the tide moved up.

That's what we did.

It felt strange walking along the causeway. I felt like I was intruding on nature's land. The sea was supposed to be here; the sand was waiting patiently to be hydrated again.

I was too. My throat felt dry like a sense of humour. My saliva made a type of paste in my mouth. There was no relief anywhere.

There was a renewed sense of urgency in our movements. We had to move before Nick found us. We had already spent enough time at the car. Nothing else could happen.

We got to Albermis, and the treasure chest of the world seemed to suddenly open for me. This was the rest of my life. I could get any clothes I wanted. I could have anything I ever dreamed of. All societal structure had been punctured into oblivian. The need for plain old office jobs had disappeared. I would never sit in a cubicle, depressed and hating my life. I would go runnig in the hills or swimming in distant lakes or dancing in empty discos. My life was for me to live. That was what we all wanted, isn't it?

We all smiled at each other, this thought no doubt swimming in each of our minds. We haven't made it by any means, but the causeway now meant that we had narrowed Nick's chances of finding us. If we found a working car then we would be well away. No need for walking then.

We go into shops to look for supplies and food and things. I go in, astounded and not quite believing. I could go in and grab anything I wanted. Nothing was stopping me. Things I never could afford were steps away now.

I was a billionare in the apocalypse.

I grabbed some sweets and some canned soup. I also got some noodles. And some water. I got five bottles of water.

I wanted to get some things that had some sort of excitement, but Alfie said I couldn't.
"Those things won't last. Get something that will last."

Me, Doug and Sunny both drooped at that.

Walking out of the store, I half expected someone to stop me. But then I remembered. We were in this world alone.