Risen from the Grave

Home sweet Prison

I decided it would be best for me to drive again. None of us knew where to go, so I just drove and kept on driving, at least until we found somewhere safe to stay. Most people had fallen asleep, Julie finally feeling safe now that Reggie and Luke were unarmed and I was up. Willie and Caleb were curled in the corner near the cooler with the insulin in, Dad and Tía on the side by Julie and Reggie slumped behind the passenger chair that Luke was sat in. He'd asked to sit up front, claiming he wanted to see what was outside easily. He was still awake, but barely. "Thank you,"he suddenly said.

"What?"I replied.

"Thank you, for helping us. Reggie doesn't like to admit it, but..." He quickly checking behind the seat to ensure his friend was asleep. "He's really vulnerable. His hearing has been getting worse, even with the hearing aid, and he's a little blind."

"Blind?"

"He wears contact lenses, although I have warned him he should at least get a pair of glasses just in case. Contacts are too easy to lose, and he can't see shit without them." I nodded.

"Did you guys know each other before all this?"

"Yeah, we did,"Luke replied, smiling softly. "Our mums were best friends in high school. They were the maid of honour at each others weddings, they tried to get pregnant at the same time, lived close to each other. They were so close, that me and Reggie naturally became close." I nodded, intrigued. "I remember we'd have barbeques together every summer, and go on holiday together every winter. Until, Reggie's dad became an alcoholic." His face dropped. "He started to become... abusive. He'd hurt Reggie and his mom. They weren't allowed to see us anymore." He paused, wiping away a tear. "That was when Reggie went deaf. His dad threw a glass at him and it hit his ear. It went immediately. He told me it was like someone hit the mute button. It's why he grew his hair out, to hide the hearing aid. I think the only reason his dad regrets taking out his hearing was how much it cost to get the aid."

"Wow..."I mumbled, in shock. "So... if he went through all that... why was he so violent towards me?"

"Because you threatened me. I hate to sound so... self absorbed, but I'm all he has left. He'd kill anyone if they so much as gave me a bruise." I nodded.

"That makes sense."

"How did you meet all these people? Are they all your family?"

"Not all, no. Julie, my dad and Victoria. Then there's Caleb and Willie, who we found while looking for supplies. They needed help, so, we helped them. Caleb was injured, and Dad's a doctor, so it made sense. What... what about your parents?" I hesitated asking the question, but decided to ask anyway.

"Well..."he began, pausing.

"If it's too sensitive, you don't have to-"

"It's fine. My dad... well... I haven't seen him in ages. I think he got arrested, but I don't know. My mum got bit."

"Mine too,"I replied, trying not to think about it. Luke nodded, placing a comforting hand on my thigh. The sensation rocketed up my spine, making my face feel hot.

"I'm sorry for your loss,"he said, looking down into his lap.

"I'm sorry for yours,"I answered. I wanted to put my hand on top of his, but I knew I'd hate it, just like I hate all skin-on-skin contact. I hoped he would maybe be different, but at the same time I knew he wouldn't. Instead, I opted for copying him, putting my hand on his thigh. I saw him shiver slightly, and quickly pulled my hand away to reach back behind my seat, pulling out an old blanket I'd kept in there. I handed it to him with a smile before returning my eyes to the road. He removed his hand to wrap the blanket around him, and I almost missed the warmth of him. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him curl into the window, watching the world go by.