Safe and Sound

Volume 1

You mindlessly tap your pen to the sheet of paper, the written questions on it are left unanswered and they would until your mind actually chose to work. For the most part you would sit on the sofa to do your 'homework' (or rather work you refused to do at school, so your teachers would send you home with a note and the work....did you ever give the note to your parents? No, that would be a one-way ticket to hell) As you thought of the answer to a very basic algebraic question your eyes drifted to the window, the morning light brightening the small apartment, you shifted your weight as you felt your foot falling asleep from under your weight and then you looked to where your parents would sleep. You think they're still asleep, after all the sun had only come up about forty minutes ago; and you couldn't sleep when the sun came up, so until they woke up you would read one of the smuggled books or catch up on school work.

As you were well aware, your parents work was dangerous, they got injured a lot during their jobs, however it still made your stomach turn when you would see your father with a gash in the arm, or as that morning, the black and blue bruise shaping your mothers eye. When she had come out of the room she gave you a small smile before walking into the kitchen, or...what remained of a kitchen, you swung your legs off of the sofa and then walked over to where she stood, leaning against the cluttered countertops and looked at her. You knew your eyes held all of the questions you wanted to ask and you ask, normally you would go ahead and ask the questions, but you heard your father behind you-let him do the asking instead.

You couldn't help but frown a little as she slid a mug over to you, the hot liquid steaming as she offered a small smile and then took the other two mugs and went to the table where your father sat. The night before consisted of you watching him go through the maps. Of course you knew what he was doing, he was looking for Tommy, as he had been...for the last year. When he would get in that mood you would leave him be, either going to the bedroom to let him do his thing or he would put you to work. Last night was the former, you sat alone for a long time before you had ended up falling asleep and when you had woken up that morning you found yourself comfortable in the arms of your father; you were surprised you didn't wake him up as you moved.

When you sat down on the other side of the table, you noticed how your father glanced at you before he looked at Tess. Concern not being masked he leaned forward, the chair moving against the floor making a sound you would describe as nails on a chalkboard. However, before he could move any closer, Tess spoke.

"I got jumped," her voice and tone started off as authoritative but then it began to soften, "by a couple of guys."

Joel was quick to respond, "What guys?"

As your eyes darted back and forth watching the conversation, you took a sip of your drink. Tess went on, "Just a couple of teenagers, said some shit-" he tilted her face so he could get a better look, "Probably shouldn't have." As she spoke Joel stood. "Come on, you know these guys, born after the outbreak." Immediately she would feel your look of confusion and mild offense, so she glanced over to you and shook her head to put you to ease, 'not you though' as if she were saying. But she looked back to Joel and went on also trying to put him to ease, while bringing the mug to her lips, "Never learned how to argue, just start swingin'. Fucking 19-year old pieces of shit."

There was a short pause as Joel came back to the table, keeping his eyes low, "It's a miracle you're alive."

To retort, "It's a miracle any of us are alive."

That was true. It was a miracle you had lived this long, any humans to make it this long. Your mind began to wander and it only snapped back when you heard the words-'He sold our battery to someone else.' That sent a cold rush through your blood. Your car battery, the one your father needed to go find Tommy, to get out of the QZ. You couldn't keep your mouth shut, "He what?" Your voice didn't even sound angered, it more of heartbroken, you eyes met Tess's, "Momma, he what?"