Alone *UNDER CONSTRUCTION*

Chapter Nine: Separate Ways

Song for this chapter is
Serpents(Basement) by Sharon van Etten

That night we eat chili for dinner, again. Later, we laugh and tell stories. I tell them about the time a few years ago when Anthony and I were trying to skateboard. Anthony ended up breaking his arm and going to the hospital. When he recovered, neither him or me tried to skateboard ever again.

The next day, we didn't have breakfast but for lunch we all had tomato soup, made by Grace. Grace boiled some bottled water in order to cook it. Because I couldn't really do anything and he could tell I was bored, Jesse lent me a few of his comic books. They were pretty interesting and after I was finished with them he brought me some more. It's amazing how he has so many in his closet. Every six hours or so, I rewrapped the gauze on my ankle so I can kind of air it out because I don't want it to smell, you know?

For dinner, we made our own peanut butter sandwiches. Every time I took a bite, the peanut butter stuck to the top of my mouth and I had to scrape it off with my tongue. Grace thinks it super funny how I struggle with it. It's been such a long time that I forgot how sticky peanut butter could be.

Each day after I twisted my ankle, it felt a little better than the day before. When I could finally walk without limping so much, Jesse, Grace and I went to the local supermarket to get some supplies. When we got what we came for, I saw a walker coming toward us. I walk up to it, and use the sharp end of my hammer to dig into it's skull. Jesse says,"Wow, you really know how to kill a biter."

I answer, chuckling, " I've had a lot of practice."
We then use a shopping cart to carry all of our supplies.

That night, we have a feast of beans, chips, and peanut butter cups for dessert. With all of the stuff I helped them get, they should last for about three months before they have to get some more. Also, I've decided to leave tomorrow. My ankle is pretty much fully healed, so I don't hobble around anymore. I tell Jesse and Grace after dinner. Grace kind of takes it the hardest. I can tell that she doesn't really want me to leave. I'm the only friend she's had ever since this all started.

"David", she says, "Are you sure you want to go back out there? I mean, I know your ankle is better, but do you really want to go?"

I say, "If it means finding Anthony, then yes."

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I can't sleep.

No matter how hard I try, I just can't. I do want to stay, but Anthony is out there somewhere. Scared, cold, alone. I have to find him before winter starts, or I'll never forgive myself.

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Today's the day I'm going to pack up all my crap and leave. We all eat breakfast in silence. I didn't want to say a word because I didn't want to start anything that might cause some hostility. After I finish eating, I grab my backpack from the bedroom. Jesse then stops me at the doorway, a silver pistol in his hand.
"I want you to have this", he says, "It's okay, I have a spare."

I hesitate at first, but then I take the gun from his hand.
"I don't even know how to use a gun", I inform Jesse. I've shot plenty of dart guns in my life but never a real one.

"You'll get the hang of it", Jesse replies.

Jesse then holds out his hand for me to shake it, and I shake it.
"Good luck out there", he says.

"Thank you for everything", I tell him and Grace.

At the front door, I turn the knob and exit the house. As I reached the curb, Grace runs up to me and asks, "Do you really have to go?" I nod, and then, the craziest thing happens.

She hugs me.

I don't really know what to do, so I hug her back. She then says, "Please stay safe."

"I will"

"And David?"

"Yeah?"

"When will I see you again?"

I really don't know what to say.

"When I find Anthony, we're going to try to come straight here. But what if we find something that we have to take a chance at finding?"
Grace shrugs her shoulders.

"I'll see you around."

That's all I say, then I walk down the neighborhood street, hoping that one day I will see Grace again.