The End of Days

[28]

The kids were freezing that night. Liam shuffled them into the master bed, covering them with blankets and pillows. "Sleep," he told them despite knowing they wouldn't. He would be busy for the next several hours anyway.

Liam faced down the freshly made graves, the bodies already having been buried. Dirt and blood dried on his hands and covered his clothes, he almost laughed at the sight. It was ridiculous really, feeling sad. He should have been used to it by then, after everything that had happened.

Liam considered making headstones but the temperature was dropping quick and the generator wouldn't hold for long. He'd been holding off to start it until it got real bad, just to get them through the night. They'd head out in the morning but he couldn't leave the couple out, wanted to make sure they were settled at home before they left.

"...I.." His thoughts failed him as he stood there. Liam should give final words, say anything. He didn't though, making his way inside.

Liam flipped the switch on the generator, waiting and praying for the house to spark with power. It did and he sighed a breath of relief. All the lights remained off as to not use too much energy, however when Liam went into the bathroom the sight nearly killed him. Mac's blood covering his shirt, Abby's dripping down and staining his arm.

He felt a hand through the overgrown fro, unable to sift through it due to the dried crimson remaining where her hands had been. He pulled at the trash under the sink to vomit, returning with the hair buzzers in hand.

Liam sat on the side of the bed, leg bouncing. A blanket covered foot poked at his side slowly. He sighed, head dropping.

"Are you two hungry?" He signed to them, unable to meet their gazes. They shook their heads in response. "I'm cold." Paige said, much to Liam's guilt. He moved them over, crawling between them under the covers and pulling them to rest in his arms. Their heads had only just settled on his chest for a moment before they began to cry.

Paige huddled under the blanket, tucked into the crook of his neck. Fred faced away in his arm, gripping to his limb like a vice as he shook. Liam held them tight, whispering comforts whether they heard them or not.

Food, water, flashlights, lighter, blankets, first aid, rope, axe- Liam continued on with whatever he could think of, shoveling any essential he could into each bag. Caring for himself was one thing but with kids, the pressure was near impossible.

"Here." The kids stared at the pocket knives blankly. "You don't play with these. Their for emergencies." Liam didn't reciprocate as they presented the sign to him, setting them into the palms of their hands. "Keep them on you always." Liam presented the bags of cornflakes to them which they snacked from as he finished with the packing.

He made sure to stow away some snacks and water into the kids bags which had their own essentials. Paige might just tip if she tried to walk with hers but he wanted them to be ready for anything, with or without him. It would be a luxury to ignore such possibilities, one many now couldn't afford when he really considered it.

The truck was set to go, the chains and ramps having been tossed aside since they had no use for it now. He scrubbed the bed to hell even after the blood had been rinsed clean from the surface. He stocked the vehicle before dressing the kids in their jackets and bags.

"Fred." He handed the bear over which he grabbed with a bashful rubbing of his face. "Here, girl." Liam presented her the photo of her and Adam which had her staring. "It was for you, I was just holding onto it."

She grabbed at it slowly, small index finger tracing the rough features and rare smile. Liam grabbed at them soon after, rushing them up into the truck.

"We won't be back," Liam told them, checking they were buckled. "Is there anything you need?" He thought back to the women who had took him in, who'd been caring for the children for years. Despite their differences, they did try. The kids shook their heads and with that he shut the door.

Liam checked the house one final time for anything he may need. His eyes slid to the backdoor, knowing full well who was waiting on the other side. He grabbed at one of the photos framed on the wall, a strong woman presenting large muscles and rocking some swim trunks and shades. A fit blond woman stood beside her with a tongue out and eyes wide, long hair sticking down her back from the water.

Liam shoved it into his bag before tossing on the heavy brown jacket that still smelled of musk and smoke. He'd carry the memories with him as often as he could, as stupid as it might seem. They didn't deserve to be forgotten, any of them.

He clutched at the bottom of the garage door, swinging it up in one swift move. A walker roamed nearby, he had barely reached for his knife when he realized there was no need. It walked on down the street, Liam waited before returning to the truck.

"You guys ready?" The quiet children said nothing. Liam sighed, gripping a little knee briefly before starting the engine and making way for Sanctuary, it was the only hope those kids had.