Just Survive (Complete)

Chapter 24

They walked until just before dark, finding an abandoned house. They stumbled into a bathroom, looking for medical supplies. They had what they needed, but they always looked.

Ashley rummaged through some cabinets, taking what she needed. Colby grabbed some extra water, which he drank gratefully. Finally, he leaned against the wall, panting heavily.
"Are you ok?" Ashley asked gently.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to sit down."
As he spoke, he took off his jacket, revealing a wound on his arm
"You told me you were fine!" Ashley snapped.
"It's a flesh wound!" he said as she poured a bottle of rubbing alcohol on the gash.
"Oh god, you are so stubborn!"
He winced as the alcohol touched the wound, then grunted in pain. Ashley sighed. He'd never let her take care of him. The bleeding had stopped, and the wound had sealed itself. His wrist on the opposite arm was swollen, and he had a cut on his cheekbone. She cleaned his wounds, checking for zombie bites as she worked. Then she worked on her own injuries. A bruise was forming on her cheekbone and her right thigh was a deep purple color. There were a few painful cuts, but nothing serious. Jenny had curled up on the pile of jackets and fallen asleep.
Ashley finished cleaning her leg.
"Damn it, Colby! Stop acting all hero-y! Why didn't you tell me you were hurt earlier? If something happened to you, I--"
"Look; I've kept you and Jenny safe, haven't I? That's the most important thing. Besides, I've been shot worse before. And besides, you were doing so well on your own!"
"Yes, thank God for you and your superhuman reflexes!!" she responded sarcastically.
"Hey!" He retorted defensively. They sat in silence for a while until Ashley left the room, picking up Jenny without waking her and making a place to sleep on the floor. Colby was pretty sore, so he tried to get comfortable, seeing Ashley shivering.
"Here," he said, offering her an extra blanket that he had from his pack. She took it and lay down beside Jenny, pulling Colby down against her body.
"Better?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her.
"Mmm...thank you.." she mumbled.
"I'm sorry we argued. It's stupid compared to what we lived through today."
"I guess I should be grateful you saved us...even though you did almost die." She joked weakly.
"Haha. Thanks. I appreciate the compliment, by the way." He answered with fake sarcasm.
They stared up at the ceiling, watching the shadows cast by the moonlight. After several minutes, Colby started to drift off. Ashley stroked his hair slowly.
"I love you.." she whispered into his ear.
"Love ya too, Ash."
She felt tiredness take over her body, drifting off into a peaceful slumber. Night was a welcome relief compared to the danger they had encountered in broad daylight.