Just Survive (Complete)

Chapter 25

Colby's ankle was swollen the next morning. He had bandages wrapped around it and taped up with medical tape. As much as he wanted to pretend everything was fine, he knew he needed to rest. They could only keep trudging on, Ashley carrying Jenny and Colby limping beside them. At least they still had their guns and food packs, so they had something to eat. The weather turned bad; rain began pelting down on them again and wind whipped through the trees, rattling leaves and branches. It seemed colder, too. Their shoes and socks were soaked wet.
"We're gonna be lucky if we ever make it outta this forest," Colby said, stopping. "This storm isn't letting up."
Jenny was starting to shiver, the rain seeping through the layers Ashley had wrapped her in.

Then they saw light through the trees and walked through, finding a cabin with a porch light on.
"What's this? Someone who likes glamping?" Colby commented, opening the door with a creak.
Inside, it was warm and cozy. The living room was empty apart from a small fire burning inside the fireplace. In front of the fire was a table and two chairs. Colby smiled in relief.

"Colby! Someone lives here! I don't think we should just walk in!"
"They left the door open, Ash! Let's just stay until the rain stops and we dry off." Colby reasoned.
They both sat in the chairs, huddling close to the warmth of the fireplace. Colby leaned forward and picked up the woodbox, filling the fireplace with wood. A bearskin rug sat in front of the fireplace, and Ashley sat Jenny down on it.

A baking pan of cornbread sat on the counter by a gas stove, and Ashley felt her stomach growl. Colby chuckled slightly.
"Hungry?" he teased.
"I'm starving."
She stood up and stretched, heading towards the kitchen. Colby watched amused as she cut a square of cornbread for herself, and one each for Colby and Jenny. She brought them back to the dining table where she settled down and took a bite from hers.
"God, this is good!" He said, seeing her nod in response. The sound of footsteps on the porch interrupted the cozy atmosphere.

The door swung open and a middle-aged couple entered. They appeared to be Native American, with tan skin and black hair streaked gray with age. The husband was holding a rifle defensively.
"Who's there!?" he shouted angrily, raising his rifle.
"Easy, mister! We needed a place to warm up!" Colby called out loudly. He stood, wincing as he stepped on his bad ankle. The wife's face softened.
"The poor kid can barely walk! And look! They have a baby with them!" She reached down and lifted Jenny, examining the tiny girl carefully. The woman was smiling as she set Jenny down and examined her hands. The little girl giggled and held onto one of the lady's fingers with one hand while reaching out with the other to touch the tip of her nose.
"They ate our cornbread, Maggie!" the husband grumbled.
"Well, they obviously needed it more than you, ya big lump! Look at that poor thing! She's starving! " Maggie retorted. The man shrugged and looked away. The older woman rolled her eyes.
"Sorry. I'm Maggie, and that's my husband, Bear. We just came back from cutting firewood."
Ashley made the introductions. Jenny squealed, hugging Bear's denim-clad leg. His face softened, a smile playing on his lips. Ashley scooped the baby up.
"Sorry. She's very affectionate." Ashley apologized.
"No worries; my grandkids are the same way," Maggie replied. "Now, get comfortable. I'll make you three some soup." Ashley smiled gratefully, getting Colby to sit down so she could look at his swollen ankle. He probably would have to stay off of it for a few days. Maggie looked at Colby's injury.
"You better stay until that ankle stops hurting." The older woman commented
as she put some water in a pot and heated it on the stove.
"Why does it hurt?" Colby questioned. "Is it infected?"
"Maybe. But we gotta wait until it gets better. You guys are filthy. Why don't you clean up? There's a guest bathroom and we've got some baby clothes that should fit Jenny. The guest bedroom is available. You can stay there until you can travel. You can take your time getting healed and rested up. Your leg will be alright in a day or two."
Ashley helped Colby hobble to the guest room, Jenny glued to her hip.

When they arrived in the second room, Ashley smiled at how homey it felt. A quilt covered the bed with a scrap afghan folded at the end. Colby sat on the side, pulling off his layers and stretching out. Dried flowers hung from the ceiling, and a toy box of stuffed animals sat in the corner next to a playpen. Jenny toddled over to the toys, pulling out a cloth doll. It was dressed in a small buckskin dress with little beads and braided hair made out of yarn. She stood as long as her chubby legs could hold her before flopping on a rag rug. Ashley giggled and went to the baby, plonking her in the playpen and handing her one of the blankets from her backpack. Colby took a shower, running cold water over his ankle, and massaging it. Ashley washed Jenny, letting her splash around in the tub. Bars of handmade soap scented with lavender sat in a basket, and Ashley sudsed up a washcloth with it to clean the baby off. When she finished, she dried and toweled her clean, dressing her in a soft yellow onesie with matching fuzzy socks.

Bear came into the bedroom, placing a stack of children's books on the bed.
"These are my grandkids books. Thought the little one might like them." The older man explained.

"Thank you! I haven't been able to bring any books along with us." Ashley said.
"Oh... well, uh... let me know if you need anything else, okay?"
Ashley thanked him and gave him a quick hug.
"Thanks again." She added.
Bear blushed.
"Hey, now. You know it's no problem..." He stammered.

They all sat down for dinner; a vegetable soup with beans, lentils, and barley grains in a tomato broth. 
It tasted amazing. Colby was so grateful for what they were given. They hadn't eaten since the night before the attack in the town. Not to mention their hunger pains kept coming in waves.
Ashley spoon-fed Jenny the soup and tried to get her to feed herself some more cornbread by breaking it up into little pieces. It was the best meal the three of them had eaten in a very long time.