When we crumble(#wattys2015)

19.A arrow

I held the gun up to my moms head and pulled the trigger. Her blood splattered across my face dripping down my clothes.

I gasped as i woke up from that nightmare. It repeats over and over like its on a loop.

I sat up in the bed i took over. It wasn't a real bed it was just stacks of hay. But when you slept on the ground this seems like heaven.

The sun was starting to rise. Today was a organization meeting. Kind of.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Who?"

"Chase."

"Come in."

He walked in his hair a mess and tired eyes.

"You do know you don't have to knock and that you don't have to check on me every night"

He nodded. "I know but you usually get bad at this time."

I stood up. "I have a meeting today with the camp. But i want you to stay here and get your rest."

"James I'm f-"

I shook my head. "You either get some rest by choice or I'll lock you in here by force."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"Anytime brother,anytime." I headed outside and the heat lashed at me.

I sat on the gathering spot. Awhile later the kids gathered.

"FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, YOU DONT HAVE TO STAY HERE. I KNOW YOU HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR YOU JUST WANT TO GO."

I took in a deep breath and continued. " THOSE OF YOU WHO WANTS TO STAY HAVE TO DO YOUR PART. THERE WILL BE JOBS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER FOR."

I stood up and rolled my shoulders. "THESE JOBS INCLUDE SCAVENGERS-THEY GATHER FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES FOR THE CAMP. THEN WE HAVE THE SEARCHERS-THEY LOOK FOR OTHER PEOPLE SORTA LIKE A RECRUITER. NEXT WE HAVE THE SOLDIERS-YOU WILL PROTECT THE GROUP. LASTLY WE HAVE THE WORKERS-THEY REPAIR THE CAMP AND BUILD NEW THINGS. YOU WILL BE STARTING TOMORROW FOR YOU CAN HAVE TIME TO CHOOSE A JOB AND PREPARE. EVERYONE HAS TO TAKE TRAINING LESSONS." I paused and looked around. "ANY OBJECTIONS? OK GOOD THAT IS ALL."

The crowd dispersed.

I went back to my room picking up a back up knife.

Chase opened one eye. "Where you gooing?"

"You mean going. And I'm going to search the area."

"For?"

"I don't know."

He sat up. "Well I'm coming with you."

There's no point in trying because I remember last time we had a conversation like this.

"Well come on then."

He shoved his feet in his shoes. "Ready."

The trees did little to protect us from the sunlight.

"So what are we looking for?"

I sighed. "I told you already I don't know."

"You ok? You seem more.." He tapped his chin. "Distant."

I snapped a branch out of my way. "Maybe it's good to be distant. It'll hurt less when they die. Because everyone dies even before the world was turned into a nightmare." I pushed another branch. "The truth is the world was always a nightmare where just seeing its true colors now."

"James you've lost hope."

I turned around. "LOST HOPE! There is no hope Chase! Everyone is practically dead, this world has no hope."

His blue eyes showed hurt. "There could be a cure out there. You don't know."

"A cure! Who's gonna find it! Huh CHASE WHO! IT SURE AS HELL AINT US OR ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE THEYLL DIE TRYING AND IT WONT DO ME ANY GOOD! MY FAMILY IS DEAD!"

I felt a stinging in my ear. I turned to see a arrow stuck in the tree right next to my head. It had grazed my ear.

I pulled out my knife. "Chase we're not alone here. They could attack from far. Run as soon as I snatch the arrow from the tree."

He nodded.

My hand gripped the arrow and yanked it out.

We ran and ran. But i made sure we ran a little off camp.

My hands held my chest as i took deep breaths.

As I regained my breath i examined the arrow. Right on the tip was the letter r sketched into it.

"Come on we're paying the former boss a visit."

The walk was fast. Guessing we ran the whole way.

I opened the barn doors and gasped.

"He's gone."