Keep Running Darling

New Clothes

The next morning I wake up to the sound of voices. For a moment, my body tenses. Then I remember where I am and who those voices belong to. 

Even though I'm awake I don't yet open my eyes or move. I'm still in pain and decided to rest for just a while longer, listening to the conversation around me. I've never been an early riser and have aways prefer to stay up late and sleep in.

"I don't care what Dr. D told us. Something is up with her I just can't figure it out." 

"Party, just give the girl a chance. She obviously needs it."

"Jet's right Party, she needs a place to stay. At least until she get's better. Plus she didn't seem thrilled to be here either, so once she's healthy I'm sure she'd prefer to leave too."

"Ghoul, you would take in every stray you found if you could. My point is that I don't trust her and obviously I'm the only one that sees it."

As I listen to the conversation across the room, I feel my old mattress sink down and a hand being placed on my shoulder. 

"Hey, you awake?" It's Kobra. I give him a slight nod and he pats my shoulder. 

"Party," he says sternly, "Get out."

There's a pause. Then I hear footsteps going towards the hall followed by a door slamming. 

I guess his room is back there. 

I sit up then, rubbing my eyes and looking around. The other two have made their way over to my bed.

"Shit, we forgot to give you new clothes." Kobra says with a frown.

I look down and realize I'm still in my torn up tee shirt with someone else's over it, as well as my shredded sweatpants. 

"I was so tired I didn't even notice." I laugh. 

"We've probably got something we can throw together for you." Ghoul offers. 

"That'd be nice." I sat for a moment, "Wait, you said we're in Zone 6 right?" They all look at each other questioningly and nod. "My old base is in this Zone. Would it be possible to take a ride and I could get some stuff from there... If it hasn't been raided."

They all exchanged glances. 

"I don't see why not. I'll go get Party and we can head out after we eat." Kobra said getting up and walking towards the hallway.

Ghoul and Jet started walking towards the bar. "You hungry?" Jet asked. 

"Very." I replied as my stomach growled. 

Ghoul got out five cans if Power pup and opened them as Kobra walked in with a pissed off Party in tow. He glared at me and I gladly returned the favor. 

We all ate our Power pup in silence. Half because of the tension, and half because of the horrendous taste. Once I was done I excused myself to the restroom and Ghoul followed behind, handing me a different t shirt, a pair of sweatpants, and a rag. 

"Thanks. I'll be out in a minute and we can head out." 

I turn down the hallway and dip into the bathroom, locking the door behind me and turning to look in the mirror. 

God I knew it was bad but this is worse than I thought. 

My hair is messy and knotted, my face is scratched and bruised and my arms aren't much better. I grab the rag and dip it into the bucket of water beside the sink. They must collect rain water too, when it isn't acid rain, not many people in the Zones are lucky enough to have running water. 

I wipe my face realizing the only major cuts are one on my lip and one on my left eyebrow. 

I take off my shirt to reveal a large bandage on my right side. It still hurts so I decide against removing it and instead clean around it. My abdomen and chest is heavily bruised and I notice a large boot shaped bruise on my back when I turn. I furrow my eyebrows realizing that's why I couldn't lay on my back last night. 

Lastly was my sweatpants. I took them off and again revealed a large bandage. This one on my left thigh right above my knee. I decided against removing this one as well. My legs looked about the same as my arms and I could see the bruising as I wiped away the blood. 

As I stood there naked in front of the mirror, finally able to see the real extent of the damage, I realized just how bad Korse had gotten to me. The worst part is that I didn't know how most of these bruises, cuts, and scars had even got on my body. 

I shook off the thought and put on my new clothes. A black t-shirt and another pair of grey sweatpants. They're comfy and smell like... cinnamon? And... cigarettes? 

They smell like-  I shook the thought from my head. No time to be thinking of the past.

 Not giving it a second thought I grabbed my old clothes and trashed them, along with the now bloody rag, and walked back into the main room of the diner. 

As I walked back to the group I noticed Ghoul smirking at me. I shot him a questioning look and he turned back to the guys motioning to them that I was back in the room. They all turned their heads to me. Kobra and Jet smiled. Party, on the other hand, was fuming and... blushing? 

Then it hits me. 

These are Party's clothes.