The End Of My World

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The early morning sun filters through the trees as I step outside Alexandria's gates, backpack slung over one shoulder. Rick told me about a pharmacy in a nearby town that might still have some supplies left. We're low on antibiotics, painkillers, and bandages—basically everything we need to keep people alive. It's a risky trip, but that's the whole point of the punishment, right?

I move through the overgrown streets with caution, keeping to the shadows and using every bit of cover I can find. The town is only a half-day's walk away, but it feels like a world apart. The buildings are in various states of decay, with abandoned cars and debris scattered everywhere. The occasional walker shuffles aimlessly between the buildings, but I've gotten pretty good at avoiding them.

As I approach the town, I spot the pharmacy Rick mentioned. It's tucked between two crumbling stores, the sign barely legible through the grime. The front door is barricaded with what looks like old furniture and a couple of metal beams. No way I'm getting through that without making a racket.

I circle around to the back and find a broken window just wide enough for me to squeeze through. Thank you skinny body, the one time it's actually useful. I peer inside—dark, but nothing seems to be moving. I slide in, landing softly on the linoleum floor. The inside of the pharmacy is a mess. Shelves are toppled over, glass crunches under my boots, and the air is thick with dust. The place has been looted before, but maybe, just maybe, something useful got overlooked.

I start my search, moving quietly through the aisles. Most of the shelves are picked clean, but I manage to find a few bottles of painkillers hidden behind some fallen debris. Jackpot. I make my way to the back of the store where the pharmacy counter is. The cabinets are locked, but nothing a little elbow grease can't fix. I pop them open and find a stash of antibiotics and bandages. This'll definitely help.

I'm stuffing the supplies into my backpack when I hear a noise from the front of the store. I freeze, listening intently. Voices. Shit. I quickly slip behind a shelf, crouching low. The brown shelf, dust and dirt covered wafts up from my quick movements, my nose starts to itch and tickle from the kicked up dust. A small group of survivors enters, talking in hushed tones. They're clearly looking for supplies too. I can't tell if they're friendly or hostile, but I'm not about to take any chances.

I could try to sneak out the way I came, but they're close to the back now. If they spot me, it's game over. I steady my breathing, waiting for the right moment to move.

This is getting exciting...

"Nothing left here," one of them grumbles, kicking a fallen box. I smirk. Another one hisses for him to keep quiet. They start moving towards the exit, their footsteps crunching over broken glass.

Once I'm sure they're gone, I carefully retrace my steps to the back window. I slip out, landing silently on the asphalt. I can't help but glance around, making sure no one saw me.

The trip back to Alexandria is tense. I keep my guard up, every rustle of leaves or distant groan setting my nerves on edge. But the closer I get to the gates, the more relief washes over me. I made it. Why did I even come back though, I could live on my own, not like I need alexandria. My Friends are the reason.

As I walk through the gates, I see Rick waiting by the entrance. I hand over the supplies with a satisfied grin. "Told you it wasn't a punishment," I say.

Rick chuckles, taking the backpack. "Glad you're back safe. Good work, Artemis."

I just nod back, I swivel on my heels and walk towards the house we are held up in. As I walk past Deanna's house I hear crying, this sorrow filled cry seems to richeshey off the walls of my brain.