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.・゜-: ✧☾ ☽✧ :-゜・.
Judith leaned her head against Stella's chest as she exhaustingly dragged her over the road that stretched endlessly ahead, shimmering under the brutal sun. Three weeks had passed since Ellie died. Two weeks since Levi and Stella had found food. One week since they had a proper meal last.
They never stopped walking, pushing through the relentless hunger and thirst that reduced their bodies to aching shells, the sun an unwavering predator in the sky. Their clothes clung to their dirt-streaked skin, their lips cracked and dry. It had been weeks since they had seen so much as a puddle.
A small flock of walkers straggled behind them, just far enough to be ignored. No one had the energy to take them down, so they let them follow, praying they wouldn't attract more.
Judith's stomach rumbled against Stella and her heart clenched. She pressed a gentle kiss against her little sister's sweaty head. "She's hungry." She told Levi, her voice strained and weak.
The tall boy beside her cast a concerned look down at the child in Stella's arms. "We'll find something for her to eat soon," he murmured, though the reassurance felt hollow even to himself.
Stella glanced up at him. "It's been more than a week." She muttered before her gaze trailed back to the group. They were practically dragging themselves forward, sweat staining the back of their shirts and dirt and dust covering their bare skin. "How much longer do you think we've got?"
Levi followed her line of sight, watching the group closely. "60 miles."
Stella swallowed hard. "I wasn't talking about that."
The boy's eyes flickered back to the girl beside her and his jaw tightened at her words. He could not deny that the horrible thought had spun in his head for the past weeks. He let out a quick breath, one that sounded horse from his dry throat. He tried to find it within him to say something reassuring and comforting to give Stella even the slightest bit of hope but the words lingered on his tongue until he swallowed them down and turned toward her.
"Here, let me take her,"
Stella adjusted her hold on Judith and shook her head. "It's fine."
"I don't care. You've been carrying her for hours," His tone turned more serious. "You're exhausted and you need a break." He gently slithered his hands over hers, his warm touch making her slow down in her steps and turn to him. His gaze softened and he carefully took Judith from her arms. The young girl didn't protest, instead, she quickly nuzzled up against him as he cradled her to his chest.
Stella swallowed hard. A weight lifted from Stella's arms, giving her just enough relief to breathe a little easier. She let the ghost of a smile touch her lips. "You don't have to-"
"I want to," He spoke, his free hand coming up to her face, gently brushing his thumb over her cheek, right under her scar. He couldn't help but feel his stomach twist seeing how visible her cheekbone was, the result of weeks without food. Stella drew a breath at his soothing caress. She nodded and swallowed hard again before they continued to travel up the roads.
