The Long Road Home

Chapter Thirty One

Jimbo led the two out and pointed out a few of the houses they past, naming their owners. 'All these people were living here when the world ended?' Page said confused as they entered a house near the lift. It was just like Floyd's home, but there was a ladder leading to a loft bedroom. The air smelled a lot like the wild mint that surrounded their last camp. Page noticed how clean everything was and wondered who had done it and when.

'Not all of them no.' Jimbo answered motioning to an armchair. Kidd helped Page ease down and get comfortable. 'Some of them we found on our scouting missions. They were on the road looking for safety.' He frowned shaking his head. 'We lost a few when the shit hit the fan. They changed and ran right off the catwalks then vanished into the woods. We didn't know what was happening and Floyd and I went after them to see if we could help. Mr. Perkins took a chuck out of my arm before Floyd could get him off me. When we got back we heard snippets on the radio and news.' Page nodded watching amused as Kidd worked at removing her hiking boots. He glared at her and signed

'Why do you have to tie them so tight?'

'So they don't slip around when I walk.' She chuckled amused. She reached down, grabbed the shoestring, and pulled. The knot popped free and Kidd shot her an annoyed look. Jimbo let out a deep chuckle as he shook his head. Kidd pulled off the boot and sock. Jimbo's smile vanished when the blood soaked bandages were raveled.

'Shit.' He hissed. 'Why didn't you say something? We could have pulled you in the wagon.' Page gave him a hard look and he grinned. 'Or not.' She looked back to her ankle. One of the gashes had popped open. 'You may need to be stitched up. Unless your boy there knows how, I will go get Sara. She's our doctor.' Page nodded and Jimbo left.

'You're pale.' Kidd said worried once they were alone.

'It was a rough hike.' Page said ruffling his hair. 'Not stop worrying before you give yourself winkles.' Page looked around 'This place is amazing.' He nodded his agreement. 'Why don't you take your stuff up to the loft? I will take the couch.' He frowned

'There may be another bedroom you can use.' He said getting up. Page watched him go to one of the two doors near the back of the room. The first was a bathroom, the second she could not see into. Kidd smiled to her over his shoulder. 'This is a bedroom. We can sleep on real beds tonight.' Page chuckled nodding.

'Hey, check and see if we have any of that deer left.' She said 'If we do, I will make us some more of that stew you like.'

'We have some made.' Kidd said going to his cart. It had been left beside the entrance. He dug into the pile and pulled out a glass jar full of a brown stew. 'We used the last of the deer for this.' Page nodded frowning.

'We will have to go hunting tomorrow.' She said with a sigh. 'That's the last of our food.'

'There's a town on the map.' He said pulling out the atlas. He went to her and set it on her lap. 'I saw it last night when I was looking at the state.' She found where they were and saw the boy was right. A town was marked just to the south of the interstate.

'That's a lot farther then I looks Kidd.' She sighed. 'Look at the key. That little space between where we are and that town is about fifty to sixty miles away.' He looked and sighed.

'Oh, I didn't notice that.' He sat down looking to her. 'You should stay off your foot though. Carol said it could get infected again, and you were really sick last time.'

Page sighed hating seeing the boy this worried about her. She felt like a failure. It was her job to worry over him and keep him safe, not the other way around. She got an idea and smiled.