The Awakening

3. Sitting Duck.

I awake as the sun shines down on me, giving me a sun kissed feeling. How can a world so destroyed be so beautiful I wonder to myself as I let a sigh pass my lips. I quickly remember about George and Cindy as I look around realising I am still at my lookout. I climb down the tree and peer through the leaves. George and Cindy are still asleep, I should go find us something to eat I'm sure they're hungry, I think as I continue to climb down the tree.

I search the forest looking for something edible, I have learnt a lot about what you can and can't eat living here. I glance over and notice some wild berries growing randomly in a small bush on a small patch of grass. I walk over and begin to pick the berries.

As I am foraging though the forrest I smell a metallic smell that leaves a nasty taste in my mouth, I look around for the source of the smell but come up short. I decide to carry on with finding food so I can be done quicker, I'm a sitting duck out here, the longer I am in the firing line the more chance of getting shot, this thought makes me quicken my pace as I dart in and out of trees. I come across some flowers that are edible but don't taste very nice, I come to the conclusion  that I can't be picky, food is food. I step back from the flowers once I have stuffed my pockets with as much as possible. I start to make my way back but am stopped short when I see a dark thick liquid pooled on the ground. Blood. I step closer in the direction of where the blood is flowing from, I see a hand come into view. I reluctantly take some more steps and see a torn up body, guts everywhere, or what's left of them. I cover my nose and mouth with my hands, I'm a bit more used to the sight and smell of death, but I'll never be okay with it, death haunts my dreams. I quickly move my gaze to elsewhere as I try to get the horrific image out of my head. I quickly rush towards the fence where the gap was to find the panel hardly hanging on and the start of new holes. I realise it's not as safe here as what I thought as I walk to the direction of George and Cindy.

Upon my arrival I see Cindy sat by herself, I look around even though it is obvious George isn't here. "Where's your brother?" I question. All of a sudden, I hear rustling and see George come into view as he descends the top of the tree coming from the lookout, "I see you've found my look out" " Uh yeah, I was looking for you" " Oh, I went out to get food" I explain as I sit down opposite Cindy and pull out the wild berries and flowers from my pockets. Cindy scrunches up her face as George sits down beside me. "Not exactly a McDonald's breakfast I know, but you can't be picky when you live in the forest" "No, it's great thank you" George quickly replies. I smile at him then start to think about where will be safer to set up camp, especially now as I have to keep an eye on George and Cindy. I realise I have been staring into space as George waves his hand in front of my face. "What's wrong" he asks with a frown. " It's not safe here anymore, maybe we should get supplies and move on" I say. He nods slowly " if that's what you thinks best" George replies " I think so, that's if you're coming with me" " can we?" Cindy and George ask in sync " yeah of course" I smile.

I pack my backpack with the few belongings I own, a small pillow, my childhood blanket, a spare pair of long trousers, a long sleeve t shirt, a photo of my family and climb down my tree for what I know will be the last time. A tear forms in my eye as I realise I will never see what has become of my safe place, my home, but I know it is time to move on.

I wait for George and Cindy to pack up and climb down the tree, they have less than me but they're taking a lot longer than it did for me to pack my things up and I've lived here for eight months "Come on guys, hurry up we need to get out of here and find somewhere else by dusk" George descends the tree with Cindy struggling behind "okay, we're ready" George says enthusiastically.

I start walking North with George and Cindy in tow, "I think North is our best bet, we can head towards the Scottish highlands" " the Scottish highlands? But that's miles away!" George expires "what, do you have something you need to do in the next few months? It will keep us busy and on the move, it'll be safer there, isolated." "No, no it's just I've never been anywhere away from here before" George stutters. "I just want to stop somewhere and get something first, if that's okay?" he requests "okay" I agree. We change directions slightly moving more to the North West, George leading the way with Cindy and I following closely behind, it's not much of a detour as we are still moving North, plus it's not like we have a time limit.

We continue walking out of the forest and into the road adjacent to it. I look around and it's hard to miss the rows of abandoned cars densely populating one of the main roads out of the city. I again remember the panic of the many petrified people the day that the virus plagued the city. Those with cars were desperate to get away, they packed their belongings and quickly left the city. That was their downfall, everybody had the same idea, the roads became congested as cars collided into others. Nobody would wait, everyone was out to save themselves. Disaster can bring out the best in people but more often it brings out the worst. I have suffered immense loss at the hands of others, those who I thought I could trust. It turns out that in the end people will do what's best for them no matter the cost.

We are leaving the city behind us as we head towards the countryside, with long winding roads that lead to nowhere I make sure I keep up with the siblings, it's getting dark now but George seems to know where he's taking us with Cindy skipping ahead now and then, I don't want to get separated from the pair especially because it's almost dark, we are more at risk of losing track of everybody's whereabouts  or falling behind. Which means we have to be careful that we don't miss sight of any nearby infected or get distracted.

"It'll be nice to see our home again, won't it Cindy" George says almost convincingly. "Yes, I think so" Cindy quietly replies. "Hey, are you okay?" George asks me "I just realised you haven't told us your name yet" George looks confused at his sudden realisation. "Hey" George calls "What?...Oh sorry, where you talking to me?" I break lose from my deep thoughts.  "Yeah, I said we don't know your name, you know ours" George queries again. "Oh, it's umm...Alexis" I reply not expecting them to ask me. "That's quite fitting, don't you think Cindy?" George laughs. "Fitting for what? Cindy asks shyly. "Well it means defender" George laughs again, this time Cindy joins in with a timid laugh. "Thank you" Cindy whispers with an embarrassed look on her face. "How far away is it now, do you think we will need to find shelter before dark?" I enquire. "No, it's not far only about 50 minutes, we should make it there just before dark" George replies, the mood now lightened from breaking the ice further, "okay, let's just keep going then"

We approach the gate to the fence which encases a large house situated away from any other, the house seems to be on some kind of farming land. I wonder why they didn't just stay here, this must be where we are heading. "Home sweet home" George whispers unconvincingly. The look on his face changes to pain with the sudden realisation of all they had to leave behind in the aftermath of the virus.