Minor Setbacks

8

I wiped the blood off my hands and found a kitchen knife I could use since mine were gone.

Tyler stood by the door with his bag.

Chandler left the tents on the table, but now Tyler had them both.

--

Me and Tyler eventually got tired after walking about forty miles closer to our destination. We lost track of time. I decided we could set up a camp in the food with what food and water we have left to make a meal, and put tents together.

"Okay..." Tyler said, eating a piece of a squirrel we caught. "One tent can hold two people, so we can share a tent. It'll be quicker."

I shook my head.

"Why not?" He asked, cocking his head.

I shrugged. "I feel more comfortable in my own tent." I didn't know why at the time, either. I just felt like I had to be alone.

"Aryl, we used to sleep in the same bed growing up together, hell, six days ago, we slept in the same room. Can't we share a tent?" Tyler seemed to go on and on. "Just tell me the truth, please!" He begged.

I sighed. "You see how cold it is right now?" I asked, seeing Tyler nod.

"The multiple times we have shared a bed, you toss, turn, kick, and sleep talk. I'd like to stay warm and get rest in general," I said, keeping a straight face while Tyler cracked up, recalling the time he bit my arm in his sleep once. I watched him retell the story, laughing.

I looked into his eyes and asked myself:

"Is this the same Tyler I fell for before all of this?"

Because Tyler had certainly changed, and he changed a lot.

--

Me and Tyler packed up the camp the next day, and put out the fire.

I threw a water bottle at Tyler and he caught it, even without warning. It's like he changed both mentally and physically over the past two weeks.

On the path, we stumbled upon the first biter we saw the entire trip.

Easily and without effort, I stabbed a knife into his temple, before taking it back out and looking back up, realizing a herd filled with dozens of biters were there.

Eventually, after two weeks, we got to Florida, at the 'sanctuary.' Honestly, I was just anxious to see Chandler.

The sanctuary was a private town with walls built around it and solar powered. The gates were automated, and opened when a button on the inside was pushed.

I knocked on the gate fence as Tyler stood behind me.

Anya's girl stood there, not letting us pass.

"Well, someone finally decided to show up." She stood with an attitude.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Chandler behind Anya.

His eyes locked on mine for a moment before he sprinted to be, pushing Anya's girlfriend to the side before hugging me tightly.

"I thought you left with Tyler." He whispered into my ear.

"This place isn't safe." He whispered repeatedly. He gently kisses my forehead as Tyler looked around.

--

Sorry it was a short chapter, but there's a reason why. You have officially finished eight chapters of the book. I'm taking a short break and will write the next eight chapters soon. You'll probably see chapter nine at about February 14th, the earliest, or April 1st, the latest. Thank you so much for the support and for reading and voting. Love you all. Bye~