Just Survive Somehow

4 ~ Gotta Get Out

- i l l i a n a -

His name is Maverick.  I have never seen a more handsome man in my life.  Well you know, other than Channing Tatum.  Though, he was a different kind of handsome.  He has intense blue eyes and high cheek bones.  His golden hair is disheveled and sticking out in places.

"Illiana," I choke out.  He stands two and a half feet above me.  He looks down on me and smiles .

"Nice to meet y'all," he says. Even behind his charming smile I could see the trouble. His eyes leave mine. I sigh, that was awkward. I walk over to Strudel, who is amazingly still asleep. I pick her up and sit on the couch. I pet her until she falls asleep once again.

Lisa is chatting up Maverick, touching her blonde hair seductively. I think it's funny she flirts with other men when she has a husband. She continues to talk, twirling a little in place. Even in the over sized shirt and sweatpants she still looks good. I don't think she realizes she like ten years older than him. Though, she continues flirting and laughing. He seems to find it amusing that she's even hitting on him. He's not rude about it; he laughs at her jokes and smiles when needed. He looks away and locks eyes with me. I quickly avert my eyes from his intense blue ones.

I am still tired even though it's morning. I look down at Strudel who is still fast asleep. I envy her, she doesn't worry about what's going on. Ruining my train of envy for my dog, I feel a presence next to me. It's Maverick.

"Can I sit?" he asks gesturing to the couch. I need to come up with a witty and sarcastic response.

"I don't know, can you?" I remark smirking and looking up at him. He smiles and sits next to me.

There is a moment of awkward silence where I pet Strudel until he mutters, "Cute... Umm..."

"Dog," I finish. I continue to stare at Strudel. I push my short hair behind my ear. I do that when I'm nervous. He makes me nervous. Well, everyone makes me nervous but he makes me extra nervous. I've noticed that with cute men. He chuckles.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend your dog, it's just I'm not used to such small dogs," he began, "I'm a large dog person," he adds.  I nod, not wanting the conversation to continue.

He's about to say something when Larry begins to talk, "Son, do you know what this is, what these things are?"  Larry looks a little worried.

"Um... Well they are infected folks. They be like them zombies you see in the movies. If you ever get bit or scratched you'll turn. I call um rots. We need to get out of here soon or they gonna get in. We might be able to get out, but I'm not sure we'd all survive," Maverick answers. We are all shocked.  I don't know if he's telling the truth. Zombies really, I can't believe it. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. Maverick looks around the room. His eyes pause on me for a quick second before looking away. "They kill people, I've seen it. They killed my family, my cattle. You all better learn how to protect yourselves, or you won't survive." He looks down, tears about to spill. That's what has been troubling him.

I want to comfort him but I'd do more harm then good. I look away, focusing back on Strudel. I realize now how much Strudel saves me from awkward situations.

The room grows silent and I whisper in Strudel's ear, "Baby, I'm not sure if we're going to survive this."

For a couple of hours Larry and Maverick plan on how we are going to get out of this cabin.  For those somber hours I packed up my floral canvas bag, got Strudel's stuff, and helped around the house.  Kennedy, Lisa and I, might I add not really Lisa, packed food, survival gear and other necessary accommodations.  When we finish we wait silently until Larry announces the plan.