When The Days Turn Cold

Chapter Five

Author's Note: I know the previous chapters haven't been so long, so here's a longer one. 💕 <3

"My name's Alaska Stone and I don't mean any harm" I say.
I'm shivering at this point and I'm pretty sure he notices that.
"You cold?" He question. I nod.
He thinks for a while, looks back to the women in the window, and then asks "do you want to come in?"
"Yes, please."
He lowers his gun but doesn't completely drop it, he moves it so it's pointing to the door. It's made off wood with four square designs in it. I take it as a gesture for me to go in. I slowly walk in.

The house is dusty, but still livable in. It's warm and cosy. The opposite of what's outside. They're using portable lamps to light up the house as the electricity supply to anywhere and everywhere is cut off. It's a double floor house. The lower floor has a large, burgundy sofa and an armchair facing a flat screen TV. In the corner there's a petite kitchen but I don't think it's much use. Adjacent to it there's a wooden dining table with six chairs. Behind the sofa, there's a staircase leading up to the second floor.

Right beside the door there's a small table. It's the kind of table to keep next to the bed.
"Drop your weapons" he orders pointing to it.
I drop my knife, and the handgun I stole from the guy at the rocks.
"That it?" He raises an eyebrow.
"Yep"

The women from the window joins us. She's not too tall nor is she too short. She's wearing a purple full-sleeved shirt and black sweatpants.
The man who let me in starts speaking "I'm Oscar" and then points to the women "and she's Victoria."
Victoria gives me a weak, closed mouth smile and shouts towards the stairs "Austin can you come down here?"
Another man comes down. He looks about my age, twenty. He has light brown hair, caramel eyes, and strong features. He's tall as well, easily 6 ft. Even the small cut on the side of his forehead can't hinder his attractiveness.

"Who's this?" This person, who I'm guessing is Austin, asks with suspicion.
It takes me a lot of effort to not reply back it's sarcasm, instead I just say "Alaska"
"What like the state?" He laughs.
"Exactly like the state."

Oscar speaks up again "You're alone aren't ya?"
"Yeah, have been for the past two months."
"How on earth did you survive this whole time?"
"Well, I struggled and it was tough, but I managed."
"I didn't ask you how it felt, I asked you how you did it."

This feels like a full on interrogation, but if I met a random stranger who could very much kill me and steal my belongings, I would act the same way. It's impossible to trust anyone in these conditions, because most of the times they'll just hang around and then leave you for dead, turn their back at the last moment, or try to kill you.

"Oh, where are our manners" Victoria exclaims "I'll get you a blanket."
She goes up the stairs and comes back down again with one the colour of charcoal. She hands it too me and I wrap it around myself. I feel like a burrito.
"I'm gonna ask you again, how did you do it?" Oscar questions again, although he doesn't sound angry.
"At many occasions I've met people who've tried to kill me, I return the favour by taking a fraction of their supplies. Not all of them though." I reply, honestly.

Austin glares at me "so you're a raider. Ever killed anyone?"
"I'm just trying to survive man, and no I haven't. Could never bring myself to do it."
"And where exactly were you trying to go to when you got to us?"
"I was heading north, towards the equator. I once saw a documentary that the previous time the Earth froze over, microorganisms there survived."
"Yeah, well you're a human, not a microorganism."
"Forgive me for not getting my hands on a government bunker."

Oscar interrupts "okay, calm down. Alaska would you like to join us?"
"What, you're asking her to help us reach the bunker?" Austin sends Oscar a angry look.
"I'm not asking her to help us, I'm asking her to join us"
Did he mention bunker? Do they really have access to one? If they do, I want in.
I perk up "wait, wait, wait. Did you say bunker?"

Victoria starts speaking "a couple days back we finally got the radio to work and the only thing playing was a message on repeat. It said bunker and then co-ordinates. So we decided that we'll leave and go track down the co-ordinates the morning after tomorrow."
"She's right" Oscar continues, " we can't stay here forever, someday it's gonna get too cold for even this old house to take. So, are you interested?"
"Count me in."

I would be mad to refuse this opportunity, it's better than too aimlessly chase after random cities. I've had enough of being on my own, and only hanging on to the small hope it'll be warm up north. I didn't know how much I miss having company until I actually got it.

Austin starts jabbering again "we don't even know her."
Yes, it's hard to trust people, but I haven't even tried to kill him once. If I wanted too, I would've done it by now.
"Yes, but we know she's on the same boat as us. And if she tries to kill her I will personally get rid off her." Oscar takes a stand for me.
Austin just huffs and sits down on the sofa. Why does he remind me of a five year old?
For someone who looks so good, he sure does have a temper.

Oscar starts again "so now that's set, we'll grab some grub (A/N: grub means food) and head to bed."
My stomach grumbles at the sound of food.
"I cooked some kangaroo meat over a fire I made outside before it snowed." Says Victoria.
"How'd you find kangaroo meat?" I ask. I'm really curious, it hasn't been easy to find fresh food.
"Found a dead one under a bit of snow near the bushes at the back off the house."
"Why couldn't I just happen on food when I'm hungry" I joke.
"Well, some people don't have my luck and the ability to find four-leaf clovers" she smiles. "Austin, can you go can hand out the meat to everyone? It's in the kitchen."

For all the people who have an IQ level lower than 60, yes I'm in Australia. And before you think Victoria is a motherly figure, she is only 25. And if you're memory isn't completely useless, you should have been remembering that.

Austin goes and hands out pieces to everyone, When he hands it too me he barely looks my way. If he wants too act like a toddler having a tantrum, than let him.

"We can go to sleep if we want." Says Oscar, "I'll show you a bed you can sleep in, Alaska."
I nod. He takes one of the lamps. He sees me eyeing it and says "it runs on batteries and we found plenty of batteries when we came across this place."
I don't reply, he starts walking up the stairs, and I follow him. The second floor is just a hallway, with doors that lead to rooms. At least I thinking think I do. He opens the second on the right.

I was right. They ate rooms. I really like it a lot when I'm right. The curtain is drawn close, a cupboards takes up the space next to the door. There's a white sheet over the bed, Oscar pulls it off. The bed is clean, since it doesn't have any dust on it. And it looks warm. Really warm. I think for the fast first time in a long time I could take my jacket and sweatshirt off.

"And here" Oscar motions around the room "is your five-star room, with amazing
amenities such as a bed."
I laugh. I haven't laughed in a real long time.
"I'll leave you to it" he leaves the lamp of the bedside table and he walks out.

I take off my jacket, sweatshirt and socks, snuggle into the bed and close my eyes. It feels so good, and the quilt is so soft. It's like I'm sinking into the bed. I haven't had such a comfortable night in so long. Hey you, behind the screen, you're lucky you have your bed.

I wake up to the sound of a women's voice bellowing my name. I don't want to get out. It's cold outside, and it's warm and snugly inside. But I don't want to irritate anyone, since they've actually let me stay here. I'm going to act like an angel.
I shout "I'm coming."

I force my hand to take off the cover. And the air threatens to turn me into ice, so as quickly as I can I put on my jacket, socks and sweatshirt.
Austin comes up at the door with a stiff face "I'm pretty sure you haven't brushed your teeth in a long time, since your breath was so revolting yesterday. Take these, but don't you dare use too much toothpaste."
He hands me a toothbrush, still in its packet and toothpaste which is almost empty. I take it, and hide my scowl.
"The bathroom is over there." He points to the first door on the left and hastily goes back don't the stairs.

I go into the bathroom, do my business and head down the flight of stairs.