Living Amongst The Dead

Chapter 21

The cool breeze felt nice on my skin as I strode out of the cabin. I could see a figure standing a couple of meters away. The sun began to set as I tapped that person on the shoulder. It was Ben.

Ben didn't have dinner. Instead, he buried Max. He made a cross from some old wood and carved Max into it, before sticking it into the ground.

"Hey." I said as he turned to look at me. "Gina saved you something to eat if your hungry." There was silence then he spoke.

"He was my best friend." He told me, voice soft. "I knew him before I met Ned and Gina. He was like a brother to me." I felt the ache in his voice and hugged him with all my might. He hugged me back. "You'll be OK." I said to him. He turned and kissed my forehead.

"And," I added, "I'm sure Max wouldn't want you mopping around so let's get you some food then we can all call it a night." He didn't disagree so we headed into the cabin where he ate some food, then we got into our sleeping bags to get some rest.

The others were already asleep except for Ned, who was sitting on the couch when we came in. He looked deep in thought and didn't say a word when we walked past.

Coco however, was curled up next to Calem. They were both sound asleep. My eyes drifted over to Max's sleeping bag, which I knew would be empty. A pang of sadness filled my chest then spread throughout my body. I knew we would all miss him.

Once Ben and I were in our sleeping bags he put his arm around my waist and pulled me close. We had only been together for a couple of hours and I'd only known him for a bit, but I felt like he and I had been together for years. Ben made me feel like the world was fine, even though I knew it clearly wasn't.

I shifted my body so I was facing him. I pressed my lips against Ben's, then hugged his chest. For an eighteen to nineteen year old, he was very built. He was very good looking as well.

I looked up and saw that his eyes were closed so I decided to do the same. I quickly nodded off, ready to start a new day.

I woke up to see Calem staring down at me. "Morning sunshine." I said as I wrestled him into a hug, "Did you get a good sleep?" He nodded then spoke. "I miss Max. He was so nice to me. Coco was snuggling up to me and then I fell asleep. I wish I had a pet."

A felt something stir beside me then I was suddenly pulled into someone's arms. I felt Ben's warm breath near my ear, then he whispered. "Hey."

"Hey." I said back. "How you feeling?"

"Good," he nodded before reaching up to high five Calem. "I'm really hungry though." I told them both that we should get some breakfast before Gina ran in, frantic. She was waving a note around before she spoke.

"It's Ned!" she gasped. "He's gone!"