Scavengers {#Wattys2016}

Chapter Eighteen

It was dark in the desert now. It was colder too. But we couldn't see a darn thing and it was best to rest and walk when we had light. There was also no telling what nocturnal creatures would be out hunting or laying in wait for us to just step on them. 

Not to mention we'd already crushed a bunch of scorpions which had wandered curiously out into our designated zone. And they were small. The tinier the deadlier. 

I can still remember when we would actually get a glass and slip a piece of paper underneath it if we found them in the house crawling on the floor or walls. They would freak you out when you saw them. I know I always screamed and jolted each time. 

By now though.....that house was probably gone. 

Jordan was standing and keeping watch. It was his turn. He stood stock still and tall holding the gun down towards the ground. 

He stood there watching. Staring alert for anything out of the ordinary. It was silent. Naturally silent which put him at ease. It wasn't a forced silence where he gained the gut feeling in which something could go wrong. 

Jordan was tired. Traveling for six days on foot in the sand. Crossing over the dunes. He did miss the flatter, harder, and denser ground that was more compacted together. 

I stood getting up, I dusted my pants, habitual habit even though it was necessary at this time. Since everything was filthy anyways. 

I sat down on a rock my feet pressed against the ground elbows on my knees and head rested on my hand.

 "You can go sleep, it's my turn", I said. 

"How can you be so sure? You don't even know what time it is", said Jordan. 

"I'm not, I just can't sleep", I replied honestly. 

Jordan raised his eyebrows. He was curious as to why. Was it because of him? 

"If your afraid to sleep you don't have to be", said Jordan staring straight a head. 

I chuckled, "No, I just can't sleep Jordan. I'm betting it's the full moon. Normally happens", I said in response. 

"Ah...", replied Jordan. He didn't really understand it but he knew it was a female thing. A month coming to a close dragging along another one behind it. 

"This whole running business......it drives me nuts....I was never someone who ran away. I always ran towards something. Wether it was a ball...or a person. But I was never good at running...I was a wrestler. I wrestled with people", I said quietly. 

Jordan glanced down, "I know, big thighs, large shoulders you'd probably think no way...but I wrestled....was going to go to state my junior....get a scholarship to wrestle in college", I sighed, "Didn't happen though", I added. 

'So that's how  she beat the boys...no doubt she learned from her father as well', thought Jordan. 

"Tsch! Pisses me off though, but I've got things to do now. Sometimes though....it get's hard not doing anything", I said quietly. 

"I know", said Jordan. "I know you know....but you don't have to tell me your whole life story", I said. 

"I know....but I don't know when I'll get another chance for someone to listen", replied Jordan sitting down. 

"Sure, fire away", I said looking at him. 

Jordan chuckled he was amused by this, "Being put on the spot does not make this easy", he laughed. 

"You asked", I replied. 

"True, true, very true", he stated acknowledging that. 

He sighed not really knowing where to start. 

"It's just....I'm not as interesting as you", he sighed. 

"Regardless I'll still listen, besides you are not the true judge of who you are. It is how other's see you. They are the judges. You are simply the definer of your character", I said.

"That was deep man", said Sammy making a melo-toned voice coming up behind us. Anna did too. They sat down waiting patiently.

"Come on, we'll all listen", said Anna sitting with her knees tucked underneath her and Sammy lay on his side supporting his head waiting for the story to begin. 

Jordan looked at each of us taking glances. 

"Aw! Come on man! You've got a crowd now start telling!", said Sammy smiling. He wanted to hear a good story again. A real one. A non-fictional one. Sammy adored biographies and historical accounts. And here he was getting one. 

Jordan wiped his mouth debating. He didn't know where exactly to start. But he did eventually resolving on starting with the main thing that fueled him. His adopted daughter. Teresa was her name. Though I had already heard of her. I hadn't known about her name, nor had I been given such details before. 

And really....none of us would mind if we heard it again. Because it was heart warming.