Aloners

What To Fear

The day's pass and, with every sunrise, each day I feel a little stronger.

My voice returns but I spend only a little time talking with Levi. The few conversations are mostly about the same thing and not very helpful. I have stopped trying to explain my position to him - all attempts ended in failure and mutual confusion. We mostly tolerate each other's presence and keep to ourselves.

Every day, Levi leaves at first light, bags strapped to his back. He returns at dusk - Sometimes burdened by junk and supplies and sometimes empty handed, but always covered in dirt.

This morning I wake up to him moving around the shack, preparing his packs for another outing. I stay with my back on the bed. I ask him to take me with him every other day but he would say that I'm still not strong enough, so I will just wait for the door to slam shut and start my day.

''...Oof! '' My eyes fly open when something landed on my stomach.

It's a backpack, empty luckily, but still pretty bulky.

'' Heh, sorry, but it's time to get up. I'm doing something fun out there today. You wanna tag along?''

'' Definitely!'' I looked up to him with excitement, finally getting out of this hole!

'' You've been cooped up for too long. Bet your legs are itching for some exercise. You see, I was thinkin' ... whenever I find cool stuff out there, I have to choose what looks the best and leave the rest behind. Breaks my heart sometimes. BUT if you're with me, I can bring back twice as much. I'm a genius, right? No need for an answer - your face says it all, I'm a genius. ''

I just roll my eyes at that.

After ten minutes we are ready to set out. Levi puts the goggles on top of his head and slips his backpack on. I already carry my backpack filled with only a flask of water, a rope and a flashlight. ( Levi got batteries for them)

'' Let's go''

******

The sun is hot today, or as hot as it always is? Either way it doesn't take long for my pace to slow down bit by bit, until Levi turns around and starts walking backwards just ahead of me.

'' This isn't a date, gorgeous. You got a settin' that's faster than strollin'?'' he said with a slight frown.

Did I mention that he likes to give me pet names? No? He likes to give me pet names.

'' Sorry, I guess I'm not used to this.'' I huff out.

'' Look, I know it's tough, but you gotta learn how to deal with it out here, and you gotta do it fast. 'Cause who knows when a patch of cloud's gonna blow in or some muties gonna show up, or whatever, you know? So I can't take it easy on you. It's nothing personal. Don't even think about it as an insult......I just don't want you to get hurt.'' he whispered the last part to himself so I couldn't hear him.

''When I say, ''Move it!'' I really mean ''Let's not get killed today!''

We both continue at Levi's unforgiving space, but something he said is stuck in my head.

''So... what's that thing you mentioned earlier?'' I look up to stare at his back in front of me.

''Hm?'' He turns around and walks backwards again.

''Muties?'' That's what he said, right?

Suddenly Levi stumbles '' What are you talkin' about?'' he had a bewildered look on his face.

'' No Fair - I asked you first!'' I pout.

''You... You.... What the fuck? From what kinda wonderland did you come from, you don't know what a mutie is? Maybe you call them something different? Well, the red cloud - you know what the red cloud is, right?'' his sarcastic tone suggests that it's not a serious question, but one look at my face has him almost sputtering in disbelief.