Blackout • NH

Chapter 5

4 hours later
Ellen and I have been walking through the rugged forest for a couple hours now. The sun has already risen. We haven't seen any people so that's definitely a good sign for us.

We continue walking until we see an opening at the edge of the forest.

"Ellen stop for a moment." I say.

"What is it?" She asks.

"I see an opening about 300 yards ahead. Let's approach it slowly and quietly."

We begin to slow our pace, in caution. Being in the open isn't safe. As we make our way closer to the opening I hear the sound of water and some voices. "Ellen stay behind me." I say.

We hide behind a tree and look to see where the voices are coming from.

"They should be here by now!" One voice said.

"Would you just be patient, I sure they'll be here soon." Another voice said, they had a British accent it sounded like.

I came out from behind the tree and made my way to the opening carefully, when Ellen then stepped on a branch, breaking it, and attracting the attention of the small group.

"Don't you dare move!" The man said. He had a gun pointed at me and Ellen and she began to cower behind me.

The man looked to be in his mid thirties. He had 2 other guys with him, guns pointed at us as well; they looked about my age.

"What is your name and don't try anything or your blood will be painted all over the forest floor." He replied.

"My name is Jodie, and this is my sister Ellen." I replied back. "We aren't looking for any trouble, just trying to get out of the city like everybody else."

Suddenly the man puts his gun down and says, "Jodie thank god! It's me Elliot. Marc should have told you about me. We've been waiting for you for 2 hours! We didn't know if you and Ellen made it." He said.

"Boys put your damn guns down! You're gonna kill someone if you keep pointing it at everything you see or hear." He told the boys.

"Sorry about them, they are just on high alert after we were ambushed trying to escape the city."

The boys walk closer to us. One of them was wearing a black tank top and army pants with brown boots. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair, it looked as if it was starting to grow back from a recent buzzcut. He was well built as well.

The other boy looked a bit smaller than the brown eyed boy. He was wearing a dark navy blue T-shirt and black skinnies and a pair of dark brown boots on. He had blue eyes and his hair was dyed blonde but you could see his brunette roots starting to show. Like he hadn't dyed his hair in a while. He had a broad set of shoulders but looked harmless.

Both boys were actually quite attractive.

"Boys this is Jodie and Ellen." Marc said. "They're the ones that are joining us on our journey to the Appalachian Mountains." The boys smiled and waved at us.

"Hi there! I'm Liam." The brown eyed boy said, smiling. He had a British accent.

"My name is Niall! Sorry about me and Liam. You know, pulling our guns on you." He said then awkwardly laughing right after.

It was kinda cute to see him act all shy and awkward. He had an Irish accent. What would two European boys be doing in America during this time of what is taking place?

"Hi guys!" I say. "You definitely don't sound like you're from America."

Liam spoke up, "Yeah we are not from here." He said laughing. "Niall and I were studying abroad here for the semester and well now we are fighting to survive." He said trying to lighten the mood a bit.

"Woah you're from England?" Ellen asks.

"No, I'm from England. Niall here is from Ireland." Liam said.

Niall stayed quiet. What was up with this boy?

"Well I'd love to have a heart but we really need to get moving." Elliot said.

We begin to make our way across the shallow river and to the other side, continuing through the forest. Ellen stood close to Elliot and Liam. I was behind them and Niall was following behind me. A bit too close for comfort.

"We have made it to the Transverse Range but now we need to make to to the Mojave Desert. That will lead us into Arizona." Elliot said.

We continued walking, nobody really saying anything. Just some small talk here and there. We haven't come across any people. I guess Marc was right about taking this route.

It has been pretty safe since me and Ellen had left Los Angeles.

I stop for a moment to catch my breath. I put my hands on my knees and bent over.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up, "Jodie, are you okay?" I look up to see Niall, looking a bit worried. "I'm okay Niall, I just stopped for a bit to catch my breath." I said.

"Are you sure? I could ask Elliot to stop so you can rest a bit." He said.

"I am alright Niall. You don't have to worry about me. We will be in the Mojave Desert soon. You can see the forest starting to dwindle so we are close" I said out of breath.

"Do you want me to carry you?" he asked. "You look like you're about to pass out Jodie." Niall looked a bit concerned.

"I'm good Niall. Thank you for the offer but I can walk on my own. I don't need you to worry about me" I say putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. I start walking again, catching up to the group. Leaving Niall to follow behind.