Scavengers {#Wattys2016}

Chapter Thirty Three

I stepped up onto the roof of the home. There were candle lights and lightbulb lighting the rooms all across the circular cylinder pit. There were rope bridges lining across each plat form of stone. The houses themselves carved in stone across the vast canyon and down bellow there was the ground far away. The market place a bit cleaned up. But no one was out.

No one dared to come out after what had happened. I was impressed by how well built these structures were. How vast and expansive this small settlement was. It was a feat of incredible scale. I always wondered as to how the Chinese had built their Great Wall or the Egyptians their Pyramids. It was due to man power.....same as now. It was for safety and security.....same as now.

It was beautiful here in its own little way.....but still.....it wasn't home.

It wasn't the simple one and a half acre lot we had. With neighbors who minded their own business but still were always ready to help out. Just going about their days. Waved from their cars honking sometimes and smiled. But that wasn't the case anymore. Instead now we were running.....trying to live on. No longer worrying about what we would do when we'd grow up and enter the working world. Instead.....

We were all just worried about living and seeing another tomorrow.

I turned hearing someone walk up. It was Jordan. I had my legs dangling over the edge and sat there beside one the bridges. I found Jordan tearing me away from the edge.

"Hey! Hey! Ow! Hey! Relax!", I yelled as he dragged me a safe distance away.

"What are you doing?! Sitting there on the edge!", he hissed pointing.

I frowned, "What? You were the one who wanted to jump off a roof about a week ago!", I snapped stepping back and fixed my jacket and black beanie then adjusted my scarf. I was frustrated and annoyed. Complete silence was not an option anymore.

"You weren't honestly thinking about doing that too?! You idiot! Have you any idea how that would have affected your family!", yelled Jordan.

"Woah! Woah! Woah!", I raised my hands at his aggression shaking my head.

I pointed back, "What does that have to do with--- you thought I was going to jump off?!", I asked.

"Well...yes! You were right there!", snapped Jordan gesturing to my former location.

I stepped back putting my hands on my hips and Jordan glared. His eyes were narrowed. I raised my head, "I apologize for having made it seem like that. I wasn't going to jump off. I was enjoying the view", I said sighing and was about to turn around.

Jordan clenched his fists. He sighed blowing from his cheeks, "I'm sorry for having....er....kissed you without permission", he said finishing.

I fell silent and shoved my hands in my pockets looking down. ".....sorry for slapping you....kind of.....not entirely", I said with honesty.

Jordan chuckled, "It hurt, I was rather surprised. I didn't think anyone could hit so hard", he said.

I managed a small smile, "Ah.....thanks?", I said.

Jordan tilted his head and hesitantly picked up my chin with his finger, "If your going to speak to me I would like it if you would look at me", said Jordan.

"Aw! Jordan this is awkward! I mean you know you-",

"Your acting like a child!", snapped Jordan annoyed.