Blackout • NH

Chapter 11

31: Sunday, June 10th: 9:02pm

We ended up staying in the pharmacy for the next few weeks because there was so much food that was too good to waste. We've had another group of people come by to scope out the pharmacy for any medication or first aid kits but nobody spotted the secret panel in the ceiling thank god.

The hidden room had one window in it. We've been able to spy and scope out any suspicious activity near the pharmacy. Over the days we've been hidden in here, we've all gotten along pretty well. After Elliot apologized, both him and Niall have been talking more.

Which is a good thing. You can't have any negativity in a time like this. Liam and Ellen have been looking over the map, trying to figure out an easier route out of here and away from the city. We've already made the mistake once. Don't want to make the same mistake again. Niall and I have grown closer.

He always helps me out when I don't ask and he'll follow me downstairs when I have to go to the bathroom. Of course he doesn't go in there with me, he just doesn't want me to be alone down there in case of another incident that may arise again. He usually just waits outside the door.

"Alright guys, we have an easy route!" Liam shouted from across the room. He had a map sitting on one of the boxes at the corner of the room near the window. We all gather around the box to see what Liam has written down.

"Now I know we were supposed to go through New Mexico and Texas but being out in the open desert isn't a good idea. It's best if we stay in the forest areas. Now this route may set us back a few days but it's safer. We can't afford to lose anyone in this group." He said.

"First, we head east to Colorado. We will stay as far away from Denver as we can." He said.

"But we will have to go slightly south and cut through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. There's a river that will take us straight to Glen Canyon in Utah. We can then cut over and begin heading east to Cortez, Colorado. It's going to be a journey, but we will be safe since everyone wants to stick to the outer parts of the cities, killing one another for food." He explained. "Get packing everyone, we leave in an hour."

(1 hour later)

We were all packed up. We grabbed everything we could carry from the boxes upstairs in the hidden room. We step foot out of the back door of the pharmacy which led to an alleyway. We couldn't take any chances being caught so we stuck to alley ways and side streets.

Ellen was scared. She pretended like she wasn't but she was. She wouldn't not leave Liam or Elliot's side.

We made our way through the streets, passing by broken down cars or cars with missing batteries or gas. Liam had found a crow bar near one of the cars and decided to keep it for when we may need it.

We almost ran into another group but we were lucky to be near an alleyway where we can hide before they had seen us.

We continued to follow the alleys and streets until the landscape became more barren. We were on the other side of Las Vegas. We were finally back in the open desert.

It's dark out and the desert gets freezing cold at night. We walked about 7 miles away from the city and found a bunch of big rocks piled in a way where we could be blocked from the wind and possible predators that may be lurking about.

The space was tight however. There's 5 of us so we all had to huddle close together tonight. We got a fire started thanks to Liam and his survival skills.

He's taught us quite a lot since he used to camp in all sorts of terrain and biomes.

We all huddle next to the fire. Ellen laying her feet across Elliot and putting her head on Liam's lap. Liam, resting his head on a sweater as he's leaned up against the rocks. Elliot sitting at an ankle so it looks like he's facing Ellen.

His arms are crossed and his body is leaned against one of the giant rocks. They're all covered by a quilt. Then there was me and Niall. We sat on the other side of the fire, about 4 feet from Liam since we had our equipment sat there, separating us.

Niall was sitting up with his head slightly hanging. Covered by a fleece blanket. He was asleep. I was sat next to him still awake.

I gave Ellen my blanket since she gets cold easily. So I was covering myself with a small sweater. I was freezing. I scoot closer to Niall so I can keep warm.

It didn't help because I was still shivering and the wind had picked up. I decided to huddle closer to Niall and lay my head on his shoulder without waking him. I began to drift off to sleep still shivering.

I was in the realm of sleep where my body was asleep but my mind was still awake. Aware of sounds and events occurring around me. Suddenly, I felt a blanket being put over me and felt someone wrap their arm around me and pull me to them.

I was now leaning against their chest. I felt a hand go up to my hair and slightly play with it. That's all I remembered before I drifted off to sleep.

(7 hours later)

I wake up laying on something soft and feeling warm. It's still cold out since the sun is just starting to rise and it is still dark out. I look around to notice everyone still asleep. I decide a couple more minutes of sleep won't hurt.

I decide to turn around so I can get comfy when I notice Niall sleeping right next to me, sharing a blanket with me. I take time to look at him. He had his right arm resting on his side and stomach and his left arm was under his head for support. I noticed his brunette roots sticking out between the blonde. He has freckles and moles all over his neck and face.

They're honestly quite cute if I am being honest. No, I cannot be staring down Niall and admiring him. This isn't right. We are here to survive not stare at a cute guy.

The way the United States is, there is no time for distractions. That is what puts you in danger. You get too attached to someone emotionally and something bad happens. I'm not going to take that chance with Niall...However, I feel like it may be too late already.