Ghost Towns

10- CC and Dannie

                   The past two days had been uneventful, which I suppose was better than anything else we would normally have to deal with. It gave CC enough time to heal. The forest was so still and quiet you'd have thought we were the only living creatures on this earth by now.

                  Throwing the magnum over his shoulder, and hopping down the thick branches to meet us, he said as he took a breath, "You ready?" We were going out to forage for some food and water. Not all of us were allowed to go because of the risk of having so many people out at once. Maxx, Scout, Amethyst, CC and I were the stronger ones so we volunteered to go together.

                 I remember wanting to leave such a short time ago and I've threatened to repeatedly. I've never acted on it. By this point they all knew that what I said I didn't necessarily mean. It was annoying, but I understood. At least they didn't underestimate me. I knew my way around better than they did. "Yeah,

                 Amethyst replied, pointing into the horizon where there was a clear dip in the trees. "There should be a lake or river over there so I wouldn't be surprised if there were some deer settled there."

                    "Where there are deer there are predators," I reminded her knowingly, deciding to stay behind the group as we began on our small journey towards the decline. Maxx and Scout were keeping mostly to themselves. I could see the chemistry, the history between them. They must have known one another somehow before this catastrophe.

                   Digging his heels into the mudded ground, CC peered over the steep drop down towards a ravine that definitely lead to a body of water that was more vital than anything in this moment. He scanned the surroundings before he decided, "We should split up into groups. We'll cover more ground and be less of a target."

               Amethyst cocked a brow as she exchanged unsure glances with both Scout and Maxx.

               "Sure, but what exactly are we supposed to do if we are attacked? I guess we'll have to fight them off with our bare hands," she quipped.

               Being unaffected by her attitude, he reached behind, under his jacket, revealing the blade that he used to cut the ropes from our wrists. It was lengthy and sharp. There was no doubt in my mind that it would do some damage. "Use this," he offered, holding onto the bladed end so she could grasp the handle.

                 Her piercing gaze examined it for a brief moment before she snatched it out of his hand. I was surprised he hadn't been cut by the ferocity in her snatch. What was she so angry about? To me, it seemed as if she was the kind of person who acted out when she was afraid; throw a tantrum. I kept my remarks to myself. The last thing anybody else needed was another sharp tongued pessimist. "Let's meet back here and if anything goes wrong then we'll meet at the tree," Maxx instructed, adding in useful comments.

                 "That's fine. Let's go," CC urged, tapping me on the arm. I guess I was heading out with him. In a way, I knew how he felt about the others. Like myself, he didn't mind Maxx or Scout, but Amethyst was more trouble than she was worth and it was rather humorous to see how he didn't want to be stuck with her for longer than he needed to.

                  I watched as the other stalked down a windy path, cutting away vines that draped over them. CC and I began going straight down to where the ravine was. I leaned back on my heels, changing my center of gravity completely. There were many wet patches, I actually tripped and slid down about three feet before latching onto a pathetic excuse for a baby tree. It was about rotten already. "You'd be surprised about what Solenne and I would normally do to get food and water. In Northbrook there was a mass migration, minus us because he headed back after a while, but there is always something in the grocery stores," I started, breaking out of my shell a bit. "In the back rooms there are cans and bottles of water hidden under boxes that people just forget about. This is pretty new for me."