I knelt down and moved the ladies arm that cradled the newborn. I picked up the baby girl and rocked her back and forth. Her little pink blanket was wet and cold. I looked up at Zac. He was looking intently at the baby with worry. 'we need to find her a change of clothes or something she's soaking wet' Zac didn't move. 'okay I'll go look for something for her can you hold her?' His eyes widened and he stepped back. I shook my head and carried the baby over by the fire pit. I placed her where I had been laying and wrapped her tightly in the jacket that I once used. I walked over to a pile of luggage that zac set aside and started to look for anything small enough to fit her tiny body. It took what seemed like forever but I found a little girls suitcase with baby doll clothes. I walked back to the swaddled baby to find Zac crying next to her. I put the snug fitting baby doll clothes on the little girl and rewrapped her in the jacket. 'Zac what's going on?' He didn't look up he just started to rub dry sticks together eventually making another fire. I dug out a hole and filled it with strangers clothing. I layed on my side holding the little girl close to me. I closed my eyes and started to hum the itsy bitsy spider a song that once put me to sleep. 'Vanessa?' I stopped and looked up at Zac 'yeah?' 'can I come over there with you' I smiled and rearranged me and the baby to make room for him. We then layed on both sides of her and with the sounds of a cracking fire and a distant chirp from a cricket we fell asleep all huddled together like a family on the streets trying to keep warm.
I looked around finding myself alone. I sat up in a panic searching with my eyes for Zac. Then I saw him rocking the baby back and forth. I sighed and layed back. 'Zac!' I heard quick footsteps behind me 'are you okay?' I sat up and looked at him 'we need to make a shelter find food and a change of clothes.' he smiled and set the baby on a pile of leaves that laid in a whole. 'I know we'll split up ill go find wood for shelter.' I nodded and rubbed my eyes. Once zac was out of sight I got up and walked over to the lady who laid next to the piolet I grabbed the backpack that was strapped high on her back. I opened the first pocket to find a protein bar and a bottle of water. The big pocket contained tampons, a biker t shirt and running shorts. I rezipped the pockets and swung the backpack on my back. 'Vanessa!' I looked up and zac was running and smiling. He ran into me knocking me over. 'what!?' 'i- found-a.' he was breathing overly heavy 'just breath.' He regained normal breathing speed and smiled 'I found a cabin.' I smiled and got up 'c'mon.!' I grabbed his hand and helped him up. I grabbed the sleeping baby and fallowed Zac through the trees. 'how far did you go?' Zac quickened his pace 'it should be up here somewhere.' I looked around noticing thick leaves draping over tree trunks that were infested with bugs. A shiver flew down my spine causing me to stop walking. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I felt warm hands touch my arms. I looked up and Zac was half smiling 'Are you okay?' I nodded and a tear rolled down my face 'im just tired.' my eyes were heavy and my head was aching with a sharp migraine. I looked down to see small pouting lips from the small life that I was cradling. 'what life can I give her?' Zac lifted my face and wiped my cheek with his thumb. 'We will make it through this, be strong and I'll take care of the rest.' 'why are you so nice to me?' ' I havent told you everything about me.' he went and sat on the ground and leaned against a large boulder. ' I was so willing to go visit my dad because I had to tell him something and it wasnt something I could say over the phone.' I looked at zac fighting with the words he spoke. I went and sat next to him and half smiled 'you can tell me.' Zac stayed quiet. 'I killed someone.'
Vanessa's face went blank and I could tell if I didn't start talking soon she'd leave. 'look I was engaged with a girl named Jesse I thought everything was good until I found them together.' I sighed knowing that I could lose the only person around. ' He was my best friend Ryan jeckle, tall walking back stabber....Anyway one day I came home and instead of finding Jesse happy to see me I saw her happy to be kissing him. The rage in me became unbearable I grabbed the screwdriver from my tool bag and shoved it through his back over and over again.'
Zacs eyes grew dark along with his voice.
