Human

Touch wood

The fire crackled, spitting ash into the cold, black air. I watched Asha set up the burning pile, she's just as efficient as the boy. The boy however, walked to get wood to fuel the flames and when he returned Asha had already put a small meal together using rice and dried fruit. They sat opposite each other, the flames illuminating their features. They ate silently, both looking through the heat, only to look away when they made eye contact. Ray finished first, giving what remained to the little pig. He took a nervous breath and looked up.

"So, did you go to a public school?"

"No." She chewed slowly.

"So, you were home schooled?"

"Yes."

"By your parents?"

"Yes."

"Cool. That sounds nice, you could've got up late and just spent the learning part in your PJs."

"I could've. But I didn't."

"What! I would've taken so many advantages. No uniform must've been great!"

"Nope. My parents were rather strict God bless them. Mum always wanted me to have an education like the other children in our village."

"Why didn't they just send you to school?"

"Well, since a young age I found pleasure in sitting alone and reading, being social was a task for me. I attended a primary school but the children called me names. I was bullied into being schooled at home."

"What did they bully you for?"

She looks at him confused "Why are you so interested in me?"

"Well, I thought...considering we are going to be sticking together... We should get to know each other better. To become better friends ya know?"

She tilts her head, eyes back at the food "Oh. I forgot about friends, I guess staying away meant that I found that title in my brother. He was always there for me."

"I saw him in the picture,did he not come with you?"

"He died in the barn. I couldn't get to him."

"I'm sorry," She scolds him with her eyes "fine! Stopping the pity. Honest. I will just laugh every time you say something sad." Her eyes intense and he squirms "Okay! Calm yourself. I won't ask. Now, let me change the topic before you stare me to death! Why were you bullied?"

"The marks on my arms. They're birth marks. But they were why I was picked on." She tugs at her sleeves, as if hiding more of herself away from the world. The boy stands up and moves to her side of the fire. He looks intrigued.

"Can I see?"

"They're nothing. Really. I don't like them and I doubt you would."

"Maybe you should stop hiding Asha. Now, show me your arm or I'm going to look myself. I can pull your sleeve up just like I pulled your hood down." He raises his eyebrows.

"Oh will I now? Because I'm pretty sure if you touch me I can get you done for assault."

"By who? The police weren't much use before the Apocalypse, they're nothing now."

"Still, I don't want you to see."

"Humm, fine. Oh you're finished. I can dispose of your packet." He offers out his hand and she hesitantly puts the packet in his. As she withdraws her arm he grabs it and pushes he sleeve back revealing a red brand on her forearm. All the confidence leaves him and he stands up backing away from her, the colour drained from his face.