Dead as Time

Chapter 6-Abbey

The buzz again. It seems so much louder now that I am expecting it. Although I can't find it. It's no where around me and I panic, knowing that's my only way of communication with Alyssa. The buzzing continues, but I can't find it. I get up and start searching. I hear it in the bathroom and remember I left it in there when I went to shower. I open it up and smile.

MESSAGE TO: Alyssa

SUBJECT: Bad, bad, bad

MESSAGE:

Hey. I miss you. There is not a moment I don't think about you. Mom, dad, and Maggie say we can't go get you. I've planned to make a run for it. I'm leaving tonight. I know my way, hopefully. I think we're by Crazy Town. Kind of a long walk but to see you? I'd walk to the ends of the Earth. There's not really anything you or anyone can do about me leaving. I love you. I'll see you soon...

MESSAGE SENT

Nothing anyone can do about it, I tell myself prepping myself for the biggest event in my life. I go about the day acting like everything's normal. Do what my parents say, no love from Maggie, Alyssa was always her favorite. After I was born Maggie was mad, mad, mad. She didn't want another little sister. Especially not an affair baby. Maggie knew, Maggie hated mom ever since, she just never let it show, ever. I looked a lot like my mom so my real father's appearance in me was made up for my how much I looked like her and her only. Maggie knew, Maggie hated me, I could have ruined their perfect little family. But Maggie didn't let it slip.

Alyssa held me the closest to this family. We've always done everything together. Getting her back was essential. I miss her more and more everyday. I'm glad she has someone like Jim to help her stay alive until we get back to her.

I realized I was still in the bathroom sitting on the toilet, lid closed of course. Maggie comes in and just stares at me for a minute. "What are you doing?" she asks moody. "I'm looking at my phone. Damn" I reply snappy. "Well mom made soup, again, and she says you have to eat this time." We've had soup everyday since we got here, the only exception was when we had bread, and soup. There was other things to eat but mom say they needed to be saved for until we run out of soup, "Soup goes a long way" she says, everyday. There's nothing I can do about soup. Except for the fact that I get up in the middle of the night and steal crackers or a cheese stick. 

After being basically force-fed soup, I take a nap. I dreamt of everything, Alyssa, Eaters, military, soup. All of it just, mixed up in my head. Alyssa eating soup in a military camp full of Eaters, Alyssa as an Eater eating soup in a military camp, Alyssa in the military making Eaters eat cans after cans after cans of soup. None of it makes sense.

Mom is doing dishes when dad tells us "big news". "Okay everyone, I managed to find a radio and got ahold of some trucker. He said he has some supplies and is just looking for a place to stay. I told he could stay here for half of the supplies he has and he agreed." His words are a shock to us. Mom's shock has to do with the fact that he didn't discuss it with her. Maggie's shock is because another guy, not in our family, is coming to pay a visit. My shock? Well my shock is because we can't go get Alyssa but we can bring some stranger here. We all start yelling in perfect unison. 

I honestly can not believe you would make these type of decisions without me! I mean this could put our girls in danger! We don't know this man, we don't know his intentions! God, do you ever think?" my mother gets first yell. "Wow, no Alyssa but we get a stranger? Dad I can't even! Why would you think that's okay? You know I miss Alyssa! But we gain a stranger?" God I hate this family sometimes. But to my shock Maggie doesn't yell. She's fantasising about the new guy.

"Honey, I was trying to do what's best! He has things that could help us. He has food, and water. This man could be useful to us." my dad says trying to cover up his fear of my mother.

I'm glad I won't be here by the time that man gets here. I start to put things in my bag when no one is around. I take a lot of the food, including soup, it could help. I take clothes and small blanket for when it gets cold. Last but not least a pistol, and a lot of ammunition. I go up to my dad and ask him to teach me to use it. He hesitates at first then we find ourselves by a tree with a target learning how to shoot. He teaches me everything I need to know and I'm glad he did. I can't go by myself without knowing how to shoot.

When night falls I'm ready. I pretend to sleep and wait for everyone to settle. My mom and my dad pass out first but Maggie stays up to read a book. She doesn't fall asleep for another two hours, she finishes her book. When I know everyone is dead asleep, I quietly open the door and sneak out. I remembered where we came from all the way from the house to the camp to here. I have a pretty good memory when it comes to directions. I'll be able to make my way back in no time.