Now They Walk

The Highway

-------------------------Jake-----------------------

We rode along the highway all day. Eventually the sun fell out of the sky and was replaced by the moon and the darkness.

The silver soldier stood silently in the sky, watching the world fall apart faster than he could finish his rounds. I wonder what he thinks of humanity now. Pity? Humor? Maybe it knows who will win in the end.

I drove at 50. I was watching for any debris that could render this car useless. I dodged wrecked cars and occasionally the infected.

I looked in the rear view mirror. Nate was sitting in the back. He fell asleep about an hour ago. He looks so peaceful.

"I never thought y'all two liked each other like that"

"You weren't the only one that was surprised"

She was silent again. She has been like that for a while but I know she wants to say something.

"Your wondering about your brother" I said

"Y'all never said what happened to him"

I gripped the wheel a little harder.

"He was trying to hurt Nate, let an infected get on him and ran upstairs"

"Is he still alive?" She asked looking up from her lap

"No..." I said quietly "those weren't just the seeker's screams we heard"

She didn't respond. It looked like she might cry.

"I'm sorry Ellie"

"Don't be, he deserved it... for the things he did to Nate... and me" she didn't even blink. And where I just expected her to cry their was no tears and no sadness. Hate maybe.

I was instantly disgusted. I'm not going to ask. I don't want her to think of it. Plus, he can't be killed twice.

I looked at the clock in the car. 4:41. It was late, but I am not tired. I haven't slept much since the beginning of all this.

"Take this next exit" Ellie said. She sprawled out the map and turned on a light. "And then we will be on that one for a while too"

"Ok" I said

I turned the wheel slightly and then took the exit.

"You should get some sleep" I said

"Don't want you to be up with no one to talk to"

"I like the silence, go on, rest" I said

She nodded and adjusted herself. She was asleep within minutes. The dark was cut by the headlights.

I slowed down when I seen a group of the infected. Their was a small boy in the group. And older man and women. A family most likely.

Something hitched in my throat. I could feel my hearts want.

"Stop crying" I said to myself "nothing you can change now"

I went completely around them.

I kept my eyes forward.