Beginning of the End

VI

I was sitting on my couch when I heard the front gate open. I jumped up and walked out my house. Khalil, Cymon, Elyas, Kayla, and Tyler were in a line. Handing the siding of the metal barn to each other, one to the other, down the line. I smiled to myself. Aysa and Lamar walked over.

    "Holy shit." Lamar chuckled.

    "They actually did it." Aysa high fived Lamar, then they both walked over and started helping carry the sheets to the far corner. I turned and grabbed my sledgehammer, then made my way towards the back as well.

We all worked together and finished the job. The siding covered the fence on both sides.

    "Good work, guys. Now," I wiped sweat off my forehead, "I need a fucking drink." I laughed as I picked up my sledgehammer. I looked over the back gate, and noticed the sun was setting. I walked into the cafeteria to see my dad cleaning.

    "Hey, Jade," He walked over to me, "What can I help you with?"

    "Any leftovers?" I smile. He nodded and gestured me to walk with him to a table that had a few plates left.

    "I made extras for anyone who wasn't here." He handed me one. It was some rice and what looked to be deer meat.

    "Thank you." I took it and sat at a table. Tanner and William walked over and sat down.

    "Hey, Jade." Tanner smiled.

    "Hey, I have a suggestion," William said, smiling. I looked up at him as I chewed my food, "Have you ever thought about naming your sledgehammer?" I looked over at it sitting on the bench next to me, then shook my head.

    "Well, we've been calling it Edge.  Like whenever we see you, we're like, 'There goes Jade and Edge again." Tanner chuckled.

    "That's actually pretty great," I picked up my sledgehammer, "You like that name?" I said to it. I chuckled, "Edge it is." I sat Edge down next to me and continued to eat.

    "Well, It's getting dark, so we're gonna go stake out for the night." William stood up.

    "Night shift sounds spooky." Tanner smiled and they both walked away.

    "Dorks." I smiled and shook my head as I finished eating.

I walked out of the cafeteria and made my way over to Storage, where William and Tanner were standing, talking to Stef.

    "I think two M4s will be fine." William and Tanner nodded at each other.

    "Sounds good to me." I smiled as I softly laid Edge against my shoulder.

    "So, do you want one of us at the front gate and one at the back?" Tanner asked as Stef brought them their guns.

    "Sure. Sounds good to me. I'll be in my house if you need me." I turned and started walking to my house. I walk past Brittany and Lamar, holding hands walking back to their house.

    "Hey, Ziggles," Lamar smiles, "I'm gonna head home for the night. But, if you need me or anything, you know where I am." He winked at me.

    "I'll be heading to bed myself. It's been a long day. But, I'll wake you if I need you." He turned and started to walk away.

    "Oh, but I won't be sleeping." He laughed back at me. I just chuckled and shook my head, then turned back to walk to my house. When I walked up, I noticed Aysa leaned against my door.

    "I see you waited for an invite in this time." I chuckled. He smiled and moved out of the way for me to open the door. After I opened it, I ushered him in.

    "I, uh, I was thinking. With all this shit going on. I think you might need someone to keep an eye on you." I turned to him as he said this. He was scratching the back of his neck, nervously.

    "I can watch myself, but thank you." I smirked as I walked over to my bookshelf. I stood, looking for a book. I decided on one, so I reached for it.

    "The Holy Bible?" Aysa chuckled.

    "Hey. I may not believe in. But, it's a good story," I sat down on the couch, and began to read. Aysa stood there and awkwardly looked around, "You can sit down, you know?" I smiled, not taking my eyes of my reading material. He walked over and sat down next to me. Putting his arm on the back of the couch behind me. I glanced up at him, to see he was already looking at me. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.

    "I know you can look after yourself. But, I still worry, okay?" He just stared into my eyes. I always felt so exposed when he did this. Like he knew every single thing about me. I smiled slightly, then, I did something I knew I probably shouldn't have. But I wanted to. I leaned in and kissed him. He ran his hand up to the back of my head, gently tugging my hair as he deepened the kiss. I tossed my Bible aside, and he grabbed me, picking me up, and carried me to my room.