Beginning of the End

XV

I woke up and looked across my room. It was bright with the light outside. I looked beside me and saw Aysa sleeping, he was snoring slightly. I slowly get out of bed and look through my dresser drawers for an outfit for the day. I picked up a pair of ripped, high waisted "mom jeans", and a ripped up sleeveless shirt. I walked over to my closet, pulled out my Doc Martens, and stepped into them. I laced them up and walked into my kitchen, pouring myself a cup of tea. I sat down on my couch and sipped my tea. I smiled to myself. It was the small things that brought a smile to my face.

"Good morning," Aysa smiled as he walked into the living room, wiping his eyes, "How'd you sleep?" He walked over and sat next to me, wrapping his arm around me.

"I slept well, you?" I asked. He smiled.

"I slept alright, I guess." We sat in calm silence for a moment. I stood up then I walked over and put my cup in the sink.

"I'm gonna go around to the areas, make a list of what all needs to be run out and got." I smiled as I walked over and grabbed Edge.

"I'll be behind you shortly. I'm gonna make some coffee." He walked over and kissed my cheek.

I walked to the Medical Center, seeing the door was opened, I walked right in. Leanne was writing on her clipboard, when she heard me walk in, she looked up.

"Hey Jade," She smiled, "What's up?" She sent the pen and clipboard down on her desk.

"I was just wondering what you were running low on that we need." I looked around the room.

"How odd. I was just writing a list," She unclipped the paper and handed it to me, "Just ibuprofen, tylenol, maybe some lidocaine. Anything you can find." I took the paper and read over it.

"Awesome. I'll definitely give this to Lamar," I folded it up and placed it in my pocket. I nodded and made my way to the Cafeteria, where my dad was sitting down, reading a recipe book. I chuckle, and he looks up at me.

"Hey, peanut." He smiles. I groan and roll my eyes.

"I'm 21, almost 22. I rule a community of people. And you STILL call me that?" I ask, irritated, as I sit across from him.

"You'll always be my little Peanut. No matter how big or badass you get." He laughs.

"Do you need us to get anything on the run today?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Uh..." He closes the book, stand up, and walks into the kitchen. I follow him, "Anything you find, to be honest. Grab it, we can use it." He smiles, then gets a serious face.

"What?" I ask.

"You okay?" I roll my eyes at the question.

"I'm fine, dad. I swear. I don't care." I chuckle.

"Sure. Lie some more." I stare at him, then sigh.

"It's stressful. Knowing that I might have to hurt someone I used to love dearly," I choke back tears, "But, I would if I had to." I hug him. He hugs me back, then pats me on the back.

"Let's hope so." I say my goodbye then go to the storage. Stef walked out as I was walking up.

"Hey Jade." She smiled and waved.

"Hey Stef," I walk up, then lean against the side of the building, "Do you need anything up here? There's a run later." She looked in the building, seeming to be thinking.

"Uh, maybe some ammo? It couldn't hurt. But, I think we're good." I nodded.

"Alright, I'll see what we can do." I walked away, making my way to Lamar's trailer. The closer I got, it sounded like I could hear yelling. I slowed my pace. I heard a door slam, then Lamar walked around the corner.

"Oh, hey Jade." He sighed.

"You good, man?" I asked as he walked past me.

"Yep. Peachy." I shook my head and I walked faster to catch up to him.

"You know th-"

"Yes, there's a run today. I know. Just, go get Aysa and the group. I'll be waiting." He stormed off.

"Well, fuck. Okay."

I gathered Tyler, William, and Devin. I told them to go check out some weapons and meet Aysa by the gate. I walked to my home, opened the door, and saw Aysa laying on the couch, reading.

"Oh, hey," He put the book down on the coffee table, "I lost track of time." He was wearing dirty jeans and a black tank top, with an unbuttoned short sleeve button up plaid shirt on over. I smiled.

"It's okay. Get your shoes on. Your group is waiting," I kiss his cheek, "And here," I handed him the paper from Leanne, "Dad and Stef said grab whatever you can." I walk him out after he ties his boot up. He walks over to the group. Lamar and him wave back at me and they leave.