The Black River | Kuzeless [C]

Chapter 25 | Flashes of the Past

Kuza gentle traced his fingertips along Chris' chest as he started to wake up. His mate was still asleep but he figured he needed it. Ghost and Vinny weren't there but he had a feeling they hadn't strayed too far. The fire was still going. Barely, but it was enough to give a little warmth. He sat up slowly and stretched himself out.

"Chris," He whispered as he leaned back over. Kuza gently nipped his ear, "Baby, wake up."

"I don't want to." He muttered.

"Sorry." He snickered, "But we don't have much of a choice."

Chris forced himself to sit up with a groan, "Yeah, I know. Where are the other two trouble makers?"

"I'm sure they're around." He placed his hand on his knee, using the leverage to get up, "I hope we can get a little farther today. I figure we're only just over the PA boarder in New York."

"I know a place we can go in Albany, if it's still there. I really hope it is."

Kuza picked up his coat from one of the seats, pulling it on. "You hope the place is still there or the people are?"

"People. Good people. They're not like us, but they weren't human. I... I never really figured out what they were. I just knew they helped me when I needed it." He explained.

"Well, in that case, I hope they're there too. A little help would be nice." He optimistically spoke.

Chris found it refreshing that he wasn't being a negative asshole for once. The night before must've lighted his spirits. For the first time in awhile they had a taste of what the world was like before it all went to shit. A few years ago, who would've known that simply watching a movie would mean so much to them.

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The walk was fucking long. There was nothing else to say than that. They passed few many towns, now demolished and covered in layers of snow. It was hard to recognize anything. Lost ones were able to stay away much longer than humans if they wanted to. No one really wants to walk for thirty hours though. Hell, who would want to walk for three?

They could occupy their time getting to know one another in a way they should've long before this. Luckily, the snowfall and winds wasn't nearly as bad as it had been at the inn. It was easier to hear one another. Vinny wasn't much to talk but he loved to hear the stories his mate would tell. She raved on about the glamorous life of working in the film industry.

"She should've become an actress herself." Kuza commented, "But she was always scared to go out for the roll. I tried to convince her to go out for a roll in a Rob Zombie movie but she was too scared too."

"As great as it would've been, I wouldn't have had a chance. I was good at makeup, not acting." She replied.

"I met you woulda been an amazin' actress." Vinny turned to face her, causing him to walk backwards. He spread his hands in the air as he said, "I could see it now, your name is big lights."

The beauty blushed, "I guess we'll never know now."

"What about you?" Chris asked, "What'd you do before all this?"

"I... I'd rather not talk about it." Kuza responded uncomfortable.

His smile fell, "Why?"

"I just don't. I wasn't a good person." He stubbornly said.

Chris lowered his voice, "Will you tell me when we're alone?"

"Maybe. I don't know... We'll see. I did a lot of bad, selfish things in my past." He bowed his head, letting his hair fall in his face.