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RUTH
SHE COULD NOT FATHOM the intensity of the winter in Georgia until she lived in it for weeks on end. Her eyes trailed her cracked and dry hands, examining the overgrown fingernails that had small tears on the ends from where she bit them off. The skin that surrounded them was a red, almost violet hue. Ruth stood on a chair in the abandoned house, her hands roaming through the cupboard that loomed above her normal height. Her makeshift ladder that was meant to make up for her lack in height rocked beneath her. She moved aside empty boxes and wrappers, her fingers collecting the dust that had accumulated on the shelf.
"Anything?" She heard Rick whisper from beside her, his voice deeper and duller than how it sounded just weeks ago. He had become accustomed to Ruth as she attempted to pull her weight. He was really the only person that trusted her, though. The group slowly became more accepting as she gave up her own food for them, but most only gave her one-worded replies. She was trying her hardest for them to accept her, but they just denied every possible attempt.
Ruth sighed, snatching a small granola bar that lay on the shelf. "Just this." It was times like these where she wished spring would come. There was nothing to eat and without proper heating, the girl made use of what was around. Her hands were wrapped with cut up strips of towels in an attempt to prevent frostbite. Her torso was covered with layer after layer of thin shirts to make a coat with what she had. Rick and the others dressed similarly as snow fell to the ground outside. Who knew that white dust which descended to earth in a peaceful manner could be so harsh and cruel? Her hands hurt from the chill air, and her fingers stung to the point where she felt nothing.
Rick took the small package, stuffing it in his pocket. "We'll have to split it, but it's better than nothing." He mumbled.
Ruth shook her head, not even sparing him a glance. "Give it to Lori. She needs it the most."
"But-"
"You give her my portion, you hear me? She needs to eat more than all of us." She demanded. Rick narrowed his eyes in disbelief. He watched as the girl refused to eat, each time giving it to his pregnant wife. Ruth didn't care, though. As a member of the group, they had to keep each other alive. If that meant not eating, she would do it.
"You haven't eaten anything besides crumbs for 4 days." Rick whispered, his baby blues narrowing slightly. "You're saying that a well-fed pregnant woman deserves a whole granola bar to herself, while here you are skin and bones?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying." She replied, her dark hair falling in front of her chocolate irises. "I'll eat when everybody else gets some first. That's the rule."
