Ready Set Go

7. Stepping Out

Awan walked ahead of her sister. Not because she wanted to but Buttercup walked at the slowest pace she could imagine. Awan didn't fuss over this because internally she felt the same way.

She wanted to go home. She fought against looking back toward where Tulsa was. They hadn't met anyone on their way toward where Sand Springs used to be. They were using parts of roads that no one's used in awhile. There was trees and plants breaking through the concrete.

In some places, nature completely renovated the area.

Now they were seven hours in and several resting points before it was time to find somewhere to sleep. Her stomach twisted at knowing how far she was from her parents. If they could get this far without encountering someone -- then surely they must still be out there.

But they went east.

This was the furthest she has ever been from their house in her life. She didn't like it. She understood why Deon was concerned with them leaving the area.

"I don't want to go anymore." Buttercup spoke. Her voice soft but firm in her words, "I don't like it here."

"We'll sleep over there." She pointed at the destroyed bridge.There wasn't any evidence that there was anyone here so it was the safest thing she could see to rest at. "We'll move on after we sleep."

"I don't feel safe."

"I have a gun, you have a gun. Some knives and you know the whole God thing. We're set."

Awan waved her hands cheerfully as she could toward the broken bridge. She couldn't think of any highlights to sleeping where they were going to be at. But it was all she had. Buttercup stopped.

"I can't feel my feet."

"Shit, I didn't think. I am sorry." Awan threw her hands in the air. Her sister was younger not able to take as much as she could. She should have kept that in mind. You only stopped when you felt the burn. How long did she need that you ignored?

"Sit but we'll make camp over there when you can feel them." Awan smiled. She sat and laid, moments later she was gently snoring. Awan took another glance over of their location before she picked Buttercup up. She was smaller, younger and way lighter than what she probably should be.

But Awan still struggled with pulling her toward the bridge. Her arms burned by the time she was where she felt was safe enough.