Deceased

Chapter Five

I wake up as the barn is becoming a little brighter. There's a small opening on the top of the barn that I hadn't noticed before, showing the sky as a dark blue. An early morning chill in the air causes me to shiver, goosebumps scaling my skin.

When I glance down, I'm surprised to find Alex clinging to me while she sleeps. I pat her head a little, and then try to move away from her as gently as possible

Jeez, this girl has a grip.

I get free of her, but not without waking her up. Becoming as still as possible, I watch her yawn and rub her eyes, hoping she'll roll over and fall back to sleep. To my dismay, she instead sits up, her hair a mess, and looks at me.

"Good morning. Are we finding momma today?"

There goes my peace and quiet.

"Yeah, we'll leave today to go to the community. It may take us awhile, though. I'm going to need you to be strong and to not complain, and to play the quiet game."

"What's for breakfast?"

"Whatever I find in my bag," I answer.

I climb down the ladder, avoiding an annoying step that I noticed squeaks.
Finding my bag, I open it to reveal three cans and one water bottle, as well as my canteen that hangs off of the bag. My canteen is only half-filled with water, but hopefully we'll find some today. We share a can of raviolis for breakfast and save the last two for a late afternoon lunch/dinner.

"We're going to need to find a store or something," I tell her.

"Why?"

"We need some more food, water, and not to mention fresh clothes."

"Why?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Because we'll die without them, and we need the clothes because you stink."

"Why?"

"Little girl, if you think I'm going to play along to these idiotic games with you, you're dead wrong. Ask me that again, and I promise you'll regret it."

She smiles but goes silent. Little devil. I never should have come here. I should've just kept walking. All she'll do is slow me down and waste my time. What ever happened to survival of the fittest? Every man for himself? It's unfair for the strong to take care of the weak.

She's just a little girl, I remind myself. She could be taking care of you one day.. If you last that long.

The sun has risen higher in the sky by now and more light is breaking through our surroundings. The sky is now a lighter shade of blue, but still not enough to see clearly. I decide to have us wait just a little longer before leaving, not wanting to take any chances.

"Do you know how to use a knife?"

Alex stares up at me, her dark eyes making her look even more like some demon spawn. "No."

"Well then today's your lucky day," I tell her, cheerfully.

I remove one of my knives from its leather sheath on my calf and hand it to her. Taking off my sheath makes me feel barren, but I ignore it, attaching it to the girls skinny thigh.

"Okay, so the knife goes in there when you're not using it. Just stab anything that moves, besides me, of course. Oh, and never, I repeat never use that knife to cut something you'll be eating. Unless you enjoy brains with your meals, along with a possible chance of infection. Your choice."

She just stares at the blade, twirling it slowly in her small hands. It's makes me a little uncomfortable seeing how entranced she is with the weapon.