At End's Gate

PILLAR

They entered into the abounded shelter they had agreed to use. They needed to be cautious because the number of people in the east was still significantly high. The eastern shelter was slightly bigger than their previous shelters. It had many rooms. They had to run through the hall opening each door to make sure they were alone. The boys with the exception of Erin closed the old curtains throughout the entire house. Alexis and Lisa went into the kitchen and turned on an old gas cooker praying that it still worked. By God's mercies it did. They took out some canned meat they had packed in the supply bag as well as a can of canned vegetables. Obviously they couldn't carry any perishable foods. They were on the run. If it meant a lifetime of eating canned products they had to embrace it. They also found some plastic cups and plates in the counters. There was also a frying pan. Surprisingly these things were in a good condition considering that the place had been abounded for some time.

"How is it possible that everything seems intact?" Alexis asked.

"Maybe someone was living here or maybe someone is living here," Paige answered as she stood by the kitchen door with Erin just behind her. Her face was full of paranoia.

Alexis looked shocked for a while." Paige you startled me. Where you standing by the door all this time?"

"Yeah. Just wanted to make sure you guys were okay. About the supplies in good condition I need you to be on guard. We can't afford any more surprises. Maybe we aren't the only ones who sought shelter here."

"Okay," Lexi said fixing a strand of strawberry blonde hair that had gone to her face.

"Lisa make sure the windows in here are closed and check whether or not there is no secret entrance to the kitchen," she instructed.

"Okay."

"Can I have some water? I feel dehydrated," said Erin in a deep voice truly showing that his throat was dry.

Paige knelt down and opened the supply bag and took out a bottle of water. She scanned Erin's face." You need some rest. Let's find you a room to sleep in whilst the food is being prepared." Erin didn't complain. He just followed her. Paige led Erin into a room. It was quite spacious. Since it wasn't yet evening there wasn't any need to light a candle. The walls of the room had old white paint and graffiti sketches, the true markings of an abounded site. There were couple names on the wall obviously done by reckless teens. Other sketches were of an artistic nature. Paige quickly concluded to herself that the place might have been a stoner pit at some point. She was amused and laughed to herself. The biggest problem she only knew in her life was the teenage transition were people would be reckless and live crazily not a life whereby survival was the only priority. How fragile existence was. This was her thought.

"Do you remember?"

"Remember what," Paige turned to Erin who was lying on the floor with his side probably because his back was injured." Are you comfortable?" Paige asked looking at him.

"Yeah. I was saying do you remember the day in our senior year when we snuck out of school and went to that old mahogany tree."

"I remember it as if it was yesterday," Paige said as she went back to the memory." That's the day you carved our names into that tree."

"Yeah. E & P."

"I actually thought it was cheesy," she laughed.

"What did I tell you then?"

"You said you'd always love me."

"Yeah and I meant it," he said in a compassionate tone. His face stared at Paige's chocolate eyes. Paige remained silent looking at him." Paige loving you is what kept me going all this time. There were times I thought of taking my life but I held on to the hope that you were still alive. Holding on to my sanity was a struggle but I pictured you at the end of the dark hole. I can't even put into words how happy I am that you found me."

Paige smiled." I'm happy too," she said removing the tears falling down her cheeks.

"Yeah. I'm serious Paige. You're my pillar of sanity. Thank you for finding me."

She smiled." You're welcome. Rest now," she said as she opened the door to leave.