Damaged

4

It took us a week to reach the sign welcoming us to Kansas. In those seven days we spent most of our time on the rode, so I had plenty of bonding time with 10k and Addy and the rest of the group. I grew pretty close with them. I tried to befriend Cassandra as well but she seemed to dislike me. She never voiced it or acted on it but it was obvious when every time I tried to speak to her, she would give me one worded answers and look away. Sometimes she would even straight up ignore me. I believe it has something to do with 10K. She really seems to dislike me even more when I am with him. Which is honestly constantly. We grew to be two peas in a pod. Where one goes, so does the other. 

True to Addy's word, we became bestfriends pretty quickly. We told each other stories both pre-z and after. And she even braids my hair, like she did just now. I know all about her hockey lovin' past and she knows more about my paranoid ex-soldier of a father.

10k is different, however. I know that catching feelings during the apocalypse is not ideal, considering they make you weaker- according to my father, but I just couldn't help it. His gorgeous smile and remarkable shooting abilities drew me in. He is like the heroine to my addict. The jelly to my peanut butter. But I'd never tell him how much I like him. He'd never like me back, not if he likes Cassandra like I think he does. That won't stop me flirting with him though. 

I bonded with everyone else too, a little. Doc is funny, he gives off the protective yet cool grandparent vibe. He's great to talk to too. Warren is still shocked so I haven't been able to talk to her much. Mack is cool and also funny, plus he is fun to talk video games with. And Murphy, well Murphy is just a dick, though I think he is getting a sweet spot for me.

Anyways, we found a motorcycle a few miles back so Addy and Mack were driving it ahead of us. Cassandra is sitting in the truck and 10k and I are sitting on the tail gate like usual.

Neither one of has spoken for awhile until he mentioned what I said a few days ago. "Hey, back at that camp you said that your father would be very disappointed in you.. can I ask why?"

I froze, not expecting that question. "Um.. well he taught me that it's best to travel alone. That being with others is asking for trouble. He wouldn't like that I allowed myself to be put in a situation where all my weapons were confiscated and he would've blamed it on me being with a group."

"Did you always do what your father told you to do?" He asked and I nodded shamefully and looked at the bed of the truck. He nudged my arm lightly. "Well he seemed to be a smart man if you survived this long on your own. But don't worry, we'll protect you. We will always protect each other."

I smiled sadly, thinking back at Garnett jumping and risking his life to protect one of us.

"Thank you." I whispered just as the truck started to slow down and smoke erupt from the engine. When we came to a stop, everyone climbed out. I placed my weapons back where they were before, only now I just have my dagger, trustee katana, and my sniper.

"Radiator?"

"Yea."

"Fixable?"

"Don't know."

"Gee, if only we had a mechanic." Murphy grumbled. I glared at him.

"Let her grieve, grinch." I told him.

"Let her deal, man." Doc said. "She's got post traumatic stress."

"Post traumatic stress? The whole world's got post traumatic stress. Actually there isn't anything post about it. We all got plain ol' present tense all traumatic, all stress all the time. What makes her so special?" Murphy asked, heading to the window where Warren is sleeping.