Roaming Of The Afterlife

Things Aren't What They Used To Be

The silence between me and Aurei was unbearable. I didn't like to kill them...I hated it. But Juan almost raped my little sister I can't let that one slide.

"Aurei. If you have anything to say, say it now." I said weakly, but staring ahead, both hands on the wheel.

"I understand Avery. Juan deserved it, although you could've just shot him." Aurei said matter-of-factly.

"I would've but seeing you like that, think Aurei. They used half our ammo, besides I was so angry, I didn't care how he died, but pedophiles like him deserve to be eaten alive." I confess, as we drive up the highway.

"Avery. I know that. It was just too brutal." Aurei mutters.

"Just so you know, I didn't like killing them, they were going to rape us both, but I won't kill anyone without a good reason." I said, trying to reason with Aurei.

"I know...it was just scary as hell when he nearly strangled you to death...I tried to help but I'm too weak-" Aurei said, immediatley beating herself up.

"Aurei. He was a grown man! And you're the strongest girl I know. Don't talk about yourself like that." I said, taking a deep breath.

"Avery...you're different now. I know you had to kill those men but the look in your eyes...you can't say that it's not terrifying." Aurei argues as she crosses her arms.

"They would've killed you...so that's why I snapped. Not everyone are good people and trustworthy. They're poisoned now. Remember this...I only killed them because they were hurting you, that was my reason." I argued.

"I know that. But please don't become hollow...and kill everyone that dares to speak out of line." Aurei went on. I let her speak her peace...she had a voice fo a reason...

True, their blood was on my hands. I purse my lips as I watch the road, roamers were in the fields.

"It's like you never think twice about killing those men." Aurei argues.

Call me a bitch, or a evil murderer but I pulled on the brakes, causing Aurei to stare at me with wide eyes. It wasn't like I could walk out of that hellhole without a scratch. I said it for the hundred time and I'll say it again, Juan and Adam were violating her. She's just thirteen...but Juan deserved to suffer, and Joe tried to rape me and kill me. Things aren't what they used to be.

"It's not like you can sit down, drink a fucking cup of coffee, talk and everything just works out. Yeah, I'm wreckless when I'm angry. You don't have to like what I did, but you can at least try to understand why I did what I did." I said, my voice low and grim.

Aurei slowly nods, staring straight ahead, pursing her lips. As ugly as I sounded, it was the truth, any fast learner would know by now, that you'll do almost anything to make it out here. Not to rebuild civilization, not to try and make things work by forming a group. For now...we don't trust anyone.

Some day, there will be someone far worser than Joe...and I'll have to be ready for when that happens.

"You're right. Things aren't the way they used to be." Aurei agrees, forming her lips into a straight line, sitting back into the seat.

"Look, I can't lose you...." I confess, starting to drive again. I don't sugarcoat anything. But it's always been tough love with Aurei....and she listens best whenever I show it.

"And just know...I'm doing this because I love you more than life itself." I confess, glimpsing at her.

"I know." Aurei reassures me, closing her eyes, taking a deep breath as I kept driving.