The Light in a World of Darkness

A Future We Wouldn't Foresee

Tara was silent the rest of the way back to my house.

It was only a five-minute walk, but considering how much she talked before, I know that I should enjoy the silence.

"I have to pee," she reminded me when we walked through the doorway to the small log cabin.

I sighed and walked back outside and around back. I pointed to some bushes to give her some privacy.

She looked at me in shock. "We're outside."

"I noticed."

"Where's the potty?"

I pointed at the bush again. "That's the potty."

"Where do you take your baths?"

"There's a lake two miles that way," I said and pointed north.

"Why do you live here?" she asked and scrunched up her nose.

"Why don't you want to go home?"

"'Cause Uncle Jack is a mean man."

"That's why I live here."

"Where's your mommy and daddy?"

"Dead." I sighed again. "When you're done, just come back inside."

I turned on my heel and started to walk away.

"No," she cried out and ran towards me. "Don't leave me alone."

My head sagged forwards. "Fine. Make it quick."

Finally I got her back in the cabin.

I was lucky to find this place. Someone must have made it before everything in the world went to shit.

It didn't have running water or a stove or kitchen sink. It had a fireplace, which was nice last winter. It also had a roof, walls and a door. In other words, it had all the important stuff.

Tommy was waiting by the door and wagged his tail when we came back in. The kid still seemed a little nervous around him, but was slowly warming up to him.

"You are such a wimp," I told him and he barked at me before following happily after Tara.

"Who are you talking to?" the kid asked and sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.

"Tommy," I said and gestured towards him.

"But he's a wolf. He can't talk back."

"He answered me just now."

"What did he say to you then?" She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for me to answer.

"He told me to shove it."

She clicked her tongue. "I don't believe you."

I looked down at him again and he huffed before curling into a ball next to Tara on the bed. "Just now he wondered why I was arguing with you and let me know that he wasn't going to be a part of this."

"I didn't hear anything."

"That's because you have to really listen."

"I was."

"Obviously not. I heard him clear as day."

"You're lying."

"Why would I lie?"

"Because you don't want to sound dumb."

"I don't lie. I don't care about sounding like an idiot."