Beginning of the End

XLII

(Lamar's point of view)


It's been about a month since Alek was shot. I've been the commander in chief since the funeral. She doesn't leave her house. Her dad brings her food, Audrey has tea and coffee with her everyday. I come by and sleep on her couch, because I've been worried.

I made my rounds today, asking if anyone was low on something. Surprisingly, everyone appears to be okay. At least physically, I can only imagine how scared they are. I've been terrified of them showing up at the gate. But, within the last month, we've been training everyone to shoot. EVERYONE. Everyone always has a gun with them. We're ready, and we've been ready.

I walked over to Alek's grave. I stood and breathed in.

"I know it's hard to understand, but, I never blamed you for anything that happened here. Brittany, the war, nothing. It was never your fault. And you were one of the best damn fighters I ever could have asked for." I heard a shuffle behind me, so I turned, gun drawn. Jade stood with her hands up, flowers in one.

"It's just me..."She lowered her hands, walked over and placed a flower on every grave.

"It's good to see you out and about..." I looked her over. She's lost so much weight, she barely eats. She doesn't have her usual olive skin. She's pale because she never leaves her room. She looked up at me, her sunken in eyes with bags under her eyes.

"I know he wouldn't want me to be this way. He hated when I got depressed, so," She breathed in, "I'm gonna so grab my bow and arrow and spend some time in the woods." She turned and walked off towards Inventory.

"Be safe, please..." I called out. She gave me a thumbs up. I sighed and walked to Nick, Tyler, and Khalil's trailer. I walked up and knocked on the door.

"I got it!" Tyler yelled, as he flung open the door, "What's up, boss?" I stepped in and sat on their chair.

"Jade... She looks so bad..." I shook my head, "Like, I don't even think she has the strength to pick up Edge anymore..."

"She just needs to get out, eat, and train some. She'll be fine." Tyler shrugged.

"Fine? This woman broke. Today is the first day in a month that she has left her house. And you're saying she's just gonna be fine?" I shook my head and left. I walked to Audrey's and knocked on the door. She opened the door and smiled.

"Hey, Wisconsin. What's up?"

"Have you noticed how bad Jade looks? I didn't notice until she came out today."

"She's out?" Audrey stepped on her porch to look around, "Where?"
"Inventory. Said she wants to be alone for a bit with a bow and arrow." I sighed.

"If she's not back by sunset, we go looking for her."