Life in an Apocalypse

Chapter 10

     I watched in silence as the man with the shotgun fell dead in front of me, bleeding heavily from a bullet to the head. I could feel Cynthia shaking madly behind me, scared to see what was laying in front of us. The three guys ran off in a panic, leaving their supply packs behind. Jack and Damien went to get the new supplies as Marge walked over to me, concern written across her face. 
    "Zee? You alright?" Marge asked me. I didn't answer her. To be rather honest, I didn't know what to think; I was just trying to stay strong. That was the first time I had ever needed to stare a gun down. A shotgun, no less. The entire experience was more than just terrifying. Yet despite that, I still hid my fears knowing Cynthia was standing right behind me. 
    "Yeah I'm fine," I deadpanned a little too quickly.     
    "Okay then. If you say so," Marge replied surprised, arms raised in the air, "Just know that you don't gotta tough it out. I know from the way your acting that something's bothering you." She walked off towards Jack and Damien, who were examining the corpse of the dead man to make sure he wouldn't "turn", as Damien liked to say. I was about to head over with her, but I felt a tug on my vest. I turned to see Cynthia with her head down. She placed a hand on my right shoulder and just held it there in silence, un-moving.
    "Um, Cynthia? Are you okay?" I asked a bit nervously. She didn't respond to me; she didn't even raise her head to acknowledge me. She just stood there with her head kept down. She doesn't look like she's hurt at least, I noted as I looked her over. She was almost untouched save for a few bruises from the debris that flew around during the fight. With everything that I saw so far I couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind. I didn't bear to ask since I was scared that it may have reminded her of her past. Wait a minute...

    "Cynthia, look at me please," I suddenly asked her in a serious tone. She flinched a bit; I must have sounded harsh. I placed my hands on her shoulders and gently shook them, trying to get her to look at me in the eyes. I needed to confirm what I was thinking. A few moments of silence passed between us like this, with me gently shaking her to look up. At last, Cynthia moved, letting go of my shoulder and raising her head. What I saw confirmed my fears: the fight reminded her of what had happened to her. She was in tears, eyes puffy and red from holding back as trails of tears shed long ago shined in the light of the sun outside. I swallowed hard, not really knowing what to do. My thoughts were a complete mess; I found no way to clear them. My emotions were mixed as well, sadness and sympathy clashing with anger and frustration. I just continued to look at her as she stared into my eyes before she pulled me into a hug, burying her face into my neck. She holds me tightly as if she were afraid I would disappear, and I begin to feel a certain wetness trailing down my neck. She was crying again. She was scared again. And all I could do was stand there and place my hands around her in hopes to assure her that I was still there. 

    It was maybe about an hour in that I noticed Marge walking over to me with concern plastered on her face. Jack and Damien had finished sorting out all the new supplies and gear and were merely watching Cynthia and I from a distance. Cynthia just kept sobbing into my neck, unaware of her surroundings and emotionally vulnerable. 
    "Is everything alright?" Marge questioned me. I looked up at her with pained eyes. I didn't know what to do.
    "She's scared mostly," I explained, "It looks like our fight brought up some... unwanted memories for Cynthia. I'll keep a close eye on her. Could you and the guys pack up our stuff? We should go while we still have some decent daylight." Marge looked outside the mall windows. Sure enough, it would be a long while until the sun would begin to set. If we were to set out now, we would be a good ways from this city. And for Cynthia, a long way away from this.
    "Sure thing. Let me know if you two need anything," Marge said reluctantly, heading back over towards our small encampment. I nodded my thanks and returned my attention to Cynthia.
    "Hey, come on now," I consoled her, "It's all over now. You don't have to be afraid anymore. We're here for you now. Marge, Jack, Damien and me. We're gonna make sure you'll be okay. So no need for the tears, 'kay?" I continued to console her like this; little whispers of reassurance that she was safe. She just held me close, trying her best to calm down. I could tell that this would take awhile. I decided that the faster we got away from this place, the better for Cynthia to mentally recover.