In This World

Scout

It's been almost a month in this world. Monroe's arm is getting better, but it's not completely healed. He still requires my assistance with some things, and I'll admit, I don't mind helping at all. Luke is still tagging along, mostly doing meaningless chores to keep himself busy.

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  I sit on the tailgate, sharpening a pocket knife that Monroe had given me. It is my turn on first watch tonight. Lying back on the bed of the truck, I stare up into the sky. Stars shimmer above me, gleaming in the night. The moon shines down on the dew covered grass. The light shifts back and forth as the grass sways in the breeze. The sound of the crickets and the grass resembles that of a lullaby. The song stretches on for a few minutes as I begin to doze off.

It is peaceful, apart from an offbeat shuffling in the feild.  I sit up and stare into the dark. Nothing can be seen, apart from the shimmering, wet droplets on the grass. I take my gaze away for a moment, trying to find my flashlight. I turn it on, and it beams into the dark, illuminating a figure in the distance.

It quickly turns it's attention toward me, and begins growling loudly. I grab the newly sharpened knife from my boot and hop off the tailgate. "Hey there." I call, waving the flashlight to make it mad. It stumbles toward me, gurgling as it trips over it's own feet, falling to the ground. I snicker lightly until it pulls itself back up.

Ten feet away, and I can see that he is a man- or what used to be one.

Five feet away now, and I can smell that awful stench. I can make out the bite mark on his arm now.

"Poor guy." I pout, stabbing the blade into his left eye. He falls to the ground, spilling his blood onto the grass underneath him. "You made me get up from my comfy little spot." I grumble, grasping one of his legs. I drag him away from the camper, all the way to the treeline on the right side of the pasture, then drop him. He lays cold on the ground, finally at peace.

I clean off me knife, strolling back through the grass quietly. I sit down on the tailgate once more and kick my feet over the edge. I can hear myself breathing in time to the cricket's chirping and the swaying of the grass. All is peaceful again.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Soon, the moon is far to the west. I swing my feet still, flicking my flashlight on and off. "Luke should be up any minute now." I whisper to myself, standing up from the truck. I walk into the camper and set my weapon and flashlight down on the table. I turn around to face Luke, who is fast asleep on the couch.

"Luke." I whisper, attempting to wake him up. "Luke." I say louder. I swat his forehead, and he jumps up with a start. "What?!" He yelps. He pants loudly, trying to steady himself. "Its your turn to keep watch." I say. After a sigh, he stands up and slips on his shoes. "Alright. Night." He says quietly, grabbing the flashlight. He heads outside and closes the door behind him.

I kick my boots off and set them under the kitchen table. I hear light snoring coming from the bedroom where I sleep and sigh. "I guess it's the couch for me tonight." I sneak into my bedroom to grab something comfortable to change into.

Unfortunately, the drawer where I hold my clothes is on the other side of the bed from me. Monroe lays in the bed, asleep. His lips are parted ever so slightly, letting his breathe graze lightly through them. I carefully walk through the room, trying not to draw attention to myself. I open the drawer and grab a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

I walk back through the room and- "Katherine?" He whispers in a tired voice. I tense up and turn to face him. "Do you need me to keep watch?" He asks, stretching. His bare chest shows as the blanket falls to his waist. "No. Luke is keeping watch. I just needed to grab something to sleep in." I whisper. He yawns, extending his arms to the sides. "I'll move to the couch then." He smiles.

"No. It's fine. I'll sleep on the couch." I retort, trying to leave the room. "...Sleep in here." He demands. "No." I grumble. Monroe sits up now, dangling his legs off the side of the bed. "Yes. Go change and sleep in here." He says, obviously still tired. "I'm not letting you sleep on the couch again." I say, shaking my head.

"I'm not taking no for an answer." He laughs, standing up. He pushes me toward the bathroom and walks into the living room. I watch him lay down on the couch and cover up. "Night." He calls. I roll my eyes, grinning. "Goodnight."