Love in Hell

Chapter Six

After we cleaned the kitchen, we all sat on the front porch and watched the sunset. The porch lights came on a little before it was completely dark. We heard a raspy groan from the woods and quickly went inside and locked the door.

A little while later, Raegan had gone to bed and Skylar and I were cuddling in bed. My back to him with his arms around my waist, I felt his hot breath on my neck. "You still awake sweetheart?" He whispered. "Yea." I replied simply. He nuzzled my neck a little, which made my heart flutter. "Can I say something random?" He asked. I nodded. "I...I love you Sarah." I lay there frozen and hoped he couldn't see me blushing. It was a few minutes before he spoke again. "You ok sweetheart?" He sounded a little worried. "I love you too." I mumbled quietly. "What was that?" I could hear the smile in his voice. "I said I love you too." I said quickly. He gently squeezed me and kissed the side of my neck. I closed my eyes and fell asleep smiling.

I woke up cold the next morning. I turned over and Skylar wasn't there. He's probably just downstairs I thought. I got up and slipped my boots on. I listened for any noise as I walked down the stairs. It was eerily quiet.

I walked into the kitchen to Rae reading a book. "Morning, squish." I kissed the top of her head. "Morning, squash." She replied, not looking up. "Hey, have you seen Sky this morning?" I asked, leaning on the counter across from her. "Umm... I think he went hunting." She said, turning the page. I went out on the front porch and scanned the tree line, looking and listening for movement. I thought I saw something move a few yards away, but it vanished when I looked in that direction. I whistled Rue's tune and listened for a reply. (You're welcome, Hunger Games fans.) I faintly heard the tune repeated and let out a sigh of relief.

Walking back inside, I saw Rae still reading her book. "Did you find him?" She asked, still not looking up. "I know he's alive, at least. He's somewhere a little ways east from here." I replied, getting out a piece of bread. "Hm." She turned the page. "Wacha reading?" I asked, taking a bite. "A series called The Meg, I found it upstairs." She folded the top corner down and handed the book to me. I took it and read the back. "Meg as in Megalodon, right?" I asked. "Yea, the largest shark in the history of the world. It's so big, it can swallow an elephant whole!" She had a sparkle in her eyes when she said that and I looked at the cover. "Hm, sounds interesting." I handed her the book. "Is this why you've been spending so much time in your room?" I asked. She nodded and sat back down, reopening the small paper back.

Half an hour later, Skylar came in attempting to carry a deer with a few rabbits on his belt. "Where in the hell did you possibly find a deer?!" I asked as he went and sat it on the floor of the otherwise empty garage. "Can you go get my knife off the nightstand in our room, princess?" He asked. "Sure." I nodded and ran upstairs, grabbed his knife, and ran back. "Did any walkers smell it and find you?" I asked as he began gutting the young buck. "Actually, no. I thought I heard a few but I never saw any." He replied, slightly panting from his work out.

That night, we had fresh deer chili. We were all stuffed and happy. It'd been a while since we had fresh meat. "Oh man, I haven't eaten this well since the world went to Hell. That was delicious sweetheart, thank you." Sky kissed my cheek after he put his bowl in the sink. "We wouldn't have had this if you hadn't gotten that deer, so thank you." I hugged him from the side. I heard Rae cough awkwardly and we both looked at her. She had a confused and uncomfortable look on her face. I chuckled and started the dishes. Rae came over and put her bowl in the sink and hugged me. Then she ran upstairs to continue her book.

Skylar leaned on the counter next to me. "Doesn't this feel like we're a family? I mean, Rae seems kinda like our daughter." He turned to look at me. "Know what I mean?" I finished the last bowl and sat it on a towel to dry. "Yea, I can see what you mean." I said, drying my hands. "We would look like a family to someone who doesn't know us. But was that random thought supposed to hint at something?" I gave him a questioning look. "Maybe... I mean, I have always wanted a family of my own..." I hugged him. "You can pretend she's our daughter, how about that?" I looked up at him and rested my chin on his chest. He smiled. "Sounds perfect, princess." He kissed my forehead.