Gloaming

Northeast

Cynthia's point of view
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I wake up next to Octavia. Her body is sprawled out and blankets are everywhere. The ice on her hair is melted making a mini water stain on the blanket she wadded up to use as a pillow.

I am happy until I realize where I am.

I'm still in the trunk of my Jeep.

I look at my hand, where I've been keeping track of the days.

Today is November 10th.

I grab a pen from my back pocket and write it down on my hand.

I needed to find gas quickly!

I shake Octavia awake.

"Octavia! Octavia" I say loudly.

She wakes up calmly.

"Yes" she says as she rolls herself on her left side.

"Do you know where a near gas station is?" I ask with hope in my voice.

"About a mile northeast" she responds

Octavia was a smart 10 year old.

"I'm going to head that way, if I get lost, don't look for me. I'm gonna take a bag of supplies just in case."

"Stay Safe" she says, half awake.

"I'll try" I respond back.

I open the trunk and leave quickly, hoping I didn't let too much cold air in.

I quickly pack a bag and start heading northeast.

I make sure to lock the car and I leave the keys with Octavia.

The cold air stings my skin and my face feels numb.

My lips are purple I just know it.

I walked for what felt like an hour.

Then 2 hours.

Then 3 hours.

Then in the distance I see a red building.

I start to sprint towards it.

OMG.

The sign reads "pass in gas"

I jump with joy.

I quickly run inside and grab all the gas I can carry.

Walking back to the car was difficult, but I managed.

I almost thought I got lost again, but I didn't.

A few hours later I see my grey Jeep Patriot covered in ice, with Octavia reading one of my books on the inside.

When she sees me a smile spreads across her face.

She unlocks the car.

I pour the gas inside the car and it was SO satisfying. There was still a ton of gas left over which was even better.

I put the key in to start the car and I smile back at Octavia, whom I made sit in the back seat.

We were going to make it.

"Put your seatbelt on" I tell her.

She looks up and smiles as she starts to put her seatbelt on.

Now for the last question.. How was I going to find my way back?