The Risks

June: Chapter 11

A COUPLE WEEKS went by quietly and calmly. No incidents. We had kept searching the houses nearby and after that long, we had run out of places nearby to look. Our supplies stockpile wasn't very impressive and was lessening by the day. We'd have to find a map so we could get a better idea of where to scavenge.

Things were different between Parker and I. We had been getting along decently; no more arguing because honestly I had come to terms with how our relationship worked. We needed him and he wanted to stay -for what reason? I didn't know and I didn't bother to ask. But things just weren't the same as they'd been before. I'd distanced myself from him. We didn't joke around anymore. Everything was strictly business and survival. To my surprise, I found myself missing the playful quips and teasing. 

We let Oakley come with us one day as we scouted in the Jeep. There was a chill in the air and dark clouds looming to the west as we pulled up to a deserted gas station. Parker hopped out and circled the area as I helped Oakley out of the back seat. She looked up at the station.

"Can I get some candy?" she chirped.

I hushed her gently, bending toward her. "You can get whatever candy you want, but you've got to be really quite. Like a mouse. Can you be a mouse?"

She bounced excitedly then made a series of tiny squeaking noises.

"A mouse who lost her voice box," I challenged.

Her round eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her smiling mouth.

"Perfect," I praised, grinning. I straightened and looked to Parker who turned our way and gave me the okay gesture with his hand. Iturned back to Oakley, taking her hand. "Alright, Oakely Dokely. If you need anything, make sure you whisper. And stay with me at all times, okay?"

 "'kay."

The gas station was quiet. The floors were littered with store clutter and supplies. An issue of Playboy with a scantily clad woman on the cover lay by my feet. Wow. Did they really still sell these things at gas stations? I kicked it beneath one of the metal shelving units so Oakley wouldn't see it. Not completely necessary, but I still wanted to shield her innocent little mind from anything obscene.

Right away we found what we came for: a map. Parker pointed it out and I pulled it from the metal carousel stand.

"That was easy," Parker whispered. "Need anything else?"

"Uh, yeah. Oakley wanted some candy," I told him. And I was running dangerously low on tampons, but he didn't need to know that.

He nodded. "I'll see if I can find anything else useful."

I ushered Oakley down one of the isles. We picked out candy first. She grabbed three bags of sour gummy worms and stuffed them in my bag.

"That's all you want?" I asked, unconvinced.

"Hm," she hummed thoughtfully, then picked up a box of skittles and tossed them in.

I grabbed a few packages of kit kats for myself before leaving the candy isle. We moved on to look for my necessities. I skimmed the products, but didn't see exactly I was looking for.

Oakley tugged on my arm. "I have to go potty."

"Just hold on, hon," I said, pushing around some boxes. "We're going to leave here in a minute."

I glanced over the shelf to make sure Parker didn't come over while I was trying to find what I was looking for. I know it was totally normal, but it would still be embarrassing. Finally, I settled for a different brand and put the box in my bag. When I turned, Oakley wasn't there.