To The Grave

Chapter 22. Randall. Day 112.

I looked over to the map in Marty's hands, trying hard to not crash the car. I looked back to the road, realizing it no long mattered if I was going the speed limit or staying within my own lane.

I followed Marty's instructions to 'just go straight for a hot minute.' The music was turned on, softly ringing out of the speakers as to not disturb the three sleeping in the back seats.

Rachel was sleeping in the back row of seats. Winona's head was pressed against her brother's good arm. The other remained covered in bandages, hidden by his too large jacket.

I glanced back to the road, my eyes looking to the leafless trees. "It's been like four months, right?" I asked.

Marty shrugged, looking at the phone. "September, October, December."

"You forgot November." I corrected him.

He nodded, holding up four fingers. "Yeah, sure. Why?"

I shook my head, wanting to forget it. I couldn't. "What if there's no more doctors and scientist trying to fix this. It's just, it's been a long time, and there's less people everyday."

"If you're asking me to bullshit some reason to keep on hoping this will work out, you're asking the wrong person." Marty said blandly, looking up to the signs. "Take the next exit going West."

I nodded, dropping the conversation. I took an exit, looping around onto an overpass. I followed a sign pointing towards Crescent City.

The trees grew thicker and closer together as we got closer to the ocean. I rolled down the window, inhaling the familiar salty air. A sign introduced us to the town.

I drove slowly through the abandoned ghost town. Buildings were broken, glass shattered and bullets blemishing their exteriors. An early morning fog lingered in the streets. I turned slowly into a small parking lot. I parked the car, looking back at the awakening family.

Winona sat up quickly looking around. Her door flew open, her legs stretching out, jumping to the ground. I quickly followed Marty and her out, looking at the water.

"Try to find a place to sleep, I'll stay here and guard our stuff." Rachel said from inside the car.

I pulled my gun out from the makeshift holster wrapped around my leg. "Randall, you go with Winona." Marty's voice called over to me. I turned around, seeing him and his brother checking their guns for bullets. I turned back to Winona, seeing her long black hair trailing after her towards the water.

"Shit." I rushed after her, turning down a worn in trail leading to the sand. She had stopped at the edge of the water, looking down at the lapping waves.

"Are we safe here?" She asked, kicking her feet into the sand.

"Here as in this town, or here as in right here, right now?" I looked around the area, not seeing much.

She thought about it for a second. "Both."

"I don't know about this town, but I think we're safe for now." I moved the gun down watching the younger girl kick off her shoes. She pulled her socks off, almost falling in the sand.

I moved closer watching as she pulled her jeans off, revealing her pale legs and small black shorts. I looked towards the lighthouse, glancing back at her occasionally.

She moved into the water, it meeting her knees. "It's cold." She laughed.

My eyes fell back to her, seeing her move to bend over, grabbing something from the water. She moved back up, her arms close to her body. Her feet carried her back through the water closer to me. I met her near the edge of the wet water.

She held out her arms showing off a large, pink, perfectly intact sea shell. "That's pretty neat." I whispered, moving my fingers to touch the smooth inside.

She nodded her head, moving her arms back to herself. She set it down by her jeans and her shoes. She rushed back into the water. I looked back at the lighthouse.

Winona's voice let out a sharp scream. I dropped the gun, looking back to the water. She stood up pushing her wet hair out of her face. "What happened?"

She moved out of the water, twisting her hands around her shirt to drain the water. "There was a really big wave." She whispered, her teeth chattering from the cold.

I pulled my hoodie off, handing it to her. She grabbed it, turning around and quickly pulling her wet shirt off. I turned around, seeing a glimpse of the clasp of her blue bra. I peeked over my shoulder, seeing her pulling my black hoodie over her body. I turned back around, feeling my teeth biting my lower lip.

"Thanks." She whispered. I turned back around looking at the over sized jacket on her.

I moved my hands to fix a sleeve of my shirt, rolling it back up as I spoke, "It looks good on you."

She laughed, nodding. "How good?"

I moved my jaw thinking of all the things I could say. "As good as it gets." She blushed, pulling on the sleeves.

I took a step forwards, working up the courage to go for it. I moved my free hand up, softly touching her face.

"Who are you?" A voice shouted from behind us.

"Shit!" The word escaped my mouth. I pulled my gun up, pointing it at the two men behind us.