After The End

Chapter XVIII

Ronny and the group walked north of the destroyed Mount Vernon, leaving behind two factions, both being wiped out of existence. It was a war that was always destined to happen that Ronny and his group were unfortunate enough to be a part of. However, with the city behind them, no one looked back. Xavier and Sarah were behind Ronny as he led the group while holding Albee. Thomas and Nick were behind everyone as they remained alert for any threats. Ronny said, "Before we go on our trip to Juneau, it'd be smart if we stopped at the next city for supplies and possibly a map so we don't get lost in the mountains". Albee began to cry as Ronny tried to bounce him. Ronny said, "Also some baby supplies".

This was a new struggle Ronny had never dealt with before. Caring for adult humans was hard enough, caring for a newborn baby was just another thing to stress over. No one spoke to Ronny as everyone could see how stressed he was, not only for his new responsibility in Albee but also in his loss of Grace and Gavin. The group walked in silence for several miles until they reached a small town. Ronny walked to the closest grocery store as the group followed. Once Ronny was in the store, he began to look for diapers and baby formula while the group stocked up on food items and anything else that was useful. However, the whole group stayed alert in case if there were any unseen threats. 

As Ronny packed his bag with baby items, he started to realize that he wouldn't have enough room to hold all of his stuff and everything he needed for Albee. Ronny began to make tough decisions as he started taking out his stuff to make room for baby items. As Ronny packed his bags, Thomas walked over as he said, "Hey, Ronny, we're all ready to go when you are". Ronny stopped packing as he stared at Albee. Ronny said, "It didn't happen". Thomas was confused as he said, "What didn't happen"? Ronny said, "Grace isn't dead. We left her behind. I know if we went back, she'd be waiting for us". Thomas said, "Ronny, Grace is --". Thomas couldn't finish his sentence as Ronny said, "Alive. She's still there, Thomas. We need to go back". Thomas said, "There's nothing back there, Ronny. We're all that's left. Everyone else is dead". Ronny looked at Thomas as he said, "We need to go back. She's not dead. Neither is Gavin. They're both waiting for me. Gavin is waiting for me". Ronny looked down at Albee as he said, "Grace is waiting for us". Ronny began to cry as the tears barely missed Albee's face. By now the rest of the group had slowly made their way over to Thomas. Thomas slowly walked over to Ronny as he helped Ronny stand up. Thomas said, "C'mon Ronny. Let's go". Ronny shuffled his feet as he continued to look at Albee, not letting him go for even a moment. 

As Ronny passed the group, they all could see his pain. As they walked him make his way to the door, Xavier said, "Ok guys. Ronny is clearly in pain. We need to keep a close eye on him. We don't know how he'll act on himself or on us". Thomas said, "Are you suggesting he's gonna kill us"? Xavier said, "No, not that. But I think he shouldn't make the tough choices right now. He's broken enough". Nick said, "Well who's gonna make those tough choices". Everyone looked at each other waiting for someone to take on the roll. After a few moments, everyone eventually made their way to Xavier. For the first time, Xavier was given the role of leader, instead of assuming it. However, it was the first time Xavier didn't want to be the leader. Xavier sighed as he said, "Fine. I'll make those choices". Xavier looked over to see Ronny was almost at the exit as he said, "Come on. Let's go find more supplies". 

As the group walked back outside, Xavier and Sarah were in front of the group, Ronny was in the middle and Nick and Thomas were behind everyone to make sure Ronny didn't do anything. The group made its way to the local police station. Xavier and Nick went inside while everyone else waited outside. Sarah stood next to Ronny as she looked at him. Ronny watched Albee sleep. Sarah said, "Ronny? Are you ok"? Ronny didn't respond, he didn't even move. Sarah said, "Just remember, if you need us, we're all here for you". Ronny glared at Sarah as he said, "Here for me? I don't want you to be here for me. Where were you when Grace was killed"? Sarah fumbled her words as she said, "I, uh, I didn't know --". She was cut off by Ronny as he said, "You didn't know. That's what they all say". Ronny then spoke in a mocking voice as he said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. If I would've known that your significant other was in danger, I would've totally helped". Sarah felt embarrassed, but also upset as she said, "You make it seem like I would've been the difference". Ronny screamed, "You could've been the difference". Thomas took out his gun and aimed it at Ronny. Ronny stopped talking as he looked at Thomas. By now Albee had woken up and was crying. Ronny said, "You're gonna kill me, Thomas? You're gonna kill my son's only living parent"? Thomas said, "I will if I have to". Ronny said, "That's great, my own group doesn't trust me anymore. How fucking fabulous". Ronny then walked away a bit from Sarah and Thomas as he tried to calm down Albee. 

Thomas looked at Sarah, "Are you ok"? Sarah said, "Yeah. It's just so sad to see Ronny like this". Thomas said, "Well you and I both know if we're gonna make it to Juneau, we can't keep letting that happen". Sarah said, "How would you feel if the mother of your child died"? Thomas said, "I do know how that feels. Back before all of this started. I had a wife. We conceived a child. However, during childbirth, she passed away. I was left alone in this world with our daughter, Elizabeth. Life was hard as I tried to make ends meet. There were times where we had to power or water. Finally, the government had enough of my bullshit and one day, I gotta call from my babysitter telling me they were taking her away from me. I tried to fight the system for her, but we all know how well that worked. I spent all of the money I had left on court meetings, lawyers, paperwork agreements. All just to be told that my daughter would be put in a foster home. Without my wife, daughter, and money, I was left bankrupt and my landlord kicked me out. After that, I became a nomad. I lived in the Olympia National Forest for a while until I realized that civilization fell. So yes, I do know what it's like to have your life feel like it's over". Sarah was lost for words as she digested all that Thomas had to say. They both looked back at Ronny as Thomas said, "Unlike me, Ronny still has someone to care for. He still has a piece of Grace. As long as that baby's alive, Ronny will still fight. It'll take him a while to accept us again, but he will come around". 

Finally, Xavier and Nick walked out of the police station as Xavier said, "There wasn't much left in there. We grabbed all that was left. A few pistols and ammo as well as a flare gun". Nick looked at Ronny as he said, "How's he been doing". Sarah said, "He'll be fine. Let's just find a map and we can head out". Thomas looked at the sky to see it was getting dark out. Thomas said, "Perhaps we should stay here tonight. We can find a map and find a decent place to stay". Xavier said, "I agree. No need to further fuck our situation. So Sarah and I will go find a map and you guys can find us a place for tonight". As Xavier and Sarah went in search of a map, they saw Thomas and Nick guiding Ronny to a nearby house. 

Just up the road was a bookstore that Xavier and Sarah entered. Xavier said, "Ronny will be ok, right"? Sarah said, "He had to, for Albee's sake". Xavier said, "It's soo weird to see Ronny like this. Ever since I've met him, he's never been like this". Sarah said, "He just lost his lover. Of course, he'll be like this". Xavier said, "But even in Seattle, he didn't know if she was alive or not. He even said, he'd like to think she was dead because it's easier to say that than hope that she was still alive". Sarah said, "It's different not knowing what truly happened versus actually seeing it happen". Xavier said, "I guess you're right". After much searching for a map, they finally found one as Xavier said, "Ya know, back at Mount Vernon, I thought full heartedly, that I was gonna die". Sarah said, "And why did you think that"? Xavier said, "I don't know. I just had a feeling and I knew that if I had died, I wasn't gonna be able to tell you what I've wanted to tell you. I've always kinda had feelings for you". Sarah said, "I'm sure it was before I lost my eye. Back when I looked pretty". Xavier said, "No. You were pretty before. But you're still the same beautiful doctor I met back in Seattle. Now you have a badass battle wound as well". Sarah tried to hide her smile as she said, "Well I'd be lying by saying I didn't ponder with the idea of us". Xavier smiled as he said, "Between you and me the missing eye look, only looks good on you". Sarah smiled as she grabbed Xavier close to kiss him. A few minutes passed by before Xavier and Sarah walked out of the bookstore with the map as they held hands all the way back to the house the group was staying in.