The Risks

July: Chapter 18

I'd been awake for a while when Parker knocked on the door a little before eight a.m. I'd just pulled a clean rayon shirt over my head.

I sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed my Chucks. "Yeah."

"I'm just going to put our things in the Jeep," he told me, never looking directly at me.

"Okay," I mumbled. "Just give me a minute."

He looked at me then, eyes searching. His mouth opened and I cut him off immediately.

"Don't," I said, glancing at him with tired eyes. You'll just make this harder.

He pressed his lips into a line then pulled the door shut without a word.

I waited until I heard the apartment door close, then I jumped out of bed. I'd dressed and made sure all my things were packed into my bag last night. I just had to grab my things and I was ready to go.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs I had to talk myself out of leaving through the front. I knew he'd spot me if I went that way, but I just wanted one last glance. However, I convinced myself not to and made my way to the back exit.

It was warm outside, but nice. I was glad I opted for a lighter shirt. I trotted away from the buildings, unsure of where I was headed. I went through a thin line of trees and came across a two lane highway. I followed it until I found some cars. Then I got to put my syphoning skills to the test.

The amount of gas I'd syphoned got me about forty miles north. It wasn't far, but far enough to make it difficult for Parker to find me. I couldn't have him find me.

When the gas ran out, I continued on foot. My plan was to make it back to the safe zone and... well I didn't have a plan after that. For now I just had to make it there. I had plenty of time to figure out a part two.

I needed to confront George. Killing Deacon would be a bonus. One that would guarantee Parker's safety.

The drive only took a few hours. I stayed hidden in the distance, covered by the foliage of a distant tree line. With binoculars, I scanned the dark cement walls of the Zone. There were guards stationed on all four sides. There was no way for me to get in undetected. Not unless I took down the guards first, but I couldn't do that with a pistol. I'd need long range weaponry...

There were two places that I was fairly certain I would find a rifle. One was the farmhouse. It was closer, but in my eyes it was the higher risk. I hadn't seen the sniper on Francis's body which led me to assume he left it behind and I had no idea where he'd been shooting from. Somewhere in the forest. I didn't want to spend hours searching the trees for it. And in all honesty I wasn't ready to go back there. I didn't know if I'd ever be.

That left option two.

It took days to get there. I'd hoped to find another vehicle, but luck hadn't been on my side. All the cars I'd come across had either no fuel with no means of filling the tank or were missing the keys. And I had no idea how to hotwire a car.

I walked.

At night I found shelter wherever I could. I used my lumpy bag as a pillow, although I didn't do much sleeping. Every little noise had me turning on my flashlight. I held my pistol in my hand securely.

I remembered Parker saying something about being completely alone and I'd thought I could relate, but I didn't realize exactly what he meant until this moment. I was lying on the forest floor, using my bag as a pillow, and staring up at the stars feeling suffocated by exactly how alone I was. I was just one tiny being on this mess of a planet and no one even knew I existed except for Parker. But he was gone. I'd made sure of that. And now I knew what he meant when he'd said he felt like the only human being left.