The next morning, Ronny woke up with a stiff neck as he had laid on the floor all night. As he attempted to sit up, he saw Albee was still sleeping. This caused him to smile as he stood up. The only light can from the window that allowed the winter sky to watch over Albee as he slept. Ronny looked outside to see that the snow had stopped falling, however, the bleak sky remained consistent as the sun was unable to poke through the thick, cold clouds. Ronny walked out of the room to find his group sitting around the fire in the living room. Xavier was the first to notice Ronny as he said, "Good morning, Ronny". Ronny looked at everyone as they gave him an unsettling look. "What's wrong", Ronny asked. He looked at Sarah for an answer, however, she looked to the fire. Ronny then looked at Xavier and Nick. Finally, Thomas said, "Ronny. We're worried about you". "Why"? "Because Ronny, we know what happened to you and we want to keep you and Albee safe". Ronny looked to the ground as he said, "Albee will be fine. We're gonna make it to Juneau safely". Xavier said, "Hey Ronny, just remember if you need to rest, we can watch over Albee for you". Ronny turned around to get Albee as he said, "It's ok, I'm fine". Thomas said, "Are you sure, Ronny? 'Cause we all could --". Ronny said in a stern voice, "I said, I'm fine". This caused Thomas to back off.
Once Ronny was packed, he picked Albee up as Albee had just woken up. Ronny bounced Albee as he said, "Well good morning you sleepy head. I thought you were gonna sleep the whole day". Albee looked at Ronny and began to giggle. Ronny, in turn, chuckled as he kissed Albee's head and said, "We have to keep moving but don't worry, daddy will keep you safe". Ronny then walked out of the kid's bedroom and regrouped with his people in the living room. Thomas said, "So, Xavier, are you sure we can't restock our food before we go? We really could use it". Xavier said, "Thomas! How many times do I gotta fucking tell you? No means no! We'll make it to the next town in time". As the group walked outside into the cold, snow-covered streets, Thomas said, "Well I just thought that --". Xavier stopped walking as he said, "For fuck's sake, Thomas if you think you can lead, then be the fucking leader". Thomas said, "That's not -- I didn't mean --". Xavier said, "No, for real, be the fucking leader if you think I'm not doing it well enough". Thomas said, "I don't think I would be the best leader". Thomas quickly looked at Ronny for help. However, when Thomas looked at Ronny, he saw him through different lenses. Ronny looked broken. He looked defeated. He looked as if he would follow anyone who stepped up to the leadership role. Thomas could see, in Ronny's eyes, was a man who wanted to give up but kept pushing forward for his child. Thomas sighed as he dropped his head. Xavier said, "No? You don't wanna be the leader? Then be quiet and follow what I say".
As they walked, Xavier was in front with Sarah not too far behind followed by Nick and Thomas. Ronny had begun to fall behind as he dragged his feet through the snow. Ronny's fingers were a deep red from overexposure to the harsh conditions, however, he didn't care so long as Albee was alive and well.
Despite the fact the group had a map, they were, for the most part, lost. The leafless trees all began to look same as they snaked through the forest. Xavier said, "Nick, how much further"? Nick looked at the map as he said, "We should be there by sundown". Sundown was a word no one wanted to here as once the sun set, the temperature was colder, the winds were harsher and the biters weren't as easy to spot. Xavier said, "How much food is left"? Sarah looked in the bag as she said, "We don't have much left. Just enough for three of us". Xavier sighed as he knew Thomas was listening. And he was as he said, "I know some of us are hungry". Xavier tried to ignore him, however, Thomas said, "What are you gonna do about that, leader"? Xavier, once again, tried to ignore him. Thomas said, "Hey, Xavier. Some of us are hungry. Are you gonna feed us". Instead of Xavier reacting, Sarah looked at Thomas and said, "That's enough. Xavier is doing his best. Why do you gotta fuck with him? More importantly, why are you even with us"? Thomas said, "I feel as though I deserve a spot on this team. While y'all were fuckin' around at Mount Vernon, Ronny and I were trying to survive on an island of cannibals. You didn't have to see the shit Ronny and I saw". Sarah said, "And? Great job you survived cannibals who didn't wanna eat you. That doesn't explain why you came with". Thomas said, "I had nowhere else to go". Nick butted in and said, "Guys, can't we all get along? We've all gone through some shit and we're all still here. That, alone, should be enough for us to band together and try and survive together". Thomas looked ashamed for trying to cause an issue. Sarah also looked ashamed for scolding Thomas. Xavier, who had remained quiet during the argument, said, "Can we keep moving"?
As the group walked, Ronny saw the snow on the ground. He saw the footprints left behind by his friends as they walked. He saw small snowflakes fly as a boot or shoe hit the blanket of snow. He then saw Albee in his arms and had a flashback to Mount Vernon. He saw Albee crying in his mother's arms as blood stained the ground around her and Albee. He could hear Albee's cry. He could smell the gunpowder after he took his shot. He saw a man laying on the ground next to his love and child. He could hear his heart stop beating as he felt a flame build within him to pull the trigger of the gun that was aimed at Gavin's head. He could feel a subconscious thought that told him to end Gavin. However, he didn't, he couldn't. Suddenly, Ronny was thrown back into reality as he, once again, saw the snow-covered ground. As Ronny looked up to see his friends, he heard someone whisper into his ear, "It wasn't my choice. It never was". The voice startled Ronny as he jumped and looked behind him. In the distance, he saw a silhouette of a person who appeared to be running away. The rest of the group stopped walking as they turned to Ronny. "Are you ok", Nick asked. Ronny looked at Nick and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I almost walked into a branch and it startled me". Nick thought it was an odd answer but accepted it as the group began to walk again. Ronny turned around to get another look at the person, however, when he turned around, the person was gone.
YOU ARE READING
A New Beginning
Fantasía"The group looked at Ronny in disbelief. Ronny's face was grim. Ronny looked at Xavier as he said, "Regardless of my health, you make sure Albee survives"." ---------------------------------------------------- The war is over, the dust has settled a...
