Stay...Alive

Chapter 7

 Over the next few days, things were very routine at the base. Everyone woke up at the same time, ate at the same time, and were all crammed into that big room at the same time. Things became pretty routine for the survivors, though sometimes rather dull. Especially for all the restless children that barely got to even go outside anymore. Of course, after hearing and getting annoyed by the whining, for one day the kids were lead off to a gated courtyard where they could run as much as they want.

Is was there that Lane reunited with his friends from the compound, Anita ran around screwing with poor, unsuspecting children, and Horace was forced to go outside and socialize.

"Do I have to?" He said, stomping behind the rest of the kids. "Everyone here's so stupid."

"Hell, if your older brother's doing it, then so are you," Yolanda urged. "And we all need a break from you anyway."

"I need a break from you."

"Go!"

Horace rolled his eyes and followed Timothy and the rest of the kids. Before she went, Yolanda kneeled next to Victorine and whispered, "I know he's a pain in the ass, but make sure he's having fun. And Timmy too. They really need it. Okay?"

Victorine nodded and hugged her goodbye. But before she ran off, Victorine gave Yolanda a little kiss on the forehead that made the woman's face light up. Victorine skipped away to join the kids as Yolanda was left touching her forehead and happily chuckling, "Kid..."

She caught up with Primus, who was tagging along behind his little brothers. Both of them barely seemed to notice Primus was there. But Primus didn't really seem to mind as long as Victorine was there.

When the doors outside were swung open, Victorine was hit with the first ray of sunlight she'd seen in days. The sky wasn't clear, but bits of bright blue peeked out here and there. The courtyard had a concrete ground and was surrounded by a chain link fence. The air was hot and musty that day, as Summer hadn't shown a single sign of slowing well into September. There wasn't really anything in the courtyard for the kids to play with, but they felt happy enough just to run. The older kids settled for leaning against the fence, talking or just enjoying the hot day.

Timothy followed behind Lane, and Horace opted for leaning against the fence in the corner, watching over everything. He had this unimpressed yet amused look on his face as if he were watching a bunch of dogs bite each other's asses. Jay and Olive tried to lean next to him, but Horace just death glared them and said, "Beat it, kid."

"No," Oliver snapped back, defensively.

Horace blinked a couple of times in exaggerated disbelief and replied, "Listen up, you little craps, I have no time for-"

"No time for what? You're not doing anything," Jay questioned, in the whiniest voice in existence.

"I'm watching all these lil' pig-pisses."

"That's pathetic!"

Meanwhile, Primus and Victorine watched the whole argument from the other side of the courtyard, trying not to laugh out loud at the three brats trying to roast each other.

"I did this for a couple months straight," Victorine pointed out, chuckling. She let her eye linger over to Timothy, who was standing behind Lane as Lane caught up with his old friends from the haven. Timothy seemed pretty out of place among everyone. He was the only one not in a group. The only one not chatting their head off. The only one that didn't look happy (well, other than Horace). (And Oliver and Jay). (But that was a good thing).

But from the looks of it, Timothy wasn't even trying. He just watched all the conversations take place without interfering. Hell, he was barely even paying attention. Victorine almost pitied him.