Hacker (Book 1)

Veronica Chapter 36

I scramble down the tree as fast as I can in search of him. I hit the ground hard, and quickly start to walk around the tree in search. "Sebastian," I call again.

"What?" I hear him reply. I turn around to see him standing there cooking something over a fire.

I run straight to him throwing my arms around him as I choke back tears. "You're okay," I breath.

"Of course I'm okay," he says hugging me back.

"When you weren't in the tree I thought something happened to you," I say as a few tears slip out.

"I'm okay," he breaths pulling me out of the hug. He moves his hand to my face to brush away my tears.

"Just don't scare me like that again," I say pulling him into another hug.

"I promise," he says. "So was there anything else?"

"I saw an abandon city," I say pulling away.

"You did," he asks incredulously.

"Yeah, it's about a mile maybe two that way," I say pointing in the direction of the buildings.

"Well, I have an animal roasting over the fire so after we eat we can head off to the city," he says.

"Great," I say plopping myself down on the ground.

After we eat, we start off towards the abandon city. It doesn't take long before we reach the dusty city of grime. It is definitely abandoned by the layer of dust that covers every square inch. Remains of what I think are cars sit along cracked sidewalks, lampposts are tipped and block the road in some parts, and there is medal boxes hanging from a "L" shaped pole.

"How far away are we from the headquarters?" I ask as we near what looks to be one of the most stable buildings around. However, it has many broken windows, and doors are missing.

"I don't maybe five miles," he says stepping cautiously through the main door of the building. "It's very remote though, and I'm not quite sure where we are so it's probably more."

"What are we going to do?" I ask following right behind him, "I mean it's not like we can just walk right in. They tried to shoot us out of the sky for goodness sake."

"Yeah I haven't quite figured that one out yet. I'm a little more focused on finding us somewhere safe to sleep," he says peering into rooms as we walk down the first hallway.

"That," I say pausing to peer into a small room, "is a good idea."

"I have them from time to time, believe it or not," he says ascending a stair case.

"I don't believe it," I say with a smile, right on his heels.

"Well, you really know how to keep a conversation going," he says sarcastically.

"It's a gift, I know," I joke.

We reach the second level, and it seems to be less apocalyptic. We search each room a little more carefully this time, and we choose the room that looks like it didn't spend years in a tornado. It has a tiny kitchen and a small bathroom, at least I think it was a bathroom, a living room, and two small rooms that don't make you sneeze the moment you walk in. The living room had a sofa with holes in the fabric, a chipped coffee table, and two rotting rocking chairs with cushions that are missing most of the fabric. Finally, the two bedrooms are identical with a small bed that is stripped down of sheets, a bedside table, and a dresser. We managed to find blankets with only a few holes in them, and some candles.

"Hey, come here," Sebastian says summoning me into the other room.

"What?" I reply walking towards him.

"I found this on the dresser," he says holding up a silver chain with a green jewel inside a small silver circle.

"It's beautiful," I say mesmerized.

"Just like you," he says with a smile making my heart flutter, "Now turn around." I turn around and he drapes the necklace around my neck, securing it in the back. "Perfect."

My hand goes up to the necklace, and I trace it with my fingers, "Thanks."

"Of course," he says still smiling, "Now let's find something to eat before it gets too late."

"Good idea," I say walking out of his room, a smile playing at my lips.

Sebastian went out to hunt, while I went to gather edible herbs. I arrived back to the room before him, and I manage to make a fire in the tiny fire place. I found a somewhat clean knife and started chopping up wild onions. I also found a small strawberry patch behind the building. Not long after I finished cutting the onions, Sebastian comes back carrying two animals that I don't recognize. He prepped them for cooking, and not long after were we ready to eat. It wasn't a bad meal, it was actually kind of good.

"Well, I'm exhausted," he said, "I think I'm going to hit they hay."

"What?" I ask.

"Hit the hay?" He asks, on his way to his room.

"Yeah, what does that even mean?" I question.

"It's an old saying," he explains.

"No it's not," I argue.

"Yes it is. It means I'm going to sleep," he says.

"Then why didn't you say that?" I ask.

"Well," he says with a long pause, "I just thought of 'hit the hay' first I guess."

"Whatever," I say shaking my head, "I think I'll go to sleep as well."

I can see a faint smile on his lips as he shakes his head and walks towards his room. I put away the dishes, and walk to my room. The sky has turned dark, with only the stars to light the dark terrain. I drift off to the music of the night critters that sing outside my window, and I fall deep into a dreamless sleep.

Snap! I sit up abruptly, and I look out the window to see five figures climbing over a hill heading in our direction. I immediately run to Sebastian's room, "Sebastian," I gasp.

He jerks up, I can see dark circles under his eyes, he must not have slept well. His hair sticks up in all direction, but he doesn't look any less handsome. My heart starts pounding, but I have to focus. His alarmed expression settles as he focuses on me.

"What?" He asks his voice rough.

"People are coming," I say.