Reminiscent Hearts

Chapter 1

Garu stared at her with believing eyes as he knew she wasn't joking, she never was one to joke about something so serious. He took a deep breathe and looked at her one last time before asking,"How did he die Sara? What happened?"

She was silent for a long time, tears rolling down her face before she could finally respond,"I was sick, Arlien was taking care of me cooking dinner and doing whatever he could to make sure I was comfortable. The news was on and it said that there were riots breaking out all across the country, but he told me not to worry. He said that no matter what happened he would be there to protect me, and wouldn't let anyone hurt me.."

She was silent again as Garu was patient with her,"I went back to sleep afterwards. I wasn't asleep for that long because soon afterwards there was yelling..Some men had come into the house hoping to raid it. Arlien, he had his shotgun telling them to leave. I remember that there was a crash, and then fighting broke out. I heard the shotgun go off and someone yelled, I don't know who though, but I had to help. I couldn't leave him down there to fight by himself! I-I grabbed the pistol from the end table next to the bed and went downstairs and I-" she broke down as she clung to Garu,"He was dead Garu..They killed him, shot him from behind. He took four of them down with him, that training you two learned at camp worked..but they saw me, I didn't scream, but they saw me there and.." she trailed off not being able to finish her thought.

Garu stroked her hair as he looked down at her,"What happened Sara? It's ok, you're safe now."

She shook in his arms as he took notice of how her clothing was torn and tattered, anger felt like fire in his veins as he held her close,"The men that were left, they raped you didn't they?" A small, meek nod was all the confirmation he needed. He pulled away and pulled her up with him,"Come on, let's get you inside and cleaned up. I'll make you something to eat,"

She nodded her head avoiding his gaze as he led her into his home. She sat on the couch as he went into the kitchen to make some some toast for her, he forgot to go shopping the day before. When he saw her again, she was drinking some orange juice and had wrapped her coat closer around her. She looked paler than she usually was, and the cut along her left cheek looked fresh. Garu shifted uncomfortably in his spot next to her,"Is that Arlien's jacket, or do you have your own now?" he motioned at the Cowboy's jacket she had been wearing since he found her. She nodded slightly as she messed with the collar,"It's his. I also have his boot knife.."

He nodded as he stood and left to his room. He pulled out a few wooden crates and threw a duffel bag onto the bed as he filled it with rifles, pistols, knives and other supplies. He zipped it closed and threw it over his back and filled another bag with whatever medical supplies he happened to have in his home. It wasn't much but he had the bare basic supplies they would need for the time being, until they could find somewhere to gather some more.  

As he walked down the stairs he saw that Sara had finished eating and was standing by the window as she seemed to see something else that he couldn't.

"Promise me something Garu, please," She turned and looked at him with a small smile. He nodded his head as he walked over to her,"Promise me you won't leave me alone in this world. I can't stand to be alone anymore."

"Of course, you should know that already." He ruffled her hair as her smile widened slightly,"Come on, we gotta go. I doubt this place will be safe for much longer."

She nodded as she grabbed her jacket and shivered. Garu laughed at her as he handed her one of his own jackets as well,"Cold huh?"

Sara just playfully glared at him as she opened the door for him and followed behind him. He opened the side passenger door for her before throwing the bags into the back of the car.

He got into the driver side and gripped the wheel tightly as he took a deep breathe,"Alright, here we go."

He smiled reassuringly at her while she returned the gesture as the 67' started up with a low smooth growl and crawled out of the drive way. They drove through the city limits as they knew their journey was just beginning.