Dead Days

Chapter 19

We continued driving in the direction we were before we stopped and broke into a house for the night. Every so often Carl and I would have to hold on and make sure things didn't fly out whenever we went over the occasional pothole. The back roads seemed littered with them. 

After a few days, we finally made our way back onto the main road, soon coming to the edge of a town. Whoever was driving drove through the town slowly, everyone keeping an eye out for anything. The first sound we heard, which caused everyone to jump in surprise and slight fear, was a dog. It was barking at our truck as we drove by. 

At getting a closer look at the dog, I called out for the driver to stop. The two in the front seats of the cab looked out the windows at me. I pointed at the dog, "It looks like Beth's dog! Whatever its name was!"

Carl leaned over the side of the bed, getting a better look at the dog which had stopped barking once I said Beth's name, "She's right! It looks like it!"

Matt called out through the window, "Just because it looks like it, doesn't mean it is. And even if it was, there's also the chance that it's alone." 

Just as he said that we heard in the distance someone calling for Sheba. I bounced a little where I was, "That sounds like her too! Should I call out?" 

Matt gave a 'no' as Carl said 'yes'. I went with the person closest to me and began calling out as well, this time for Beth. Whoever it was, I was hoping I was right, fell silent, and soon enough footsteps could be heard running through between buildings. Out came a girl with blonde hair and a machete out, very clearly, very alive, Beth. At seeing her, pretty much everyone in the truck began cheering in joy. 

Carl beckoned her over, "Come on in." He held a hand out to help her in. She took off her backpack and threw it into the bed and getting her dog in before jumping in herself, at first not taking Carl's hand but had to concede as she almost fell back out. Once she was in, the three (four if you count the dog) got back into somewhat comfortable positions before Emily (who was driving) started driving once more. 

Our driving time was limited as we only ended up finding Beth near the end of the day. We've decided that since we are actually in a town, we could probably go into one of the buildings and set up camp for the night and maybe for the next night, as we were starting to run a bit low on food. 

Emily stopped the truck in front of a library. Everyone but Emily and the kids piled out and made their way to the front door. Carl had tried to pull the same trick as last time they went scouting in a building, saying he 'wanted me to stay behind and watch the kids and that it was a very important job that someone had to do.' 

I gave him a dirty look, "How old do you think I am?"

He gave me a surprised look, "What?" 

"You keep treating me like a child. How old do you think I am?"

"I thought you were like thirteen, maybe fourteen?" 

Beth let out a snicker as I gave her and Carl a death glare, "I am fifteen. Probably sixteen already, I haven't really kept track." 

Matt's eyebrows seemed to disappear into his hear as he gave a snort, joining Beth in trying not the laugh. Carl gave a guilty look, "I am so sorry-"

I continued on in a rant, "I know look short but am I really? Am I really that short? I was a sophomore in high school! I am not a little kid and how can anything think I am? Why else do you think I was alone when you found me? I clearly could survive by myself for a while, would someone thirteen years old be able to survive alone? Why do you think I've been wanting to help out?!"

The three just stared at me, Matt was the only one who managed to keep his laugh in. Beth was full on laughing. Carl had even more of a guilty look on his face. 

I sighed, "Let's just go in and make sure the place is clear."