Three Eleven Thirteen

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

The storm didn't sound like it was calming. Ellie and I were both pressed up against each other, but it still didn't feel comfortable.

"It smells of mold down here." I say in disgust, "I can only imagine the toxins we are breathing in."

"Toxins."  

"I can't wait to get out of here."

"It is not bad with light." He says, "It is safe."

He was right, it was safe. I should learn to be like him; grateful. Instead I was basking in my own annoyance, and brewing anxiety that has molded itself in my veins just like the mold on the cellar walls.

I wanted a shower more than anything else.

I glanced at Ellie, his veins were a light grey, as though none of this bothered him. If anything, he looked relaxed.

"How on earth are you so comfortable?" I ask him, "You seem pleased with our situation."

"We are safe, should I not be comfortable?"

I pondered that before responding, "I guess maybe I'm the one that it being ridiculous." I sigh, "You're right, I should be thankful."

"I am thankful." He says quickly, "We are not dead."

I smile at that, "Me too." I huddled myself closer to him. The night was promising to be a long one, but despite everything, Ellie was right, we are not dead, and that is all that matters.

I managed to eventually fall asleep, though it was light sleep, it was still sleep. The wind and thunder slowly began to fade throughout the night, and by the morning, we were left with complete silence.

Ellie and I left the filthy cellar in a hurry. I expected to see the entire barn collapsed on us, but to my astounding surprise, it still stood. Though, not nearly as good as it had, and that's not saying much. I rushed Ellie out of the barn, afraid it'd fall right on our heads before we could blink.

Another whole day of walking didn't sound fun at all. Especially when the only rest we got was on a dirty cellar floor.

I forced myself to stomp down my dread and began to walk back across the dirt field to the road. Ellie followed me in silence, and for almost an hour, we said nothing.

I was beginning to get sick of the endless dirt fields and wished for something that would grant us a bit more color and shade from the burning sun. Not to mention I was starving, and I was sure Ellie was too.

There was nothing for us to eat or drink for miles, and I was starting to get a bit nervous about how exactly we would make it through this.

"I don't think we have much longer to go before a bit of civilization appears," I say, as I was getting bored of the silence, "Hopefully we will get there before tomorrow." Ellie said nothing, and so I turned to him, wondering what why he was so quiet.

Except, he wasn't there at all. I was sure he was behind me only moments ago.

"Ellie?" My heart plummeted, "Ellie, where are you?"

I turned to my left to see a figure standing far off in the field, I knew it was Ellie as he crouched down to something, but I couldn't make out what.

What the hell was he doing?

"Ellie!" I called after him, but either he didn't hear me, or he didn't bother to show that he did.

Curious and annoyed, I walked back into the muddy dirt field, and made my way over to him. It was not until I was feet away from him, did I notice what exactly it was that he was enticed by.