Apocalypse

Starting Over

The next morning, Penny was up and out. Her sleep was full of nightmares relating to Nathan and Becca and the Cannibals. She needed fresh air. Kharim approached her with a smile.

"Liking your accommodations?"

"I...um...yeah." She could suggest another cot for their tent. But she didn't want to.

"Another cot?" Kharim felt the tension.

"N-no. We're...fine. May I ask, why am I not in the cells? I was captured."

"Your connection to Nathan, of course. So far he proves he can be valuable to us. Our scouts learned he had a hand in our previous leader's death, and as long as that is true, I can trust him. You were someone who he knew beforehand, and I was told you said you loved him. So, it was only natural you two were given a one cot tent."

"I see...thank you. I am really grateful."

"Of course. How was your night?"

"Alright...could've been better I guess." She glanced over her shoulder at their tent where he still slept.

"How so?"

"Yes, you know I love him. But he...is torn as to whether or not he feels the same. It was...awkward."

"Why? Is there someone else?" Kharim was deeply interested in the unfolding drama.

"Yes...back at camp. It is a very long story and I don't know all the pieces. Our old camp was corrupt. I ran and that was why your men caught me. It was merely a coincidence Nathan and Brent had survived whatever Justin had done to them to come to the same place that I was taken."

"And who is Justin?"

"The camp drunk, who happens to be my second cousin that is obsessed with the girl Nathan is or was in love with. They went out on a raid. Justin, Nathan, Brent, and Jackson. Only Justin returned to camp proclaiming he was a hero and that everyone was dead. It tore the girl apart, but I don't know what's gone on. Her father has been trying to shove her towards Justin, he hates Nathan. I just don't know if with thoughts of Nathan's death, she gave in."

"Hm." Kharim sat in thought for a few minutes as the sun continued to rise. "Do you love Nathan?"

"Yes..I do. I used to be with someone before the girl and Nathan came to that camp. His name was Jamie. William, the self-proclaimed leader, forced him to marry his daughter and I was left behind. A year or so later, Nathan came to camp with a wounded friend. Nathan was an outsider like me. We bonded quickly."

"I have ways to help. If you'd like."

"Y-you can help?" She felt slightly evil for wanting help to win him over. If it was real, it would happen on its own right? Though she couldn't help but be curious.

"Yes. Just a little bit of poking and prodding. Maybe news of the girl sleeping with Justin? An arranged marriage? Every last one in that camp supposedly found dead?"

"I don't want to lie to him..he's been through so much I want to be honest with him."

"And you will be. All you have to do is allow me time. You know nothing because I will tell you nothing. Just say the word."

"Just..don't kill anyone please..I don't want blood on my hands."

"On my word. Nobody dies."

"Thank you. I can't say it enough. I've only been here a day and it feels better than the old camp."

"Good. We intend to do even better by cleaning out the remnants of the Solus followers. Nasty bunch. Nikolai was one crazy fucker."

"I don't know much. All I know is some of you are or were cannibals. What's your story? Why're you different?"