Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 2 Moving Forward

Even after seeing how things were, it was still taking Rick a little time to adjust to the realities of the new world. Kagome had closed and bolted the door and closed all the blinds while she gave Rick some space. She had flared her aura and didn't feel any of the dead in the area, but that could all change very quickly.

An hour passed before Rick started to react again. He looked around his house and realized that he and Kagome couldn't remain there; it wasn't safe enough for them. Rick took a deep breath and looked at Kagome, “Alright, I think the first thing we need to do is get some weapons, a more reliable vehicle, and get going to Atlanta.”

“I think the first thing we need to do is get some food in you and get you cleaned up,” Kagome countered.

Rick looked down at himself. He was still wearing the hospital gown and slippers, and he had just realized how hungry he was. Rick nodded, and Kagome helped him up and led him to the kitchen where she had found some cans of chicken noodle soup, “I'm sorry, you're going to have to eat it cold. The electricity and gas have been out for some time now.”

“That's fine,” Rick said and started to eat the soup with some bread that Kagome had found.

Kagome didn't let him have a lot since his stomach wasn't used to having food in it, and he would only end up getting sick. Once Rick had eaten, he went upstairs to change, then grabbed the keys to the Sheriff's station, and he and Kagome made their way to the station. They cautiously made their way into the station and found that it was empty. Rick led Kagome to the locker room where the showers were. He tested the showers and smiled at Kagome, “Pilot's still on; there's hot water. Why don't you take a shower first while I find another change of clothes.”

“Thanks, Rick.”

Rick left the shower area and went to his locker to grab his extra uniform and gun. Meanwhile, Kagome indulged in the first hot shower she had in a long time. Rick had left her some shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Kagome washed her raven black hair and scrubbed her body, letting the hot water relax her muscles. Kagome rinsed off and got out of the shower. Grabbing the towel that Rick had left her, Kagome toweled off and got dressed. She then towel dried her hair and grabbed her brush out of her yellow pack, and began to brush it out.

When Rick heard that the shower was off, he came back, “Are you decent?”

“Yeah, come on back.”

Rick went back to the shower room with his change of clothes. When he came around the corner, he was able to get a glimpse of Kagome's back. Rick gasped when he saw that her back was riddled with old scars. He was even able to see a large bite on her side, from what Rick couldn't possibly imagine.

When Kagome heard Rick gasp, she turned and quickly lowered her shirt. Kagome stood up and left the shower room without saying a word to Rick. Rick stood there and watched her go. A wave of protectiveness came over him. This woman had saved his life, and the thought of someone or something hurting her made a fit of anger swell up in Rick that he didn't quite understand. He had just met this woman and barely knew her.

Rick couldn't help but wonder how Kagome had gotten all of those scars. But he knew that was something he couldn't ponder on for very long. Rick stripped and got in the shower. Rick took his time washing up and even took the time to shave. Once Rick was nice and clean, he got out, toweled off, and got dressed in his uniform.

Once he was dressed, Kagome came back into the locker room, “Alright, we need to go down to the ammunitions locker and get some guns.”

Kagome nodded and followed Rick out. They made their way further into the station and found that the cage was locked and still had a good supply of weapons inside. Rick unlocked it and grabbed a duffle bag, “Grab as much ammunition as you can, and I'll grab the guns.”