Finding Peace: a Sad Milk Apocalypse Story

Chapter 19

Things started going uphill for the group as Salty recovered from being sick. Now what was two now was three people. It was easier to take care of the sick without running out dry, and they could carry larger loads of food to the Inn so that they didn't have to make many trips.

Oz had decided to not take the trip over to the store to instead watch over Flinders, who was having bad spells of nausea and light headedness. "I'm so sorry sweetie." He whispered to Flinders, holding him after a particular bad spell of dry heaving into the toilet. The stink of vomit in the room was strong and sticky, but neither of them cared all that much.

Flinders was about to say something when another wave flew through him, he was breathing heavily sweat and tears combining on his face. He felt disgusting, a dirty, nasty boy. His hair was plastered to his forehead, stuck there from the sweat. Pushing it away, he buried his face into Oz's neck.  He felt so light headed. "I love you so much." He only just got out before passing out in exhaustion. That was the first time he ever told Oz I love you back. Instead of happiness it was more of a bitter sweet feeling, like he was going to die. It didn't help that Flinders arm was broken and in a sling so he couldn't do much.

Gently setting him down on the bed, Oz sat next to him running his his fingers through Flinders's wet, disgusting hair. Did Oz give a shit that it was not the nicest? No, his land of shit giving was barren as he did not give a shit.

Topic and Salty didn't talk on their way to the store. There was nothing good to talk about, they enjoyed the silence. It was much better than any conversation they could've had. Talking is overrated anyways.

Every three weeks they had to go get more food, it never seemed to last. The supply they had been taking from was slowly growing smaller, as it would because they were using it. It didn't give them that much hope for the future.

There were two horses in front of the store that day. "Shit." Salty cursed looking into a window. The two people inside were not heavily armed. From what it looked like from there, they were both armed with a shotgun and a pistol.

"Who do you think they are?" Topic asked, whispering to keep from being overheard as they watched from the safety of the window. They didn't look like NWOs, the burn wasn't marked on their hands. They weren't one of the Sparks either, they had a specific uniformity.

"Not from a gang." Salty pointed out that they didn't have a symbol anywhere on their clothing. "Maybe a small community that stays away from the shit show happening around us."

Topic lightened up as he thought of an idea. He said it out loud, "do you think they could help us?" He asked looking over to Salty, now thankful it was just him and Salty. Oz wouldn't like the idea of blindly asking potentially dangerous strangers for help. Salty, unlike Oz, was willing to give it a shot. Their friends might die if they don't shoot the shot that they might never get back.

They walked into the store, Topic leading the way. He would be the one mostly talking. "Who the fuck are you two?" One of the two people raised their gun at the two. Instinctively both raised their hands.

"We got stuck here during the winter. One of the people in our group has a broken bone, four others including the person with a broken bone is sick. Three need medical attention bad." Topic spoke in a level voice, he had to be careful.

"Put the fucking gun down." The older of the two scolded. "I'm Willow." She held her hand out to shake one of their hands.

Topic was the first to shake her hand, "Topic."

Salty also shook her hand, a bit more awkwardly. "Salty." He said withdrawing his hand to his side.

"This is Jerome, he's sweet when he wants to be." Willow rolled her eyes at the protests sprouting from the girl. "Now where are the rest of your group cooped up at?" She asked moving for the door. "We don't go by this town often."

"The Inn." Topic pointed out the building with slightly illuminated lights. He and Salty lead the way through the snow for the building. Hopefully Oz would take this well.

"Who exactly are you two?" Oz asked suspicious as the five sat around a table discussing what they were doing exactly.

"We're a small town that banded together to maintain the safety of us and others." Willow answered, glancing over at Jerome, who was about a year older than Mini.

Oz nodded, he was still unsure. "You are sure that our friends will be well taken care of, I will not take kindly to any of them dying." Topic shivered, remembering what happened to the guy who killed Blair.

Unfazed by the threat, Willow answered sternly. "We will do all we can to help your friends. We are a caring community and take in those who are in need." He was nearly sold on the idea, "can I talk this through with Topic and Salty." She nodded, walking off to Jerome.

"What do you two think?" Oz asked wanting input on this, he didn't like going on his own opinion alone. It was never his way, be wanted to make sure he knew the other opinions of the others. It set him apart from Blair by quite a bit.

"We can't not take her offer, we have sick that need proper medical attention. This might just be their last chance of survival." Topic managed to keep a level head, he'd take the group to the town despite what Oz chose.

"I agree with Topic. We already lost Blair. We are not losing anyone else." Salty was a little less level headed, he was still very worried about Wonder. He was starting to get worse after nearly overcoming the flu. It was a really bad string this year. As if they didn't already have enough to deal with.

It was not unsurprising, their decisions. Oz knew that this really wasn't an option. They had to say yes, for their safety and the wellness of their group. "We'll take up your kind offer. I can never thank you enough for this offer." He told Willow.