Hope II

Inside The Cuckoo's Nest

We all entered the together with no words spoken. Silence serenaded the series of rooms in the home, all seemingly untouched by the apocalypse. I cannot dismiss the prospect of somebody living here... it's too clean to be desolate. 

All nine of us stood in silence in the hallway. In front of us was a staircase that ran up the left side of the wall to a landing on the first floor. To the left of us was an arch in the wall leading to the living room, and on the right another arch leading to a dining room of sorts. 

As I gazed around the hallway, a cold wet droplet broke atop my head. Instantly I raised my head, looking up to the ceiling above my head, sopping and un-sturdy. It looked like wet paper, ready to tear, and for that reason we weren't long moving away from it. 

I walked towards the dining room, about the size of a master bedroom. It was fitted with a long dining table and seven chairs resting on red, warm carpet. The room was painted a summer cream colour, the walls decorated with mosaics and paintings that led on into the next room, the kitchen, separated from the dining room by a blurred glass door.  

I looked back to see the group had followed me in here, looking around at how well kept the home is after all these years. The outside of the home completely contrasted the inside.  

'Split up' I suggested silently in a hushed voice, though we were near to certain there was nobody home... we couldn't be too careful. 

'Look for any supplies. Aaron, Brad and I will check upstairs, the rest of you scavenge down here'

We went our separate ways, and mine was back to the hallway, up the creaking stairs lined with wood, rotting wood. The home is in good shape, but its frame is not, and the stairway does not look very sturdy.  

My hands trailed along the bannisters in fear the steps beneath me would collapse at any moment, which explains the silent sigh of relief when we reached the first floor. 

We were met by another hallway that led into four rooms, the only door that was open was the one that would lead to the upstairs part of the main hallway, the leakage coming from the toilet. Despite how well kept the home is, they may have a serious plumbing problem if their utilities are causing the ceiling below the floor to dampen. 

'Search the rooms' I said to Aaron and Brad. We all separated and took a room each. 

I slowly pushed open the door of a room, gently turning the knob as it slowly opened into the bedroom beyond the wooden door.

The bed clothes were neatly made, flourishing a spring design of leaves and flowers, going in perfect harmony with the design on the pillows full of fluff... we could take them, could be useful during the night for comfort. 

I looked around the bedroom, a double bed, an en-suite, a study and a mirror. It has to be the master bedroom. I turned back towards the door to see a wardrobe before me stretching the height of the ceiling and the width of the wall, it's tall oak exterior, and inside, fresh clothing, both men and women's. 

'Huh' I laughed to myself 'Clothes' 

I reached in and pulled out a hanger holding a red and black checkered lumbar jacket, the inside lined with warm wool, a big step up from the cold and damp leather jacket I wear at the moment. 

I gently lay my pistol on the bedside dresser and unzipped the leather jacket, threw it onto the floor. The warm brushing feeling of the wool flowing along my arm as I put on the jacket was sensational, the warmth instantly engulfed my body as I zipped it up to my neck and took a moment to embrace the comfort.

Now that I think of it, I'm carrying a backpack with only clips of ammunition inside... I have more than enough room to fit in some clothes. 

With the bag open on the floor, I managed to squeeze in some clothes that would fit myself and Ash, and spare jackets for the others to keep us warm.