The Apocalypse Brides Promise

Chapter 17

I waved at 12 as she left with James, soon locking the doors and turning to Phelix. I sighed softly, sitting next to him on one of the stair steps.

"I hope they'll be alright.. I mean, 12 will be safe and keep James safe as well, but I'm just paranoid, y'know?" I turn to the older brother, wondering if he feels the same way I do. I tend to get paranoid and anxious easily, especially if it has something to do with 12.

Phelix nodded his head, sighing quietly. "Yeah, I get ya, James has always been the adventurous type" He chuckled to himself. "He would always wander off in the woods and do some crazy, questionable, things. We had to call the police once or twice to find him. He regretted nothing" Phelix laughed.

I giggled. "Him and 12 would make a great team. She's also extremely adventurous and searching for danger. Well, she wouldn't search for it, but she wasn't afraid of it. I mean, she loves the idea of a zombie apocalypse, and she's still excited about it as it's happening. You learn to love her" I chuckled and got up, extending my hand out to Phelix. He grabbed my hand and I pulled him up.

"I'm gonna clean up my plants, wanna help?" I ask, going over to the broken pots and littered soil. Phelix nodded and walked over to me, picking up some of the shattered pot. I scooped up the soil and put it in some empty pots, making sure there weren't any pot pieces. It took about seven minutes to clean everything back up and put the flowers back in pots.

I stretched my back, groaning a bit and cracking it. I chuckle. "'Ole 13's gettin' old" I heard a faint laugh from Phelix. 

"Thanks for your help, by the way," I smile towards the younger boy. He smiled and shrugged. 

"No problem, I kinda made the mess anyway-" He looked to the side for a moment, then noticed a black piece of fabric coming from under one of my pots of roses. I noticed him staring and tilted my head, walking over to him.

"What is it?" I asked, looking down at the fabric.

"What's under the roses? Looks like something you can pull" He walked over to it and carefully lifted the pot, putting it to the side. I chuckle, knowing what it is. I sit down on the floor, pulling it up. Phelix looked pretty intrigued by it. 

It was a secret compartment with books. Well, more like journals and sketchbooks. I took out the four that were in there, looking at them and smiling.

"What's inside them? Are those yours?" Asked the now attention grabbed Phelix. I gave them to him and told him to have a look inside. They were 12's first journals from when she was in 5th grade. She has no idea about this compartment or that I have them, so I guess it's mine and Phelix's secret. The journals are of when she first got into the idea of an apocalypse. Inside the journals are pictures, writings, and a few sticky-notes. Ever since she was little, her mind has been extremely adventurous and aware. She's one of the most intelligent people I know.

"Woah... these were written a while ago. They're so in detail" Phelix seemed really fascinated by them. It reminds me of myself when 12 first introduced me to the idea of an apocalypse. 

"They were 12's first ones. I was there when she wrote them. She doesn't even know I have them" I giggled a bit. The memories formed a smile on my face, thinking of the good 'ole days. A sigh escapes my lips as Phelix hands me the journals. I put them back where they were before, putting the flowers back on top.

"Are you ever gonna tell her you still have them?" Phelix questioned. I chuckled, shrugging.

"Maybe one day. But we should probably be on the lookout for 12 and your brother James. Who knows when they'll be back.." I got up from the ground, slightly dusting myself off. Phelix got up after, pulling up the gate from the window. 

"There's no sign of them yet.. I'm sure they'll be back soon. Maybe they found some more survivors" He reassured me, probably knowing from my journals that I tend to overthink.

"I hope so..."