“no, it’s not-“ I tried to explain but she cut me off
“I’m tired, I just want to sleep.”
The door to the ward opened and in came a woman from the kitchen carrying a tray. She smiled widely, and came straight to my bed, placing the tray on my bedside table.
“There you go sugar. I’ll be back later to collect the dishes” then she was gone.
The tray contained, a little cup of milk, a bowl of cereal and a black cup of coffee. I was so grateful that he military still had cereal and coffee. They also had access to chickens and cattle.
I pulled the tray onto my lap and used the milk for my cereal, leaving my coffee black. It was stronger that way and I hoped that it may wake me up a little more.
I ate slowly, going over and over my conversation with Nia. She was reading way more into it than there really was. It wasn’t her or the others that I was trying to get away from. It was the two freshly covered graves outside.
I cried silently into my coffee, I didn’t know what else to do. I hoped that when I went on runs that the adrenaline and danger would distract me even for a little while from the horror and agony that was now my reality.
I placed my empty cup back on the tray and got off the bed, picking up the change of clothes that the boys had left for me.
I hobbled once again as quietly as I could to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I stripped down and looked at myself in the mirror.
My body was now hard and lean after months of very little food. I would have to start working on my fitness levels. My hair had gotten a little longer and I needed a shave.
I washed using the bar of soap and a cloth that had been left on the wash basin. The water was cold but felt good.
I dried off with the rough burgundy towel hanging on the towel rail and got dressed quickly. Goosebumps covering my skin from head to toe.
Entering the room again, I looked towards Nia.
“Nia?” I saw her body tense even though she didn’t reply and kept her eyes closed.
I got onto her bed behind her struggling to pull my leg up. I put my arm around her cuddling her in close. “Ni, it’s not you guys that I need to get away from.”
“I know” she whispered.
“Good, because I don’t want to lose you too”
She turned towards me and looked into my eyes. Hers seeing right into my soul.
“You won’t George. I do understand, really, I do. Just be careful when you’re outside of the gates ok?”
“I will I promise” I hugged her close again and kissed her forehead.
“Can I borrow a book?” I asked
“Of course, “Nia turned away from me and sat up, handing me the pile of books. I chose a horror one about a haunted house.
I got off her bed and limped back to my own, propping up my mismatched pillows to be able to sit up comfortably.
Each of us started to read and before long we were both silent; engrossed in our stories.
I jumped when the door opened, shocked that I had read almost a quarter of the book.
It was Lt. Jacks, panic hit me. “What’s happened? Are the boys ok?” I was certain that he was going to inform us that the boys had gotten into trouble.
“Yes, don’t worry, they checked in about half an hour ago, they were just getting to the site”
“Ok” I felt a little better but still wished that I was right beside them.
“How’s the ankle?” he asked
“It’s sore, I can’t put any weight on it” I grumped.
He nodded “I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet in no time. I’ve come to talk to you about the captain’s new idea” he pulled out the blue plastic chair from against the wall and positioned it in a way that he could speak to both myself and Nia.
“How are you miss?” he attempted a smile at Nia, it looked more like he was in pain. I don’t think he was used to smiling.
“Yeah I’m good thank you. Should get out of here today. And its Nia, please”
“That’s great miss, I mean Nia”
“So, what did you want to talk with us about?” I was curious as to why the captain would send his second in command to see us.
“I’ve been talking to some other survivors this morning and throughout the following week will be talking to everyone individually and then as a group hopefully next week. We want to start training people on jobs. Cooking, Gardening, taking care of the animals, sentry duty, etc. Our hope is that eventually this will all be run by you survivors and that we can move onto another town, to try to help other people.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing” Nia exclaimed.
It did sound good, the fact that we would be part of the fight against the apocalypse, that we may make a difference.
“So, I’m here to ask you what type of work you’re interested in? what you’ve done in the past?”
I looked at Nia pointedly
“Uh, I’d like to apply for the teaching assistant post please” she said quietly.
“Ok” he nodded, writing it onto a notepad that I hadn’t even seen him carrying in.
“George?”
“I’d like to train and go on supply runs.” My eyes flickered to Nia who looked down at her blanket.
“Ok, are you sure? We haven’t had too many people volunteer to leave” his eyes bore into me.
“Yes, I’m sure, it’s something I’ve thought about a lot. I think that with the proper training and support that I can help this camp
