They stay silent for most of the travel, trudging along on their journey to nowhere. Continuing on because it's all they know to do. Once the evening begins to creep in they stop and set up camp. They've found that almost nowhere is a good place to sleep, which makes anywhere as good as nothing. They always rotate sleeping in shifts, making sure that one of them remains awake to keep watch.
They've been lucky more than they haven't. They've only been attacked once before and they managed to get away without being harmed, or having to harm anything else. When the outbreak hit the disease set in quickly, which meant people became infected in their already usual habitats. Cities are a no go. Small towns were scarcely populated and the diseased rapidly moved from them to seek out more victims. These small towns are how they've managed to survive.
Norman brought a compass when they set out away from their neighborhood. He figured if they weren’t able to drive and had to travel on foot they could just head south toward the oceans. Travel the coastline and ensure they could keep a steady supply of water.
They found the coastline some years ago, only to discover they weren’t the only ones with this idea. Beaches were littered with diseased, and the shores filled with the bodies of those that had drowned trying to escape them. This troubled Norman deeply. He still sees these imagines when he closes his eyes.
From the very little time Norman has had to inspect this boy he has come to the conclusion that he is likely severely depressed and most certainly malnourished. Norman knows it’s probable he will not speak to them, will be perpetually afraid, and is, unfortunately, most likely beyond being able to convey how he needs to be helped.
This angers Norman, but more than that it saddens him. It crushes him to see a young life having already been through so much anguish. He must have been a young child when the outbreak happened. He’s never been to school, probably never had friends, never experienced a birthday party he can remember, or the child-like anticipation of Christmas, or the joy of finding money under his pillow from the Tooth Fairy.
He knows it’s likely this boy will be a problem. He will hinder their group more than he will help them. This is a disheartening reality, but a reality nonetheless. Yet, despite this, he will not leave this boy behind. Even if, in the end, his efforts will be fruitless, he will not abandon someone he can try to help.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When Rosaline was awakened by Hawaii the sun was just starting to rise. He had told her the previous night that they leave early when hunting. It will be an all day venture, just as she had anticipated.
She rubs Mikey's shoulder, “Hey buddy.” she says.
He rustles, only slightly, not yet wanting to awake.
“Hey, look at me. Just for a minute.”
He rolls over to face her. He scowls as his eyes barely part.
“Aww, I know it’s early.”
She brushes his hair back, smiling down at the wonder that is this young child.
“I’m going hunting today. I’ll be gone for a while, maybe until dark. Remember to help Rad when you finish your chores, okay?”
He awkwardly nods, his groggy state still keeping a hold on him. She leans over him and kisses his forehead. She grabs her backpack and slides the straps over her shoulders. She turns for the door and places her hand on the knob.
“Wait.” he says.
She turns back to Mikey who is rolling out of bed. He rushes to her, and wraps his arms around her waist. He looks up to her. She places her hand on his head, running her fingers through his hair.
“Be careful.” he says.
She kneels down to meet his eye level.
“I always am.”
He nods in agreement and embraces her again. His overt show of affection fills her with joy bringing forth a smile from her. “This is how every day should start.” she thinks.
“Now, go back to bed. You still have a few more hours of sleep, but don’t sleep too long.”
She watches as he stumbles back over to the bed. She waits until he pulls the blanket over him, then she exits their room.
◆◆◆
A gentle thumping on the door brings Mikey out of his sleep. It takes him a moment to realize what is happening. Someone is knocking on the bedroom door.
“Mikey? Are you awake?”
It sounds like Zee’s voice. She’s nice, he likes her.
“Yeah.” he answers.
“I’m gonna come in, okay?”
“Okay.”
The door pushes open to reveal Zee, her usual joyous smile on display.
“Sun’s been up for a while now bud. Rosaline said not to let you sleep too late.”
He sits up, stretches his arms, and yawns. She laughs as he fumbles, attempting to throw the blanket off him.
“Breakfast is on the table little man.”
She disappears from sight, leaving the door open. Mikey and Rosaline sleep fully dressed, still not comfortable unless they're ready to move at a moment's notice.
Mikey enjoys the breakfast left out for him. Zee hung around in the kitchen with him for a little while then went off to continue her daily chores. No one else is in the house. Mikey has the same chores every day. He cleans the living room, the porch, and his bedroom.
It never takes him long to finish these tasks. The Family keep everything neat and orderly. Zee seems like the one that holds it all together. She tells everyone what to do, even though Hawaii is the leader. Mikey doesn't really understand this, then again he's only ever known Rosaline.
He knows he had parents, but
