Forgetting the Apocalypse

17. Nothing You Can't Survive

Roone and Mara's pov though it will switch to all of theirs*

As much we had avoided it before due to the chance of running into it being overrun by dead, we decided to find a town to see if maybe we'll meet up there. I kept a slow and steady pace while walking to make it more comfortable for her to walk as well since I'm not exactly in the best shape to carry her. I have a bit of a hunch and there's still some pressure when breathing. At least I'm not coughing anymore.

Another thing to be grateful for is that the water began to decrease little by little. Eventually it receded enough to only be ankle deep.
Hopefully my brother and Fredi had the same idea with the town. More for hoping that we head towards the same one otherwise we'd probably never find each other.

Two nights later, we saw the first signs of actual buildings and not just a few scattered houses. Mara and I stayed at the first convenience store we saw. Both of us too tired and aching to continue. Thankfully there wasn't much to clear. Only two zombies were inside and they were both pinned by some shelves that had fallen on them.

For the first time in three nights we were finally dry. As the sun was finally starting to rise, we settled into our own little resting areas. Though we were closer than we normally were. I guess with the Fredi and my brother missing, we felt more alone. At least I did. We didn't sleep right next to each other but the soles of our feet were touching each others in attempt to remind ourselves that the other was still here.

***

I usually had the habit of making up before anyone else. Tonight was no different. The first thing I felt were Roone's feet pressed up against mine. Something that we had started doing a few days ago. With so long of not having Riva and Fredi with us, yes a few days nights and days before wouldn't have been considered "so long" but in this world now it is. We hoped and prayed we would but truly didn't know if they were alive or not.

I guess that's why we had our new sleeping arrangement. Granted of the four of us, have become closer since our first meeting back at the brothers' cabin, Roone and I have taken the longest to not be so hostile or wary of each other. Both of our strong wills always clashing. Now that it may only be just us two, we really have set aside our differences to make it work. I know I really had to swallow a lot of my pride, but I guess it makes it easier for me remembering all that he's done for me.

It's why I'll wait patiently for him to wake up instead of nudging him up so that we can go hunt for breakfast. In the mean time I looked over all my bandages, see if I was bleeding again or just needed any touching up. I know it was probably futile because undoubtably he would want to check them himself just to make sure everything was good. It wasn't even half an hour that passed that Roone began to stir awake.

"Good night Mara, you been awake long?" he asks sleepily. Quickly shaking it off, he digs into his pack for his water bottle. "I'm assuming you already looked yourself over? Anything I need to know or worry about, or can let you be?"

See you told you. Sort of. I wasn't expecting him to ask.

"No, just the usual aches and soreness. No redness or even the slightest shade of pink. My stitches are still holding up, I can lift my arm a little higher than yesterday and absolutely no dizziness, not even when I woke up." Now normally I'd say anything in hopes that he'll believe my poor attempt to minimize the extent of my injuries. I only did it because he was right about me and because I wasn't use to someone helping me as much as he has. During the late hours of the day I spent my time thinking mostly about the bruises he got because of me.

He could've gotten more than heavily bruised ribs. He could've been washed away by the current. Could've drowned. Time and time again Roone has stepped up to help with aiding us with our wounds. Granted he was our doctor but he didn't have to be gentle or nice about it when he patched us up. By us though I should really be saying me. I've been hurt more times than I can count. But now he's actually telling me that he's giving me space from his constant hovering.