•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 4•

The sun briefly spilled into the room, through the mangled curtains that were once functional. Claire, directly facing the window now, was the first to wake up. Taking a glimpse around the still blurry room, she spotted the younger girl curled up between her and Leon. Sherry laid asleep on her back, one hand gripping onto Claire's hand while the other held Leon's again. Sherry had tried to huddle between the both of them, perhaps she had a nightmare or didn't want to be alone.

Despite the distance created before the night ended. The three were close again. Her eyes flicked between Leon and Sherry. Leon was now facing the both of them, eyes still closed in blissful sleep. Claire watched them for just a moment before leaning into her pillow. She reached her arm out and draped it across both of them. For the first time since the outbreak, the air was breathable. It was truly crazy how someone you met barely a few days ago can already feel like family. Especially when you've been through something so traumatizing together.

Without really thinking, Claire had brushed Sherry's hair to the side. Moving it out of her face. Then, she would do the same for Leon. However, unlike Sherry, Leon began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, taking a moment to focus on Claire. He flinched back just slightly, though seemed to calm down upon realizing the situation. As soon as he jerked, Claire's hand returned to her. Her face burned and she quickly sat up. As though she wasn't quite ready to talk about such a tender moment within the group.

"Hey- Sorry. I'm guessing Sherry had a nightmare." She explained.

"Seems so. You alright, Claire?" Leon asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

"I'm fine. I was going to find firewood and use that fireplace to cook something."

"Alright, we can go together. Can get more done. Maybe we'll have it done before Sherry wakes up."

With that, Leon rose to his feet. He put his shoes back on, his vest laying against the wall still. He looked into a cracked mirror and combed his fingers through his hair briefly. Claire remained frozen for just a moment. Though, she eventually did the same. Readjusting the straps of her tank top, she moved down the stairs. Leon trailed behind her and the two left through the back door together. The sun barely rose above the horizon. Vultures circled overhead while the birds sang their morning song. Leon had his eyes locked on the partially burnt barn down the hill.

"Maybe they'll have some supplies down there. Come on."

He started down the hill, a pleasantly steep slope. Claire gave a nod and followed behind him, arms outstretched to the sides to help her maintain a balance. Once the both of them were down the hill, they made their way to the barn. It was a little bit of a walk, but nothing too bad. Leon held his arm out in front of Claire, pausing when they reached the barn. Claire rolled her eyes and pushed past his arm.

"Trust me, if anything's in there. I can protect myself." She said, entering the barn without second thought.

Leon lowered his head just slightly, eyes glued to Claire. It felt like a natural impulse to protect her. To throw himself into danger first before anyone else. Perhaps that was the part of him that wanted to be a cop in the first place. As he was a strong believer in justice and protecting those that could be protected. Though, Claire didn't seem as fond of it. She was an independent soul. She wanted to protect those close to her and be the strongest one. She was the pillar of support. The one that people could lean on.

"See? It's fine here. Just dirty. Safe." Claire gestured around the inside of the barn.

"Alright, alright. Didn't realize looking out for you would be offensive." Leon made a somewhat truthful, somewhat playful jab at her.

"I don't need a man to look after me, thank you." Claire responded, mimicking his tone.

"Tch, women."

"Tch, men."

Despite the tension from barely a moment ago. Their sarcastic natures would shine through. Neither one of them could help cracking a smile after their banter. Rolling her eyes, Claire jabbed her elbow into his side. Leon hunched over slightly, but made it a deal to not budge too much. With that, Claire held her chin up and headed off to another part of the barn. Leon shook his head with a small laugh, watching her walk away with the once again comfortable smile on her face.

Claire browsed the shelves of the barn, most things dirtied with ash and soot. Though, she did end up picking up an axe from one of the shelves. She took a step back, analyzing the tool. Still seemed to be in pretty decent condition. Once she cleaned it off, it should be good as new. She rested jt over her shoulder and glanced back toward Leon, who had found an old wheelbarrow, which was rusted and tattered.

"Good finds, huh?" Claire asked, returning to her usual talkative self.

"You could say that again. Let's get that firewood started, yeah?" Leon picked up the barrow, wheeling it out of the barn.

"You betcha." Claire clicked finger guns at him and followed after him.

After around an hour, hour and a half, the both of them headed back inside. Both of them were laughing while they carried in the firewood. Sherry had already woken up and was sitting by one of the broken windows, watching both Leon and Claire from the comforts of the house. When they returned to the house with a joyful aura, she grinned at them.

"I take it doing the chores together makes it more fun, yeah?" Sherry asked as a tease.

"Couldn't have chopped and carried all this ourselves, could we?" Claire returned the tease, heading to the fireplace.

Without hesitation, Claire began putting the logs into the fireplace. Meanwhile, Leon scrounged through some drawers until he found a box of matches. Claire dusted her hands off as Leon lit a match, tossing it into the fireplace. The fire roared to life, crackling as it burned. Claire grinned, moving and grabbing a pot that she hung over the fire. She grabbed a few cans from the bag Leon brought from the gas station. Then, she dumped its contents into the pot to let it cook. Together, the three of them sat by the fire. Leon on the right, Claire in the middle, and Sherry on the left. Leon wrapped his arm around the two girls as the fire burned.