Condemned. Sequel to 'Don't Look Back'

Chapter 3

Rayne's pov

I contemplated my choices, I could go, and try to live, or I could stay, and never know what would happen if I had gone. What if someone was alive? Would I let them down if I just quit? I looked back towards the woods and just looked. The trees swayed back and forth in the wind, and the sun peeked in between the leaves. In different circumstances, I would've stayed, but I can't. I've come too far to just quit.

I turned around and walked to the road, ready to leave the woods, hopefully for a long time. I passed by trees, plants and dead leaves, and finally reached the tree line. I took my first step onto the road and squinted as soon as the sun hit my face, temporarily blinding me. I looked for any type of building and saw none. I shrugged to myself and turned left.

I walked for miles, never once passing by a building. I found it very odd, but there was nothing I could do about it, so I kept walking. Even though I still wasn't very enthusiastic about living, I knew I had to do this for the survivors. I had to keep any shred of hope I had for them, because I know they would do the same for me, and I can't disappoint them.

I continued walking, and finally spotted a small gas station on the right of the road. I crossed over and passed all of the gas pumps, looking for any signs of habitation, and saw nothing except for empty gas cans and candy wrappers. I walked up to the windows, and rubbed the dirt and dust off and looked in.

I saw nothing, so I tried the doors, and thankfully they were unlocked. I made sure they shut behind me and started scavenging for any supplies. I went shelf by shelf, moving useless things out of my way, looking for anything that would help keep my energy up.

I finally found a small bag of trail mix, and kept it with me, even though I had no bag to store anything. I looked behind the counter, seeing an emergency pistol that most stores had. I was just surprised it was still here, after a year and a half. I checked to see ammo, and it had three bullets. It's better than nothing, I guess.

After I had checked all of the store, I moved on, continuing where I left off at. After a while of walking, you get bored. And through this time of being born, I've noticed the changes that I've made in the past year or so.

I've become more muscular, I've lost weight, my hair has become longer, and I've gotten a little taller, I think. But I've also become more wary of strangers, I've become lethal. I now possess the power to choose if someone lives or dies, and it's a little scary when you think about it. A thirteen year old girl being able to kill someone in the blink of an eye.

Not only have I been able to decide fate, I've been able to make decisions that nobody should have to make like deciding between my own life or death. I snapped out of my trance and looked down at my shoes and noticed they were starting to peel in some places and the glue was starting to give away.

Hopefully they would last for a little bit longer, or at least until I found a new pair. I also remembered how much I lost back at the prison, like my leather jacket. I miss that thing, and it would really come in handy at night, when the air gets cold and the bugs bite. There's nothing I could do about that now, except for look for a new one.

Hours later the sun was starting to set, and I could see a housing complex in the distance where I would sleep for the night, and maybe stay for a couple of days. I picked up my pace, but still couldn't walk normally because of my legs and other wounds.

As I approached the complex the air seemed to get thicker. It all seemed creepy and dead. I neared the entrance of the place I noticed that none of these houses have ever been lived in. They all had 'for sale' signs in the front yard. There were a couple of the houses that weren't even finished yet.

Since the gate was unlocked, I just walked on in and went for the first house I saw, which happened to be your typical two story home. It was beige and white, with four square windows and brass door handles.

I walked up the front steps and opened the door. It had dark, cherry flooring and plastic covered leather furniture. The kitchen led from the living room and had white tile and cherry cabinets. I left my bag of trail mix on one of the covered chairs and went upstairs to find three bedrooms and one bathroom. None of the bedrooms were filled yet, so the upstairs was useless.

I walked back down the stairs and uncovered the chaise lounge. I figured it would make a pretty decent bed, it was probably more comfortable than the prison beds as well. I put the plastic cover on the stairs and grabbed my trail mix. I opened the bag and greedily ate half of the bag.

I set the bag on the kitchen counter and went back into the living room. I plopped down on the chaise and kicked my shoes and socks off. As I stretched on the chair, my back popped several times, and it felt like heaven. I let my feet dangle off the end and I closed my eyes.

I was happy with my decision, I was happy that I had pushed through my doubt, although that's not totally gone. I could just hope that I would find someone, and find them alive. Because God knows what would happen if I found someone dead.