130 Days

Day 89

Portland is a little less ransacked than Seattle had been. I'm not sure I'm happy about that, or just more scared and confused. At least we found some food and water and a townhouse to stay in. We have yet to starve or die of thirst, and stealing clothes from random houses and looted stores has been working out well since the weather changes and flooding. If I can die wearing clean underwear, even if I'm un-showered, I'm satisfied enough.

When I wake up on a futon with Leo, I discover that the entire room feels sticky with humid heat. PJ isn't even cuddling our feet like he usually does. I'm not drenched in sweat at the moment, but it's easy to tell that at some point in the night, I was. Repulsive. I think, getting up to change my clothes. I start mentally planning to investigate the suburban and city-like areas of Portland today, and hoping we find a working shower, but my thoughts are quickly distracted by something; a sound. A motor... A car.

"Leo..." I say, shaking him gently before going to the window. "Leo, get up! There's someone out there!" Through the glass, I see three people walking around a minivan on the street, loading things up from a house a few doors down from us.

"What are you talking about?" Leo grumbles as he wakes. I can't help it- I run.

"Be right back." I shout to Leo as my feet instinctually carry me through the front door and into the sunlight.

"Adelaide!" I hear Leo yell behind me, seemingly trying to stop me. But it's too late. Once my bare feet hit the pavement, there's no stopping them. I practically fly across the road and crash into one of the strangers. I never thought I'd be this happy or relieved to see some random people on the street. I hug the girl without even meaning to, without even thinking.

"What the hell?" A male voice sounds behind me.

"I suggest you step back. Now."

Before I can really comprehend what is happening, I am backing away slowly from the barrel of a gun, raising my hands. The girl in front of me looks like she wants to use the gun on me. Her eyes are narrowed and angry behind her weapon. The boy who'd spoken behind me now approaches me, looking more concerned than his friend. After putting several feet between us again, I freeze in my tracks and take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. Woah... I'm not- I'm not going to hurt you or rob you or anything, I swear." I start, speaking faster than my brain can keep up with the situation unfolding before me.

"Then why'd you come racing out here tryin' to smother me?" The girl spits back.

"I just... I haven't seen any people outside my own group in months. I thought everyone was dead." I explain, a little more quietly. What have I gotten myself into?

"Put it away, she looks like a friggin' deer in headlights." The man says in a hushed, but still audible voice to the dark and angry girl with the revolver. She slowly lowers the gun before cocking a smirk and snorting a laugh in my direction.

"You've never even seen a gun before, have you princess?"

"Hey, what the hell is going on? Who are you?" Leo sprints into the road and plants himself between me and the others protectively. He grabs my hand behind his back. "What's with the gun?"

"I'm Trent," the tall man says, snatching his partner's weapon from her still-tense hand. "This is my girlfriend-"

"Alice." She introduces herself, flipping her braids behind her shoulder and crossing her arms over her chest. "Sorry. Can't be too careful, anymore..."