T U C K E R × twd

twentyfive

.twentyfive
STAY TOGETHER

THE HOUSES we were given were crazy. I didn't have long to look at them before Carol ushered me into the larger one, dad following closely behind us. Dad and I stopped, glancing at each other. This house was something.

With a low whistle from me, Carol led us futher into the house. I turned down a corridor, briefly glancing into each of the rooms there before stopping in front of a closed door at the end of the corridor. Pulling my knife out, I held it in my hand as I pushed the door open.

The room was small, with a plain single bed pushed against one wall. The walls were painted a darl grey, decorated with random posters and pictures of stuff. Pushed against another wall was a small wardrobe and a chest of draws, both dark wood.

Frowning as I stepped in, I heard Carol shout something about brushing teeth or whatever. I kept the door open behind me out of habit and walked towards the bed. Slowly spinning on my heel, I observed the room again. Checking for quick escape routes, making one that took me out of the window.

With a huff I dropped my bag onto the floor before resting my hockey stick against the drawer. Pulling my knife from my belt, I threw it onto the bed with a sigh.

Turning towards the door at the sound of knocking, I gave Carol a tight lipped smile as she stepped into the room. I watched her observe the room, humming to herself. She looked towards me and held out a tooth brush.

"Take the tooth brush Tucker" she demanded, throwing it at me. I caught it easily and fiddled with it as she stepped to the side and motioned for me to walk out the room "Go now"

I sighed but complied, quickly slipping into the room. The bathroom door shut behind me as I stepped inside, locking it I rested my head against the clean wood. I closed my eyes for a second, just getting used to being in a place like this. Sighing, I pushed away from the door and stepped in front of the sink.

"Fuck" I muttered as I saw my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognised myself, the last time I saw myself in a mirror my hair was just growing out of its buzz cut that Merle had given me weeks prior and I had a completely smooth face. Now my hair was longer, not to mention fucking disgusting, and I had a small beard growing across my cheeks and chin. I looked more gaunt and malnourished, my eyes red and irritated.

Pulling my top over my head, I grimaced at the sight of my chest. I was getting leaner, not to mention the collection of bruises and scars that I'd gathered during my travels. Not being able to look at myself any longer, I quickly threw my dirty shirt to the side and grabbed onto a new one. Slipping it over my head, I frowned at it.

For starters it was fucking purple and grey. Yeah this top wasn't for me. Taking it off again, I decided to change my underwear and pants.

Even though I'd been told about the running water, I still flinched when it spurted out of the tap. Cupping my hands under the water, I bent down and rubbed my face. Dirty water rolled down my arms as I pulled back and turned the tap off, I shook my hands before drying them on my baggy jeans.

Taking the toothbrush that Carol had shoved into my hands, along with the clean clothes, I wet it under the tap before grabbing the toothpaste. I strolled around the bathroom as I brushed my teeth, looking at how decorated it was. It surprised me that the entire house looked clean like this end of the world never happened. I glanced that the large shower, part of me wanted to use it but I didn't want to become too rooted here. I didn't know what could happen.

Spitting the toothpaste out, I rinsed the toothbrush before rinsing my mouth. It felt weird to have a minty sensation in my mouth again, the toothpaste numbing my gums.