Angela rode with Jackson while I took the motorcycle. I rode just behind them, feeling like a cheetah on a tight chain. I never knew how much I'd love the feeling of a rumbling engine between my legs as I soared past things I could reach out and touch just before they disappeared.
I followed Jackson to an old junkyard. We walked up to a rundown shack. I stood before Angela as Jackson bent to pick the lock. She kept her back to mine to look for an ambush. Once the door flung open we were greeted with the sight of a double barrel shotgun and a snarling dog standing between the legs of its owner. Once the old man saw Jackson he lowered his gun and the dog rested.
"Jackson. You scared the shit outta me."
"I didn't think you'd be alive."
"Could say the same 'bout you."
"Fair enough."
"Come in," The man said, stepping aside, "I'm Markus."
"That's Belle and Angela."
We stepped into the dingy space. It had a couch, a rocking chair, a coffee table, and a TV. The carpet was filthy and the walls were putrid before the outbreak but I couldn't deny Markus had a charm to him. Like a rat that wouldn't bite.
He was incredibly skinny and tall. His skin was loose. His eyes were bloodshot and surrounded with dark bags.
The dog looked to have been far healthier than him. It was a rottweiler. It was wide and rock hard with glistening fur.
Angela and I sat on the couch. The dog obsessed over her while she wore a wide grin. Jackson leaned against the archway. Markus had gone into the kitchen. He returned a moment later with a platter of dried fruit and cheese. He set it on the coffee table and collapsed on the chair.
"Nowhere near expiration. Don't worry. I don't seem it but I watch my health."
I leaned forward and took a piece of cheese and strawberry. Tasting nothing but sweetness and hearty cream I gave Angela a look I knew she'd decipher.
"How'd you end up here?" I asked.
"I lived here before the outbreak."
"Oh," I tried to avoid sounding negative but I knew my confusion must have bled into my tone.
"I bought this land. I use scrap to build things."
"That's really cool," Said Angela.
"Thanks. I'll say, though, it's getting lonely even for me. We can grab some supplies and hit the road if you'd like."
"I'll get on it," Jackson announced before he left.
"He's a good kid," Markus said once it was just the three of us.
"How do you know him?"
"Family friend. Come on. I'll show you where you'll sleep tonight. I'll take the couch. I'm assuming you're fine sharing a room?"
"Of course."
He led us down the hall to the master bedroom. It was then I took off my jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. My gun was still strapped to my hip.
"The bathroom is to the left. You two can freshen up before you go to sleep if you want."
"Thank you."
With a curt nod and a smile he left us alone. Angela grabbed two changes of clothes and we went into the bathroom. We brushed our teeth together. Afterward I sat on the toilet while she showered first. I crossed my legs. Markus had left to sift through the junk with Jackson so we had our privacy.
"Is your back still hurting?"
"Not really," I lied.
"That's a lie."
I laughed, "Don't worry about me."
"I'm not a kid anymore, Belle. I'm eighteen," She argued, "You need to be honest with me."
"Honestly, I'm fine."
She groaned dramatically. We let a long bout of silence pass before she asked, "What do you think of Jackson and Markus?"
"I don't know yet. Why?"
She shut off the water and pulled her clothes off the towel rack, "They seem nice but I trust your judgement more."
"Don't trust me blindly. If anyone makes you uncomfortable just let me know."
"I know," She teased as she stepped out of the shower. She grabbed a towel to dry her hair, "I'm so glad you're back. I never even thought of what it'd be like to lose you."
"I hope you never have to experience that again," I said as I pulled off my clothes. I stepped into the shower and lathered my body with soap, "I should have asked you before I left John behind."
"No, you shouldn't have."
I balanced on one foot while I cleaned the other, then repeated the action. I could smell lavender. Markus' small stock of feminine soaps had raised questions but it wasn't my place to ask.
"I don't know why I kissed him. I know me being impulsive is part of why you see me as a kid."
"I mostly blame him."
"Because you think I'm a baby."
I squeezed coconut shampoo into my palm and began to massage it through my hair, "Because I think you're impulsive," I rinsed my hair and turned off the water to dry myself, "I wasn't much older than you when I was raising you. It exacerbated your rebellion. Seeing your older sister that you caught sneaking home from parties now bossing you around was bound to make you act out."
"That's not an excuse."
Pulling on my shirt I stepped out of the shower. I pulled her to her feet and then into my hug. I pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
"I'm not giving you excuses. I'm telling you I understand."
She squeezed me once and we walked into the bedroom. I took my gun out of my holster and slipped it under my pillow, letting it rest beside my hand. There was plenty of room for Angela in the bed but still she laid with her arm around me and her face in the crook of my neck. It reminded me of when we were little and I'd comforted her when she was being bullied. After I'd kicked their asses.