The World We Once Knew Read online

  Pulling away, she watched as he grabbed two candles off of the table and lit them, “Are you sure you're alright? Do you need more medicine? We can search that Target across the street. I'm sure they have a pharmacy.” She whispered to him.

  She could not do much and she couldn't stop the inevitable but her intentions were always to look out for him.

  He wasn't sure if they had the time for a stop but at the sight of the worry in her eyes he gave an answer to satisfy her, “We can check.”

  Eventually working the can open to the food inside, Dane pulled a spoon from a pocket in his backpack and began to eat the chilled ravioli. He left half for Addie as usual and he would've given Quinta her own serving but he didn't really know her hunger or limits.

  While Dane and Addie had their moment, Quinta entered the woman's bathroom with a flashlight on and ready. Instantly, she was hit with an odor that could burn the eyebrows off of a warthog. Her throat visibly swallowed as she proceeded to step into the cesspool of decay and waste. A series of different bugs and vermin scampered across the floor and into the cavities of a deceased corpse tucked beneath the sink. Her mouth turned downward while she shook her head and used the tip of her blade to push a stall door open.

  Gagging out at the mere sight of the brownish green toilet bowl and floor, she placed one hand over her mouth and rushed out. Stumbling across the hall, she pushed the door open to the other bathroom. Her hand pressed against the flat surface and held it open. Sighing out, she caught sight of a written piece of paper poster over the men's sign that warned to use this facility.

  Of course.

  Using the half decent bathroom, she was shocked that there was close to normal water pressure. She took the time to clean herself off as best as she could in the sink. Within ten minutes, she roamed back through the main dining hall. It was pitch black except for the long light in the closest corner of the room. Going to grab her bag and can of food, she bypassed the kitchen altogether. If the woman's restroom was in that condition, like hell she wanted to see that. Sitting across from Dane, she blew out before she noticed that Addie was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't until she saw Addie's socked feet poked out from beneath the table did she bite her tongue and not ask.

  She took a can opener that she'd gotten a hold of at a “Pampered Chef” kiosk in Miami. Opening the can of baked beans, she took a spoon from the table and at the cold, sugary, and rubbery substance.

  Soon, the Southern style restaurant was completely black aside from the glowing orbs of light on the table. Dane and Quinta soon found a way to kill the time before they fell asleep; playing cards. Looking across at Quinta's glowing features, Addie's light, breathy snores sounded beneath them as he spoke to her in whispers.

  He set a ten of spades down with a two of hearts, “Hit me.” He said in a hushed rumble.

  Now that they were alone, curiosity sparked within him and he found that he craved conversation in the midst of survival. He glanced down at the card she dealt him and sighed out as he had gained a four of diamonds and didn't trust to hit again.

  “I'll stay. So, what do you plan on doing when you arrive at the sector?” He asked. Eyeing her carefully, he could tell in limited capacity that she had lost someone and was careful about what to say to her, “Is there anyone you know there?” he finished.

  Hitting her own hand, she chuckled to herself as she busted for the fifteenth round in a row. She was a horrible gambler and it showed. Dane on the other hand was surprised that he'd won so many times.

  He reached over and took one of Addie's Barrettes and set it on his side, “Another point for me.” he muttered under his breath.

  Grabbing the cards again and reshuffling, she cleared her throat and answered him, “Me goin to do what me can to stay dere. Me don't ‘ave anyone else waitin’ for me.” She said.

  He watched her shuffle the cards as she revealed that she really was alone.

  This caused him to watch her for a long moment, “I...” he paused and closed his mouth.

  He was relatively speechless and knew that sympathy would be the last thing that would help her to feel better. Quinta eyed him quietly as she began to deal out the cards and wait for him to speak.

  He chose his words carefully as he peeked at the down-turned card, “Maybe you'll find something to live for. It'd be a shame to lose a survivor like you.” He replied to her.

  He had to admit that among the people he and Addie had passed, a lot of them ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. Quinta, on the other hand, was like-minded and knew how to keep herself alive. That was always a plus.

  Not only did he like her for her traits but he trusted her for a greater purpose. At least the start of one. Thinking he should say more, he took a peek down at Addie to see that she was still out cold before he turned his attention back to Quinta. A thought had taken hold of his mind from the way he stared her over that flickered flame.

  Wetting his lips, he covered the card with his hand, “There's not many people in the world anymore that can be relied on.” He started.

  He again found trouble with his words. He hated to say his thoughts out loud and appeared conflicted.

  He made it clear as day just how troubled he truly was, “I'm...I'm terrified for Addie and I... I don't think I'll be around much longer. We're practically strangers, Quinta, but at least promise to me, as one survivor to another, that if I don't make it you'll take her. Take her somewhere safe, I'm not asking you to be saddled with her but if you could...come to care about her. Even though it's fast, I can say that I trust you to watch her.” He finished.

  For a man of little words, he gave her a request that he felt the need to ask; something he needed to secure for a long time now. He could feel a sense of foreboding ever since he and Addie escaped the hospital. Although he had strength and a body fit for it, his illness dragged him down at times and medication became scarce despite the hope Addie held. Wetting his lips, he stared down at the fire. He knew of the burden he just asked of this woman.

  “I feel that I should tell you that you have the freedom to say no.” He said quietly.

  Through the entire time he had spoken, it had become all too apparent to Quinta that she was extremely easy to read. True, the day before they had crossed paths she had given up all hope. Her chances of survival were slim with being alone and she honestly did not have the will to go on. Waking up less than twenty-four hours ago to the two of them was a shock but also a sign in her eyes. They were hurting and they were in need just like her. He proved it so with how he lamented his death and spoke of how terrified he was to leave Addie behind. It didn't take much to deduce that he spoke the words of an ill man. Of a man who knew his time was borrowed at best. Clenching her jaw, Quinta glanced down at the table for a moment before she ran a hand over her dreads and tugged at them. It became clear since the moment Addie spoke to her and they accepted her into their lives did she know that they were in this together. No matter how long one lived over the other.

  Anyone with a human heart and mind couldn't say anything different.

  Feeling the need to give him some sort of comfort for it was clear he held this inevitable burden on his shoulders, Quinta reached over and placed her hand over his.

  She stared at him directly in the eyes and did not waver, “We may be strangers but yuh can count on me. Me nah wishin’ yuh death but yuh don't have to worry about Addie. Me will watch her like she was my own sister. So, rest easy, at least for dat.” She answered him.

  Dane hung off of every word and was filled with hope. She accepted Addie wholly despite the short time they'd known each other. Her assurance coursed a rush of relief and the feeling to breathe easier in him.

  Shutting his eyes, he exhaled a huff of a breath which then turned into a light smile, “Thank you Quinta. I owe you everything. Somehow I knew that she'll be alright with you.” He responded.

  Patting the back of his hand, she then leaned back in the chair and with a loud sigh added a card. She w
anted nothing more than to put the somber business behind them and just enjoy the here and now. That joy, however, was only short lived.

  “Ah shit...me bust again. You mix da cards dis time.” She muttered. She tossed the deck to him and shook her head, “Me bad luck!”

  Sighing out a chuckle and a heavy weight lifted from his shoulder and heart, Dane opened his eyes. He had caught sight of a woman who managed to make an impact in his life with a sort of kindred relationship. He found it easy to be natural around her, to let his guard down and that alone was a rarity. He took the cards and swiftly began to shuffle to which Quinta couldn't help but stare this sudden card shark in his face incredulously.

  There was no doubt of the smirk that settled on his lips as he avoided her gaze, “You're better luck than you think, so we'll see.” He replied.

  It seemed that Quinta was correct about her luck as once again she lost against him. Time had passed and in this relaxed environment did Dane feel the pull of sleep on him and by the look of Quinta's yawn she felt the same. Once they played the last game, he gathered his bat and gun while Quinta cleaned the table and blew out the candles. He laid himself down underneath against one side of Addie and Quinta on the other. She was sandwiched between them and in the security of this building they succumbed to the sweet embrace of sleep and exhaustion. The chaos and nightmares around them didn't matter in that moment and melted away as they slipped from consciousness. In the midst of his sleep, Dane wrapped an arm around his sister and his hand brushed against Quinta's fingers on the other side. Quinta's hand twitched at his touch. Blindly, he gripped in the darkness and pulled her closer as well to hold them all together. At this time, at least, their world felt like peace, like comfort, like home.

  Chapter 3

  Having woken up stiff and somewhat rested, Quinta rose before the others did. She looked through the small shop, bypassed the kitchen, and washed up again before she grew bored. She would peek out of the small cracks through the battered boards over the windows to see that it was almost sunrise. She hadn't missed one yet so it and she sure as hell wasn't going to start. Since she refused to travel through the kitchen to see if they had a roof access, it was quite apparent that she was going to have to step outside. That's exactly what she did.

  There was minimal light outside in the parking lot and street but still enough to see shadows. With a machete in hand, she stood on guard at the entrance and simply waited for the big debut. This gave her enough time to think about the conversation Dane and she shared the previous night. He must have been bad off before the outbreak and now it was only a matter of time. Even with all the death she had witnessed and administered...the situation was still sad.

  It wasn't long before the hot Florida sun rose in the sky, Quinta kissed her knuckles accordingly with her head tilted back and eyes closed. She couldn't help but feel some sort of reprieve, knowing that today they'd find themselves in a settlement. There was also fear because it could also be overrun and then what would they do? With a sigh, Quinta's fingers ran down the length of one long dread while her gaze was locked on the Target across the street and that same, lone decoy standing where they left him.

  Dane was alert not long after Quinta had made her exit. His nerves never allowed him to fully rest when they were vulnerable. Which was almost always. He felt an absence of warmth on the other side of Addie. Closing and opening his hand, he too remembered last night and figured Quinta had rose before him.

  He shuffled himself from under the table, he then went into the bathroom and turned the lock. Undressing himself down to his shoes, he spent a good ten minutes scrubbing himself in every spot before putting his old clothes back on. It didn't exactly feel the best but until they found a settlement or sector he couldn't change into anything clean. The clothes in his bag were even worse for wear than the ones on his back.

  As he left that room, he realized that Quinta wasn't around the dining room or, hopefully, the kitchen. Even he couldn't brave that place. He figured she was busy looting through the rest of the store. Returning back to the table, he reached into his pocket and pulled out that reused medicine bottle. He poured the rest of the content in his palm to see that there were about nine pills left. That would have to do for now but it would be smart to start a hunt soon.

  Cracking open another tin of food to share with Addie, he tossed back a pill and swallowed only to follow it down with some Chunky chicken noodle soup. Goop would be more like it because the broth had thickened. With half of the contents left, he looked beneath the table at Addie who slept in just a little longer. Squatting down, he nudged against her side and shoulder to wake her.

  If only it could be that easy.

  Addie grumbled, struggled, and groaned at him to leave her alone and sleep. Dane's eyes narrowed while he rolled her over and patted on her cheek in annoyance.

  Her eyes opened to which he spoke, “Up and at 'em.”

  Straightening his arm, he passed her the half can while she scooted herself out from the table. With her hair tossed to and from with that intricate lined detail the decorated a side of her face she was a sight to behold.

  With her eyes closed and a big yawn, Dane popped the spoon into her mouth and left her with it, “Hurry and wash up after. We should leave soon we still have a bit of a way to go.” he said.

  Addie wasted no time in eating and washing up herself. The sooner she could take a real shower, with real water, and sleep in a bed on an actual mattress, the better.

  Dane slung his pack over her shoulder before he grabbed his bat. He went towards the doors to move the barricade only to find Quinta who stood out in front. In the two days, they'd known each other he already saw a habit of her being outside by morning. He pondered as to why she would and thought of a fairly solid reason, but...what did he know?

  Quinta's honey colored gaze studied that walker longer than she should have. She had a personal embitterment towards the pawns since they were the reason she'd lost her other half. Pulling the door open, Dane nodded to her when their eyes met. Quinta sighed out deeply once Dane's tall figure came to stand beside her. He watched her profile and noticed that she stared over at the Target.

  “We have time you know. I heard that the better off you are or the more you have the more they like you.” He whispered because he thought he knew what was on her mind.

  He was implying that they should take a chance in the daylight and scavenge for some nice items before they departed. Based on both the good and the horrible rumors and stories he'd heard of sector officials. Regardless, he knew where he would be looking. Nine pills were enough for now but not later.

  Quinta took a few moments to actually understand and follow what he meant, “Oh...” She muttered under her breath. She glanced over at the store again and pointed outwards towards the “harmless” figure, “He's mine. Yuh can't let him make ah sound and they will stay sleepin’ inside.” She warned to him.

  Dane didn't ask questions nor did he say anymore to her after she'd claimed that walker. He trusted her to what she needed and gave her a strong, comprehensive nod. Addie soon wandered out and overheard the decision they'd made. With Quinta's arm outstretched and the direction her brother stared she gathered that they were heading for the big, red, building. Yes! Yes! Yes! Clothes, makeup, and shoes! All of those hot items would win them meal tickets or even better, money. She had all of her priorities in check.

  Turning to reach inside the immediate door, Quinta smiled up at Addie as she passed by and rushed for her brother. That infectious cheerfulness had returned where it lacked the previous day.

  Grabbing her brother by the elbow, Addie pulled on her brother's arm, “So what are we waiting for? Let's go!” She said in a hushed, enthusiastic tone.

  Turning to face his sister, it was clear to Dane just why she was excited, a well-known, and dangerous reason. He gave her a warning look as to remind her to not get carried away.

  While being dragged by her, he pulled his arm from her grasp, “That's al
l.” He said.

  Addie was always excitable, even when she was young but he'd have to give her steady, certain reminders. This was her cue to stop talking from here on out.

  Leaving behind their safe haven with both machetes in hand, Quinta's eyes burned into that walker's body. Her steps were quick and fast paced. Before long her small legs carried her past the taller siblings. This was a woman on a mission to make him pay in her own personal vendetta.

  Both siblings took a look at her before one towards each other, only to break off from her and take the route that would lead them around the square and furthest from its rotting sight, smell, and hearing. The darkness inside the windowed outlets gave an eerie, foreboding feeling. It was unknown if they were being watched but they were very much aware of what laid in wait inside. Addie and Dane made it to a pillar that was far enough to be safe from the decoy, but close enough to rush inside the shop if necessary. Crouching down, Dane pulled Addie with him. Her auburn bangs dusted across his arm as she peered just around him. Her eyes scanned the lot and watched for that small, battle-ready figure to make her kill.

  Quinta crouched down behind an overgrown bush and peered through the leaves at her prey. She saw how gray his skin had become and the missing portion of skin around his neck showed what his cause of death was. His arms were bent and curled into his chest and his work suit was tattered and frayed. He teetered from one foot to the other every few seconds before a long, sighing moan grumbled from the back of his throat. One of his eyes were completely decayed and destroyed while the other darted all around without control.