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-Kyleigh's POV-
It's been three days since Blake died. The group has been traveling somewhat aimlessly through the woods with minimal conversation, only speaking when necessary. The weather keeps getting colder and colder, making matters somehow even worse. The events of the past 36 hours hang over us like a dark cloud, and I can tell that almost everyone is beginning to lose hope.
Luke nudges my shoulder and nods his head toward Reece, who is shoving his hands in his pockets and trying his best to show that he's not shivering. Two days ago, Reece gave his winter coat to Thomas, and we haven't been able to find a decent clothing store or house to scavenge. With how cold it is outside, I don't know how he's even made it this far.
"I'm thinking we should stop for the night," I say, breaking the silence and causing everyone to jump a little.
Reece turns back to look at me, and it's obvious he knows my intentions.
"We don't need to. I'm fine to keep going," Reece comments.
"We don't need you getting sick," Luke declares, "Plus, we don't have an actual destination. We'll stop for the day and hopefully we can find you warmer clothing."
"We should just keep going," Reece shakes his head as his breath forms a cloud in front of him, "You guys don't need to worry about me."
"It looks like there's some kind of building over there," Cora randomly speaks up, pointing at a structure in the distance.
We all turn to see where she's pointing and see a small building, but it's still a fair distance away.
"Perfect. We'll head in that direction, and if it's safe enough, we'll stop for the night. If not, we'll keep walking," I offer.
"I vote for that idea," Ashton nods.
"I don't know," Reece hesitates, his eyes traveling over to Erica, "Are you okay with stopping, E?"
Erica's head snaps up, shocked by being brought into the conversation. It's clear that she was disassociating, and it takes her a few seconds to recall the question.
"Uh. Sure," She finally replies. Reece nods, but I see the concern in his eyes from her distant behavior.
The group changes the route we were on and starts heading toward the building. Another silence falls upon us, and no one says a word until we arrive at the building, which turns out to be a cabin.
"I can't tell if finding a cabin in the middle of the words is terrifyingly ominous or fate," Ashton says.
"I'm hoping for fate," Reece replies as we walk up the few stairs. He twists the doorknob, but it doesn't budge.
"Of course," Reece frowns.
"Should we kick down the door?" Ashton asks, but we all know that's not a great option.
"Maybe there's a back door?" I suggest, "Or an open window?"
Before we even get the chance to check, Cora pushes past all of us and reaches for the doorknob. Suddenly, the lock clicks, and she pushes the door open with ease.
We all look in somewhat shock before Cora turns around and holds up a key.
"What? I found it underneath a knocked over flower pot at the bottom of the stairs."
A grin spreads across Luke's face as he ruffles her hair, "I swear you're the best survivalist out of the lot of us, Cora."
She smiles at the praise, and the group doesn't waste another second as we all head inside and lock the door behind us. It's a relatively small cabin with only one floor, so it doesn't take long to check the place out and make sure it's safe.
"I didn't realize how cold it was until we stopped," Ashton comments, rubbing his hands together.
I walk over to an ottoman in the middle of the room and open it, revealing several blankets. I immediately chuck a few toward Reece and Ashton before divvying out the rest.
"Mom, do we have any food left?" I hear Thomas ask. I look over and notice Erica zoning out as she stares at the white skies.
"Mom," Thomas whines again, "I'm hungry."
Erica finally looks away from the window and says, "What's the status on food?"
"We have nothing left," Ashton replies.
Without another word, Erica picks up the bow and arrow and heads toward the door. She doesn't wait for anyone to say anything before she slams the door shut. I share a concerned glance with Reece before following her trail, "I'll be right back."
I open the door and see her already a few feet away.
Without even turning around, she somehow knows I'm standing there.
"Don't worry about me. I'm just finding us something to eat," She calls loudly.
"Do you want company?" I yell back, but I already know what her reply will be.
"No. I'll be back before dark."
I sigh and watch her go further into the distance. I want to go after her, but I know she needs her space right now. I head back inside and everyone's face falls as they realize she went out on her own again. It's been hard the last few days with Erica never wanting to talk and always seeming 1000 miles away mentally, but we can't blame her. We know it's her way of coping.
The rest of us settle in and try to get as warm as possible. About half an hour later, Ashton stands up to check on Cora's wounds.
"How does it look?" Luke asks.
"It's healing really nicely," Ashton reassures us, "Considering the circumstances, this is the best we could hope for."
"Does it still hurt?" I ask Cora.
She shakes her head, "Not nearly as bad as it used to."
"That's good," Ashton smiles, "We should still keep it bandaged as it continues to heals so it doesn't get infected."
"Am I going to have a sick scar like Aunt E?" Cora randomly asks.
"Yes," Ashton nods, "You will."
"That's so fucking cool," Cora says excitedly as she looks down to admire her arm. All of us widen our eyes at her language before me, Reece, and Ashton start to laugh while Luke's mouth drops in shock.
"Woah, woah, woah," Luke starts as he crosses his arms, "Who taught you that word?"
"What word?" Cora asks innocently. Luke quirks an eyebrow and she smiles, "Uncle Ashton."
"Cora," Ashton gasps, "How could you betray me like this?"
Cora starts uncontrollably giggling as Luke walks over and jokingly smacks the back of Ashton's head.
"Dad, stop" Cora says through laughter, "You curse basically every day."
Ashton takes the chance and smacks the back of Luke's head, saying, "Yeah dumbass, she probably learned it from you."
Luke tackles Ashton onto the couch and they playfully begin to wrestle. Thomas happily cheers them on as the rest of us watch in amusement.
They finally agree to a truce and just as Luke is standing up and straightening his shirt out, Thomas breaks the silence by saying, "I'm really fucking hungry."
"Not you, too. What kind of kids are we raising?" Luke shakes his head before beginning to chase Thomas around the cabin. Thomas' laughter fills the room as Luke eventually catches him and picks him up so he's hanging upside down.
"Uncle Luke," Thomas giggles, "Put me down!"
"Not until you take it back," Luke laughs.
"Take what back?"
Luke begins to tickle Thomas' side causing Thomas and Cora to both lose it. Their shrieks of laughter are contagious, causing the rest of us to ultimately join in. We know we're being way too loud, but it's been too long since we have heard the kids laugh like this.
Luke stops his attack for a second, long enough for Thomas to catch his breath and say, "Fine. I'm really freaking hungry."
"That's what I thought," Luke smiles before flipping Thomas back over and dropping him gently on the couch next to Reece.
We suddenly hear someone clear their throat and turn our heads to see Erica standing in the doorway.
With absolutely no expression on her face, she drops three dead rabbits on the ground.
"You guys should be more quiet," She finally states before heading straight back out the door.
We sit there for a second in silence, not knowing what to say. I move to stand up, but Luke holds his hand out to stop me.
"I got it," Luke quietly comments before grabbing a blanket and heading out the door. The rest of us watch him leave and follow after Erica before Ashton takes a deep breath and says, "I guess we should try to make a fire."
It's shocking how quickly the group sobered up from what was happening only moments before.
"Yeah. There were a lot of loose branches around the house," Reece says, making a move to stand up.
"You should stay here where it's warm. Ashton and I will make the fire," I say.
"I can do it," Reece responds.
"You're still way too cold," Ashton replies, "Cora and Thomas, stay here and make sure your Uncle doesn't move from under those blankets."
"I want to help with the fire," Cora says, straightening her back.
Ashton looks at me and I nod, "Fine, Cora comes with us, and Reece and Thomas stay here."
Cora smiles successfully as she follows me and Ashton out the door and down the stairs. We begin to stockpile some branches and I can feel the weather get impossibly colder as the sky begins to darken.
This group has experienced way too much shit recently. We just need a win.