This is a rough draft so nothing is edited. Sorry it's short it's hard typing on my phone 😂
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Chapter two.
I walked without thinking for three days, only stopping when I needed to rest. The hot scorching sun beat down on my pale freckled skin, burning it with the easiest fire rays.
I ate the last of my food the night before, a can of black beans. I told myself I'd probably die within the next three days. I'd finish the rest of my water by sunset.
I wanted to get as far as I could, for Rex to survive. He was the only thing I had left and I wouldn't let him suffer.
I walked by a road sign, bent and melted against the thin air here. I moved my hand over it, brushing the dust from white letters.
"India ill rd." I read out loud to Rex. His head turned as my words tried to decipher the name as I spoke it. I smiled, realizing where I was.
"Indian hills road."
I began walking, knowing there was a farm up the way, with a huge brick house. They had to have had a shelter, or even somewhere they held food in such events as of late. They were doctors and had a lot of money. My heart began to pump with adrenaline as a flicker of hope sprang in my aching joints. "Rex. There's hope."
I whispered and rubbed his ears playfully, his tail wagged as fast as my breath drug in and out. I began to sprint, seeing the crumbled house in the distance. It was getting dark, and wild cats and dogs roamed around this area, I didn't want to be caught alone with no way to fight off any predator; besides the pocket knife I was carefully gripping in my right hand.
I walked quickly but quietly down a dirt road, using my flashlight to see only inches in front of me. I stopped dead in my tracks as I looked up and saw a separate light illuminating the freighting darkness. My breath pumped out in hallow drags, filling up my lungs with frozen hot air.
I didn't know whether to be worried about seeing another life source, or if it was someone killing those who lived the devastation.
I saw the light flicker and a figure move in front of it, my heart fluttered with terror. Maybe three days was too long to live. I was going to die. And I was going to die tonight.
The silhouette held a giant riffle, moving out of the half standing barn. I moved back slowly, stepping on a fallen twig. The figure looked my way and I began to ran, Rex following me. I tripped over a what used to be a bike, falling onto the jagged rocks. I felt warm liquid pouring out of my arms, hands and face. It burned horrendously, I tried to get up but I had twisted my ankle. A furious growl rippled out of my chest.
Then. I heard slowly approaching footsteps.
This was it.
I looked around and squinted as a bright light searched my eyes. Rex began to growl, leaning his head down into a leaping position.
My mouth dropped, moving my palms over my eyes, wiping away the cloudy vision from my fall.
"It can't be." I said aloud.
I shook my head and the gentle being moved their hand forward, reaching to help me. I took it gladly, telling Rex it was okay.
They put their arms under mine, moving me into a strong embrace.
"Ashton?" I say softly. Ashton's parents where friends of my family. We played sometimes as children. He had always made fun of me for my freckled skin, porcelain against the Oklahoma sun. He had just graduated highschool last semester, leaving for L.A. his parents hadnt mentioned his return. But I didn't care. A friend, not a foe was standing in front of me, saving me from starvation and being eaten alive by wild animals. And I will survive yet another day, holding onto what was taken forcefully away from me.
I am alive.