The chipped paint of the doorway mocked me. I leaned against it, arms crossed, letting my impatience simmer. Eron had insisted on going out, claiming we were low on… well, everything. He'd puffed out his chest, flaunting the muscle he'd been cultivating since the world went to hell. He looked strong, sure, but I knew I was faster, more precise. In a fight, I'd take him down in seconds. My worry wasn't for his safety, not really. What gnawed at me was the thought of losing a companion, a familiar face in this broken world. It wasn't the same as worrying about him, was it?
I saw them then, three figures silhouetted against the dust-choked horizon. It couldn't be Eron, he was alone when he left. My hand instinctively tightened around the metal rod I'd salvaged from a fallen street sign. I ducked behind a crumbling wall, hoping they'd pass. But no, they were heading straight for the building, their steps growing louder, heavier.
I braced myself, the metal stick cool weight against my palm. Closer. Closer. They stopped just outside the entrance. I lunged, instincts taking over, the rod aiming straight for the figure in the forefront. Eron. He stumbled back, surprise etched on his face. I almost let him fall, but the edge of the ruined stairs was a jagged invitation to disaster. I grabbed his hand, the impact jarring through my arm, and hauled him back up. His gaze, dark and momentarily bewildered, held mine for a breath.
Turning, I saw the other three. Two girls, one a wisp of a thing, the other exuding a quiet confidence, and a hulking man who seemed made of granite. I looked back at Eron, my eyes demanding answers.
Outside, he spun a story about finding them, of a loose alliance, of strength in numbers. The two girls introduced themselves as Maegan and Allie. Recognition flickered in me as I saw Allie, I remembered seeing her on the television, a doctor and journalist, volunteering in hospitals, now it seems she has seen it all. Maegan, a strong looking slender girl. Then Gaspard. All of them together would be formidable, especially with this Gaspard. This is a win for me.
"Sure," I said, trying to mask the calculating glint in my eyes. I joined them.
Their "headquarters" was a dilapidated warehouse, converted into something resembling a safe haven. Six more people were there: Ceniza Couple, an elderly pair whose eyes held a lifetime of stories; Laline, a young woman whose tattoos snaked across her arms and neck; Yua, a bubbly young girl with her stoic older brother, Kaito; and Sam, a quiet boy with a restless energy.
I introduced myself, aware of their wary glances. To preempt any questions, I listed my skills, my ability to scavenge, to fight, to survive. I spoke deliberately, trying to sound like an asset, not a burden. They just stared, their faces unreadable, until the old woman, Ceniza, looked at us and smiled.
"Are you a family?" she asked, her voice soft as falling snow.
Family? I glanced at Eron, who was looking at me sheepishly. "No... I mean..." Meeting him was a long story, an act of necessity and nothing more. An accomplice. "Yes. I guess you can call it that," I said, not wanting to delve into the details.
"You protect each other. You stuck with one another. There is love and care. That's family," she said, her eyes twinkling. Maybe, I thought. Maybe that's what we had become. I was growing accustomed to Eron's presence, his ridiculous jokes that somehow managed to make me laugh, and our banter was getting easier.
Yua, breaking the silence, suddenly complimented me. "You are gorgeous. You'll look good with my brother, Kaito..." she announced, her gaze darting between me and her brother. Kaito's face reddened, his Japanese accent thick as he muttered, "Stop it."
That night, during their meeting, they revealed the existence of Kamin, a region said to be a "safe zone," comparatively less dangerous than the hellscape we navigated. The information had been kept quiet, for fear of drawing unwanted attention. We had three routes to choose from: the treacherous Avonsonee Track, the exposed Linpids Highway, or the mysterious Misty Avenue. Kamin wasn't guaranteed safety, just a lesser level of risk. It was temporary. We need to be always ready to leave.
Gaspard, the de-facto leader, assigned duties. I was paired with Sam, Kaito, and Allie for scavenging, Eron, Laline, Maegan, and Gaspard would scout the routes, and Yua would care for the children and the elderly. During our scavenging trips I've noticed Sam's martial art skills by observing his movements, it was sharp and controlled.
Days bled into weeks, and a strange camaraderie bloomed. I grew especially close with Allie. She wasn't much of a talker, not like Eron who was always so loud. She was quiet, a steady presence that grounded me. Her silence was somehow more comforting than any words she might have spoken.
One evening, I sat on the rooftop, seeking a moment of solitude. Eron joined me, holding out an earbud. It looked sketchy, not something I'd trust. I refused, he insisted, I relented. The music was Matthew Wilder's Break My Stride. My favourite. Was this a coincidence? I looked at him, his eyes closed, a soft smile playing on his lips as he lost himself in the song. The sunset painted him in a fiery glow, my eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than I intended.