The heat from the sun seemed to be sucked into the frigid air before even reaching our frozen hands. Nate adds more wood and pokes it with a stick, it seemed to die a little as if it's unsure of its self, unready to devour the new offerings. The flames lick at the new log like a nervous kitten and sent feeble sparks to die in the air but after time it found its confidence and grew until the radiance warmed us, "this should last through the night" Nate says looking at me from the opposite side of the campfire. The tension is high, and I should inject love not anger, give him an olive branch instead of an enemy but sometimes it isn't that easy when it comes to him. "You sure know how to mess a good thing up, don't ya" I glare challenging his optimism. He stands kicking over his can of beans, "How many fucking times do I have to say sorry!" his tone louder and more aggressive than previously.
"'Sorry' isn't gonna cut it, we don't have a home anymore, Nate" I rage at him, eyes dripping with tears, "to say 'sorry' is like covering a bullet hole with a band-aid, and expecting everything to be alright" my hands begin to shake in anger and hopelessness. He walks over and sits next to me placing his cold hand on my thigh, "I fucked everything up, I know, I always do but please hear me out" his fingers cup my face, moving a piece of hair out the way. "I promise, we'll be fine, I'll find us somewhere else to stay" I nod, letting him know I'm listening. "But who is gonna trust us? People in the apocalypse aren't exactly welcoming"
"I'll figure it out baby, just give me a chance" he plants a gentle kiss on my forehead, pulling me in closer.
The night brought a silence, the crackle of the campfire danced in the atmosphere, like a comforting lullaby. The flames continued to heat the area as we slept through the night in our tiny makeshift tent.
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Soon after the vibrant sun rays began to warm the day, the sounds of tires coming to a halt startles us awake. "Stay here" Nate whispers before he leaps out the tent faster than a rat from a trap. I stay behind curled-up in the rear, feeling the fear and guilt of leaving him to confront the invading strangers. My breaths ragged and harsh as my arms trembled wrapped around my knees. I try to listen closely as an unfamiliar voice seems to be getting closer, allowing me to hear their conversation clearly.
"So, it's just you, right?" the ruffling of the leaves beneath his feet crept near.
"Yeah, been alone since the beginning"
I couldn't make out the number of people in the man's entourage but by the sounds of movement there had to be at least ten. My body shivers as the footsteps stop directly in front of the tent. I jam my fist into my mouth to stifle the screams.
"Then there shouldn't be any problem with me having a look" his unconvinced tone causing me to hyperventilate.
"Um, well, i-i" Nate stutters trying to think of an excuse.
The bright sunlight shines in my eyes as the flimsy cloth at the entrance lifts, "oh, what do we have here!"