Chapter 3
They were all used to waking up at the break of dawn, usually they all would be getting up to start their jobs. Katie started the fire again as Abel was collecting more wood for kindling; their plan was to eat before they started off again. Who knows how long it would be before they found another place to stop. Charlie was busy preparing the meat to be cooked, they had brought a few salted fish and some potatoes. After Katie backed away from the fire Charlie started the food.
“What do you think you guys will find?” Katie spoke up, breaking the silence.
Abel shrugged. “It was something that we just wanted to do.”
“Yea, we always wanted to travel...” Charlie started as he stirred the potatoes. “Living at home, it was just to boring....we wanted adventure.”
“Oh....” Katie said, she thought about home and all her friends and family she left behind. She knew it was the right thing to do to follow Charlie. If she would have stayed behind she would have been listed as a widow. Being a widow at a young age she wouldn't have been able to marry again.
Everything went silent after that, they watched Charlie as he stirred the potatoes and heated the fish. After a while it was done and they all started to eat. The three adventurers ate in silence, completing their meal and packing up. After kicking dust on the fire they headed back on the road. Uncertain of anything they might run into.
After a while of walking, something caught the site of Katie. It was a small house off of the road a bit, surrounded by a few trees. It looked as if at one point the house was a pretty blue color, now the paint has been worn off and the wood started to decay.
“Guys, look!” She said pointing to the house, picking up pace before the boys could even stop her.
“Katie, wait!” Charlie cried out.
It was to late, she was already at the porch. There was broken glass littering the area from the windows. Dead leaves acted like a weak barricade on the door, Katie kicked the leaves about as she peered through the window. There was a fire place in the living room, dusted over pictures scattered about. In the corner was a broken molded recliner. There was also a bookshelf and books sprawled across it. Katie smiled, by then Charlie and Abel had made it to the same window. Katie smiled up at Charlie as she walked to the door. It wasn't hard to open, the lock was basically rusted through. Once inside they all explored their surroundings. Abel looked through the books, which were still in pretty good shape for being so old. Katie made her way to one of the bed rooms. The house must have been for an elderly couple; she found some new cloths that sort of fit, but at least they weren't torn.
Charlie was exploring through the other room when he found two skeletons, partially mummified.
“Hey guys!” He called out to his friends.
Abel and Katie walked in.
“How do you like my new outfit?” Katie started, turning around in a circle before she caught eye of the two previous residences. “Oh my!” She cried out, stopping in her twirl.
The remains where sitting in a corner, holding each other in a everlasting embrace. They must have died together.
“That's so sad..” Abel whispered as he walked back out the room.
Katie grabbed Charlies' hand and led him out too. “We should get going...” she spoke up, softly.
“Yea...” Charlie replied.
They walked back out into the living room area where Abel packed a few books he found interesting and Katie and Charlie grabbed some more supplies like cooking utensils and a pot. All the food they once had was long gone. The three adventurers then once again took off for their unknown destination.
As they traveled down the long road they passed more homes and various buildings, scattered through the countryside, but never close together. They all agreed not to do anymore exploring for a while. The image of the two lovers holding each other in an everlasting embrace was burned into their mind. They all wondered what happened in their final hours, what was going through their minds. Then the unthinkable question was, did they make the right choice leaving. The more they traveled the less they thought they would meet any more humans, alive. All they were finding were dead ones, skeletons of their former selves.
It seemed like hours since they last seen any sign of past civilization when the three caught sight of something strange. To slender poles reaching high above each side of the road, meeting over top of the road in the middle. There was a strange box on each side of the poles with three holes that looked like they were once used for something. Abel, who was always in the lead of the group turned his head in contemplation. Trying to remember what those were called.
“Those are street lights.” Katie spoke up.
“Oh, yea.” Abel laughed.
At that moment they picked up speed and headed towards the lights, maybe they were coming towards a larger city. If that was the case, then the chances of finding someone alive might be higher. The closer to the lights they got, the more they could see. Lining the streets after that first light were building after building. Old vehicles of every shape and size were littering the street, creating a type of maze of sorts. The three adventures' faces lite up as they walked into their very first city. What an amazing find it was, a great start to a wonderful adventure.
“Charlie look!” Katie cried with glee.
There was someone coming towards them, he didn't appear to notice them yet. However he acted like he was looking for something.
“HEY!!” They all called out in unison, running closer.
Abel stopped half way there, something wasn't right; the man smelled of death and rot.
“Stop guys..” He spoke up breaking their gleeful noise.
The man looked towards the three, he now noticed them; but he wasn't a normal man. This human...his flesh was rotting off and he was missing an arm. Katie put her hands to her nose, trying not to get sick as the guy stumbled towards them. Charlie grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her backwards. Just at that moment...another one, just like the man appeared from behind a building. Then another...and another...
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