Page 16 of Surviving Her

“We could take them out. Just knock them unconscious or something and take their supplies, or even just their weapons,” River whispered.

Eliza shot her a warning glance. “Are you out of your mind? We don’t even know how many there are. Why would we risk it?”

River’s expression hardened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded and followed Eliza as they slipped away into the shadows, the men’s voices fading into the distance. River was getting a little ahead of herself, and Eliza was starting to realize she needed reining in.

Eliza could sense the younger woman’s impatience with her cautious approach. But she couldn’t afford to let that frustration cloud her judgment. They had to stay focused.

“Listen, River,” said Eliza. “I don’t mean to be so harsh with you. You’re just a little gung-ho. For my tastes, at any rate. Do you think we can compromise? I’m willing to fight if I have to, but I don’t think we’re there yet. I think maybe you’re on a bit of an adrenaline high.”

River’s response was quick and emotionless. “I’ll thank you not to be so patronizing.”

Eventually they came across a pharmacy, the glass windows shattered and the door wide open. It looked like it had already been ransacked, but Eliza wanted to take a look inside on the off chance they might find something of use. They needed medical supplies, food, and anything else that could help them on their journey.

River was the first to step inside, her eyes scanning the darkened interior for any signs of danger as she clutched her crowbar tightly. Eliza followed close behind, beads of sweatforming on her brow as they made their way up and down the aisles. The shelves were mostly empty, but there were still a few items scattered here and there—bottles of water, protein bars, vitamins, and some over-the-counter painkillers.

“I reckon we’ve hit the jackpot here, doc,” River cried out, grabbing a bottle of water and passing it to Eliza. “We so need this. Who knows how long it’ll take us to get back to the cabin? Getting to Campdale was pretty straightforward, but that was before all the infected showed up and everyone went nuts. Look at this place—it’s crazy! This has all happened today.”

Eliza took the bottle, her fingers brushing against River’s for the briefest of moments. The contact sent a charge of electricity through her and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with heat.

What the hell was that?

She couldn’t afford to get distracted. Not now.

They moved quickly, gathering anything else that looked useful. River found a few flashlights, some batteries, and a first aid kit that had somehow escaped the looters’ attention. Eliza focused on the medical supplies, grabbing bandages, antiseptics, and anything else that might be useful for treating River’s father’s injuries.

I need antibiotics. The old man will probably die without them.

As they continued to search, any conversation between them dried up. Every passing minute seemed tenser than the last. Eliza couldn’t help but notice the way River moved her body. Her confidence and physicality were on full display. She was efficient, resourceful, and completely in control, and it was hard not to be impressed.

Is she doing this on purpose? Like, trying to impress me?

But there was also something else—a subtle flirtatiousness in the way River interacted with her, a teasing smile here, alingering glance there. It wasn’t too obvious, and Eliza had no clue how to handle it, but it was there.

But you’re straight, Liz. Why are you even thinking about this?

As they finished gathering supplies, River turned to look at Eliza with a playful glint in her eyes. “So, doc, what’s next on the agenda? You got plans for tonight? How about a candlelit dinner…or a torchlit dinner?”

Eliza couldn’t help but smile. They’d been through so much already in the short time they’d known each other. She guessed it couldn’t hurt to enjoy a little teasing. “We’ll have to settle for protein bars, I’m afraid.”

River chuckled, the sound surprisingly light given their circumstances. “I say we make the most of it. Who knows when we’ll get another chance? Let’s go all out! Let’s have two protein bars each.”

Eliza rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at her lips. “You’re absolutely impossible, you know that? I don’t meet a whole lot of women like you, you know.”

“Guilty as charged. There are no other women like me,” River replied, her grin widening.

Eliza shook her head slowly as warmth spread through her chest. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was secretly enjoying River’s playful banter. It was so odd, though. Should she really be allowing herself to feel something so normal in the midst of what was shaping up to be a real tragedy? The world seemed like it was on the brink of collapse. Yet she was starting to feel comfortable being in River’s company. Maybe this young woman was simply a reminder that there was still plenty of life left in this world. She was a sign. River was slowly but surely teaching her not to give up.

As they finished gathering supplies, Eliza glanced toward the back of the pharmacy.

I think there’s a storeroom back there.

“Hey, River. Come have a look at this. I’d say it’s pretty secure. What do you think? We should stay here for the night,” Eliza said firmly. “It’s as safe as we’re going to get.”

River looked around the store, her expression thoughtful. “Yeah, I think you’re right. You’re getting rather good at this survival malarkey, huh? But we have to take shifts. Now’s not the time to get a full eight hours, okay? We need to keep an eye out for any trouble.”

Eliza nodded in agreement. She couldn’t help but notice the way River looked at her. But then, she’d never been good at reading people. And she’d never had a woman show the slightest bit of interest in her. The subtle glances, the soft teasing—it all felt unfamiliar, like stepping into unknown terrain. She wasn’t used to this. River’s banter was clearly meant to ease the tension, but instead it left her feeling adrift, unsure how to navigate the sudden shift in their dynamic.

They settled into the storeroom, the air heavy with the scent of dust and mold. River pulled out a couple protein bars and handed one to Eliza, who grabbed it greedily.

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