Page 23 of Glitter Rose
But he knows the truth. Our food is dwindling, and his promised ‘one day’ has stretched to eight. Soon he’ll leave.
I’m sure he needs to report back somewhere because he has responsibilities elsewhere. Everyone leaves eventually.
Unless I give him a reason to stay.
SIX
PARIS
In the evening, I take my binoculars to the balcony, scanning the streets below in the fading light. The zombie population has thinned, drawn to some disturbance several blocks west.
Only one remains hanging around the emergency exit of our building, a former mailman still wearing his blue uniform. Never liked the guy. He was kind of creepy, always insisting on personally handing over the package instead of leaving it at the reception. He even rang sometimes without even having anything to deliver, asking if I had something to send back or informing me about his vacation plans.
At first it seemed considerate, but it quickly took overhand, and he was getting into personal territory… Ugh. “Am I a bad human for taking this as a small mercy, Bino? Hmm… The moon will be nearly full tonight.”
Back inside my room, I gather my backpack from under the bed, checking its contents. Water bottle, flashlight, spare batteries, first aid kit, protein bar.
“Going somewhere?” Knox’s voice comes from behind me.
I whip around, jamming the backpack behind me like a child caught stealing cookies. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He leans against my doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. “Didn’t answer my question.”
“Just organizing.” I stand and kick the backpack further under the bed with my heel. “Bored.”
“At nine PM.” His eyes track my movement. “With a packed bag.”
“It’s always packed. Apocalypse 101.”
He pushes off from the doorframe, moving into my space with that predatory grace that makes my skin prickle. His ankle barely bothers him now. Eight days of rest and he’s nearly healed.
“You’re a shit liar.” He stops inches from me, close enough that I catch the scent of the soap he borrowed. “What’s the plan?”
“No plan.” My voice rises despite my best efforts. “Just checking supplies.”
He’s too close, all heat and intensity. “You’re going out.”
“And if I am?”
“Alone?”
I cross my arms. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“It’s dark.”
“I would have gone in the morning.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“I have a ninja sword. Remember?”
We stare at each other, neither willing to back down.
“We need food,” I say. “You know we do.”
“We.” He catches the word I didn’t mean to use, his eyebrow arching.
“I—”
