He pulled out his harmonica and played along to her lullaby as it got later. After a short while, Rachel fell asleep. Gareth slowly faded out of the song and laid her down on the seats of the car. As he draped the blanket over her, he heard a rustle in the bushes. He reacted quickly and silently, grabbing his weapon and keeping it trained on the shrub. After a few moments of torturous suspense, a single rabbit hopped out. He closed his eyes, sighing tiredly. He caught the animal and skinned it for the next morning. He then got out his bedroll and lay down beside the tire on the Honda closest to the girl. He fell asleep soon after the fire died.

                “Jenna!” He screamed, watching in terror as the female’s legs were crushed under a falling tree.

                “Gareth!” She screamed back, reaching out to her fiancé. He stopped and stared back at her, the wind making his hair whip wildly as the sky darkened.

                “Gareth! C’mon! We can’t save her. It’s too late!” One of his friends shouted, ushering his children and wife to go forward as he stopped. Gareth looked back to Jenna longingly as she wept and cried. Rain began slicing down, stinging his skin as it made contact.

                “Go. Look after Emily! You did well, Gareth. I love-” Jenna was cut off as the street ripped up behind her, making the volume too loud. Gareth knew what she was going to say, but he wanted to hear it one more time.

                “Gareth!!” His friend shouted again. He ignored him, staring at his was-to-be wife. Tears came down, warming his freezing skin for a moment before turning ice cold.

                “I love you, Jenna.” He said sincerely, before running after his friend. Jenna looked after the group, closing her eyes and praying as the gap in the earth opened underneath her and swallowed her. Gareth’s friend tugged him along by the wrist, catching up to his wife and children. Everything was a blur to Gareth as they ran from the natural disaster behind them. He was running blindly, guided only by his friend.

                He was shocked awake by a feeling of something on his torso. His eyes shot open, getting ready to violently grasp whatever was on his person, but barely stopped in time when Rachel greeted his eyes. A slight look of fear was there.

                “Rachel! I’m sorry!” He immediately cried out, propping himself up on his elbows and looking up at the girl. She cocked her head to the side lightly and looked at him blankly, all fear fading.

                “It’s okay, Gareth.” She replied innocently. The male rubbed him face tiredly, making the dream fade away as the girl climbed off of him. He quickly got up and put his bedroll away as Rachel sat on the log in front of the fire pit patiently.

                “How did you sleep?” He asked kindly, looking around the site.

                “Very good. Better than the night before.” She answered. He could tell she was smiling by the sound of her voice.

                “Good.” He replied, smiling himself. He turned around and went to the fire pit. “You’ve got a treat this morning.” He said proudly. She got up and squished herself against his back as he began the fire, trying to wrap her short arms around his waist. He smiled again as the first spark escaped his flint.

                “What is it?” She asked, hoping her hug would bribe him to reveal the treat.

                “You know the rules about treats.” He reminded, patting her hand and sitting back from the small fire. She attempted to snap and said,

                “Aw, darn,” In a fake southern accent. He laughed and rubbed the top of her head playfully. She giggled a little and sat back down, covering her eyes as Gareth went and retrieved the rabbit meat from its cool spot under the Honda. He threw it in the frying pan and put it on the now-roaring fire.

                “Ta-da!” He announced, standing up and spreading his arms on either side of himself proudly with a playful grin plastered on his face. Rachel removed her hands and looked at the meat on the fire, and a happy smile made its way onto her face.

                “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She cried, jumping up and hugging his legs. He, still grinning, rubbed her back lovingly.

                “No problem, kiddo.” He replied as she let go and backed up for him to squat down and cook their breakfast. She giggled and ran off to get her sock monkey. Gareth couldn’t remove his grin as he flipped the meat. She loved rabbit no matter how much they had it, and she was always so grateful, even if they missed a meal or two. She was a good kid, and he wished that he could say that she was his. There was always the nagging hope in the back of his head that told him she could be, but in the world they were living in, not much was possible anymore. He had promised her to help her look for her brother, but he couldn’t promise that they would actually find him. He hated that he couldn’t. What he hated more was that the very high possibility that they wouldn’t find him. What he hated most, was the thought that they would, and he would have to give her away to him. He was a sentimental man. He continued his thoughts as he gave Rachel her breakfast. She thanked him again, and prayed. He smiled softly and prayed with her, then began eating. Before she had her first bite, she froze and called out,

                “Syrup!” She looked at him with doe eyes. “Could we have some? Please?” She asked sweetly.

                “We’ve only got half a bottle left.” Gareth warned. She nodded vigorously in acknowledgement.

“I’ll only have a little!” She confirmed, holding her thumb and forefinger an inch apart for effect.

“Okay, sure.” He shrugged and she grinned, running off to his bag and getting out a small bottle of maple syrup. She returned and, as promised, only put a little bit on her rabbit. He smiled as she dug in happily.

After breakfast, Gareth put out the fire and packed up again.

“How much further, Garthy?” Rachel asked, calling the man by his nickname she had given him. He smiled and pulled out the map and studied if for a moment.

“About thirty miles.” He answered, trying to sound upbeat but not exactly succeeding. It was better than the hundred forty they had begun with, but it was still a bit to go.

“Cool! We’re doing good!” Rachel announced, smiling and jumping up and down. He smiled faintly and folded the map back up. They began walking the correct direction in happy silence.

“I’m sorry, Gareth.” Emily said sadly, looking down at her feet.

“No, you’re her sister. I should be apologizing to you. I didn’t save her.” Gareth replied.

“If you did, you would have put yourself and us at risk. You did the right thing.” Emily insisted. Gareth sighed tiredly, rubbing some dirt off his forehead. She put a comforting hand on his arm and smiled weakly, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. Gareth returned the smile, knowing he would never forgive himself. Emily slowly walked back to her husband and children, leaving Gareth alone at the edge of camp. Cold and alone in the dark, his friends leading him. Why did they lead him?

“Gareth.” Rachel said suddenly, breaking him out of his reminiscing. He stopped moving looked down at her. “It’s been a while. Should we check the map?” She asked, rocking back and forth on her feet about a yard ahead of him. They were now in the outskirts of the remains of a city. He didn’t know which one yet, though.

“Oh, yeah. Probably. Sorry.” He answered, slinging the pack off his back and bending down on one knee. She bounded up to the pack, swiping her sock monkey as he pulled out the map again. He looked up at the cloudless, grey sky and found that it was high noon. He nodded to himself and determined their position. They were still on track thankfully, but it was time for lunch. He quickly scanned the area, only seeing random, discarded items from the city.

More cos I couldn't fall asleep.