~Mark

       "What time are we gonna head back? It's already almost three." I stretched my arms over my head and stifled a yawn. We had been walking for approximately three hours and had found no one or anything that could be of use. Every place we found was already picked clean and left in ruins, including several homes. "This looks promising." Jack approached a house that had wooden boards nailed to the door and windows. "Wait." I cautioned him as I examined the porch. No traps. I let out a small sigh of relief as Jack crossed the porch unharmed. Since there wasn't a doorbell, he rapped his knuckles on the sliver of wooden door he could reach. "Hello?" He called out. No answer. Jack knocked on the door again after a few tense moments of silence. Still no reply. "Do we let ourselves in?" I wondered aloud. "I guess." Tom shrugged as he managed to yank off the wood board by board, dropping them to the concrete with a clatter. Once the door was free, I wasn't surprised to find out that the door was locked too. With the combined forces of Jack, Ken and I, we were able to kick the door down, sending up a cloud of dust. To my disappointment, no one was inside. "I'll check upstairs." Ken darted up the stairs. "We'll scavenge the kitchen for food." Vince and Tom went to the kitchen. "We'll explore the basement." I decided as I went with Jack towards the door that led downstairs. As soon as I swung the door open, I was confronted with the barrel of a rifle and the sound of the safety clicking off. "What're you doing here?" A man's voice drawled in a soft, but evident, southern accent. "Woah, didn't know anybody was here." I whispered to Jack. The man fired a shot in the wall behind us as a warning shot. I jumped back in alarm and hastily explained why we were there. He seemed satisfied with my answer since he lowered his gun to the ground and held out a hand for us to shake. He was an older man with brown hair and beard peppered with silver hairs. He had wise hazel eyes that looked tired, yet young. "Dustin." He introduced himself. "I'm Mark and he's Jack." Jack waved hello when I said his name. "Is this your first time trying to scavenge?" He asked with genuine curiosity. We both nodded. "Yeah, I remember trying to scavenge too." He chuckled softly. "Made me lose this." He raised his left hand up, but instead of a hand, in its place was a bandaged stump black with dried blood. "I've had worse though." He dropped his left arm by his side, his eyes turning glassy. "You mean war." I deadpanned. I had seen the same look before. He seemed surprised, but nodded. "You in the military?" He asked. "My dad was." I answered. I told him his name and instantly his eyes brightened with recognition. "He was the best of the best, shame that he left, but worth it now that I see why he did." He smiled faintly. I smiled back, beginning to like the grizzled war hero. "How is he anyway?" My smile instantly faded as soon as it came. "He died awhile back." I swallowed hard, trying to fight off the fresh wave of tears that I hadn't felt in a long time, fresh memories of him popping back into my mind. His expression then turned solemn as he gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, I really did mean it when I said he was the best of the best. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here." He gestured at himself. I sniffed as I rapidly blinked away the tears forming in my eyes, grateful for his words, and at the same time angry at myself for breaking down in front of them. It's been years, I should be over it. But I'm not. I never have been, and I probably never will be. Jack put an arm around my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. "Ye okay?" He inquired. I nodded quickly, taking a deep breath. "Hey I heard-" Vince popped his head through the doorway, then froze when he noticed Dustin. "Um, hi." He waved awkwardly, his face blushing a light red in embarrassment. "How many of you are there?" Dustin asked Vince. I could see him doing the math in his head. "There's five of us here, then we have four more back at base." "Show me the others." Dustin instructed. I called the group back into the living room where Dustin scrutinized them carefully. "They seem nice enough." He finally decided. "We'll just put everything back then." I started to head back when Dustin stopped me. "Keep it. I'll get more supplies later." "Thanks." I nodded in appreciation before gathering the others in the living room and heading back outside. Dustin waved goodbye from his front porch as we walked back to the gas station.

Sorry for the freakishly long wait, I have a test I need to study for in AP US History for tomorrow and I forgot two different homework assignments, as well as performing in a show, so I've been really busy lately. But, hope you guys like it nonetheless!