Page 53 of Hero

He’s probably giving me a message.

Don’t read too much into the way he’s been fucking me. We’ll both have other options when we settle somewhere, and we won’t be stuck with the one person around.

It makes sense. Maybe my feelings will actually change when I have men other than Zed around.

Most of me doubts it, but I remind myself not to assume that the way I feel right now is the way I’ll feel forever.

I’ve changed so much since Impact. I’ve changed in so many ways.

I’ll keep changing.

Maybe I won’t always be in love with Zed the way I am right now.

* * *

The next day, we gradually start seeing more evidence of people living in the region. We pass a few people on the roads—all of them on foot or on bicycles. They pull out their guns and give us wide berth, exactly as we do to them, so we don’t stop to talk to them. But they look and act like regular people and not criminals.

By the time we pass the fourth small group, I experience a weird wash of relief.

We aren’t the only decent people trying to survive in this world—which is what it felt for so long at the cabin.

Maybe we won’t be alone anymore. Maybe every stranger we meet doesn’t have to be a threat.

Rina perks up too. She’s fascinated by every person we encounter and all the new sights. We eventually start coming across small farms with houses that look to be occupied and fields that have clearly been recently harvested.

There are even a few pigs and goats and chickens. Rina claps her hands and giggles at the animals.

We’re following an old county road. The old pavement is cracked and riddled with potholes, but there are obvious attempts to repair it in places, so it must be a road still used by people in this area. The road maintenance is another optimistic sign. They had to have had both the will and the resources to do that kind of work.

Even Zed visibly relaxes as we continue. By the afternoon, our mood is downright hopeful.

That’s why when we reach the top of a hill and see farther down the road, we don’t immediately retreat at the sight of a group of people hanging out beside an old RV on the side of the road.

They don’t look dangerous. They’re sitting in lawn chairs and appear to be laughing and chatting. There are a few kids playing in the nearby creek, and a couple of dogs. Buddy perks up his ears and gives his tail a tentative wag when he hears one of them bark.

I glance over at Zed. “Keep going?”

He eyes the group closely and then gives a slow nod. “Keep your gun out and don’t get too close, but they don’t look like they’re out for trouble.”

I feel the same way, so I’m alert but not particularly scared as we approach.

When we’re close enough, a middle-aged woman waves to us from a lawn chair. “Hey there! You folks need any help?”

The offer of assistance is another good sign. With a quick glance at Zed, I call out, “We’re okay, thanks.”

“You headin’ somewhere in particular? Haven’t seen you around these parts before.” The woman sounds friendly. Relaxed. Natural.

If they live here, then they probably know most of the others settled nearby. Of course we stand out as strangers.

“New Haven Farm?” I call out since that was one of the places Mack suggested we aim for. “Or a town called Halbrook?”

“Sure.” The woman gets up and takes a few steps closer to us. She doesn’t have a weapon, and none of the others leave their chairs or reach for their guns. “You’re not too far away. Couple of hours’ walk. Since you’re on foot, you can take the shortcut. You’ll keep on this road for a mile or two and then turn off. It’s kinda hard to find, so a couple of us can walk with you if you want until we get to the turnoff. From there, it’s a straight shot to New Haven, and Halbrook isn’t too far from there.”

“Oh, you don’t need to go out of your way,” I say quickly, shooting Zed another questioning glance. “I’m sure we can find it.”

“It’s no trouble at all. The men have been lazy today anyway. They need to get off their asses and stretch their legs.” She smiles at me, and it looks genuine. No sign of deceit or tension or threat.

“Traveling ain’t the safest, even round here,” one of the men say. He’s got shaggy hair and a beard that hangs halfway down his chest. “Few extra guns help, even for a couple of miles.”

---