Page 15 of Making Haven
If I was capable of blushing, I think I would be. My humming fades and my shoulders tense without my permission. I’m notembarrassed. I have nothing to be embarrassed about, damnit! I’m making this place better by having these bees here!
“That was impressive,” Devin says, nodding towards the homemade bee hive. “Did you get stung at all?”
I lift up my hand, turning it back and forth. “Not once.”
“And you made that box yourself?”
“No one else around to do it,” I say with a shrug.
“Fair enough.” Devin pushes off the wall, leaning on his walking stick.
“How’s the ankle?”
“Hurts but doing alright. I can put a little weight on it without feeling like I’m going to fall down. I found something to wrap it up to give it some extra support.” He sticks his leg out, twisting his ankle around in a circle, showing off the bandage.
There’s something different about this interaction than the others we’ve had. It takes me far longer to realize it’s because Devin doesn’t have his walls up, guarding himself. He isn’t purposely antagonizing me. Something has changed. I have no idea what, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it brings me a bit of excitement. There’s a tentative peace building between us and I want to do what I can to protect it.
If I’m stuck with Devin for a while, the least we can do is not try to fight each other around every corner.
“I’m really glad,” I tell him, giving him a small smile, one that he easily returns. I’m struck not for the first time by how handsome Devin is. I clear my throat, quickly looking away.
“I was wondering,” Devin starts to say, his voice drifting off.
“Yeah?”
“How do you bathe?”
The question startles a laugh from me. “It depends on how adventurous I’m feeling. If I want to stay here, I pull water from the well, fill a giant tub I keep outside and bathe like that. I alsotend to just use a washcloth on my stinky bits.”
Devin snorts. “Your stinky bits?”
“Yeah,” I explain, nodding my head. “You know, pits, crevices, and cracks.”
“Oh my god,” Devin says, full on chuckling now. Huh. His laugh is lovely. I wish he’d do it more often.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to start sounding like I’m developing a crush on this guy and that’s the last thing I want. Or need.
“And when I’m feeling more adventurous, I wander down to a little creek nearby. Obviously I have to be more careful outside the walls of this place but it’s super rare a zombie wanders near the water. No idea why.”
Devin bites at his bottom lip for a moment before his eyes finally flick up to meet mine. “And today? Are you feeling adventurous? Could I persuade you into taking me to the creek so I can bathe?”
I look up at the sky, gauging how long the sun will still be down. “It’ll be cool during the night,” I warn.
“That’s okay,” Devin assures me. “Let me grab a towel and some clean clothes,” he says, turning away and stepping into the house he’s claimed. I watch him go, shaking myself from my staring when he’s finally inside.
I quickly run into my own home, grabbing a bag and filling it with clean clothes and a towel along with some shampoo and soap I’ve managed to scavenge from various places. It’s not often that I actually use them, not wanting to waste them but on occasion, I like to treat myself. Tonight seems like one of those nights. Why not treat both of us to something special? Why not add to the tentative peace we have going on?
At the last second, I toss a razor, some shaving cream, and a candle lantern into my bag as well.
When I get back outside, Devin is already waiting for me, his backpack slung over his shoulders, his walking stick in hand. His sword is strapped to his back, ready in case we run into trouble out in the wild. I doubt we will but it’s always good to be prepared.
It’s the apocalypse, we’ve gotta be ready for anything.
“Do you want a piggyback ride?”
Devin gives me an unimpressed look. “I can walk just fine,” he says right away. Then a moment later, he lets out a breath and adds, “plus, I might need one on the way back if my ankle starts acting up. Save your strength for that, just in case.”
We walk down the road that leads to the giant gate at the bottom of the hill. I let my senses widen, making sure to listen for anything suspicious, for any movement or groans of the undead. Once we’re outside the gates, I lead us to the right, past the road that leads to my cul-de-sac and instead into the woods nearby.
