Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The man introduces himself as Merle. Or rather, he seems to talk about himself in the third person and calls himself Merle. He doesn't try to run ahead or leave me behind which is what I expected. Especially after I threatened to kill him. He doesn't seem mad about it, not really bothered at all. In fact, he keeps a close eye on me while we're running and even doubles back to take down one of the dead when a few try to swarm me.
I guess he isn't so bad. He's still loud and filthy, his language is horrid, but he seems like a decent fellow so I don't regret helping him. In fact, I'm feeling pretty good as we work our way back out of the city.
I hear something, at least I think I do. If asked, I couldn't explain what it was with any degree of certainty. I just know something drew my attention to a large green garbage bin between two tall buildings as we passed.
I hear mr. Merle curse. He was only a few steps ahead of me when we passed the alley. I probably should've called out or something, let him know I'm going to check something, but I'm not sure what it is that drew my attention.
He runs over, catching my arm and hissing for me to stay close. I shrug out of his hold, shoulder the crossbow, and push at the garbage bin lid. Mr. Merle moves to help me, shoving the lid open roughly only to curse when a little boy blinks up.
"Hello," I offer, standing on my toes to peer at the boy hiding within.
The boy is young with long thin limbs, greasy brown hair, and blue eyes in an round face. His green shirt is soaked with sweat and I can already smell the urine that's staining his trousers. There is a smear of red on his cheek but no visible injuries.
Mr. Merle reaches in, calling the boy to hurry and, thankfully, he does. Mr. Merle pulls him close, cursing and ordering me to keep close. We set off again at a quick pace through thankfully deserted streets. He doesn't even try to put the boy down, just lifts him higher on his side and keeps running.
As we run, I asks the boy questions. He tells us his name is Asher and he's six years old. He was with his mother and older brother. They were trying to get to the safe zone in the city. Only, there were too many dead.
He lost his mother to the biters as they tore open the car. His brother, Gabriel, pulled him out, made him run and carried him when he fell. His brother put him in the bin, told him to be quiet, and led the herd away.
He doesn't know how long he was in the bin. He doesnt know when the last time he ate anything. He's weak and exhausted but he doesn't cry.
Mr. Merle leads us to some parking lot beneath an overpass. He passes Asher to me with an order to stay back while he breaks into the small green building. It doesn't take him long to come back with a book shaped box of keys.
He picks a large truck, clicking a button to unlock the doors. He has the cool air blasting as we climb inside. The seat is a long bench, more than enough room for the three of us.
Since we have a little while, we may as well eat something. I have a few loose shrunken items in my satchel bag that I can resize without them noticing. I pull out some bottles of water and snacks, using Asher as a bit of a shield since hes not paying attention.
"The fuck did ya get that?"
I pass him a water and a bag of mixed nuts and fruit, answering, "There were vending machines all over the store and several shops had drinks and snacks."
He mutters again about 'useless dumbasses' but otherwise let's it go. For Asher, I dig out a couple packs of peanut butter and crackers and some gummy fruit snacks. I eat some crisps with a water, spending the ride thinking.
Asher really needs to change but how will I explain the clothes? I can't just keep pulling stuff out of my bag but he does need clothes.
I tug off my backpack and grab the shirt on top that I was using to hide all the shrunken items. It's my size so it shouldn't be too big on him. It will be better than what he's wearing since all his clothes are dirty and soaked. He hurries to pull off his dirty clothes, even his wet socks and underwear. Mr. Merle tosses his soiled clothes out the window, grumbling about the smell.
Asher becomes more animated, accepting a fruit soda and a bag of animal crackers. I pass Mr. Merle a soda, a bag of m&ms, and a long jerky stick that I found at one of the sandwich shops. I hesitate to take more because I don't want him to get suspicious.
He laughs, slapping the wheel and saying that he's gonna keep me, "Cause you're the only one with a bit of sense in his head!"