The World We Once Knew

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The World We Once Knew Page 22

by Trahan, Leeaja


  She pulled all the clothing off the hangers and from the drawers and threw them over the bed as instructed, “When we're finished we can go through the clothes with everyone.” He said.

  Quinta left him in the bedroom to search for money while she continued towards the master bathroom. Again, for the medicine, sanitary napkins, toothpaste. Anything she could get her hands on. After about an hour in the home, Quinta had finished putting all the clothing on the bed.

  Helping Crystal finish the kitchen up, the three of the others advanced upstairs to find Javier and Quinta and wrapped up this house. The progress made Dane feel accomplished and as though they risked their lives for a worthy cause. Once on the second floor though, Dane didn't consciously realize that he kept his eyes open in instinct to find Quinta. He listened for her even though that wouldn't help much since she usually rarely made a sound.

  Before long, Crystal made herself known in the bedroom first, “Downstairs is complete.” She reported to Javier.

  Javier proceeded to strike a red line through the location on the map, “They should be pleased with that over the bridge.” He replied.

  While Dane and Mindy entered from the hallway, Quinta exited from the master bathroom and dried her hands. Upon seeing Quinta, Dane automatically felt more at ease. Quinta's gaze met with Dane's for a moment and she could feel her stomach tense.

  She gave him a soft smile before she turned to the girls and pointed back with her thumb, “Da restroom 'as limited water pressure. If yuh need to go relieve yuhself.” She said.

  Javier snorted out a soft hum all while Crystal passed them by and decided that it'd be best to go before they moved on. At least the home was clean enough to do so.

  Standing at the head of the bed, Javier then looked to Mindy and Dane before he held his hand out, “Let's try to find some clothes for ourselves and others. Although...” Javier trailed off. He looked Dane up and down and couldn't help but laugh, “I don't know about you my friend. We might have to take the curtains down and sew you a shirt.” He chuckled while he pat Dane on the back.

  Dane was already certain there would be little for him. He smirked at Javier's comment and had already made his way for the curtain. Quinta began to hold clothes up and inspect for holes. Her fingers raked through the “new” panties and other under garments in hopes to find a sports bra.

  Quinta flicked her eyes up at Javier for a moment and smirked while she pointed to the window, “Take it down and me will make sometin for yuh.” She teased.

  Mindy giggled all while she stood at the foot of the bed and bit her bottom lip, “Oh don't be like that guys. We'll find him something.” She responded.

  Dane easily pulled the bar down and slid the dusty, sheer white fabric off before he sloppily draped it over his shoulder and waist like a toga, “How does it look? Do you think it'll be practical on the job?” He asked in a slow, sarcastic tone.

  Quinta glanced over her shoulder and couldn't help but chuckle all while she folded a pair of pants and a couple of tops for her own stash. Mindy's giggles once again echoed in the room. Crystal tossed whatever was too worn to keep, and kept the excess that the others didn't want.

  Shrugging off the fabric, Dane set it aside and joined them dig for clothes he COULD find. Underwear, socks, and not much else. Deep in the rubble there was a gem that sparkled. Dane pulled a large wife beater from the bottom of the pile. Without batting an eyelash, he stripped his harness and shirt. Once again that toned torso was on display and Quinta gave him a quick look.

  Mindy's fingers slowed down the moment Dane pulled the shirt of his body and she couldn't help but stare at him. Clearing her throat, she was taken off guard once Javier announced that they had done all they could there.

  Dane pulled the thin shirt over his head and pat his palms against his stomach. Sure, the fabric was a little tight against his body but it was light, it breathed, and when he pulled it down as far as it could go. It fit by his definition.

  “Nice.” he whispered to himself with a smile.

  Dane didn't even bother to change his clothes and simply packed his dirty shirt away. In this heat, there was no wonder he was happy to have a change of clothes that wasn't heavy for once.

  Now they could move on.

  Packed up, the group left the house back into the street where they approached the home to the immediate right in silence. Javier put tension on the door and realized that instead of having Mindy do her handy work, the door swung halfway open before stopping against what felt like a corpse. Javier peered inside to see an outstretched hand just beyond the door at the front. The window from the porch had been busted in and the elements over the months had made the first floor unsalvageable. The odor of mildew and rot was far stronger than could be tolerated.

  Placed on high alert Javier held his hand out and took a few steps inside. Pausing, just beyond the corpse that obstructed the entrance, he saw a lone, rusted gun just out of reach from the hand. His eyebrows tucked together while his glance scanned the area for movement only to stop. There was an unmistakable splatter pattern on the wall behind the sofa. Dark brown matter and blood had oozed down the wallpaper which then revealed the murdered body of a woman.

  From the way she was dressed, she must've been elderly. Her dried blood had pooled and caked over down the upholstery of couch and the wood floor. Javier stared at the sight for a long moment before he shook his head and turned his back to her. Picking up the gun, he then exited the building and shut the door behind him with a simple shake of his head. There was no point in going any further. Pointing to the last home on the street before the road curved to the left and down the water front, they were met with a home that, much like the last, was almost untouched.

  Quinta, once again with Javier, checked out the rooms upstairs which were oddly clear of any infected. Little did Quinta know was that Dane also noticed there was an abnormal lack of undead. He felt a creeping feeling begin to trail his back alike to the last time. This street was eerily quiet, they hadn't seen one animated body nor had they seen a stray wander into their sights. Quinta knew that the military stationed there had cleared out further down but that was a week ago, shouldn't something have popped up? But why should she complain? This mission was pretty stress free.

  Walking down the stairs behind Javier, he pointed back up to the second floor and spoke to Crystal, Mindy, and Dane, “Since Quinta and I had upstairs in the last one, we'll handle down here. By the time we finish, we can take an hour or so to relax and eat.” Javier said.

  Quinta nodded her head while she began with the closet to the immediate right of the front door. The shadows of the others passed by her and she unconsciously looked over her shoulder back at Dane. Though they were in the same group she still felt...quite lonely and detached from him which was odd. Though the job was running efficiently, she missed the jokes, the looks, and the closeness. Once Dane's figure disappeared up the steps, she shook her head and turned back towards the closet and stared down the top shelf. Three boxes of new light bulbs rested right out of her reach. With a sigh, she was on the hunt for a chair to stand on now.

  Quinta and Javier had gotten to know each other for the most part. Well it was more like Javier would talk and she would listen. She learned that he had a wife and a newborn daughter waiting for him to get home as they spoke. They had lost their only son to the infection days after the breakout. Even though they never expected to have another child amid chaos he told her that his little one was the light in this bleak life. He spoke of how he only went on these missions for transfer papers to a newer, safer sanctuary which was news to Quinta. Even though she would have asked him what those were, she'd rather inquire from the source or at least someone who had inside knowledge of the whole possibility.

  Leon.

  Once again, Crystal went off to do her own are while Mindy stayed attached with Dane room to room. After half an hour, she and Dane were on their knees in a walk in closet in the largest bedroom. Clothes had formed a mounta
in in the doorway and a pile of unneeded shoes were between them. Mindy kept looking back at Dane's broad back and arms before she blew out and wet her lips. She popped the lid off another box of shoes and jackpot, another pair of sneakers.

  Great.

  Halfway through this large closet, Dane could feel the pangs of hunger and honestly couldn't work fast enough to eat. He also wanted to talk to Quinta since the lack of her presence bothered him immensely. At least she was safe. He went from shirt to shirt and pant to pant. He checked the pockets and tossed them in the pile with a huff.

  Mindy continued to glance over her shoulder and turn back again, “Soooo.”

  When Mindy made it clear she was about to go on to ask a question again, Dane internally sighed.

  She stuffed the shoes in her bag, “How long have you been living over there?” She asked Dane.

  Bingo. There it was.

  He didn't bother to look back at her because he was in the zone of having lunch and catching up with Quinta. Even simple, harmless conversation was a stretch for this man right now.

  “Just three months.” He answered her. Another long pause passed when he sat back on his heels and rubbed the back of his neck, “You?” he asked.

  Mindy gave his backside a once over and tucked her hair behind her ears again, “Oh I've been there for around nine months. No wonder I haven't seen you at any of the parties! You should totally come it's pretty much the only fun we worker ants get once a week! A couple of generous vendors will provide some beers that they've stashed away. We've got music from a guy who can play guitar! Everyone packs a sleeping bag and we all go to this building that has yet to be converted at the far corner of the Eastern and Southern wall. Right near the arch that brags about Daytona being the world’s famous beach. Since the rules say we should be inside at sundown, we all bring food to share and just enjoy company. The officials know about this I believe and haven’t tried to stop us from doing it. It's really cool!” She sighed. Biting her thumb nail softly, she spoke again after a pause, “Do you have anyone you live with to bring with you? A sibling?”

  Listening to her about this weekly party, Dane continued to work. He had to admit that it was interesting to hear about because the sanctuary often grew boring when he got any time off. Nothing to watch and nothing to read really. The beach was a blessing and as far as Dane knew there wasn’t a bar. Hell, the small, civilian ran villages he'd run across before had a small home where they'd get together and play games at least. A party didn't sound so bad. Nodding his head, he considered to invite Quinta. Leon was a stretch because the place did seem somewhat of a shady get together. He'd have to check it out first before Lieutenant Fool were to join.

  Standing, he reached up and took everything off the upper shelves, “I have a little sister. I won't be bringing her though.”

  Mindy's eyes lit up the moment he stood and mentioned Addie. She had completely stopped her work and was now more interested in knowing more about him. Besides, her bag was half full, that was enough for now. At least that's what she justified to herself.

  “Oh, a little sister! How sweet! It must be nice to have a family member with you! A lot of us don't have that familiarity to go home to.” Mindy said. She wet her lips before she cleared her throat, “S-so you'll go then? T-That's great! We should go together. At least for the first time so I can show you where it is. Then perhaps we could go more often. You'd enjoy it. Great to meet the others in the sector that you normally wouldn't.”

  Dane didn't answer her about Addie but did note that Mindy wanted to go with him. He had figured he'd just meet her and the others there like everyone else who arrived. Maybe he didn't have the right impression of the party. Regardless this contradicted his idea from a moment ago. He couldn’t remember a time since he'd been to a party much less a post-apocalyptic one.

  “Do you have to go in pairs?” Dane asked

  Mindy began to answer him before he had a chance to finish, “Pairs? Oh no you don't have to go in pairs at all! I was just thinking you know since--” Dane cut her sentence off.

  “There's someone I want to bring.” He answered.

  A soft frown appeared on her features while she once again played with her hair. Crystal's footsteps echoed in the bathroom over and Mindy knew her time would run short eventually.

  The last thing she needed was someone to catch a whiff of her liking him, “Oh of course you can bring as many people as you want? So, uh...what's his name? I mean sorry I shouldn't have assumed that unless......you have a girlfriend.” Mindy's voice trailed off. A nervous giggle escaped her lips before she just went on and asked, “I mean, Do you? Do you have a girlfriend?” She questioned.

  When she said girlfriend, Dane paused. Did he have a girlfriend? Usually women only asked that question for one reason. Glancing down at Mindy still seated on her knees in front of the shoes it all came together. She had a pretty definite interest in him. By all technicalities he was single but the thought of going out with Mindy and entertaining the idea of indulging her made him feel distant; repulsed. Physically, she was a pretty and feminine girl but the whole idea of this put him off. This didn't feel right or natural.

  Licking the corner of his mouth at her question, Dane thought about the word girlfriend, what that meant to him, and naturally someone familiar appeared in his mind without any effort. Even though things weren't official between them this was alike to an epiphany. Or perhaps just a hope. But the answer was easy.

  Mindy's head was tilted back and her blue eyes glittered up at him while she waited on baited breath for his answer. He took a little longer to answer than she liked which only mounted the hope that he was single; perfect for her. The corners of her mouth had begun to tug upward while he stared down at her.

  Dane nodded his head, “Yeah. I do.” He answered.

  The moment he answered, shock settled over Mindy’s features and her mouth fell slightly open. Quickly, she snapped her head down to the shoes again and began to busy herself with work again to draw away from her own embarrassment.

  Either he was lying to get her off his tail, or he really did have a girlfriend. Didn't much matter now. He had already let her down.

  “Oh! Of course, you do. Ha-ha. Yeah....you should bring her then.” Mindy huffed. “I guess.” She whispered the last part.

  Mindy huffed out once again in a frustrated manner and went on to work in silence now. The bubbly personality had melted away in an instant and now she was alike to Crystal. A worker just wanting to get the day over with. The atmosphere in the closet took a dramatic shift and Dane paid no mind and continued.

  The sun was high in the sky which caused the house to grow hot and humid. Thankfully though, they were in the shade which relieved at least a little discomfort. Dane was finally able to have a moment with Quinta. She had been at the forefront of his mind since the silence in the closet now that he admitted to himself that he wanted her...wholly.

  Lunch and break time rolled around to which everyone gathered in the living room and sat down. Crystal chatted quietly with Mindy while Javier rubbed his hands together and started on his own homemade meal of dumplings and steamed vegetables

  Sitting down beside Quinta, Dane's body language was open and accepted her. His attention was obviously fixed on Quinta and to some degree he hoped that she at least remembered the night of the beach. Opening his bag, Dane pulled out some crackers, carrots, and an old can of fruit salad that he'd salvaged from the other house.

  He eyed her lunch before he nudged his carrot over to her, “I raise you one carrot for something you don't want.” He teased with a smirk.

  Quinta packed herself a canteen of tap water, a salad with homemade dressing, and a can of small sausages that she'd been holding off from eating.

  Her body was turned towards Dane on the couch and she held up the can of sausage towards him, “Yuh want dis? We can share.” She smiled only a moment.

  Quinta cracked the can open and was instantly greeted by a smell that...wasn'
t the most appealing to her. They weren't even expired yet.

  Holding the can under his nose, she snickered, “Look Dane, me brought meat.”

  Dane's exact target had been what she offered to him. He had always loved sausages, any kind even canned. He held her wrist in his hand and his stomach grumbled to voice his desire.

  He was amused that she brought up their inside joke and nodded at her with a soft kindness, “I see that.” He replied.

  Quinta couldn't help but break out into a stretched grin that showed her teeth as he acknowledged the sausage. Since the girls were chatting away and busying themselves, he obliged to their promise, leaned in slightly, and kissed Quinta against her cheek. His hair brushed against her face as he pulled back and picked a sausage from the suspicious water. She wasn't expecting him to kiss her and it showed completely on her face when he pulled away. Quinta held her breath, her heart dropped into her stomach, and her stomach sank to the floor. Taking a bite, a moan of bliss rumbled from his chest all while he popped another in his mouth. Rolling her lips in, she watched him eat so closely in her face and felt a heat that wasn't from the outside radiate around her cheeks and nose.

  Dane reached over for the fruit salad, opened it, and passed it over to her, “For you.” He said.

  There was a palpable spark of happiness again that had dwindled away in the past week. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her was measured, and showed his care without his knowledge.

  Quinta grabbed the can and swallowed tightly while she tucked one leg beneath the other, “Tank yuh.” She whispered.

  Javier watched over the others while they all relaxed, chatted, and ate. After nearly two hours of a break, Javier sighed out and glanced out towards the street and bridge. He could see the distant figures of the soldiers patrolling in their stations.

 

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