Chapter 10: Short Break and Being Hustled!!

Chapter 10: Short Break and Being Hustled!!

 (Previously...)

I just wish I had met him before all this, maybe we would have hooked up, "UUUGGH... who am I kidding, he wouldn't want someone as weak as me. Anyways, the next morning when I awoke, he was already making breakfast, and that was very nice of him. Sophia was so happy she eating pancakes again; it's been a long time since she had some and had a great time while eating. I don't know, but I'm starting to fall for this guy.

If he keeps going like this, I'm going to have to sex him up. I was so embarrassed when he told me I looked nice without make-up, yesterday. I still think about it sometimes, that was the best compliment I've heard in years. And he just kept getting better in our eyes as he didn't push me away when I asked if he needed help navigating. All he did was gave me the map and I helped him not get lost. Like men always tend to do on long trips like this.

He would have made a great dad to my little Sophia. I've seen how he treats Olivia, and the best thing is that she isn't his child, but he manned up and took care of the lost girl. We've been on the road for 6 hours now, and finally made it to a resting point for the day. He said that we'll reach Sharpsburg by tomorrow noon time, and we have to stopped to reload supplies and fuel for the RV. I was glad that we have so much time on our hands.

S**t, I started helping Olivia and Sophia do some math that Jack had set aside to teach Olivia. I felt obligated to help with that at least. When we awoke and had breakfast earlier today, and Olivia had joked about wanting to have a mommy figure in their group, I somehow felt happy they way she said it. And even happier when Jack agreed to it. She was right though; Jack has no sense of matching close for little girls.

Well, right now Jack has parked us on an open field of some kind. I wonder why he parked next to this post right beside us. I wanted to find out that way whenever we're alone we could do the same thing as survivalist. "Jack, can I ask you something? Why do are we parking bedside that large post? Why on this open field?" I asked and waited for him to park the RV. "Well, that is because the RV can have a support in case of any type of weather change."

"In case a large storm happens. The large pole helps stabilize the RV better and it helps with covering us from anyone seeing us from a far. The reason for the large field though, it is to have a clear view of who approaches us, and we'll have a good look at whoever does approach us from a good distance and that gives us time to get away quickly with out incident. That's why I do all this, it's for safety, for us."

I nod my head at what he told me, and he was right, I never thought of doing things like that to be safe. I need to pay close attention to the things he does from now on, they might save me and Sophia in the long run. After he explained everything and I was glad he did, he stepped outside to do maintenance on the RV, if it needed it. He came back in an hour later and went straight to the kitchen to cook.

"You know I can help you cook. I don't mind cooking the food. At least let me contribute around here, so I'll be happy to contribute in something." I said to Jack as he grabbed the deer meat from the freezer of the fridge. "It's okay Carol, I like cooking. But if you want to help, start cutting the vegetables into round pieces. We'll e having deer burgers for dinner with a side of French fries and coke."

"Then after dinner, I'll go out hunting for more meat. We're running low and I need to go hunt for more, and that's another reason I parked here. The forest is right behind us, and the animals are closer to us." She nodded at that, and I wanted to ask if he could teach me how to hunt and shot a gun or whatever he hunts with. Back to the cutting, I was getting too sidetracked lately. Thinking about everything Jack does when he travels.

On how he hunts? Where he parks. How he hides away in plane sight. All these things he's shown me so far are great technique's to survive out here. After I was done cutting the vegetables, I turned to Jack and asked, "Jack? Can you teach me how you do all that? I mean to survive that is. How to shoot a gun. How to trap and hunt. How to go around not being noticed by those things out there. I want to learn how to do all that."

"So... please can you teach me?" He stopped what he was doing and then looked at me. He didn't answer for a few minutes and then nodded, "yeah sure!! You need to know this anyways. Especially if you want to protect your daughter from all what's out there." He said as my face turned solemn. "What's out there Jack? What's got you worried about?" I asked nervously as he stared at the pan he was cooking the meat in.

"'SIGH' There's a lot of bad people out there Carol. Before I met you, I used to live in New York. I lost everything out there I a stupid mistake I got myself into. I was hospitalized and was comatose for six months, because of what happened. When I awoke again, my family was gone, my father drank himself to death and my mother died of cancer. That was when I decided to leave New York and travel to find myself again."

"As I was traveling, I saw what was happening all over the country. It started small, a dead here, a dead there. I had stopped at a gas station to fill up on some gas, and there... was where everything went badly for me. The store was getting robbed after I walked in, and the people there were getting shot and killed. And so did I, I awoke a few days later in a camp in the middle of the woods somewhere. Where it was I didn't know at the time."

"Apparently, the group there found me floating the river next to their camp. In the beginning they thought I was one of those things, and they wanted to put a bullet in my head. Imagine that I lived through all that, the bullet, the river, that I don't even remember being thrown in. Well anyways, I got better, and the people there were starting to warm up to me and I thought that I made new friends."

"But all that was a lie!! They were never my friends, they were acting, waiting for me to lower my guard and take all my stuff. It had taken me almost two weeks to get better, so I was unable to leave the camp. After a while I started helping them look for supplies and I was very helpful at the time. Then one night I asked to leave because I was getting stuffy in the place, it was more homesickness I was feeling."

"So I asked to leave the camp, and the leader who I never knew who it was since I was with them showed up. He had two bodyguards with him, and he practically threw me out of the camp. No thank you, no nothing. So I left, but what happened after that pissed me off. So they let me go, but what I didn't know was that they were following me, and when I went back to get the gear I had stashed, they all ganged up on me and stole my stuff."

"They even tried to kill me after, but I got away, barely by the skin of my teeth. That was not the worst of what's out there Carol. Later a few weeks later, I had joined a new group and guess what happened, remember when I said I've met people with different attitudes on life." She nodded and remembered the three types I described, 'the I'm in charge types', 'the I deserve better types', and 'the God told me type'.

Yeah I remembered. "Well, this group had the 'I deserve everything type'. And he tried to have us the group that we were with to steal, rob, rape, anyone we like, but that he wanted all their supplies. That man had his men lay traps on the roads to wayward people looking for salvation to get raped and killed. I ended that group once they tried to rape a little girl, the age a little older than Sophia, and I wasn't having it."

"I killed that whole group and gave the survivors everything that that group had as compensation for what they tried to do to them. I helped them get into an area that they could protect on their own and then left them to their own devices. That wasn't the last time I met people like that. I was on the road for a good six to eight months traveling, and within all that time I had ended three other groups like that."

"That was when I met Olivia at that hospital, she changed my views on things. By what she told me, her parents gave up their lives for that little girl, and I was gonna make sure that little girl survived this damn outbreak. By what her parents did, it gave me the will to help that one child that they gave everything to and hope that someone would come along and help her through all this. That was the only reason you found our little RV back then."

"I wanted to try, for her, to help other people again, at least try anyways. Well, that was until you and Sophia showed up in our little campsite that is. And you know the rest, I help as I can to those that deserve it." I felt moved and terrified at what Jack told me. Know I need to learn all that he has to teach only to survive this s**t hole of what this world had become. From here on out, no more Mrs. nice Carol.

After that talk, I walked out of the kitchen and went to sit down in the living room with the girls. I stared out into the night as the girls enjoyed their cartoons. I was thinking about all the things Jack told me about, the people, survivors, the murders. Why is this happening? Has god left this world to the demons of this world? Did we just get abandoned? Is there a reason to move forward, if this is all there is? I was so confused.

And then I looked at the two little girl laughing and playing together. And that was when I knew, 'YES IT IS!! I will live on, if not for my daughter. She will have a life. She will have choices to make later in life. I will make sure sha has at least that.' I said to myself in conviction and determination for my daughter future. And no one will take that away from her. My determination has just turned to a hundred percent for my daughter to survive this.

Twenty minutes later, Jack called us to dinner, "dinner's ready. Come and get it." I saw the girls run into the kitchen with a quickness, and I followed behind them. I looked at them and then at Jack, and he knew that I had changed. "So, what do you want to do now? What is your goals Carol? What are you living for?" He asked as we sat down to eat. "For my daughter... everything. I want to learn everything you can teach Jack!!"

And he nodded at my response. Dinner went as usual and once the girls were done, they went to watch some TV as I stayed to talk more with Jack. The night passed quickly, and it was time to sleep. Jack went to his room and Sophia, and I stayed in the living room. Sophia nodded off quickly as I stayed awake thinking of everything Jack and I talked about today. Soon after, I fell asleep without knowing when that was.

And I felt lighter about everything that has happened until now. Like my choosing to train with Jack was the answer to all my problems. When I awoke Jack was already cooking breakfast, man that sleep felt great, like I've never had a goodnight sleep like that, like ever. Soon breakfast was done, and we were on the road again thirty minutes later, well after Jack checked all the tanks on the RV first.

 As I sat next to him, I asked, "do you need any help? If not I could go back with the girls." I said a little nervous he would dismiss me, like Ed would do often. "Here you go, I have marked the place we need to go to already. Just let me know when I need to turn, so I won't get lost. Make sure we don't pass, the town called Sharpsburg, the Greene farm should be close from that town." I grabbed the map, a little surprised he didn't say no.

I looked down and I started setting the direction we needed to go in. It didn't take us long to find the town, only a day's drive. And after passing the town, Jack said, "the road to the Greene farm should come up. But before that, we need to stop in Sharpsburg for to collect some supplies and medicines." I agreed with him as we neared the town. He stopped far enough away from anything as to hide the RV in an open field again.

I has asked Jack earlier if I could get a few things and he said to write him a list and so did the girls but theirs were together. Before Jack was about to leave, I handed him my list and Olivia did too, which was funny. Olivia's list only had only three things on it, and they were all the same things. 'SOUR CANDY, CHOCOLATE CANDY, and SUGAR CANDIES, ALL TYPES OF CANDIES!!.' It had written on it.

Then jack spoke to Olivia, "And what are you going to do with so much candy, hmm Olivia?" He asked trying to keep in the laughter that was showing on his face, he was trying to be a little too serious. "Well daddy, if you must know, I'm going to share it with Sophia and the Greene's. Is that okay?" I chuckled and I nodded in agreement, which got her pumping her fist in the air. "YESSS." That was when Jack and I busted out laughing at her antics.

Then after laughing for minute , he said, "Okay, okay, sweety. I'll be back and stay inside with Carol and Sophie. Understand!!" She nodded as well and then looked at me, "Is this all? Are you sure? You could make your list longer; it matters little to me. If it's there, I'll get it for you." He was right so I took the list back and then added a few more things to it, which had him chuckled again. After giving him the new list I said,

"Be careful, Jack . And thank you, for everything." A voice of sincerity that I have not felt in a long time came out. He nodded in acknowledging my sincerity to my caution and smiled. "Well, I'll be back in an hour or so, Olivia!! Show Carol where the guns are just in case bad people show up, ok. Don't worry about the TV noise, out here. The RV is soundproof, just don't move around too much. See you three in a bit."

When he left my face went all red, when he looked at the list again, and I had added a lot more things for Sophia and I which we needed, like my monthly things, some clothes for Sophia, and some for myself, as well as some nighties, and I even put down without noticing some women protection condoms. Then he left us and returned about an hour later, after Jack left, Olivia had shown me the gun collection that he had, and WOW, it blew my mind.

He had all kinds of guns hidden in a large rack in his room behind a hidden wall that slide sideways. "WOW!!" Was the only thing that came out of my mouth as I looked at each gun. So, I grabbed the biggest gun, a shotgun from the rack and waited for his return in the living room. Pointing the gun towards the door, in case someone tried to enter the RV without permission, they'd get a face full of lead in their diet, that's for sure.

Not only did I feel intimidated, but I also feel hot under the collar because not only did he have the tools to keep Olivia safe but us as well. He was just getting better and better each day. I don't think that I will let him go after this. I suddenly heard someone at the door, and I quickly pointed the shotgun toward the door. When it swung open, I shoved the shotgun in the intruders face.

I was a little scared when the door opened, and my motherly instinct kicked in as I pulled the trigger as I closed my eyes. Good thing nothing happened, because it was Jack returning from scavenging. "WHOA, there. Thank god you found the guns, but Carol, maybe next time take the safety switch off, before you pull the trigger, yeah. But you did good, I should have knocked before entering." He said as I felt relieved it was Jack and lowered the shotgun.

I was glad he didn't get angry for pointing the gun at him. I kept apologizing, "I'm so sorry, Jack. Please forgive me." I kept repeating sorry for about ten minutes, and all he did was shake his head at what I had done. "Don't worry Carol, you did good. Next time, I'll know how to knock. Now, here's your things people. Candy for my Olivia, and the rest for Carol. There was one thing I didn't find, but everything else was there."

"Thanks Jack. So, what didn't you find?" I asked as I looked down at my list. "It's circled, I don't know what that is, sorry." I looked down again and saw the girl condom's circled, and my face immediately turned tomato red. "I...It's okay, I... I won't need it for now." I grabbed the things he brought me and ran away and locked myself in the bathroom covering my face; I was so embarrassed.

I looked at the mirror and I could see my ears getting red again, which made cover my face with my hands in embarrassment again, it also made me chuckle on the inside. I wonder if he actually knew about those and he was teasing me, I could hope you know. After calming down, I returned to the living room as the girls were watching the Cinderella cartoon movie from Disney.

After the food was done, Jack called us to the table and we had a great meal, it was fun, we laughed, we joked, and we had a great time together. Not like I had at home with that awful man, we are so happy here, without all the violence and screaming. Yup, it was a great choice I made for us, no more yelling, screaming, hitting, and hopefully I could get some sex from all this, as I kept staring at Jack from across the table.

--Jack's POV--

After we finished our pizza's, I asked if anyone wanted to play a board game. "Alright, we have ate, now we need to have some fun. Who wants to play Monopoly? And the winner will get these two Snickers bars (chocolate bar)." From the other side of the table, I saw fire light up in Sophia and Olivia's eyes. It was kind of scary and I was a little intimidated at how they look right now.

And I saw Carol laugh slightly from the corner, saying something lightly, "you shouldn't have said that, Jack. Now look at them, their competitiveness has been lit. You have to take responsibility and get this game going." And that is what I did, and two hours later, I lost, and I lost really badly. But I was not the only one, Carol was out first, I held on two more turns than... bamm, I was gone as well.

Those two little swindlers are ruthless in this game. But since Sophia was older, she won, but not by much. I only imagined the two little girls as poker hustlers, with their little caps and their candy cigars on their side lips as they swindle you out of all the candy you have. "thank you mister Jack for your patronage, please come again anytime. And bring more candy with you next time, it was fun."

I looked at the little swindler and busted out laughing, which Carol joined me as well as we were rolling on the floor laughing at these two little swindlers. "Okay, okay. You little hustlers, here you go. Two for Sophia for a great game, and one for Olivia for almost beating Sophia. You know she's older than you and you almost beat her. You make me proud, the both of you."

As I reached over to hug the two and they didn't pull away. Sophia grabbed hold harder and started to cry on my shoulder. "What did you do to my friend daddy? Apologize, right now!" She was reprimanding me for making Sophia cry, now that's a friend indeed. She sniffled and said. "it's okay Olly, I'm just happy because I have never gotten a hug from my father like I did right now."

That made me so sad as well as I reached over again and hugged her harder, with Olivia joining in right after. That made Sophia happy about getting two hugs at the same time. After letting her go I said, "anytime you need a hug, I'm right here for you okay, Soph. Any time remember, okay." She nodded and grabbed her two Snickers and left the table with Olivia to watch another movie.

"That's very sweet of you Jack. Can I ask why? Why do you do the things you do? And for us of all things. We are strangers to you both." She asked as she just stared at me from across the table. "Why? Because I can, and because she deserves so much more than this life has given her. Why you? A better question to ask is, why not you. I would have helped whoever stepped on my doorway and also because I find you... I don't know, likeable."

I sighed mid-sentence and took a deep breath. "Look Carol, since I've met you and Sophie, I feel like I know you, somehow. It felt right to help you and Sophia, like it was meant to be. I can't explain it, it just feels right to me. Are you complaining I'm helping you two? HMMMM!" Now I was teasing her, plus she was getting all red from her neck up as I started explaining my reasons for helping them.

With the game and teasing done, I cleaned up the table, put away the game board and got ready for a shower and bed. "Olivia, go take a shower and get ready for bed. You clothes are already in the bathroom to change into. Go on!" She didn't even complain and went to take a shower on her own and it looked like Carol was surprised she was doing it on her own. 

"Do you need any help, Olivia?" Carol asked her before she stepped into the bathroom. "Yes, please. Daddy won't help me because he says it's a girl thing. And he's probably right, he is always right." Carol nodded that it wasn't my place to shower a young girl. "You know what? He's right. It's a woman's place to help shower the girls. Come Sophie, you need a shower as well. Do you mind if Sophie and you share?"

She asked Olivia as she shook her head, "no, it's okay." I shake my head as the three entered the bathroom and Carol took the little ones a shower. And I went to my room and put away the shotgun in the rack it belonged. I had to plan where to go and what I needed to grab next, when and if I leave the girls on Greene's farm, tomorrow. Maybe I should take Carol with me so I could start to teach her how to defend herself.

After they took their shower, even Carol came out with wet hair and smelling good. It was my turn, and it took me fifteen minutes for my shower. After that, I said goodnight to the two Peletier girls and went to my own room for some good old Morpheus time. Throughout the night I heard walkers walking through the town and around the camper, it was a good thing I grabbed a noise proof Winnebago.

--September 12, 2010--

The next day came as fast as the night left, and again I was up by 5:30AM. Did my morning routine and had breakfast ready again, thirty minutes after brushing my teeth. This time we had eggs toast and fried ham; the girls loved it. Always keep them wanting more and change it up a bit. After breakfast I did the same thing as before, checked, refilled, and dumped what needed to get filled and dumped rather quickly.

Then we were on our way to the Greene's house with three anxious girls at the ready. Sophia and Carol because they have never traveled anywhere in their lives, and they were very interested in what a farm does. And Olivia because she hasn't seem the Greene's in a long time. With Carol's help, we made it to the Greene farm in two hours flat, saved us a thirty-minute drive that would have took us around into another town.

As we were approaching a big white house with a small porch in the front, the place looked like an old cotton plantation house. It was memorable at first glance, and the girls all looked excited when we arrived. "Look daddy, over there. That's Mr. Greene, Hershel is his name." She pointed at an old man that was feeding the horses near the bid red barn. "And look over there, that's Maggie, Hershel's oldest daughter."

I look over and see a twenty something looking young girl with short brown hair that was helping her father with feeding the farm animals. Hershel, who was by the barn, saw my Winnebago RV drive up the road to their home. He started to approach us with curiosity, and weariness of finding trouble for his family. As I drove my way up the lane and parked in front of his house and stepped out with Olivia beside me.

"Hello. You're Hershel right? Good to meet you. My names Jack." I held my hand out waiting for him to shake it. "And who might you be? How do you know my name, sir?" He asked while looking at me with caution. Then he saw Olivia beside me, well she was hiding behind me more or less. "Olivia! Is that you? Where are your mamma and daddy? Did something happen to them? Who's is this, Olivia?"

He kept asking her questions and she was starting to feel uncomfortable. "Sorry, Mr. Greene, but a lot has happened when I found Olivia alone in a hospital room. Since then I have taken upon myself to taking care of her well-being. We've been together for about 2 weeks now, and she's in good hands. I'll never hurt her and won't leave her, ever."

Hershel was surprised at what I told him, "please, care to have a cup of coffee with me and explain what's happened to her family." I followed him to his house porch as he entered and I waited outside for him, with Olivia by my side. "Don't worry sweety, I'll never leave you. We are stuck together forever, you hear me." I said as she hugged the daylights out of me.

(To be Continued...)