Chapter 5 (A Father's Instinct)

Chapter 5: A Father's Instinct

Rudolph Alinsky

Estimated, May 2025

About 36 months after outbreak

Oregon

Season 1

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When we got inside, I set Airianna on a leather chair, then I pulled over every piece of nearby furniture to block the doorway. Before I had a chance to look around the place though, I heard Juna scream as display cases toppled to the ground.

I didn't waste a second to get to Juna and thankfully she was okay, just in shock. When I figured out why, I was angry, hostile even. Kinda reminded me of how I was like the day Loveland fell, a side of me I wanted to forget.

I pulled my knife out of my pocket and without thinking I ran up to the person Juna had stared at before. The reason the display cases collapsed. A threat to my family.

"Who the fuck are you!" I yell, holding the knife to the woman's throat, waiting impatiently for an answer.

"My name is Aubrey Lapar, I thought the place was empty, I was just looking for supplies." Her hands were shaking as she threw them up in desperation.

"Why are you so nervous, you got something to hide?"

"I mean if you had a sharp object to your windpipe you wouldn't be so chipper, would you? I know it's not my place to say, but that kid of yours, the one sleeping, she doesn't look too good."

"She got shot."

"Judging by the bandages, I'm gonna say, in the head. You sure she's alive?"

"Of course I'm sure."

"Well if you'd be so kind to back up a little I'd be happy to try and help you and your kids." I took a few steps back, pulling the knife away from Aubrey's throat but not taking the chance in putting it away.

"What kind of help?"

"Food, medicine, a place to sleep. You know, the necessities. The place where I'm from has a doctor, his name's Juan Garcia. His daughter's about as old as your patient. I'd be happy to take you there as long as you promise to not stab me in the back, literally."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I got a little one too. He just turned two last February. I haven't been the best mother to him, I feel like I gotta make up for that."