The Art of Dying

The Beginning Of It All Pt. 2

 I must have fallen asleep because when I looked outside it was pitch black. When I entered the used to be living room Nathan was passed out on the ground. I quietly walked past him to the kitchen. In my head all I can think is hopefully the water still works, because I am parched. I don't know when the last time I drank water was, but I knew I needed some. I turned the faucet handle slowly as if it was going to explode if I turned it too fast. Out of nowhere Nathan grabs my hand, and it frightens me and I scream. 

        “God damn it Nathan! What the hell were you thinking?!” 

        “I didn't mean to scare you. I was just gonna stop you from wasting your time.” he says letting go of my hand and backing up.

        “You can't just be extremely quiet and grab my hand! Next time cough or something, and what do you mean don't waste my time?”

        “It doesn't work. I have this though I filled it while you were asleep this morning,” he hands me a full water bottle. 

         “It's fine Nathan you probably need it more than me. You're always running around to make sure no one or no thing is near, and you never sleep.”

         “Maya…I set up a tripwire while you were sleeping. So, now we can both sleep with no worries. Now drink the water.”

I take the water from him and drink some, making sure I left half for him. I don't know how we are going to make it out here with no clean water close by. 

         “We should go to sleep, because I am tired and you probably are also.” Nathan started rubbing his face. 

         “Go ahead I will sleep later I promise,” I lied. 

         “Yeah right. It's like you've forgotten that I've known you forever. Plus you're not a very good liar.” He grabs a hold of my hand and leads me to our badly designed bed. 

         “Do you want me to lay with you? I could also just sleep on the floor by it.”

         “Nathan when would I ever let you sleep on this nasty floor.” 

     I went to look at my watch wondering what time it was, but instead  Nathan covered it looking at me. He doesn't even have to say anything, his eyes tell me everything. They say trust me you don't wanna know what time it is and either way the time doesn't matter anymore. We both lay down facing away from each other. Twenty minutes later I decide to get up, and go outside for some air. Nathan is out cold snoring which is new, and as loud as a person hitting pots together.

      It had been about three hours before I went back inside. I quietly lay down hoping Nathan was still asleep. Trying to think of excuses if he was not still sleeping. Thankfully he was still asleep, but he did wake up after laying a hand on my arm. 

         “Jeez. Why are you so cold Maya?” he says barely awake. 

         “No reason.” I responded quickly.

He yawns and then turns me to face him. “You know I bet Skittles would've attacked me had he been here.”

    Skittles was my old dog who hated everyone except me, and for the most part everyone hated him. He was killed by my neighbor who ran him over one day while I was at school.

         “Yeah, you wouldn't even be allowed in the room.” 

          “He would've probably bit me had he been here.” He reaches around himself. Nathan hands me his favorite jacket that his dad gave him before he was sent out. I can't exactly refuse it so I smile at him and take it, because I am so cold to the point that I have goosebumps all over my arms. I put the jacket on, savoring the warmth from both Nathan and his jacket.  

           “We should find another place to stay. It's cold here and there really isn't any resources. Anyhow, what do you know about what's going on in Anniston?”

“I was actually going to say the same thing, and honestly I have no idea Maya. We should sleep some more though, because if we are leaving we will need all the rest we can get.”

I was way ahead of him on the sleeping part. I was basically asleep when I felt his arm wrap around me. Letting the warmth and darkness consume me I hear him mumble something. I need to tell her. I think that is what he said, but tell me what?

    Crash! 

    We both woke up looking around for whatever it was that made the noise. Turned out to be a raccoon that just wanted some place to stay. I rub my eyes while Nathan goes and runs the rodent out of the farm house. I try to reach for my bag, noticing my hair had gotten tangled on my watch. 

           “Great…. That's just great.”

           “What's with the sarcasm?” Nathan says walking back into the room. Noticing my hair he holds back a snicker and grabs his bag pulling out a pair of scissors. What used to be the hair below the middle of my back is now on the floor. My hair had not been cut in four years, and I do not like having my hair on my shoulders. 

         “There. No more risk of tangling on your watch. You're lucky my mom made me take that summer job in the salon.”

               "Had you not I would probably look as bad as that raccoon. We should get going while we still have the morning light.”