Desolation by Simon L Butler

Author:Simon L Butler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Published: 2022-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Rest and Revitalise

The following morning was a relaxing one, a rare occurrence and one I could easily get used to, especially after three in a row. Ashe and I slept on the front porch of Hank’s family home, enjoying an evening where my anxieties and paranoia did not rear up at any point. But it was something to rectify, even if I was developing a degree of trust for Hank and his family I could not and would not let my guard down. I also found myself making another excuse to myself for sleeping with my weapon with Ashe around. My focus less on her and what she might do and more about others and how they might hurt her.

“Good morning,” Hank said calmly from a chair just a few metres away. He was drinking a cup of hot coffee. The scent was unmistakable.

“Good morning, Hank,” I said with a yawn, my stretching enough to stir Ashe.

She quickly took a moment to check herself, then sighed with relief adding, “Thank fuck that seems to be over for now.” Referring to bleeding that had plagued her for several days. She then stretched loudly before cuddling back into my side, as if preparing to sleep more.

“That’s a relief, it will certainly make us less of a target for zombies.” I explained, “They have a particularly atuned sense of smell when it comes to blood.”

“Relief on more than one account then.” She joked, her mood unaffected and her smile infectious as she leant up and kissed me on the lips. “We should head back this morning and check on the water, we probably need to filter more anyway!”

“As you command,” I joked. But she was right, we needed to begin considering our next move.

I started to get up just as Charlotte came out with two warm cups of coffee and a friendly smile. “Before you two leave, you should have some breakfast. There’s no need to rush.”

I climbed to my feet slowly before taking the coffee and sipping it. Ashe scrunched her face at the taste, then asked: “What is this?”

I had to admit it had been a few years since I tasted coffee myself, but the smell was pretty distinctive. “It’s coffee,” I said, wondering out loud, “You’ve really never had coffee before?”

She made a face as if thinking it over, then said, “No, I’m pretty sure I would know if I had!”

That got a laugh from Hank and Charlotte, who were now seated side by side on the chair quietly enjoying each other’s company. “So, where did you guys get coffee from anyway?” I asked Hank curiously, knowing just how rare it was in New Alice.

Hank smiled warmly, then answered, “There are a few settlements to the east that grow it. It’s expensive, but then again, I wouldn’t be functional without it, so it’s worth the price. There is also a gentleman in town that grows it in the hills near here, the quality isn’t great on either count but beggers can’t be choosers.

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