By the time we had reached the apartment complex it was pitch black, I was surprised I still remembered the address. “Alright we’re here” I announced “follow me.” I climbed the stairs quickly, doing my best to avoid unnecessary attention. I still remembered the door number too, two zero, I tried the handle, no good, it was getting cold so I stepped back and kicked the door open.”Wow that was subtle” Chris remarked, stepping into the room “ooh a bathroom, I need to check something.” He stepped slowly toward the bathroom. He turned the faucet and I saw his eyes light up “DUUUUDE!!! This place still has running water!”“What??” This truly shocked me, I was shocked further when I tried to turn a lamp on and found out there was still electricity as well.
I could hear the shower running and knew I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity after he finished; I hadn’t showered in a while and it was becoming obvious. I looked around the place and I noticed there was a half eaten sandwich out next to a cup of coffee, steam still rising. It became more and more obvious that someone still lives here. The relative peace of the room was broken by an all too familiar voice “Charlie?”I looked toward the sound and there I saw my brother, whom I hadn’t seen in twenty years “what are you doing here? And why did you kick in the door?” “I kinda figured you were dead.” I said matter-of-factly “well to be fair I thought the same of you” he replied, calming down and sitting next to me, taking another bite of his sandwich “you still coulda knocked though.”
After I had taken a shower my brother, James, made us dinner. “I hope you folks like venison.” “YOU killed a dear? Wait a second, you hunt?” “Now I do, isn’t much other way, I go to the store for other essentials.” “There’s a store still open??” “More of an outpost really, this crazy bastard calling himself Gonzo, he set it up in the old target, he sells slaughtered animals there, also fuel for our generator, not sure where he got that.” We were chomping down on our food by then, I hadn’t eaten in two days and it was starting to get to me; I think I might’ve shed a tear of happiness as I tore apart the meat. “So, we’re heading to Canada, wanna come with?” I asked between bites “are you kidding? I’m on easy street right now, besides I'm far too lazy for that.” “mmmm true.” I said, finishing off the meal.
After everyone had finished eating we watched a movie, I had forgotten the simple pleasure of seeing a story unfold before me. By the time the movie finished it was well past one o’clock and my eyelids were getting heavier by the second. I also hadn’t slept in quite some time, eventually I asked the question “can we stay here tonight?” “Okay, but just for tonight, I don’t have enough food to go around.” And with those words I curled up on the floor and lost consciousness, the couch was free but I preferred the hard ground. I woke up around noon, rested and ready for whatever what’s left of the world could throw at me. Chris was already up and just finishing the 40 year old virgin, so I sat next to him and watched Steve carell sing about the age of aquarious. Afterwards we gathered our things and head from relative safety back into the cruel, unforgiving world.
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