Rising From the Ashes (closed for Gearhead73 and Darkwarrioress)

[gearhead73]

“Sounds like a plan.” Tripp said as he unzipped one of the pockets of his cart and fished a hand inside. A second later he withdrew a fist and then extended it toward Kara opening his hand flat. In his palm lay a rather large spent rifle cartridge.

“Take this and if you need me, blow across the top of it like you would a soda bottle to make a whistle. It’s a trick my dad taught me when I was a kid and we would go hunting. If I wasn’t sure where I was, I could use this as a whistle and either he or one of my uncles would whistle back to let me know I wasn’t lost.”

He could tell by the look on her face that she was having some doubts about the usefulness of an empty piece of brass, but he gestured his hand slightly trying to urge her to take it.

“You’d be surprised how far the noise will carry. It’s quieter than a scream or yell, and unless you are listening for it, it wouldn’t stick out. That will keep us from alerting anyone else that we may run onto.”

With practiced efficiency, Tripp run a hand over all of his gear and checked that his weapons were loaded and ready. He hoisted his 9mm SBR sling over his neck and shoulder then let it hang as he checked that his sidearm was secure in his IWB holster.

“If you need anything…or even if you just miss me…” he said with a wry smile. “Use the casing and whistle for me. I know what I’m looking for so I should be able to move through pretty quickly.”

With one more quick check of his gear, he stowed the cart behind the sign for the park’s entrance, hoisted the short rifle and set his shoulders.

“You ready?”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Take this and if you need me, blow across the top of it like you would a soda bottle to make a whistle. It’s a trick my dad taught me when I was a kid and we would go hunting. If I wasn’t sure where I was, I could use this as a whistle and either he or one of my uncles would whistle back to let me know I wasn’t lost.”

Kara took a moment just staring at the spent rifle cartridge before she took it from him. She flipped it around in her fingers before she tentatively put it to her lips and blew across it gently and heard a soft sound emit. With a soft smile she tucked it into her shorts pocket.

“Again, a clever idea, “ she smiled up into his face before hitching her backpack higher on her back.

“If you need anything…or even if you just miss me…” he said with a wry smile. “Use the casing and whistle for me. I know what I’m looking for so I should be able to move through pretty quickly.”

Her smile stayed on her lips as her eyes roamed over the man before her. Then she gave a nod.

“Hopefully I can move through the park just as fast.”

“You ready?”

“As ready as I can ever be. Just a little nervous is all but I’ll be fine.”

She turned to head off and gave him a little wave. What could happen, right? The place was eerily quiet. Come to think of it, everyplace was. Whatever had happened to her town, it had left behind basically a ghost town. She had been use to being alone, but with the advent of Tripp, now it seemed…. Out of place and, well, lonely without him with her. Still, they, she, had a job to de and she better get on with it.

Her search was leaving her on the dirty side but she was finding a few things to use and she even found a smart cart at one of the abandoned RVs there. She loaded her backpack into it along with a few batteries she had found. Hopefully they were the type that Tripp was looking for. Her rifle she kept slung over her shoulder. She was on her way back to their meeting place when a sudden snarling four-legged bundle came lunging out at her, making Kara stop in her tracks.

“Hey. Hey. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Pitbulls were nothing to play with. Especially ones that had survived this incident. Kara pushed her file to her back, reaching into her backpack for something before stepping away from the cart. The minute she did, the dog bared his teeth and growled menacingly at her.

“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Her voice was soft as she knelt down and broke the bread into smaller pieces before she tossed it toward the dog.

“Here. How about a little bread? When was the last time you ate anything, boy? I’m sorry that it’s all I have right now.”

She didn’t move as she watched the dog cautiously sniff the bread before snatching it up. Well, that answered her question. He was starving. Her eyes roamed over him and other than a few sores, he seemed to be okay. Tossing the last of the bread to him, she slowly got up again.

“Okay boy, I’m going to leave now. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He was standing in front of an RV and it made her wonder if maybe his humans use to be in it.

“Can I come closer and look inside, boy?”

The dog looked up at her and didn’t bare his teeth again or growl as she came closer. He did however back up. Kara moved slowly. No sudden moves. He let her go into the RV where she found some unopened cans of dog food. Rummaging around, she found a can opener and opened two cans of dog food and found a bowl to put some water in for the dog. Tucking the can opener in her hip pocket, she took the food and the water outside for the dog and set it on the ground. In the spur of the moment, she went back inside, digging around in the cupboards and gathered up all the canned dog food she could find. She’d take it back with her, just in case. After all, someone needed to look after him. Kara had always had a soft spot for animals. Coming back outside she found the dog licking the bowl clean.

“Well, that answers my question. I don’t know how long you’ve been without food but I’m glad I came along. You want to come with me, boy?”

The dog looked up and wagged his tail. That made her smile.

“Okay, let’s go. It beats staying here alone.”

She gathered up the bowls and put them and the dog food into her cart before she started walking off again. This time she had a friend, she hoped, in tow.

Looking up at the sky, she couldn’t quite tell what time it was or how long they had been here but she took the rifle cartridge from her pocket and gave it blow like Tripp had instructed before tucking it away again and sat down in the dirt with the dog. It took him awhile but her soft words made him come closer until she could pet him. Poor baby. He had been without human touch for some time, she imagined. How lonely he must have felt. She ran her hands over his body and he seemed fine. A few sores that would heal eventually. Kara wondered how Tripp had fared in their excursion.

 

[gearhead73]

“Take this and if you need me, blow across the top of it like you would a soda bottle to make a whistle. It’s a trick my dad taught me when I was a kid and we would go hunting. If I wasn’t sure where I was, I could use this as a whistle and either he or one of my uncles would whistle back to let me know I wasn’t lost.”

Kara took a moment just staring at the spent rifle cartridge before she took it from him. She flipped it around in her fingers before she tentatively put it to her lips and blew across it gently and heard a soft sound emit. With a soft smile she tucked it into her shorts pocket.

“Again, a clever idea, “ she smiled up into his face before hitching her backpack higher on her back.

“If you need anything…or even if you just miss me…” he said with a wry smile. “Use the casing and whistle for me. I know what I’m looking for so I should be able to move through pretty quickly.”

Her smile stayed on her lips as her eyes roamed over the man before her. Then she gave a nod.

“Hopefully I can move through the park just as fast.”

“You ready?”

“As ready as I can ever be. Just a little nervous is all but I’ll be fine.”

She turned to head off and gave him a little wave. What could happen, right? The place was eerily quiet. Come to think of it, everyplace was. Whatever had happened to her town, it had left behind basically a ghost town. She had been use to being alone, but with the advent of Tripp, now it seemed…. Out of place and, well, lonely without him with her. Still, they, she, had a job to de and she better get on with it.

Her search was leaving her on the dirty side but she was finding a few things to use and she even found a smart cart at one of the abandoned RVs there. She loaded her backpack into it along with a few batteries she had found. Hopefully they were the type that Tripp was looking for. Her rifle she kept slung over her shoulder. She was on her way back to their meeting place when a sudden snarling four-legged bundle came lunging out at her, making Kara stop in her tracks.

“Hey. Hey. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Pitbulls were nothing to play with. Especially ones that had survived this incident. Kara pushed her file to her back, reaching into her backpack for something before stepping away from the cart. The minute she did, the dog bared his teeth and growled menacingly at her.

“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Her voice was soft as she knelt down and broke the bread into smaller pieces before she tossed it toward the dog.

“Here. How about a little bread? When was the last time you ate anything, boy? I’m sorry that it’s all I have right now.”

She didn’t move as she watched the dog cautiously sniff the bread before snatching it up. Well, that answered her question. He was starving. Her eyes roamed over him and other than a few sores, he seemed to be okay. Tossing the last of the bread to him, she slowly got up again.

“Okay boy, I’m going to leave now. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He was standing in front of an RV and it made her wonder if maybe his humans use to be in it.

“Can I come closer and look inside, boy?”

The dog looked up at her and didn’t bare his teeth again or growl as she came closer. He did however back up. Kara moved slowly. No sudden moves. He let her go into the RV where she found some unopened cans of dog food. Rummaging around, she found a can opener and opened two cans of dog food and found a bowl to put some water in for the dog. Tucking the can opener in her hip pocket, she took the food and the water outside for the dog and set it on the ground. In the spur of the moment, she went back inside, digging around in the cupboards and gathered up all the canned dog food she could find. She’d take it back with her, just in case. After all, someone needed to look after him. Kara had always had a soft spot for animals. Coming back outside she found the dog licking the bowl clean.

“Well, that answers my question. I don’t know how long you’ve been without food but I’m glad I came along. You want to come with me, boy?”

The dog looked up and wagged his tail. That made her smile.

“Okay, let’s go. It beats staying here alone.”

She gathered up the bowls and put them and the dog food into her cart before she started walking off again. This time she had a friend, she hoped, in tow.

Looking up at the sky, she couldn’t quite tell what time it was or how long they had been here but she took the rifle cartridge from her pocket and gave it blow like Tripp had instructed before tucking it away again and sat down in the dirt with the dog. It took him awhile but her soft words made him come closer until she could pet him. Poor baby. He had been without human touch for some time, she imagined. How lonely he must have felt. She ran her hands over his body and he seemed fine. A few sores that would heal eventually. Kara wondered how Tripp had fared in their excursion.

Tripp hesitated a beat before heading off. He didn’t want to leave her alone, but knew that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. While chastising himself for being foolish, he headed off in a combat style crouch toward the nearest trailer.

The first two were dry. There was absolutely nothing of value inside and the way it looked to Tripp there hadn’t been in quite some time. He took notice of the spider webs and the dust on flat surfaces and neither looked as though it had been disturbed by another person. After clearing each room, he checked various drawers and cabinets finding nothing but a couple of cigarette lighters. After testing each to make sure they worked he pocketed them and then moved on.

The third and fourth provided nothing but a few sneezes from all of the accumulated dust. The fifth trailer was a different story. Whomever had lived here must have had a sense that something was coming or just valued being prepared. The cabinets were bare, which was no surprise, but in the rear bedroom things became a bit more interesting.

Tripp cleared the room and then began a quick search like before, but when he got to the closet, the clothing was all tactical gear. It wasn’t weekend warrior paintball or air soft stuff, though most of those guys bought military grade battle clothing anyway, this was all 5.11 tactical pants, shirts and an empty plate carrier.

While moving the clothing around with the barrel of his weapon, he noticed that the back wall of the closet seemed ajar. Removing all of the hanging clothing and tossing it on the floor, he used his pack knife to pry the loose fitting panel away from the wall and with a quick flick his weapon light illuminated the treasure hidden behind.

Ammo! Lots of ammo! Five fifty round boxes of 9mm. In a time like this that might as well be twenty-five pounds of gold. Looking further there were 10 MRE packs as well as some Mountain House freeze dried meals. Wasting no time, Tripp shed his pack and loaded his new treasure into it. He wanted to silently celebrate, but as he finished zipping up his pack and hefted it to his shoulders he heard a low melodic whistle.

Tripp carefully made his way back to where they had agreed to meet. He battled with the happiness from finding good and ammo and tried concentrating on the task at hand. He wanted to make his way back to Kara quickly but carefully; just in case others had heard her call.

Stopping at a corner, he glanced around and spied Kara there and was that a dog?
With a grin he made his way to her, “I leave you alone for a couple of hours and you find a new traveling companion?”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“I leave you alone for a couple of hours and you find a new traveling companion?”

She heard his voice about the same time as she heard the dog growl. Looking down the dog stood between her and Tripp, teeth bared.

“Easy boy. He’s a friend.”

Reaching down, Kara set a hand on his neck and she wasn’t sure if it was the sound of her voice or her hand but the dog settled down and laid at her feet.

“We kinda found each other,” she laughed, “Any luck? I found a cart and maybe a couple of those batteries you were talking about. I’ll let you look them over and tell me if they’ll be useful.”

Crouching down beside the dog, she whispered, “Dog, this is Tripp. He’s a good guy. Tripp, this is dog. At least until I can figure out a name for him. I thought he’d be an asset for us. Dogs can hear things before we do. That can’t hurt us that’s for sure. I’ll feed him from my share of rations.”

She didn’t think Tripp would mind having the dog along. Heaven only knew who else they were going to run into on their adventures and she was sure that the dog was going to let them know who to trust and who to be wary of. Getting back to her feet she smiled at Tripp.

“So where do we head from here, partner? I ran into a couple of camper trucks if you want to take a look at them and see if we want to take one or not. It sure beats walking long distances.”

As much as she enjoyed sleeping and cooking outside, having a camper truck would certainly make their lives easier but she was leaving that much up to Tripp. After all, they were just starting out on their traveling.

 

[gearhead73]

Tripp stopped in his tracks at the sound of the dog’s growl. Kara crouched and tried to calm him with soft words and strokes of his fur.

“I thought he’d be an asset for us. Dogs can hear things before we do. That can’t hurt us that’s for sure. I’ll feed him from my share of rations.”
Kara said, almost with a tone that suggested she thought Tripp wouldn't approve. He appreciated that, but it really wasn't up to him. The truth was, although Tripp had never had a dog of his own, he had always liked them. His dad had always liked dogs as well, but his mom was dead against pets. she had sat that as long as Tripp and his father were around there were already too many wild animals in the house.

“There’s no need for that. We will both help feed him. We’re in this together right ?” Tripp said with a broad smile. "Besides, I found a few things that might help out with that for a while anyway." he continued sliding the pack off of his should his smile growing wider at the thought of showing his cache. He lay the pack on the ground and unzipped the top and unloading his treasure onto the ground.

"MREs aren't gourmet, but they are loaded with calories to keep us going. The Mountain House freeze dried food is actually pretty good and can be stored forever." he said as he spread the food packages our in a small semicircle. "This...is the best part though." he continued as his hand reached and brought out box after box of 9mm ammo. "Two hundred fifty rounds of nine mil. With this we can get food, fuel, or whatever we need if it comes to it, as well as keep us both protected."

After his show and tell was over, he packed everything back up and stood facing Kara. It was starting to feel to him like they were a real team. they were working together and trying to achieve common goals that would be good for the both of them and not just each other. Tripp was becoming more and more attached to Kara even though they were still relative strangers.

“So where do we head from here, partner? I ran into a couple of camper trucks if you want to take a look at them and see if we want to take one or not. It sure beats walking long distances.” Kara standing and looking ready to go.

"Lead the way my dear." Tripp said with a slight bow. He extended his arm and made a flourish type movement with his hand. "Let us see if Sir Torquewrench can bring a chariot to life for M'lady to rest thine feet upon." he replied with a wink.

After a bit of a walk Kara led them to a couple of motor homes that were parked a short ways away from the trailer park. One was a mid eighties Winnebago. Although is was in somewhat ok shape, Tripp discounted it immediately because of it size. While it might have been plenty comfortable, the size would make it more difficult to move and it would consume quite a bit of precious fuel to cover a short distance. The other was a twenty-ish foot Ford Econoline based camper. Tripp chose this one be cause he had worked on Fords for over ten years at a dealership and this mid-eighties model van would be right in his wheel house.He tried the door to the camper but found that it was locked. Moving to the cab, those doors were locked too, but Tripp noticed that these older doors had wing windows in the front corner.

Turning to Kara, "I'll be right back." He took off at a jog toward the nearest trailer. Once inside he headed to the kitchen opening drawers until he found what he was looking for, then proceeded to go to the first bedroom closet to retrieve the last item he needed. In only a few minutes, Tripp returned with his kit and headed to the driver side door of the camper.

"Check this out." Tripp said to Kara showing her what he had run off to get. In his right hand was a butter knife, and hanging in his left was a metal hanger. He could tell that she was dubious as to how these items were of any use, so he went right to work. Tripp shoved the knife into the crease between the door snd the body and bent the stainless knife until is was shaped like a right angle. Tripp then pulled the knife free, moved to the wing window and slid the blade beneath the glass until hitting the bend then laying the knife flat so that the bent end pointed up. He then pushed the hanger under the glass as well and twisted it until the curved part of the top of the hanger was pointing back at him. Pulling the knife back firmly, Tripp depressed the lock button on the wing window latch and then turning the hanger with his wrist he twisted the windows latch until the window could swing open easily. Reaching his arm through the opening Tripp lifted the door lock knob.

"Voila!" Tripp exclaimed smiling like a Cheshire Cat.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The man had a butterknife and a metal coat hanger. What. The. Hell? Okay. She was open-minded. She’d wait and watch and maybe learn something.

"Voila!" Tripp exclaimed smiling like a Cheshire Cat.

She grinned back at him when the door to the camper swung open.

“Well, what do you know.”

Grabbing ahold of one side of the camper and the other hand on the opened door, she stepped up into the interior and looked around, nodding. Yeah. This would do nicely. Everything was compact and handy. There was a bed overhead, above the driver’s side. There was another at the end of the short hallway at the end of it. She could see a made up bed back there. She shrugged out of her backpack, letting it land with a soft thud to the floor as she moved toward the sink, stove and frig. On some instinct, Kara opened the frig. Not sure what she was expecting to see, it was practically empty except for some ash at the bottom of it.

“I’m guessing the frig works off the battery. Not sure if the stove works yet.”

Her fingers turned the knob of the cold water and nothing came out, not that she had any expectations that there would be. She wasn’t sure if the people who had used it had filled their tanks or if what had happened, had drained them. Either way, they would need to find a way to fill it. Sher checked out the small bathroom then the shower. Cramped but hey, they would make due. It was better than having nothing. Moving back toward the front, she picked up her pack and set it on the dining table.

“So, what do you think? Think you can get this thing to start up?”

The dog nudged her leg with his nose and bending down, she scratched behind his ear. Looking down she asked him.

“What do you think dog? Want to go travelling with us?”

He wagged his tail and barked twice.

“That makes two of us. Tripp?”

Two sets of eyes looked in his direction.

 

[gearhead73]

“So, what do you think? Think you can get this thing to start up?” She asked without an ounce of mirth in her tone.

“Ha!” Tripp huffed as the grin he had been sporting expanded into a full on toothy smile. “ Is a frog’s ass water tight?” He retorted as he straightened up from where he had leaned inside to look around. “ I’m sure I can fire this thing up as long as all the components within it still work. The question is why was it parked to begin with. Hopefully it was just one of those things where the owner didn’t have time to use it. The inside is relatively clean so that is a plus and hopefully is a sign that they kept it up mechanically as well. Lemme get a look under the hood and see what I am working with.”

Tripp turned and left Kara to finish inspecting the inside. He lifted the hood and was happy to see that everything seemed to be relatively untouched by anything other than bugs and dust. Granted, the engine compartment on vans was comparatively small and with the fading afternoon sun at his back and casting shadow on the engine, his visual inspection would be limited. Satisfied for now, Tripp closed the hood and stepped back up to the campers door.

He watched as Kara flitted around the interior of the camper; twisting knobs, opening doors, checking the fridge and stove. He grinned, mostly because her spirits seems to be higher since finding the dog and now this mobile home of sorts, but also because she looked so at home as a domestic goddess surveying her kingdom.

After her investigation was complete, she looked at the dog and asked “What do you think dog? Want to go travelling with us?”

He wagged his tail and barked twice.

“That makes two of us. Tripp?”

Two sets of eyes looked in his direction.

“Count me in!” Tripp replied enthusiastically. “I do think we should camp here for the night though. The sun is starting to set and to be honest, I am a bit gassed after the scavenger hunt. Maybe we get a bite to eat and then settle in for the night in our new RV?” Tripp asked tapping his hand on the dusty side of their new mobile domicile.

“I‘ll even let you choose which bed you want…” he finished with the same Cheshire grin as before.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Count me in!” Tripp replied enthusiastically. “I do think we should camp here for the night though. The sun is starting to set and to be honest, I am a bit gassed after the scavenger hunt. Maybe we get a bite to eat and then settle in for the night in our new RV?” Tripp asked tapping his hand on the dusty side of their new mobile domicile.

She laughed, her lips twitching into a smile.

“Come to think of it, I’m feeling a bit tired myself.”

She looked around their new accommodations, “I’ll fix us a bit to eat. Would you check out the stove first, Tripp? In the meanwhile, I’ll get Dog here a bowl of water and rummage in my pack for his dinner.”

“I‘ll even let you choose which bed you want…” he finished with the same Cheshire grin as before.

She looked up at him with a grin.

“Well, in that case….” She looked from the front of the RV to the back then at Tripp.

“I’ll take the back bed.”

It was the bigger of the beds and she experienced a moment of regret for picking it, but Tripp had offered.

“Do you mind?”

 

[gearhead73]

“Well, in that case….I’ll take the back bed.” she said as she looked between her options.

Tripp was a bit disappointed, but did his best to not let it show. It wasn’t so much the bed choice that disheartened him, it was that they would be sharing the big bed. He new they had only just met, and he also new that there had been no way she would suggest they sleep together, but he was a guy, it had been a while and now, especially that she was seeming happier, he had hoped that maybe they would find some comfort in each other.

“Let me see if there is any gas in the propane cylinders for the stove. Be right back.”

Tripp shut the door and silently cursed himself for being so presumptuous. If it hadn’t been for the fact she had no idea what he was thinking, he probably would have apologized.

“Jesus Tripp!” He whispered to himself. “You have spent all this time alone and have managed to survive just fine alone and the minute you meet a woman you wanna bump uglies.”

He slammed the outer door to the tank storage area a little harder than he meant to, and cursed himself again out of pure frustration.

He opened the door and stepped up inside the RV. “We have about a third of a tank, so if we use it sparingly, it should last us a good while.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

When Tripp exited the motor home, under the pretense of inspecting the propane tanks, Kara stared at the closed door. He couldn’t hide the disappointment on face. Was he thinking they were going to sleep together so soon? She wasn’t sure about Tripp, but one, he was still a relative stranger to her and two, it wasn’t that long ago that she had lost everybody that had been precious to her. Introspect, maybe that was the point. They couldn’t take life for granted. Not anymore. Life was uncertain but still, she wasn’t ready to just jump into bed with Tripp. Not yet, at least.

The door to the motor opened again as Tripp stepped up inside. It brought Kara out of her thoughts.

“We have about a third of a tank, so if we use it sparingly, it should last us a good while.

She got up from sitting at the little dining table and nodded.

“I’ll try but it sure would be nice to take a hot shower. I hope we can scavenge up some full propane tanks soon or least find a few of them. In the meantime, you hungry? Let’s see what we can scrounge up to eat, shall we? And uh, Tripp? I noticed the other bed up there doesn't look too comfortable. I don't mind sharing, if you don't."

Silently she hoped Tripp wouldn't make her regret making the offer.

 

[gearhead73]

"I don't mind sharing, if you don't."

The words hung in the air and it seemed as if time stood still for a moment. Had he heard her correctly? Did she mean what he wanted her to mean or was it just the offer of a more comfortable lace to sleep? Was she attracted to him or just allowing him a respite from the hard ground? He knew there was no way that he could be hiding the shock on his face. A few year ago he would have had the presence of mind to quip, 'I couldn't be more surprised if I woke up with my head sewn to the carpet.' (That was one of his favorite lines from the movie Christmas Vacation.)

What was that in her tone? Was it anxiety? Was it fear? There was just enough hesitation to make him feel almost guilty, but he couldn't remember why he should? Had she heard him when he had been outside? There was no way...was there?

"Uhm, take as long of a shower as you want. I don't think we will have any trouble finding propane; there probably aren't a lot of people grilling anymore." Tripp said with an awkward smile trying to remove the tension from the air between them. "I wanna make another sweep of the area around us just to be sure we are alone. I doubt we are the only ones that are out here looking for someplace secure to rest."

Tripp unslung his rifle from his shoulder and, grabbing the charging handle, pulled the bolt back and made sure there was a round in the chamber. This was all for show and totally unnecessary. No one with half a brain had an unloaded weapon on them, but it created space, and a way to get out of what now seemed a slight awkwardness, even if it was just perceived by Tripp. He reslung his rifle to his shoulder then removed his sidearm, press checking it to confirm there was a round in the chamber and then reholstering it before turning toward the door. "I'll be back in a bit, enjoy the shower." he said forcing a grin.

He opened the door and stepped out in the evening air. The sky was clear and the setting sun painted the twilight with fading pinks, oranges and dim yellows. Stars were beginning to appear on the opposite horizon, the evening quiet save for the frogs chirping in a distant pond. As peaceful and serene as the outside world was, Tripps mind was filled with a storm of desires, needs, wants, as well as fears and insecurities regarding Kara. He wanted her, of that there was no doubt, but did she want him? Could she want him? They were strangers, but does that even matter anymore? For the moment, Tripp decided he needed to focus on their security, there would be time for sleep, in whatever arrangement, later.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tripp had just handed her a golden ticket. She couldn’t remember the last time she had had a hot shower. Kara had gotten use to using a cold stream to wash in, including her hair but she was so looking forward to that hot shower.

She watched him leave the mobile home and couldn’t help thinking something was wrong. Maybe she shouldn’t have offered to share the big bed with him? Would he mistake her generosity? Surely he didn’t think they were going to do anything more than sleep together, did he? She had just met Tripp. Life these days was unpredictable but she wasn’t ready to share her body with anyone yet.

Sitting down at the small dining table, she pulled open her backpack and searched it for the bar of soap she knew was in there along with the small bottle of shampoo and conditioner. The next store they stopped at, she was going to have to see about replenishing the latter items. It shouldn’t be too hard. For the most part Kara had found that material things seemed to be intact and still good. Food items were a little iffy and it was the people who seemed to be generally missing. Gathering up a set of clean clothes, she stepped over Dog, who had taken up a place on the floor in front of the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, she quickly stripped, setting her handgun well within reach. It was loaded as it always had been. It would have been stupid of her not to ensure it was. When the shower water ran hot, she stepped in, pulling the curtain behind her. Oh, sweet mercy, Kara couldn’t remember the last time she felt so good. The hot water poured over her head and flowed down her body. She wasted little time in soaping up her body and rinsing off before she washed her hair. By the time she was done, she felt squeaky clean and relaxed. A quick glance at her watch showed she had been in there not more than ten minutes. Good. That would leave some hot water for Tripp if he wanted a shower as well. In the meantime, she set about going through her supplies to fix them a bite to eat.

 

[gearhead73]

Tripp decided to head west making use of the few minutes of light from the setting sun. Soon he would be enveloped in total darkness, and would have to rely on his night vision and short bursts from his pen light. This would keep him from both breaking his neck tripping over something and minimize the light that would give away his position to anyone else roaming about. He wanted to make a wide enough sweep to be effective, but still be close enough to protect and help Kara if someone did make it through his perimeter.

Kara, she was probably in the shower by now. He pictured her leaning against the stall letting the warm water cascade over all of her curves. Every drop of water a tiny massage on her taught muscles. Hair dripping and stuck to her; steam all around obscuring her form slightly and accentuating it at the same time.He wondered how she would feel under his fingertips, slick with soap as they explore...Tripp was brought out of his ruminations by the sound of a trio of cans clattering across the pavement as a feral cat evacuated the area at a run.

'For fucks sake man, git your shit together!!!', he thought as his hand flew to his side arm before realization of the source of the noise dawned on him. He was in trouble, and he knew it. In less than a day he had gone from a competent survivor to a horny teenager after meeting one woman. She wasn't even the first woman he had come across in his travels, but she was by far the most put together. She was beautiful and tough. She had obviously been on her own for a bit and showed a strength and resourcefulness that he valued in companions. Tripp stopped and took a knew at the corner of an outbuilding on one of the side streets of the small town. His eyes scanned the area, but his focus was divided. he knew that he needed to find way to get it back on their survival or it could mean the end for them both after coming so far own their own.

Seeing nothing, Tripp continued his patrol and moved deeper into the small municipality checking his compass regularly to stay on the desired arc of his patrol. The rest of the walk went without incident and he breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the RV come into view. He wondered how she smelled. He wondered if her hair was still wet. He wondered how in the fuck they were going to get along without his libido becoming a problem. He stopped at the door, turning to survey his surroundings and making sure he wasn't followed. He salivated as the aroma of cooked reached him on the gentle night breeze.

'Great...' he thought 'now I'm horny and hungry'; his hand pulling the handle and opening the door.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The sudden opening to the door of the mobile home made Dog jump up and start barking. He placed himself between her and the door, which Kara found pretty sweet.

“Easy boy,” she uttered softly and reached down her free hand to brush over the dog’s fur, “I’m pretty sure it’s Tripp.”

The dog stopped growling and barking but didn’t change his stance until Tripp actually stepped in.

“See? I told you it was Tripp.”

Kara went back to cooking. There wasn’t much as of yet, but she managed to peel some potatoes, slice them into a frying pan with some oil and sliced onions. It wasn’t much but it would fill the hole in their guts. She made a mental note to do some shopping tomorrow sometime.

“Hey Tripp. You’re back just in time. It isn’t much but it should fill our bellies at least.”

She set a folded towel on the table, putting the frying pan on it. The potatoes were sizzling in the pan. She had taken some forks from her backpack along with a small bottle of catsup. There were some small packets of salt and pepper as well. Next, she set out a couple of glass jars and filled them with water from her canteen.

“We don’t have any ice so the water’s not too cold, but at least we have clean water for drinking. Come, sit down and eat.”

There were plates in one of the cupboards, but she needed to wash them. So, supper was going to be eaten directly out of the frying pan. She was pretty sure Tripp wasn’t going to mind.

“Maybe tomorrow I can do a spot of fishing for our supper, “she offered as she sat down and waited for Tripp to join her. She had found a couple of small bowls for Dog and had scooped him up some of the potatoes, setting it on the floor for him. His water dish was sitting on the floor next to the stove.