The Bunker

"This is- I can't even- How? What???" Sabrina stammered. The other's smirked at her reaction, feeling like those cool dudes from the action movies. Archer and Cody shared a little fist bump.

"How did you guys even find this place? Why does this even exist??" Sabrina was beyond shook at this point. Maybe the universe was feeling a little sorry for her.

"We knew a lot of people and it so happens that we were great friends with the owner of this place. We used to hang out a lot. Apparently he trusted us enough to show us this place," she said while gesturing to their surroundings.

"I won't lie, I thought he was crazy, but he was right. That old man saved our sorry butts a lot," Archer said chuckling sadly.

"Is he..?", Sabrina asked nervously.

"Yeah. He was old. Cancer. We used to visit him when he was really sick and couldn't make it to manage this place. But before he went, he told us the code to open this place up. We used to come here every so often just to get away... from stuff. Who knew it would come in handy at a time like this?", Cody smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm sorry," the brunette said and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Cody brightened. "So... food?" She nodded eagerly.

They all walked down the flight of stairs. It was dark, so she nudged Riley and gave her the flashlight. The girl smiled, took it and switched it on.

They continued walking, everything silent except for the sound of their shoes hitting the floor as they stepped lower and lower into the base.

They reached the end of the stairs and Riley turned to the right and flipped a large switch. The whole place livened. The room was extremely large. Sabrina scanned the area.

Bright LED lights decorated the concrete ceiling and walls.

There were shelves, stocked with boxes of food, clothes, toiletries, spare parts as well as other useful junk situated at the further left corner of the room. Opposite the shelves was a much finer looking kitchen unit with a working freezer, a gas stove and a little microwave. There was a a medium sized kitchen island as well with a few empty bottles splayed across its surface. To their immediate right was a lounging area. There were seven plastic chairs, one single sofa and a long couch arranged in a circle. A small table with a radio layed in the middle of it.

To their left was a pile of various goods.

That's probably were they leave the stuff they looted before they pack it away in their appropriate places.

She looked across to the other side of the room. There was another door.

That's probably where they sleep or something.

"I don't know about you guys but I'm starving," Cody said as he walked over to the kitchen.

"I'll be there to help you in a sec buddy," Riley called out.

Cody laughed, "Nah, I got it. You help Lia get settled in."

Archer layed his revolver, stun gun and some other gizmos on the table with the radio and proceeded to lay down on the couch with an exaggerated yawn.

"I'm beat."

"Yeah, we all are," Riley said.

"Mhmm," he hummed as he shut his eyes.

He felt like he was being watched and opened one eye, only to find the newbie staring at him with big round eyes. He couldn't read them and that's what frustrated him. He was a good judge of character and if he couldn't make out someone's intentions from the way they acted, he automatically thought that they were going to murder him.

But if we're being honest, he hated everyone.

Everyone except Riley and Cody.

"What are you looking at?" He meant for it to come out cold and rude, but it just came out tired.

"Nothing. Just tryna see why they like you," she said innocently.

He sat up immediately and Riley choked on the water she was drinking, trying her best not to burst out laughing.

Cody didn't hear a thing though, he was busy mixing something on the stove, humming contentedly to himself.

"I don't like you," he snarled.

"Thanks for pointing that out, Captain Obvious," she drawled sarcastically as she turned away and sat on a plastic chair far away from him.

"Looks like you've met your match, Archie," Riley piped in as she shoved Archer's legs down and sat on the other end of the couch.

He rolled his eyes and tilted his head back to rest on the couch's backrest.

Riley looked at Sabrina and shot her a mischievous smile as if to say 'That was great.'

They sat in silence. Archer's eyes were closed once again. Riley crossed her legs and started to examine her nails while Sabrina rested her head on the palm of her hand, deep in thought.

After a few moments, Riley broke the silence.

"So, what's your story?", she asked nonchalantly, bringing both her hands to rest at the back of her head.

Sabrina snapped out of her own little world and her eyes became guarded as she focused on her peer.

"What?", she asked even though she clearly heard what the girl said.

Riley broke her calm demeanor and repeated her question with a more softer tone.

"What's your story?", she asked. Archer opened his eyes at the sound of this question and sat up in a more comfortable but also conversational position.

I didn't think this far ahead. What should I tell them?

"I don't know where to even start...", she bit her lip nervously and then gave a little smile, "Why don't you ask me things and I'll answer them?"

"Alright. Where are you from?", Riley asked

"Queensville, Ariden City."

"Then what are you doing out here? That's not exactly walking distance from here."

"My, uh dad.. He was a businessman that traveled a lot around the country..."

"Oh, I see. How old are you?"

"17. And you guys?"

"I'm 17 as well. Archer is 18. Cody is 14, his birthday is in a few days from now," she smiled sadly at the thought of the boy spending his birthday during a time like this.

"Okay. Do you guys have anything planned for him? I know it isn't the best of times right now but it might make him happy," Sabrina asked.

"We don't actually. I want to do something for him, but I don't know what." She glanced at the boy who was taking out bowls from the cabinets to put the food in.

Sabrina hummed in response, "Don't worry, we'll figure something out."

They fell into another silence.

Archer had been very quiet during their mini questioning session.

"Did you have a family?", he asked looking into her eyes with no emotion in his voice.

She flinched at his intense stare and his words. She felt a rush of negative emotions, hot tears pricking her eyes. She swallowed and breathed in and out to calm herself.

Riley looked at her with concern and shoved Archer roughly.

He looked at her but didn't say anything. He was silent, waiting for her response.

"Yes... I did." That was all she said.

Archer sat quietly, waiting for her to continue but she didn't. She just stared at the floor, her hazel eyes were a shade darker now. Her breathes were uneven and short like she was trying her best not to cry. Riley was about to speak when Cody showed up with a tray.

"Dinner's ready!", he chirped joyfully, unaware of the conversation that had just taken place and completely oblivious to his new friend's state.

At the sound of his voice, Sabrina instantly brightened, all traces of sadness had vanished.

"Thank goodness. I'm starving!"

Cody giggled and placed the tray on the table. There were four steaming bowls of noodles with four forks on the side.

They all grabbed a bowl and instantly started scarfing down the hot meal. Within a few minutes they were all done, humming contentedly and nodding their thanks to the youngest in the room.

Cody's eyes were droopy and he let out a soft but long yawn. It was adorable.

"How about you hit the hay, big guy?", Archer said while affectionately ruffling Cody's shaggy blond hair.

"Wha-", he began before he was interrupted by another yawn escaping his mouth.

Riley laughed, "Yeah, go on ahead. We'll clean up."

The boy nodded and tried to get up from his seat but fell back down. Archer shook his head fondly and picked up the boy, carrying him in his arms.

Archer walked over to the door at the far end of the room. He opened it and promptly disappeared behind it but not before sending a little smile to Riley. She saluted back in return.

Riley got up and put the bowls back onto the tray and made her way to the sink.

Sabrina followed her and felt bad for letting her do the work.

"Let me do it," she gently demanded. Riley smiled and put the tray into Sabrina's outstretched arms. She got to work quickly and filled the sinks to wash the dishes while Riley dried them and packed them away.

"Sorry about earlier. Archer is not good with social skills," Riley suddenly said.

Sabrina's shoulders tensed a little before they relaxed again and she responded, "It's no big deal. Don't worry about it."

Riley sighed and they continued working in silence.

They were soon done and Riley decided to check on the boys while Sabrina wiped the counters surrounding the sink which got a little wet.

Riley opened the door to be met with the sleeping figures of two boys. Cody was lying in bed near the wall under the covers in a comfortable and peaceful position while snoring, while Archer layed with his top half on the bed and his bottom half off the bed. Riley chuckled at the sight.

He must have fell asleep while tucking him in.

Riley pushed Archer onto the bed gently and put his legs up on the bed after removing his shoes. She then got another pillow and placed it under his head and pulled the blanket over him.

"Goodnight," she whispered to the sleeping duo and then left the room.

Sabrina looked up from the counter to see Riley walking towards the cupboard above the microwave.

"Hot chocolate?", she offered.

"You guys have hot chocolate?", Sabrina asked surprised.

Riley laughed and took that as a yes and began to make the drink. Sabrina watched her work and asked, "How are they?"

"They're okay. Sleeping. They must have been exhausted," she said.

"Aren't you as well?", she asked a little worried.

"Well, I mean yeah, but I always need to have something hot to drink before I go to bed."

"Heh. Same."

"Can you get the spoons, please?," Riley requested.

Sabrina nodded and went to grab them.

"Thanks Lia."

"You're welcome."

Riley handed her the warm beverage and they sat down on the couch.

"It's nice having a girl around," Riley said while taking a sip and staring at the ceiling.

"I guess it's just nice to have people around," Sabrina laughed and took a sip as well.

Riley smiled at her out of pity.

"How did you make it this far by yourself?", she asked.

"I don't know. I just.. I don't know. I guess I wanted to survive. Dying scares me, so I guess my motivation was to not die."

"Guess so."

"And you guys? How did you meet?"

Riley took a long a sip and swallowed. She decided she trusted Lia. She seemed genuine.

"I met Archer and Cody at St. Rita's," Riley sighed, furrowing her eyebrows.

"St. Rita's? Isn't that a-"

"Orphanage? Yes," Riley said.

Sabrina's eyes widened as the realisation hit her.

"I- I'm so sorry, Riley," she said and hovered her hand over Riley's before laying it on top and squeezing it gently.

"It's okay. I guess we survived because we had each other."

Sabrina smiled at her and she smiled back.

They finished their drinks and washed the cups.

"I'll show you to your bed," Riley said as she led Sabrina further into the dark room where Archer and Cody slept in near the entrance.

As they went into the darker part of the room where the other bed was she felt Riley tighten her grip on her hand but she didn't say anything.

Soon they were both tucked in and fell asleep.