Chapter 7 - Travel

Chapter 7

"Mina, let's get back to the shelter," Reya whispered and lift her sobbing younger sister in her arms.

If not for Mina stopping her she would have been one of the corpses rotting away, it was terrifying to think of this possibility. The ground under them was still trembling; it was getting harder to keep her balance on this rugged floor. She hopped, jumped over rubble and rush over to their shelter. The tremors stopped after a while.

"Reya, Mina," momma jade called running over to them. "Are you guys hurt? Are you okay?" she said in a trembling voice. She hugged her them tight.

Bending down squeezing her little sister's cheeks she said, "Why is my baby crying? Oh come here mommy will take away all your problems," Momma jade said hugging Mina to her bosom.

"Mom is it just me or is that thing moving closer to us," Reya said with an anxious look on her face. Her mom gave a look saying 'we will talk about this later'. So she kept quiet after that.

"Let's go back and talk" her mother silently whispered to her. Reya nodded 'alright'.

They reached their shelter in no time. By that time Mina had cried to sleep in her mother's arms. Reya took her carefully from her mother's arms and placed her on the duvet they used to sleep.

"I have bought our rations from Mr.Kooper," she said, handing her a small bag. It was ramen today.

It started getting dark outside, so Reya started cooking their dinner on a small gas stove.

Without the moon it gets dark quite quickly, like by 4 p.m. Nights were the scariest, they won't be able to see even their hands much less the path so they usually finish their work and come home early. At first it was difficult to get used to, but as time went they adapted. Now, they usually finish their dinner by 5 p.m and head off to bed.

Reya served the cooked noodles in some clean bowls. "Mom," she said handing her food.

"Hmm" her mother hummed, busily scribbling in her notepad.

She placed her food on the table and said, "Mom, eat while it's hot." she placed the other two bowls on the table as well and went to wake Mina up.

Mina woke up soon, and they started having their dinner. It was barely filling but still it was wholesome.

"Girls I have one announcement to make," Momma Jade said clapping to get their attention.

Reya peer at her with a spoon in her mouth.

"Reya, put the spoon down, please," her mom chided.

She rolled her eyes at that and dropped the spoon. It was one of her bad habits; she tend to bite spoons when she am anxious.

"Mr. Kooper met with me today, and he was worried that we were travelling alone. So the kind man he is offered to come with us," momma jade said with a cheerful smile.

"Well, someone is smitten" Reya mumbled with her head low.

"Reya! We don't have that kind of relationship," she said swatting her hand lightly and continued, "I realized what he said was absolutely true. This world is in ruins and there is no authoritative figure to control it either. Thugs and hoodlums might run rampant, so they need a man in our travel group."

"And that poor man had lost his entire family to this disaster. We can be there for him," she said with a sad look in her eyes.

Reya showed a thumb up to her. "Oh, then he is more than welcome in our group."

Peering at her, Mina copied her actions and gave a thumbs up.

Reya chuckled out loud. She rubbed her cute bald head and said, "My Mina is so cute."

"Hehehe, I am," she giggled.

"Mom, i have packed most of our necessities. The wagon in the back, we can move that morning. Shall we leave by dawn?" Reya said her while collecting their dirty dishes.

"Yes we should. I have told Mr. Kooper to meet them near the hospital ruins by dawn," she said, closing her small notepad. "Now, lets get some shut eye," she said, rushing them toward the duvet they use as bed.

They all settled down, and momma jade started sleeping right after. This poor woman has been working to her bone these past few days. Reya pulled the cover on her and huddle closer to her.

"Reya," Mina whispered, pulling at her t-shirt.

"Yes dear,"

"Will we be okay?" she whispered with little hesitation.

"Of course we will, dear," Reya assured, kissing her forehead. "Now sleep tight" she said hugging her close.

Dawn came, and they were ready for a new day. "Reya, Mina, wake up" momma jade whispered, shaking her a little.

Reya woke up little hazy, she stretched and yawned. She blew into her hands. Gods her morning breath was stinky as heck. When water is a luxury, brushing becomes negligible. She gazed to her right; Mina was still sleeping cutely with her thumb in her mouth.

She really didn't have the heart to wake her up, but they had to leave soon. "Mina, Mina, darling, it's time to wake up," she cooed tickling her toes.

"Morning Reya" Mina said with a toothy grin.

"Girls are you up yet. Mr. Kooper is here," momma jade called from the door. Mina looked a little pale today, so she tied up her hair and lifted her up.

Reya carried their small backpack filled with water in her other hand and left the shed.

Mr. Kooper and mom were waiting outside with a small wagon filled with duvet. "When the road is smooth, we can let mina rest in here," her mom said, looking at her pale little sister.

Mr. Kooper quickly took the backpack in her hand and gave a smile.

Reya smirked back at him.

"Let's go," momma jade nodded towards the exit.