Chapter 3 – On The Road

3rd October 2027 06:04

Pov’s general problem with sleeping was that she never knew whether she would be alone when she woke up. This expectation would more often than not make her anxious. However, something about Carrie’s words felt trustworthy. She wouldn’t leave her alone in this convenience store.

When she woke up, she was there, waiting for her.

She seemed entranced enough by the marshmallow from the other day. So much so that she was reading the packaging, inspecting the ingredients.

It was good that she liked it.

Pov was a slow riser. And, although Carrie hurried her, for supposedly traveling could only be done when the sun was up, she waited for Pov. Waited long enough for Pov to rise, waited long enough for Pov to prepare for things in her journey (grabbed a satchel, grabbed some food and snacks and water, grabbed some dresses, and so on) (the convenience store was really convenient). Once she was ready, they traveled.

---

07:32

The road ahead was long and windy. Many abandoned vehicles were there. Vehicles, mostly cars, which had halted mid journey and had been left behind—because towing services were no longer a thing.

When the people heard of the world’s end, when the people knew that they had limited time remaining, most had decided to live their lives without caring for long-term consequences—as it no longer existed. Thus, those who were sick of their frustrating low paying jobs had decided to just abandon them. Such jobs included towing services.

Who would have thought that the system that had kept the world running could turn obsolete just like that?

‘… The system is fragile, don’t you think?’ Pov said, initiating a conversation.

Silence. Carrie wasn’t much of a talker.

During their walk, although she said that she wasn’t leaving her behind alone, she kept her walking pace the same as yesterday. All that while carrying a resupplied backpack and luggage, which should’ve slowed her down!

How does she have that much stamina?

Pov had packed as little as possible but still had a hard time following.

‘… Maybe we should check one of the cars—’

‘No.’

She didn’t even allow her to finish. ‘Maybe they just malfunctioned a bit. Maybe if we give one of them a kick, they’ll start as if nothing was wrong, and we can use it for the journey.’

‘No.’

‘Come on, surely it’s not a bad idea?’

‘No.’

‘That no means that you agree, right?’

‘No.’

‘Do you say anything other than no?’

Silence.

‘Silence doesn’t count. You’re not saying anything.’

‘… You’re being a burden.’

‘I was just giving suggestions!’

‘… Do better.’

‘… I’m sorry that I don’t have better suggestions. What? You have anything better?’

Silence.

… Carrie isn’t someone who’s good at conversations. Noted.

---

11:11

‘Carrie, we’ve been walking for hours,’ Pov said. ‘Can we please rest?’

Silence.

They had been walking through this highway for five hours now. How much distance had they covered? Also, how was Carrie able to keep the same constant pace on and on? ‘Carrie, please! I don’t think my legs can continue if you keep this up!’

‘… Think about being left behind and being alone. Let that fear motivate you to keep going.’

‘You’re the worst!!’

---

11:42

The sun. Was. Hot.

Sure, the season was transitioning to winter, but… when the sun was right up there and you didn’t have any cover, not to mention being tired from walking, then the sunlight somewhat… hurt…

I wish I had packed sunscreen. Didn’t think I would have needed it, but I wish I did.

‘Carrie, do you…’ Pov said, short of breath, ‘have… sunscreen?’

Carrie glanced over her shoulder. Finally, for the first time today, she stopped walking.

Then, after giving Pov a stare, Carrie looked up toward the sky. Noticed how bright the sun was. She looked around, searching. In this road, there was only the road, no convenient convenience store around, just the road. And surrounding the road on both sides were forests.

‘We’ll rest under the shade. While at it, we could have lunch.’

‘Thank… goodness!’

Thus, they picked a spot under a tree and rested there.

---

12:08

For lunch, despite being exhausted, Pov decided to cook.

Cooking outside, with a campfire started by Carrie, felt novel enough for this to be somewhat fun. The difficulty level was just about right for it to be challenging.

All she did for this cooking was basically heating up canned food, slicing them so that they looked more palatable, and adding seasonings that she thought fit. Pov made this dish bitter on purpose, because she wanted to explore Carrie’s taste.

She gave it a taste test. Right after, she jutted her tongue out. It felt numb.

I never like bitter food…

Only then did she offer it to her.

Carrie took a bite.

‘Tasteless…’

---

12:31

‘You’re slowing me down,’ Carrie said, after eating.

‘It’s difficult to be faster,’ Pov defended herself, still eating.

‘Also, you consume more supplies than I do.’

‘After that long walk, why wouldn’t I?’

‘You’re a burden.’

‘I am really trying my best not to be. But, really, at this point I’m doubting if you’re human with those physical capabilities.’

Carrie sighed.

Pov understood. Would even admit that it was true: she was being a burden. But, really, she was trying her best. ‘I’ll try to eat and drink less,’ she proposed.

‘Do that and you’ll collapse. The only reason I stopped was because you looked like you were about to collapse.’

I am being a burden, aren’t I? ‘I’m… sorry…’

Pov had to think of an idea to solve this situation they were having.

‘Why don’t we check the cars? Maybe—’

‘No.’

‘But—’

‘No.’

‘That’s our only option!’

Carrie sighed. Again. ‘I don’t want to do this, but—we’ll cut through the forest.’

That sounded good. Though… ‘Why don’t you want to do it?’

‘My luggage doesn’t travel well on dirt, so I have to carry it around. The path through the forest isn’t as easy as going through a road. And—I don’t know what sort of danger might lie there.

‘It seems that we don’t have a choice.’

‘We can still search for a car. Get lucky.’

‘We don’t have a choice,’ she repeated.

‘Okay, what’s with you and cars?’

‘That’s my question,’ she countered. ‘Anyway, if you’re energetic enough to talk back like this, then let’s resume our journey.’

Pov and her big mouth…