June returned to the bedroom, frantically looking around for something that would be personal to both of them.Looking under the bed, she found her personal box that she put her favorite things in, like pretty stones she found while walking and little notes that Hunter would sometimes write her if he knew he'd be working late.Inside, there was also a watch. A watch that Hunter's father gave him when he was young, and he gave it to June so she could keep track of time when he was gone.Gently picking it up, she remembered the moment he pulled it out and told her how important it was to him. Once he handed it to her, she handled it with the utmost care. Not wanting to lose or damage it, she put it in her box and slipped it under the bed, bringing it out only when she was missing him.She closed her eyes and cherished that memory, holding the watch close to her chest. Then she took a deep breath and took off running back towards the magic room."Here!" she declared as she busted through
The next few days, June took good care of Hunter. She brought him everything he could need and used all her strength and magic to ensure he was healing as fast as possible.“Junebug, I’m all better now.” Hunter could finally walk and run freely now that his health was normal.“I know, I know. I’m just worried about you.” June mumbled as she sat a platter of dishes down on a nearby table.“Well, don’t be. I’m just fine,” he assured her with a soft kiss before heading back toward the bed.“June, do you like it here?” he asked after a few moments of complete silence.“I mean, yeah,” June answered, surprised by the question.“No, I mean really. Do you like living here? Or would you rather live somewhere... smaller?” he turned to face her, watching her reaction.She sat down and back in her chair, thinking about the question.“I would enjoy living someplace homier, but there’s nothing wrong with here. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.” she turned and smiled at him, hoping her answer was
They began the moving process almost immediately.There wasn't much work to be done for Hunter and June; the servants did most of the work, despite June's protest. Hunter allowed her to carry her suitcase, though, just to make her happy."How are you feeling?" Hunter came up behind her, bringing her into a small hug."I don't know yet. We haven't finished moving in," she said into his chest, a mix of emotions filling up inside her and threatening to spill out."Well, I mean so far. How are you feeling so far? About the move and everything."June took a deep breath. "Well, I'm excited, I'll admit that much. It'll be a nice change, and I think I'll enjoy the coziness of this place a lot more..." she started."But..." Hunter started for her."But... I will also admit that I'm nervous about the change. It's a big one and I had just gotten used to the castle and how things worked there.""Don't worry about it, okay?" Hunter rested his head on top of hers, bringing her in tighter. "It'll be
June climbed out of the second-story window of her bedroom, looking down and seeing the swarm. For the first time, her reality was starting to set in. Hard.She’s alone.And if she can’t find a way to escape this mess, and fast, she will die a very gruesome death, just like everyone else.Quickly, she scanned her surroundings for options. She could climb higher, onto the roof? Nope, it’d just make her more stuck. She could jump down? Into the swarm? Even June knew that was suicide. The only thing left was a nearby tree.BOOM.The sound of the bedroom door being busted open shocked her back to the current moment. She looked back inside and saw that the swarm had made its way upstairs, devouring her dead sister who had laid up against her bed, trying to heal from the bite wound she had received protecting June.Without thinking, she jumped towards the tree. Grabbing a branch, she was able to lift herself into the tree. Luckily, this swarm was small enough so all she had to do was climb
Trying to run as quietly as she could, but still maintain a good pace, June noticed that the sun was going to be setting soon. Knowing that it was more dangerous at night, she started to think of her options. She knew the woods should be fairly close. They’d offer cover and she’d be able to hear if anything comes close - but so would everything else. Not preferable, but it wasn’t permanent. As always, she took life one day at a time.But with the sun setting quickly, she didn’t have too many other options other than huddling down in a house somewhere; but most of those had already been taken over by the dead or were so busted up it could barely be called a house anymore.The woods it is. She thought to herself, picking up her pace and heading towards her left. The woods weren’t that far, she could make it before it got completely dark. So that’s where she ran, holding her knife close and keeping her guard up.Once she reached the tree line, she did one more quick look around before du
“Do...do y’all mind if I join you?” June asked, looking up at the man and woman, waiting for a reply.The woman scoffed.“Let you join us? Why?” The woman took a look around. “Where’s your group?” She used an irritated tone, which made something burn inside June.“I don’t have one. My family..they all died. So, I don’t have a group.” She said matter of fact, hoping and praying the man would agree.“Everyone’s family-” the woman started with a flash of anger in her eyes.“Alice..” the man interrupted her with a warning tone. “Let’s be nice.”The woman rolled her eyes but stayed silent.“My name’s Rufus. This here’s Alice. We have a rather small group and are trying to make our way to Savannah. We’d love for you to come along.” The man offered a warm smile which eased June’s fears and soothed the burning in her chest.“I’m June. Thanks for letting me join.” June returned the smile and continued searching the store. They didn’t find anything other than a couple of stray granola bars and
Everyone stopped in their tracks. Rufus and his group instinctively raised their hands in surrender; the other group was on defense.“Listen.. we don’t want trouble. We just wanted to know where y’all were headed and if you wanted to join us on our way to Savannah.” Rufus stumbled trying to explain as he stared down the barrel of a gun.“Yeah? And what for?” One of the guys asked. They all looked a bit battered and worn, obvious they’d been through it since this all started. June wondered what all they had had to deal with but figured it better to not ask.“Bigger groups stand a better chance.” Rufus wasn’t sure how to answer. That was all he could come up with.“So you want to join us? Or do you want us to join you?”“I want us to join each other. But if that’s not what you want..” Rufus nervously chuckled and took a step back.The group of 4 looked at each other, then slowly lowered their guns. June and her new friends all lowered their arms in response.“Do you know Hunter?” One of
The next morning, June was the first to wake up. She quietly rose and packed her things, looking in the cabinets for something to eat.As she reached for a can of peaches, someone touched her waist. She gasped and froze as the hands made their way around, pulling her close.“Don’t scream or it’s gonna have to get ugly. I don’t wanna hurt you.” Thomas whispered in her ear as he guided her towards the bedroom. They had all agreed that they’d leave the bedroom empty, just to be fair.He quietly opened the door and shut it behind him.Montana heard the door squeak, and jerked awake, catching a glimpse of the closing door. He slowly sat up, and looked around, noticing the two missing. He had a pit in his gut. Something was wrong.Thomas pushed June onto the queen-sized bed, her heart racing. She reached for her knife but he grabbed her wrist sternly, making it clear that wasn’t an option.He crawled on top of her, holding both her hands above her head.“Please.. don’t..” June begged with t